Origami

Folding a single origami crane is a lovely, meditative process. However, folding 100 or 1000 origami cranes transforms that simple craft into an absolute monumental act of devotion and artistic endurance.

In Japanese culture, the act of folding 1000 origami cranes (senbazuru) is believed to grant a wish to the folder, such as long life or recovery from illness. Beyond the mythology, stringing hundreds of brightly colored folded cranes together on long, vertical threads creates one of the most visually stunning, dynamic, and inexpensive pieces of room decor possible.

If you are planning to string a crane garland for a wedding backdrop, a nursery ceiling, or a bedroom wall, simply throwing random colors onto a string will look messy. To harness the magic of the cranes, you must intentionally design the color gradient. Here is the ultimate guide to planning and hanging a massive, colorful crane garland!

Origami relies entirely on one single material constraint: the paper. Because you do not use glue, tape, or scissors, the physical properties of the paper dictate the entire success (or failure) of the sculpture.

Many beginners try to fold origami using standard 8.5x11 computer printer paper or, even worse, heavy colored cardstock scrapbooking paper. They struggle to make the creases sharp, the paper tears at the corners, and the final sculpture looks incredibly sloppy.

To create sharp, beautiful, high-contrast origami, you must use the correct paper. There is a whole world of engineered paper specifically designed for this craft. Stop fighting your materials and learn exactly what paper to buy (and what colors to choose) to elevate your folding.

If you have mastered the basic origami crane and the paper boat, and you are looking for a project that is a little more mathematically satisfying, it is time to enter the world of Modular Origami.

Unlike traditional origami, where you use one single sheet of paper to create a sculpture, modular origami requires you to fold multiple, identical, simple shapes (called "units") and then physically interlock them like puzzle pieces to create a much larger, complex structure. You do not use any glue or tape; the tension of the folded paper holds the sculpture together.

The absolute best beginner modular project is the 8-Pointed Transforming Star (often called a Transforming Ninja Star). It is brilliant because it is kinetic—it slides open to form an octagon, and slides shut to form a sharp star. Furthermore, because it requires 8 separate pieces of paper, it is the ultimate project for playing with color palettes!

Origami is arguably the most accessible, inexpensive, and satisfying craft in the world. You do not need expensive knitting needles, complex woodworking tools, or a dedicated studio space. You only need a single square of paper and your own two hands.

Beyond its accessibility, origami is an incredible way to play purely with color. Because the medium (paper) is completely flat and uniform, the color you choose becomes the absolute focal point of the finished sculpture. A single folded crane looks completely different when folded in a stark, minimalist black versus a bright, neon pink.

If you have never folded origami before, do not be intimidated by the complex dragons you see online. Here are 10 highly colorful, completely beginner-friendly origami projects to get you started.