These are all of the Origami Connect classes taught since the program began. If you'd like to see a repeat, or have an idea for a class, send it to origamiconnect [at] origamiusa.org.
Let’s walk farther down the beach-watch out! Don’t let Beth Johnson’s crab pinch your toe! Have 6” kami ready to fold this cute crustacean.
Take a virtual walk along the beach and fold your own sand dollar. This model by Meenakshi Mukerji was inspired by Alphonsus Rouis’ sand dollar. Get your 6” Kami or Tant ready. High intermediate. Experience with Twist Folds is a plus.
Sun is out! Kick off the summer with a day at the origami beach. Get your 12” golden piece of paper (kami will work, but may rip/ Deluxe washi is great) to fold this challenging 3 D model created by Peter Engel and taught by Ryan Charpentier.
In celebration of the Chinese zodiac the year of the rat, learn to fold Eric Joisel's iconic Rat.
This is a great model that requires a larger sheet of paper than you would think.
We will be wet folding this model
Materials needed:
30cm tant or vintage paper easily purchased from www.origami-shop.us
A damp paper towel
CBP Box
Creator and teacher: Jane Rosemarin
Learn how to fold a two-piece box inspired by Thoki Yenn’s Crossed Box Pleat. The box was designed to have large planes to show off richly patterned papers. The model involves collapsing multiple creases at the same time and is a good introduction to the technique. We’ll also learn how to lock the inside points of a masu box and how to determine the size of a box bottom. Finally, we’ll examine some other models that can be made from the Crossed Box Pleat.
Paper needed:
2 sheets of 8- to 10-inch paper for the box and four sheets of 2-inch paper for the locks.
Join a new origami rising star designer, Rob Snyder, and learn to fold his Lion model. Rob is an American origami artist who started designing his own models in 2015. His original origami designs have been published in OrigamiUSA's The Paper and The Fold, the British Origami Society (BOS) magazine, and the OrigamiUSA annual Origami Collection. He has also contributed designs to a number of Nick Robinson's books. Rob creates models in the representational style, primarily designing animals, and he’s inspired by the natural world, as well as by depictions of animals in the art of children’s literature, cartoons, and tangrams. You can follow his work on Instagram @robsnyderorigami
Paper needed: A square of paper that is a different color on each side (for the color change mane), at least 25 cm (9 ¾ inches). Plain duo kami will work fine, or you can use a fancier paper, like the Deluxe Washi from the Americas Origami Shop.
Fold this cute monster with nice color changes and fun folding sequence. The design avoids difficult steps (there are no closed sinks) and tedious pre-creasing (there are no grids or grafts). This tribute to Godzilla can be folded in many different kinds of papers and is suitable for almost any size. Chibi Monster is still unpublished and the Origami Connect will be the first public workshop of the model.
Paper needed: A regular color-white kami paper will work for the model. 15 or 24 cm (suggested) will be fine.
This is a modular rose complete with calyx and leaves designed by Viviane Berty. Folding individual units is straightforward, but the assembly can be a little tricky, and unlike many modular models the folding continues after the assembly for both the Rose and the Calyx. For all the intricacies I think this is a lovely model and makes a great present. (Maybe think about making a few for the love of your life?)
Materials needed:
For the Rose -
5 squares of solid coloured paper for the rose itself – both sides of the paper are visible in the finished model – however to ensure the model holds together a slightly thicker/rougher paper is preferred – Tant is ideal. Kami/Foil should be avoided as it is unlikely that the rose will hold together properly.
For the Calyx -
5 squares (same size as the rose) but the choice of paper is entirely up to you – I prefer to use the same type of paper throughout. The leaves are each folded from a single square – I typically fold two, which should be the same size and (ideally) the same type/colour of paper as the calyx.
In terms of size of paper 3 to 4 inch (7.5 to 10cm) is perfect.
For the Stem -
A wooden stick – as sold by garden centres to support small plants – these are often green and are only a few (3-4) millimetres in diameter. Alternatively you could use something like a barbeque skewer, but you may want to paint it green in advance. If you can slightly sharpen one end of the stick it will make the final assembly a little easier.
Other suggested -
Little clips
Tool to open small flaps of paper
The Starlight model is made from a hexagon and can be lit up! Tessellation techniques like triangle twists are used so strong paper is essential. Otherwise, as with tessellations, the paper may rip and will be hard to shape.
Materials needed:
Paper - 12" square paper, making it into a hexagon will be shown or White 6 inch hexagon (6 inches per side) of Canson Mix Media or Canson Mi-Teintes paper (98 pound). *Using white works best with the LED light.
Elephant hide paper will work but tends to be more opaque.
Light - 2 or 3 inch LED puck light works well for this size hexagon. These lights usually come with a remote which is great so you don’t have to keep removing the light from the model to operate it. They are available on line and at local discount stores.
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
This is a modular action model folded from 18 rectangles. It transforms from a 6 pointed star into a larger hexagon and back.
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.
This is a complex model
The best paper for this model is double tissue.
Foil will work fine but should be a minimum of 12 inches.
To purchase double tissue paper that Ryan makes, contact him via email at ryansharpie13 [at] gmail.com
One 19" X 29" sheet is $6 plus shipping.
Or if you buy 10 get 2 free.
Orders are taken anytime, but note if you’d like the paper to arrive in time for folding along on the 26th, please order by Friday, Oct 11.
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.
Description:
Patty Grodner will teach a letter-fold for each month of the year. (That’s right! 12 models in this one session!) She will show techniques to use paper, graphic design and quotes to enhance the models.
Patty has been folding since 1986. She was a volunteer for OrigamiUSA for 3 years and sent Thank you letter-folds to the NY local volunteers. She loved the challenge of finding charming letter-folds and personal ways to convey thanks to the volunteers.
Materials Needed: Will be emailed to participants closer to event.
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)
Mike Naughton will teach his Ornamental Omega Star, which is a fancier version of the well-known Sullivan/Shen Omega Star. Mike discovered it when he was exploring the connection between the Omega Star and Robert Neale's Octahedral Ornament. These explorations yielded a series of models that Mike calls the Continuum, which will be briefly discussed during the session. The Ornamental Omega Star has twelve points, and it also seems to contain an embedded skeletal octahedron.
Familiarity with the Omega Star will be helpful but is not required.
Materials: The model is made from six squares of paper (6" Kami works well), and two sheets each of three different colors are recommended. A seventh sheet is also needed to make a template.
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 Enrique Martinez and learn how to fold his penguin model, which he recently designed during one of his OAS group folding challenges. He is a designer, regular convention-goer (and teacher), and an all-around funny guy. He likes folding models that incorporate color changes and that suggest actual things or animals but are not very realistic. Enrique's models have appeared in convention books and his monkey diagram (plus and interview with Enrique) can be found here: https://origamiusa.org/thefold/article/origami-designers-secrets-enrique...
This is going to be a fun session!
Participants need:
1 square 10' (24cm) kami that has a different color on one side.
Enrique 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
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
Complex snowflake from a hexagon. This design requires precise folding, and features a fun and advanced folding sequence that includes many closed sinks and open unsinks. Jared will demonstrate how to cut a hexagon from a square, but feel free to start with one already made.
Jared Needle is an origami artist from Los Angeles, California. He specializes in the complex-representational and inside-out styles of origami. His work has been featured on House MD, Superhuman, in commercials for Rotary and Clear, and in galleries around the United States, as well as the traveling museum exhibit Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami. Find him on Instagram @oriholic.
Materials you’ll need: a square of thin paper at least 8 inches on a side, a knife, straightedge, and a cutting surface.
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 Evan Zodl and learn his original model, Stella. Evan is an origami artist, surf photographer, and software engineer. He has been folding paper for over 13 years, and in an effort to share his passion with the world, he began making instructional origami videos on YouTube in 2008. Since that time, he has taught origami to millions of people around the globe through his videos. In 2009, he began designing his own unique models inspired by fractals, spirals, and recursive patterns found in nature. We are excited to have Evan be a presenter on Origami Connect this fall!
Materials: The students will need 8 square sheets of paper with a different color on each side. 3" to 6” squares are recommended.
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.
Join us for our first 2 Session Event! When you sign up for this you will be able to join us for both days.
Session 1: Saturday, September 22, 2018; 12:00-2:00 pm Eastern
Session 2: Sunday, September 23, 2018; 12:00 pm-4:00 pm Eastern
In Session 1, Jason will talk about growing up with origami, his evolving growth in origami design, running OrigaMIT, and more. During Session 2, Jason will teach his amazing convention ‘hit’ model, Ryu Zin 2.1.
Inspired by Satoshi Kamiya's ultra-complex model, this model is a substantially simplified version of a baby eastern dragon, considerably shorter and less detailed. Students should have experience folding box-pleated models from crease patterns.
If you can’t attend both or all the session, you will receive the recording link after the event.
Materials:
Please come to class with a square of paper at least 12in on a side, already pre-creased in a 32 x 32 grid.
