PCOC 2025 Class Descriptions/Advisories

In this hands-on class, you'll learn how to create a timeless favorite — the classic "Giuseppe Baggi" — enhanced with a clever closure designed by Carlos Bocanegra. This versatile package can be folded from squares or rectangles, making it easy to adapt to all kinds of sizes and occasions.
But the real magic? That ingenious closure! It’s the perfect finishing touch, turning a simple fold into a delightful keepsake.
Whether you fill it with sweets, a note, or a tiny surprise, this model is as fun to fold as it is to share. Join us and discover the joy of making something both beautiful and functional!

In this class I'll show how I treat paper with encaustic wax before folding, and each student will get an opportunity to coat/paint their own sheets of encaustic wax paper. The result is paper coated with wax, and optionally painted (if the encaustic medium contains pigments as well). This can add transparency to the sheet, and can change the surface texture. The paper also becomes slightly sticky, and behaves differently when folded.

This is a very simple (but effective) Jack O' Lantern that provides a good result for minimal time/effort. It also makes good use of the paper. In addition, it has a stand (which can be enhanced with an alligator clip for greater stability).

This is an excellent model for gifting, and as an office decoration.

• Step 21 (stem 2nd vertex) in my diagrams was difficult to diagram and is a little bit tricky to explain; but once it is demonstrated, it's actually not so difficult.

This is a 6-piece model. The modular is unique curved shape.

Have you ever found an origami diagram virtually impossible to follow? Have you ever created a diagram yourself and wondered how it could be improved? There is a body of academic study which can assist in analyzing and improving our diagramming skills. Origami diagrams may be considered sequential art: the juxtaposition of images in deliberate sequent to convey meaning. In other words, origami diagrams are COMICS.

This PowerPoint presentation draws on critical analyses by comic critics and arts, delving into the processes of creating and interpreting sequential art. We will discuss comic artists’ techniques of conveying action, motion and change; we will delve into how those techniques can be incorporated into effective origami diagrams.

This is a lecture only (PowerPoint slide show) explaining the history of pixel units (which were invented by the now deceased Max Hulme of the UK). Examples of pixel unit origami can been seen on my home page [ https://avanmeul.github.io/home/#secOrigami ] in the origami section (in particular there is a link for my PCOC 2017 gallery).
This class is highly recommended for those that will be taking my Pixel Unit workshop, and is also useful for those that will be taking my “Best Bar Envelope” class.

One sheet to fold a simple dog figure

Does anything remind you more of the Pacific Coast than one or two snowy mountains off in the distance? We'll fold two mountains from one square. Time permitting, we'll fold a single mountain, and who knows maybe even three!

The two pieces of this beautifully designed star simply, but cleverly connects with no adhesive. It is one of those models that has been around for a long time, but comes and goes from the origami community awareness. It is one of my very favorite models. It is made from two equilateral triangles, which will be taught so that it can be made in a variety of sizes. This star also looks beautiful in duo paper in case you want to bring some for experimentation. If made with 6" (15 cm) paper, the finished model is about 2" (5 cm) across. Scissors needed.

• Uses cuts.

Are you ready for a wild ride? This model will introduce you to the joys (and the pains) of non-uniaxial 22.5 designs. We will also go through proper shaping techniques.

• Finishing this model within 3 hours is no joke, students should be comfortable with complex sequences. The goal is to finish with enough time for proper shaping at the end.

This model is my modular adaption on a classic hexaflexagon, made from a strip of paper. Each of the three faces can be revealed by flexing the model. A hexaflexagon is a folded paper model, shaped like a hexagon, that can be "flexed" to reveal hidden faces. Discovered by Arthur H. Stone in 1939.
I can show more advanced version - 6 Faced hexa-hexaflexagon if time permits.

Join me in folding one of my favorite animals, Michael LaFosse's Ambrose the Skunk. We will be using 10" kami, bring your own black/white duo for the most lifelike look.

The Clematis Flower is a fun 6-piece modular model folded from a modifief bird base. Once all modules are connected, the flower blossoms into a design that looks beautifully intricate and more complex than it seems.

Designed by Yara Yagi this flower is diagramed in her newly released book titled Origami Flora: A Hand-Drawn Guide to Flower Folding.

Students will utilize 6 inch paper to learn the folds.  Recommended paper for this model is 4 inches.  Feel free to bring your own double sided paper if you prefer using smaller size than 6 inches.

If time allows variation on the  module will be discussed.

• Unit will utilize a modified bird base plus easy to learn sink folding.

The combination of the crane and the turtle is a symbol of longevity in East Asia.
This turtle represents the image of "Mino Game" (raincoat turtle), a turtle with seaweed growing behind it.
Look at the image of the Japanese postal stamps.

Through this class/lecture, I will share an efficient origami diagramming framework. Starting with how to get started, the steps to minimize repeated work, all the way to formatting and ensuring the printed form precisely matches how it was drawn. We will not get into the detail of how to operate the software, but public resources will be shared so you can learn them outside of the class. We will also talk about what makes a diagram quality high, and how to achieve it.

In this hands-on class, we’ll fold three original, single-sheet box designs—each one with its own surprise. These are high intermediate-level models, created with clean lines and satisfying closures. You’ll leave with printed diagrams, a deeper understanding of structure and shaping, and maybe even a giveaway (books, paper, or folded models). Come for the folds, stay for the fun.

• Duo paper is preferred.

This class is being taught in two parts. Please request both classes and rank them one after the other in your class requests.

Joisel Award Winning design by OrigamiByBoice. The Head empty is Boice's signature piece. In this class we will fold across a full day of class periods to complete the origami from start to finish. This is a super complex class where we will be quickly precreasing and collapsing a box pleated model as well as shaping with glue (Elmer's school glue or any glue will work). If students don't have glue, they'll still be able to finish 95% of the class.

The paper that is being provided and the minimum required starting paper size is 18 in (45cm). There will be a materials fee of $15

• Uses glue.
• Students should be familiar with crease pattern collapses and precreasing on box pleat designs. Folding a 32x32 grid is a Mandatory requirement. If you can't fulfill these skills you might be left behind.

A small cat popping out of a heart, all folded from the same uncut square using color change techniques. 10" paper is recommended for the first try, but it is possible to fold this model using smaller paper.

• This is a complex model that requires folding precisely and being comfortable with swivel folds, squash folds, and rabbit ear folds.

Try your hand at wetfolding with this easy Squirrel design! We'll fold it twice, once dry from regular origami paper, then wetfolded from Canson Mi-Teintes paper (supplied.)

An origami coffin with a zombie that rises from the dead. This complex model uses a spring joint to raise the zombie out of it's grave, based on on a 20 x 20 grid.

The infamous pukeko chick meme folded out of a single sheet of uncut paper. This model can be folded from 24 cm (~10 inch) standard origami paper (kami), and can stand on its own.

The class is rated complex as participants are expected to perform sinks, unsinks, and 3D crimps with high accuracy in a moderate to fast-paced session.

Fold a fun set of one sofa, one chair and a few cushions created by Paolo Bascetta. Accurate creasing needed to 3D collapse the sofa and chair. The chair is not diagrammed and I figured out the paper proportions needed for this class. The chair requires some creasing then cutting off the folded paper to get the right proportions. Both the sofa and chair has the same 3D collapse. One cushion is a compound model folded from two pieces of paper.
In class, all paper will be supplied by OrigamiUSA and by teacher:

• 1 sofa (1 pc x 10"/25 cm)
• 1 chair (1 pc x 10"/25 cm, to be cut)
• 2 cushions (4 pcs x 4"/10 cm). If there's more time, we will fold a 3rd cushion.

In photo: Sofa and Chair from folded from Japanese Shibori 8 1/4" (21 cm): Extra Large Tuttle Origami Paper. The cushion is folded from Japanese Shibori 4" (10 cm): Tuttle Origami Paper.

• Uses cuts.
• This will likely take longer than the completed class time to complete.
• This class is not for beginners because there is a 3D collapse and we will move at a fast pace to finish on time.

This rose is one of my original designs! The base for it can be used for different-looking roses if you change the shaping of the outer petals, and the center is very pretty with many, many overlapping series of spirals. The idea behind the structure is extremely simple, but it demands some heavy shaping skills and some tough handling to get the curvatures perfect. It is best if students have experience folding roses, as a very important technique in this rose is the common rose twist. We will fold from 35cm (13.75") paper for our first try. Out of the three models shown, most of the steps are similar, so students will most likely be able to pick which one to fold depending on how much time there is.

• The rose does not initially hold its shape tightly, so if you do not want to use glue, the model must be clipped together for a few days.

I will teach the Arsalan Wares Triangular gift box. I love this model because it works up well with all kinds of paper. Bring an old calendar if you want! We will need six rectangular sheets of the same dimensions. I used six 8½-by-11-inch sheets to make the box. This is a very malleable box; it can be made with A4 (210-by-297-mm) sheets, A5 (148-by-210-mm) sheets, U.S. legal (8½-by-14-inch) sheets and square sheets.

• This design will be taught from diagrams.

2$ Bill (replicas provided) folded into a butterfly

There are 2 bar envelope variants by Frances Levangia that I want to focus on. The easiest and best [ https://ghh.com/elf/bar-envelope/ ] allows full use of the interior. This is the envelope I want to teach. The more ubiquitous version [ https://www.origami-fun.com/origami-bar-envelope.html ] is harder to fold and doesn't allow full use of the interior. I taught that version at PCOC 2017; and would like to briefly show it as time allows, for comparative purposes.

This envelope is the most practical envelope I've found. It's elegantly simple, and makes good use of the paper. It's also very giftable (and re-giftable by recipients); being a unique and hard-to-find homemade origami equivalent to a red envelope [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_envelope ] for giving checks, money, gift cards, etc..

I will show ways to improve these envelopes to give them greater structural integrity. The insights gained from the bar envelope can be mapped to other forms of origami, like pixel units. It's also a great way to explore ratios and scaling issues (especially for origami based on rectangles).

• The hardest part of this model is a locking fold that some students misfold as a squash fold. Also the last step is easier to demonstrate than to diagram. Basically it's a pretty simple model; especially once it has been learned.

Enjoy this rare opportunity to hear Maekawa-san reflect on his long career as a creative origami artist and theorist. From our first meeting in Japan over forty years ago, Maekawa-san and I have traced sometimes parallel, sometimes intersecting paths on opposite sides of the Pacific Ocean. Reflecting on our long friendship, I will be asking him about the genesis of his numerous and varied origami models, including his famous devil; why he is drawn to folding from paper with the ratio one to the square root of two; his fascination with the orizuru, the Japanese paper crane; the convergence of tradition and innovation in his approach to design; and his thoughts on where origami is heading. Don’t miss it!

Dinosaurs are a classic subject for origami artists. In this class, we'll fold two of my favorite dinosaur: a plant-eating herbivore Triceratops and a winged dinosaur Pteranodon!

Dollar bill folding AND tessellations, what could be better?! Students should be familiar with the basics of tessellation techniques i.e. accurate grid folding and unfolding pleated intersections to rearrange layers into waterbomb bases. Tweezers are recommended to install the locks on the reverse side. Jumbo sized “bills” will be provided.

This class will be a step-by-step guided lesson on folding my horned beast! The model is based on a 22.5° system and has a very satisfying folding sequence. The beast has a rotatable head and a lot of room for shaping creativity! It includes spread sinks, closed sinks, and a couple of collapses. Despite its complexity, the model lies flat between each step. I designed the horned beast from scratch last summer while living in Bulgaria throughout 2024.

• The model requires a high degree of accuracy and a good knowledge of how the 22.5° system works.

This was taught by Jun MAEKAWA at Kyushu Tanteidan Convention 2025. This design is simple enough to be folded from one sheet of 6 inch (15cm) paper.

This flower has a fun sequence in the middle that should prove a fun puzzle. Let's see if you can lock it in with me!

A lovely model. Straight forward folding, some clever moves, one sink but it is an open one.

In this class we'll fold tessellation-style pleated geometric patterns without precreasing. Each fold will be simple--just a pleat--and no folds will need to be undone. However, no reference points, or any other precreases will be used, and so you'll have to look at the folds you're making and pay attention to them as you work. Each student will be able to select a pattern from a "menu". Depending on your ambition (and granularity of your folding), it may take you slightly longer than the class period to finish.

We're going to fold some puppies! I've rated this intermediate, but know that there is one tight open sink fold to master. I'll have you guys barking up that tree in no time though! And there will be origami puppies at the end to alleviate any stress that may cause.

This model appears to be simply a cube wrapped in three colorful ribbons. It is actually a six-piece modular box that takes advantage of a color change to simulate the ribbons. This is a perfect model to use as a holiday decoration.

• Use 6” kami paper, white in one side and colored/patterned on the reverse side. While only 6 sheets are needed for the model, have an additional 2 sheets for a variation.

Pretty star with some inner crimps. Fun to try different paper patterns but not too busy.

• Inner crimp folds, can be a little tricky

This model is complex. However, it is relatively "painless" to fold and a good challenge for making complex models.

This Stern Franziska by Carmen Sprung is a beautiful modular model. Various sizes and paper can be used. It is an excellent model that can be flattened to travel.
The last step is a “blooming” miracle!

• Students should be comfortable with several step folds and repeating these.
  A large copy of each step will be displayed.