Description

Name:	HPBD Star
Designer:	Andrey Hechuev
Units:	6
Paper ratio:	squares
Assembled with:	no glue
Paper size:	7 cm
Model size:	~ 12 cm
Paper:	mix of Chiyogami and solid-colored washi paper (leftover paper from those boxes )

Diagrammed with designer’s permission.

HPBD Origami Star

Mandala Carla is one of the latest origami designs of mine, it’s barely a few days old. It’s dedicated to an origami enthusiast from Brasil – Carla Onishi,  hence the name. And why is it called “mandala”, I hear you ask. Well, firstly, I was told that’s how they call origami stars in Brazil (have no idea how true it really is, if someone can explain me the difference between “mandala” and “estrella” that would be nice). And secondly, because I felt like mandala is something meant to be looked at from one side only – which is exactly the case with this design

The reverse side of this model looks a bit weird, but I liked the front so much that I decided I don’t really care. Use it to decorate gifts and cards, hang it up on the wall or magnet it to the fridge.

Scroll down for the diagram!

Happy folding and let me know how it turned out! If it didn’t – let me know as well:)

/Click on the image for the full size version/

Mandala Carla

This is a very special flower. The flower my origami friend Carla dedicated to me! I’m so flattered – and delighted! Thank you so much, dear:)

P.S. Believe it or not, but just 20 minutes ago I came up with a new origami star design (as one can figure out from my photostream on Flickr, I’ve been playing with stars quite heavily lately). So what I do know about this new design for sure, is that I’ll name it Mandala Carla:) What I’m not so sure about, is when exactly I’ll be able to post photos and instructions for this. Hopefully this week – I haven’t shared anything new for ages!

Origami Flower: Flor de Maria

I love origami boxes. Modular, single sheet designs, bowls, dishes… everything!

And although modular boxes are usually more practical because they are sturdier, the single sheet self-locking ones are more fun to make! So if you fancy a bit of a challenge, try this ninja star-shaped box designed by Evi Binzinger. I made three of them! Find links to a crease pattern and video instructions in the description section.

Shuriken Star Origami Box

Looking for a nice Halloween origami model? Look no more! Follow the link below to the video tutorial to find out how to fold this elegant Bat-Winged Heart by Riki Saito.  Apart from being a bat and a heart at the same time it can also be used as a candy dish. Stunning!

The design above is based on another lovely model – Origami Heart Dish by Ildikó Vass, which by itself is an absolute must-fold for anyone who has a sheet of paper at hand. Don’t miss the link to the tutorial in the description section.

Halloween Origami: Bat-Winged Heart

You don’t have to use glue to make it, but a bit of patience will definitely help! Find a link to a tutorial for this beauty below!

Primrose Kusudama

Parati Prata Star

Description

Name:	Pinwheel Dodecahedron
Designer:	Meenakshi Mukerji
Units:	30
Paper ratio:	square
Assembled with:	no glue
Paper size:	7.5 cm
Model size:	~ 7 cm
Paper:	Origami paper, waterdrop pattern, JONG IE NARA (Korea)
Diagram:	Exquisite Modular Origami by Meenakshi Mukerji, p. 30

Pinwheel Dodecahedron

Today is the 101st birthday of Akira Yoshizawa, the great origami master and the father of the modern origami. You have probably noticed that Google marked the occasion with a special origami doodle created by Robert Lang!

Why not to celebrate the event by making your own origami butterfly?! Here is a step-by-step tutorial for a 3-d variation of  classic butterfly by Akira Yoshizawa, enjoy!

UPD. A few people have asked me about the paper I used to fold those butterflies, so I thought I’d update the post with some photos. It was a set of traditional Japanese washi paper (brought to me from Japan). Try the producer’s webpage - Awagami Factory to find out if it’s available in your country.

Origami Butterfly

I had some experience with Chiyogami before (for example, see this box or this kusudama), so I’d been prepared for the beauty of the paper. What I wasn’t prepared for was the sheer amount of it and the incredible variety of different colours and patterns! There are just hundreds and hundreds of them – flowers, leaves, umbrellas, cranes, paisley (I’m crazy about paisley!), stripes, dots, traditional Japanese patterns… you name it!

Well, after I finished browsing through this stack the first time, there were 8 missed calls on my phone – heard nothing, so mesmerized I was!

Up to this point, I’ve been basically just looking through this pile, trying to sort it out somehow and figure out how exactly I’m going to store it. I also have folded a Kawasaki Rose and a few origami stars out of this paper, and I’m very happy with how they turned out. As soon as I fold more, I’ll write in more detail about the features and qualities of this paper – along with my thoughts on how it performs in terms of origami and what sort of models it works best for.

Until then, take a look at some of my favorite patterns from the stock and see for yourself why I call it the best giveaway ever!

Purple patterns:

Green patterns:

Black patterns:

Red patterns:

Blue patterns:

UPD. Here is a gallery of all my folds from chiyogami paper.

Look what I won!