Origami Connect - Past Events

Janet
Enrica Dray Star is a modular star from 8 squares. The modules are simple and the assembly is intermediate. It's a fun, versatile star that has dimension but can also lie flat. Lots of beautiful results can be attained with different papers and variations. Pretty on a card, as a decoration and can even be used as a pin.

Char
Petra Star is a super easy model by Maria Sinayskaya...great for the inexperienced folder, but advanced folders love it as well. It is very rewarding for the little time spent, and a great “quick fold” if you want to thank someone on the spot --- as long as you have 4 sheets of paper available!
Materials required: 4 squares. The models shown are made from 7.5 cm (3 in) --- one from duo and one from regular kami. Paper weight of kami or duo. Mono is not recommended. You will also need a slicer or scissors since we will be cutting each sheet of paper in half into 2 rectangles.

The 6 Pointed Star by Lewis Simon Is intermediate level. It is made from 2 equilateral triangles. Char will teach how to make the equilateral triangles, which is most of the challenge of the model. It's an easy model to fold once you have the triangles and very clever in the way the two units interconnect. As a bonus, Char will teach a sailboat model (pictured) that she designed with the leftover paper from making the equilateral triangle from a square. It is very easy to fold.
In addition to teaching, Char will talk about her work in origami and mathematics and about her work in math-art. She will tailor her remarks to the interests of the audience, so get your questions ready. You can even send questions ahead of time to origamiconnect [at] origamiusa.org

It's the Circle of Life! Joe Adia presents mask designs based on the Disney characters of Mufasa and Scar from "The Lion King". More specifically the masks from the Broadway musical! They are intermediate models folded from bird bases that use easy to follow shaping for the most heroic and sinister expressions of a lion.

Aspen Leaf and Birch Leaf designs are from single uncut squares and inspired by Atsuko Kawate's Shining Heart. These beautiful leaves will be in Meenakshi’s upcoming new edition of Wondrous One Sheet Origami, CRC Press. Level - High Intermediate. Material - 6" square of any foliage color, variegated or harmony would be nice.

Janet Yelle has been folding since 1988. She attended her first OrigamiUSA convention in NYC in 1990 and has attended all of them since then. She leads a local group called Valley Folders that has been meeting monthly for well over 15 years at a local library. The Prismatic Star is a 7-pointed, box pleated 3D model from a square, and was one of the first models Janet created (c. 1990).

Materials: a square sheet of origami paper, 6” (aka 15 cm)

This new design by Seth Friedman uses angles and shapes from the Traditional Crane reimagined to form a complex realistic camel. You’ll love the neat, streamlined folding sequence, full of satisfying collapses and maneuvers for the experienced folder.

Materials: Participants will need to bring a sheet of paper at least 12 inches square. You can also use a larger sheet. For a challenge you may use 10 inch foil, but 10 inch kami is not recommended.

Join Marc Vigo and learn how to fold his life-like turtle (Tuga) model. Marc's designs have been published in multiple Pajarita magazines, convention books, NOA Magazine, The Paper, and many others. He has created over 50 models, including many of the corresponding diagrams and CPs. In addition to designing, he enjoys teaching, and challenging his fellow folders to take chances and experiment more. To see more of his work, visit his Flickr page.

If there's extra time, Marc definitely wishes to teach an additional model. Yay!

Participants need:
1 square 10' (24cm) kami that has a different color on one side.

Marc is a member of the talented and inspiring designer group called OAS (Origami Always Succeed!) from Barcelona Spain. OAS meets weekly, constantly challenging each other to improve their origami craft. Additionally, they are well-known for their generosity and light-hearted approach to folding ("Precision is for the weak!"). A fundraiser is underway to bring all of OAS to the Pacific Coast OrigamiUSA Convention (PCOC) in Portland, Oregon (Sept. 12-15, 2019). If you wish to learn more, visit https://fundrazr.com/OAS-PCOC2019

Lillian Oppenheimer was famous for teaching beginners and encouraging them to continue in origami. She developed her First Lesson using models that were easy to teach and easy to fold, and which increased origami skill-building and self-esteem. In this class, Jan will teach you the simple models Lillian loved and show you the best ways to teach them to others. (jumping frog from biz card, sail boat, swan, either Star basket or blow-up bunny)

Materials: 8-1/2 x 11, index cards, 6” Kami.

Join us welcoming a fantastic teacher, Deb Pun, who will teach this clever and popular model taught by Akiko Yamanashi at the recent OrigamiUSA convention in June. Although Akiko has a similar model in her recent book, this model is not yet published and has some clever paper ratios.

If you can’t attend the session live, you will receive the recording link after the event.

Materials needed: This model will require a total of 3 sheets of 6 inch (15 cm) kami, 2 sheets for the box and 1 sheet for the drawer. I recommend to use larger sheets 9 inch (24 cm) for your first model.

Gilad Aharoni has been folding and accumulating origami books for over 30 years. At some point, he started making lists of what's inside his books, but new books kept on coming and he never stopped. Those lists are now available for all to search at http://www.giladorigami.com

Along the way, Gilad has also designed a few of his own models. He'll teach one of his first and favorite designs: The Singing Fish - a fun action models from a $ bill. He will also talk about his database and website, and how he owes his current livelihood to origami.

Materials needed: Please have a US dollar bill ready, or any longish rectangle of any kind of paper.

Beth will teach a turtle she designed using a tessellation pattern. The model is folded from a hexagon and uses a triangle grid of 16ths. We will start with a square and Beth will begin by showing you how fold and cut a hexagon and then how to fold a triangle grid.

Materials needed:
Paper: One 10" Square sheet of paper OR a pre-cut hexagon. A slightly heavier paper is recommended for this model. Elephant hide works well, but copy paper can work too. Kami or foil paper is not recommended.

Tools: A ruler and some way to cut the paper (scissors, x-acto knife + cutting mat, etc). Unless you have a pre-cut hexagon.

Ali Bahmani is an origami artist/instructor based in Tehran who grew up as a child in Japan. He has studied Mathematics and he is now getting his Master's degree in Museum Studies. He has designed and published his diagrams internationally in origami publications from the USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Italy and more.

Ali likes simplicity and appreciates simple and elegant origami models, especially geometrical ones. Most of his designs have geometric structure with certain design and aesthetic qualities in the final result. His latest series of origami designs, named "Patterns and Shadows", incorporates lights and shadows into geometrical models to produce beautiful and pleasing artworks.

Teaching is one of Ali's favorite activities. He has held several origami workshops in Iranian schools and at universities and Japan for all ages and backgrounds.

You can Also find Ali at his Instagram & Facebook where he posts about his origami journey and passions.

The buzz about the next Origami Connect is true – there will be bees! An intermediate level model will be taught, along with a simpler take on the subject. Time permitting, a flower might be thrown in for good measure. All models will be taught by Marc Kirschenbaum, the origami wiz who designed these cute pieces. Typical of origami experts, Marc has authored many books, has been showcased in multiple exhibitions, and has even had a few private shows in his hometown in NYC. The fun in origami is in the folding - Marc likes to set his work apart by having interesting and engaging sequences. These bees are no exception, and have the added feature of being flat for use as a card decoration.