Saturday, December 25, 2010

Mitzi Sonobe.



Cat proof Origami?
This was my daughter's Christmas gift to her kitten Mitzi: a stellated octahedron made from Sonobe units. Mitzi (short for Mittens not Mitsunobu!) doesn't look too impressed but I'm sure it will grow on her. It contains a bell but we may have to replace that with food treats to encourage her to appreciate it fully!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Christmas Star


Here's a star I designed a couple of years ago. It reminds me of the ones you see on Christmas cards with extended "twinkles" so I though it would be appropriate for this time of year. It's folded from a windmill base also known as Froebel's basic form. I drew some diagrams which weren't meant for an audience and probably aren't the clearest you've ever seen, so let me know if you get stuck. I suppose the trickiest bit is the first open sink but if you prepare it well in step 7, it shouldn't be too difficult.
Happy Christmas everyone!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Box Weave


Here's a 3D tessellation I've discovered with a very simple crease pattern:
I'm sure it's so simple that it can't be original. But you never know...
First you fold a grid of squares. Odd numbered sided grids work much better as oddly, they give a more even result, so 3 x 3, 5 x 5, 7 x 7, 9 x 9 etc... I find the easiest grid to prepare is the 7 x 7: just fold a grid of 8 x 8 and cut off one row and one column.

Fold all the grid creases both ways (mountains and valleys) as this will make the collapsing easier.

Then add the small diagonal creases shown in the crease pattern. You can valley these from the colour up side as only 1/4 of each set will become a mountain.

Then comes the fun part. I recommend you start from a corner and complete an outside edge first.

If you're not used to working from crease patterns, start with an easy 3 x 3 grid which will give you a model like this.

Then you can move up to five, seven, nine and so on.

Best thing is there is no set folding sequence, as with most tessellations, you just have to feel your way towards the finished model.

If you use thin paper the model can curl up at the edges, I clamp the 'locks' underneath with small paperclips for a few hours which helps. You could also dampen the model and put a weight on it but not too heavy and not too wet otherwise you'll end up with a soggy coaster!!

Monday, November 8, 2010

I'm back!

It's been a while but encouraged by other excellent origami blogs out there, and a new camera, I'm going to try to post updates a little more regularly.
I've been keeping busy going through my ever growing collection of books and BOS magazines and following the Origami community on-line. There is so much out there...
I've also created a few things of my own since I last posted: a bird, a braided button and a 3D tessellation.
Information and photos of these and more soon.