The Origami Home, by Mark Bolitho. Review.

The Origami Home

Beautiful Miniature Furniture Projects

By Mark Bolitho, Chair of the British Origami Society

Jacqui Small 2014

Hardcover £20-00

ISBN 971-1-909342-51-4

Star rating: *****

I am fast-tracking this review so I can bring it to you during World Origami Days.

The Origami House is a genius “concept book”. With this book/kit  (papers are included), you can make a houseful of origami furniture models, designed by pro origami designer Mark Bolitho (who happens to be the Chair of the British Origami Society). The furniture is beautifully photographed in styled roomsets worthy of a glossy decorating magazine. The book is accompanied by 55 sheets of specially-designed origami-paper home furnishing prints (wallpapers and home textiles) by name designers.

My favourite spread it the Modern-Retro dining room (the cover pic), in mid-century modern style (channelling the Festival of Britain), prints provided by the ever-clever Mini Moderns. Other miniature treasures include a flat screen TV, a standard lamp and shade, and a Welsh dresser. The Workspace, is a complete workstation with computer and keyboard, deskchair, and reading lamp. (If IKEA did origami, it would look like this.) There’s also a bed with plump pillows and a coverlet, and a bathroom suite. The only disappointments: no kitchen or garden furniture – I guess that leaves the door open for a follow-up title. 

The models are clearly explained with detailed step-by-step illustrations using standard origami annotations. These projects are not for beginners, so if you are thinking child’s Chrismas gift, then I would suggest buying this yummy book for yourself now, then making the origami models as a gift to give. Presentation idea: you could house the roomsets in shoeboxes or in a homemade cardboard carton doll’s house.

The specially-designed papers are glossy finish and durable. The prints and patterns are to die for. Designs are by Jane Churchill, Little Greene, Malabar, and (as previously mentioned) Mini Moderns. The photography is by Michael Wicks, who has many swish corporate clients. 

Whether you are an origami crafter or a miniature enthusiast, this book is big on the fun factor.

Note: I was provided with a review copy of this title.

Beautiful Origami Flowers, by Anca Oprea. Review.

Beautiful Origami Flowers

23 Blooms to Fold

By Anca Oprea

Lark 2014

Paperback £12.99

ISBN 978-1-4547-0812-4

Star rating: ****

World Origami Days continue until 11 November. 

Here’s another attractively-presented and capably-produced origami flower-fest. The more, the merrier, as far as I’m concerned. This title teaches you how to fold 23 different blooms, conveniently divided into sections according to difficulty level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced). The learning curve is very manageable, and I’m sure a newbie will be up to speed with even the most complicated designs after progressing through the projects. 

The Table of Contents doubles as a Photo Gallery - this  works a treat as a project-selector. Also up front is some basic training in folded bases and a rundown of origami paper choices. The author, Anca Oprea, emigrated from Romania to the States five years ago, and has been very impressed by the plethora of origami papers she is now able to choose from. She shares her enthusiasm with the reader.

The flowers are pleasing, and there’s plenty of variety. Occasionally the flower designs require a well-judged snip or some gluing – as in the Passion Flower. There’s no point being an origami purist when beautiful blossoms are at stake. 

The Crane Flower is a fantasy confection consisting of origami cranes as the petals. The clever thing is that you may not notice at first glance (although the name is a total giveaway). This flower would be an appropriate “peace flower” choice for the culmination of the World Origami Days, on 11 November.  

My favourite bloom is the Cosmos. It is recommended to make it out of radial gradient origami paper for optimum effect. It is very dimensional with a puffed-up centre. A fun challenge. The Hydrangea, with its tucked flower centres and clustered petals is very effective. The Lotus looks a bit artichoke-y. I prefer the version with leaves. The Tulips are winners - they are graceful and not the least bit clunky, like some I have seen. The Lily of the Valley is very effective, too.

The author provides how-tos for attaching the blooms to stems and wires where appropriate. Leaf-shapes are given only for the Lotus. A standard sort of leaf shape would have come in handy.

The instructions are presented very clearlyand thoroughly with step-by-step photos and accompanying text. There are no origami fold diagrams.

This is a pleasing title, which makes a nice gift. The author succeeds in sharing her enthusiasm for her subject. She is training to become a teacher – her future students will be very lucky.

Note:  I was supplied with a review copy of this book.

Click on book title at top for Amazon link.

Snowflower Cards & Stands

I got this idea from my Toast Rack Card Racks. My lightbulb moment? Make a stand with just one slot in it and it can be used to display a solo card - or as a placecard stand for a tablesetting (sort of a one-slice toast rack, if you will). You can also insert a bunch of cards and use the cards as memos - Post-It note alternatives.

It would be fun to send a card along with a pre-cut flat-pack stand. The stand is super-simple to make: cut out (of course), crease the folds.To assemble, stick the sloted band onto the base at either side (shape the band so it curves easily into an arch). Next, stick the side panel top tabs onto the band (at 12 o'clock) - on both front and back.

There are two versions of the stand. The one with the extended base can support slightly heavier cards. (You don't have to use the card stand exclusively with the co-ordinating Snowflower Card.)

Here are your freebies:
SnowflowerCard.pdf
SnowflowerCardLiner.pdf
SnowflowerCardHolders.pdf

SnowflowerCard.svg
SnowflowerCardLiner.svg
SnowflowerCardHolders.svg

Snowflowers? My take on fantasy snowflakes. Have fun sending these easy-make greetings.