Origami Connect - Past Events

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.

Magician, memory expert and origami master Benjamin Levy combines three talents in one very special session: Learn a magic trick you can perform, which you will fold, enhanced by his mnemonic tricks...

This session received rave reviews at prior conventions (OUSA and Columbus) and the trick is similar to one Benjamin uses in his performances everywhere from corporate events to the White House.

For more on Benjamin and his magic, go to benjaminlevymemory.com -
Or google his performances on The Martha Show!

*********SUPPLIES************

1. Six different-colored 3 ½” squares of memo-cube paper. Benjamin will use:

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Pink

2. One 5 ¼” square of black/charcoal, heavy (60 lb.ish) paper for lid. Benjamin uses Strathmore Art paper - it is solid colored but has a mottled texture that gives the paper a little life and depth.

3. One 9” square of the same paper for the box proper