Origami started in the 17th century in Japan. It makes geometric folds on a piece of paper to make different objects. It basically uses small folding patterns.
In the earlier Japanese days, origami was given as gifts or good luck tokens in ceremonies. Origami has come a very long way since this then. It is now considered an international art. And a million different patterns have already been created throughout the world.
Origami is like practical geometry, with paper as the basic material. Any parallel material can be used for folding. A normal paper for simple folds can weigh 70-90 g/m² or 19 to 24 pounds. Heavy paper of 100g/m² can be wet-folded. The technique allows a rounded sculpting of its replica which becomes firm when dried.
There is a Japanese paper called kami which is lighter than a copy paper. It is sold in prepackaged sizes of squares that range from 2.5 centimeters to 25 cm. The two sides have white and colored versions that can be used for changing model colors.
A foil-backed paper is another option. It is a thin sheet foil glued to a thin sheet of paper just like a tissue foil in the market. It should be handmade to make it suitable for complex models.
Washi is another kind of paper in Japan used for origami. It is tougher than an ordinary paper. Washi is made from gampi tree wood pulp used in traditional arts.
Another strong paper used in insect models is the artisan paper such as lokta, kozo, unryu, hanji and saa. They have thin long fibers and often back-coated with methylcellulose (wheat paste) before folding.
Paper money is also a popular material in making origami. It is commonly called moneygami. Some prefer to use folding bone like nails to aid with creasing and sharpening the edges while folding.
The most well known form of origami is the paper crane. It begins with a square sheet of paper with different colors on the sides. You can also make a finger ring, shirt and a dime from a paper bill. Children like to create origami animals like a snake, rabbit, frog and a dog face.
Origami covers moving objects also. Action origami can be moved in smart ways. It requires inflation to fly and uses hand kinetic energy to move. Japanese flapping bird was the first action origami that appeared.
To get you started, start with a square sheet of paper. It varies from one project to another. You can make your own sheet of paper or buy sheets at the craft stores. Origami paper is much expensive but will produce better results. If you are using non-origami paper, make sure it is crisp to avoid tearing.
Get clear instruction, one easy for you to understand. Start with simple projects, then work your way up to more complex designs.
Know the basic kinds of folding. It is the basis of even the most complex designs you will encounter. You may not be able to get it in your first try, but be patient. With continued practice, you will become more familiar with the basic folds.
Origami is requires patience, creativity and imagination.
