1. Super Simple Heart

As its name suggests, this model is very simple and quick — ideal if you have those long stripes of fancy paper lying around.

2. Geometric Heart

Unusual shape, all planes and angles, and it’s 3D too!

3. Heart of True Love

Very elegant design – just be sure to use a heavier paper for best results.

4. Love is in the Air

Release this heart gently into the air and watch it glide!

5. Bat-Winged Origami Heart

The most challenging one out of the bunch, but isn’t it awesome?!

Five Easy Origami Hearts

Video tutorial presented by Sara Adams of HappyFolding.com:

For the instructions on how to cut a hexagon from a square, see the diagram below:

12-Pointed Origami Star

The Braided Corona Star is a more advanced version of the star I created last year, the Braided Star. By tweaking the unit here and there I was able to reveal an extra layer of paper that adds even more visual interest to the model!

Watch this video tutorial created by Sara Adams of HappyFolding.com to learn how to fold this star, and don’t forget to subscribe to her YouTube channel to never miss a new video!

Braided Corona Star

It’s that time of the year again! Time to fold origami stars and Christmas decorations.

For this project you will need 30 square sheets of paper, preferably double-sided. For the model pictured above I used 6 cm squares of red-yellow colored origami paper by Toyo (Japan). It worked out nicely, but I actually recommend using larger sheets, at least 7.5 cm (3 inch) in length.

Follow the video tutorial created by Sara Adams of HappyFolding.com where she demonstrates how to fold the unit and assemble all 30 of them into a modular ball:

Star Sonobe

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

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

Why not celebrate the event by making your own origami butterfly?! Here is a step-by-step tutorial for a 3-d variation of a classic butterfly by Akira Yoshizawa (first spotted on Nick Robinson’s blog), 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 web page — Awagami Factory to find out if it’s available in your country.

Origami Butterfly

Origami Kawasaki Rose can make a great stylish magnet for your fridge — as well as a unique gift for Valentine’s Day!

Glue a piece of flexible or metal magnet to the rose bottom (or just place it into the pockets) and there you have it!

And if you ever feel like folding 25 Kawasaki Roses I have an inspiration picture for you. This is something I made last year — took me 2 days to finish!

Kawasaki Rose

This is a great model indeed and I’m always sorry to hear that many people have trouble assembling it.  The secret to easy and flawless assembly is to unfold and open up pockets before trying to tuck flaps inside! Just open the pocket, put the flap in place and close the pocket. That’s it. No struggle at all.

I also watched a few videos trying to find a good one to link to, but with no luck. Well, at least this one is an excellent example of how NOT to do it.

Cherry Blossom Ball