connected cranes | Useful Origami

13 Mar 2011 9 Comments

Circle of Peace Cranes – Lesson 6

March 11th 2:46PM local time in Japan, or 4:46AM here in the US, one of our history’s worst earthquakes in the world struck the north eastern Japan with M8.8.

Leaving all my family and relatives back in Japan, my heart froze when I heard the news. Fortunately the phone call went through at the first attempt and I was able to get in contact with my parents quickly, who told me that my sisters and all the relatives were safe. However, I was not able to collect as much information about the earthquake because I was away from campus. And when I came back, I finally saw the devastating tsunami and damage in Japan, a crying baby that lost her family, an elderly couple getting locked out for three days without much water or food, and many more heart-breaking news.

I’ve never felt so helpless about something. It felt like as if part of me is crying out for help but I cannot do anything about it. Many of my American friends and friends from all over the world, even those that I haven’t been in touch for a while, contacted me to make sure both my family and I are fine. And my upset heart was saved many times. I went around and started praying. And this morning, I got an email from one of the Japanese American students on campus about fundraising for the victims by folding and selling origami.

This is what I made for the fundraiser. These seven cranes represent the seven continents, and each crane also describes peace and happiness. I just tried to express my appreciation that the parts in the world are helping each other as one - just like many countries are helping Japan right now – and my hope that it’ll continue to be that way in the future.

This crane instruction might not be as perfect as it should be, but I did my best for a short time to put together a gallery for you in case you would like to make your own.

[Show as slideshow]

[Update]

On March 18th, I was able to sell and donate this piece for 10 dollars for the struggling people in Japan. I’m very thankful!

30 Jan 2011 4 Comments

Paper Crane & Twin birds – Lesson 1

When you google “origami,” one of the first products that appears is a paper crane. I didn’t want to give you just a plain crane, but also one of many variations that you can make with cranes – twin cranes.

If you get tired of clicking each thumbnail and opening a new window, this page enabled the pop-up box so you don’t have to reload each page every time you go to the next step. Check it out HERE!

How to make a basic Paper Crane

What you need:

1 sheet of plain square paper (preferably thinner origami paper with no pattern on it)

Instructions:

1. Lay the paper back side up.

2. Fold in half diagonally

3. Fold in half again

4. Take RED corner to BLUE point, inflating the double arrow and fold down

Paper Crane & Twin birds Lesson 1

5. Flip it up-side-down and take the RED corner to the BLUE point, inflating the double arrow

6. Make sure the part that is The Connecting Corner is on your left and fold in along the center diagonal line

7. Fold the connecting corner in

8. Flip it and do the same thing – make sure the connecting corner is on your left

9. Take the opposite corner of the connecting corner, and open like the arrow shows

10. Fold along the crease you made in step 6-8

11. Flip it and take the same step as 9&10

12. Make sure the Connecting Corner is on your right and fold along the center line

13. Flip, and again, keep the Connecting Corner is on your right – keep folding like the other side

14. Take one flap and fold up – it’ll be the neck or tail

15. Fold some angles so that they look like the neck and tail

16. Decide whichever you’d like to make it as a neck, and fold in as picture shows

17. Now it’s the fun time – puff up the belly! Take white corners and then yellow corners, use your commonsense and don’t rip the poor crane. If it’s not enough, you can pull the wings to make a nice puff.

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Using the instruction above, here is a cool variation of a simple crane!

How to make Twin Cranes

What you need:

1 sheet of plain paper cut in half (preferably thinner origami paper with no pattern on it)

Instructions:

1. Cut a paper into half

2. Fold and crease the half line

3. Mark the half way, and cut the RED line

4. Make cranes as explained above

* Some points to note
It’ll be a bit difficult during the processes when folding cranes, since they are connected. When you get confused with which direction it was, remember that the two birds are connected at their wings, but not their tails.

When you successfully finish the first bird, it should look like this.

Try not to fold the first head and tail until the next one is finished – it’ll just be easier for you.

And when you start the other bird, it should look like this

Good luck! Please let me know if you have questions and don’t forget to send me pictures of your cranes!

(hayrowkitty@usefulorigami.com)

Next is Valentine’s Day Origami!