Looking for Origami Gifts, Books, Paper?
Paper >The primary ingredients in origami are of course...the imagination...and the paper!
Ordinary printer paper or newspaper can be used for some items. But specialized origami paper has the advantages of:
-being the right size and shape
-being pre-colored (often on one side only, to enhance the 3-D nature of the finished item)
-being very thin, allowing the paper to be folded many times over onto itself
Origami paper can come in single colors, animal prints, geometric patterns, even gold and silver foil! Starting out, we recommend single print colors of the 6 by 6 inch square size.
Most of the origami pieces on this site were done with that type of paper. It's a convenient size for making animals that don't take up too much space, but are not too small for adult hands to fold.
We also recommend that you get the 100 pack, you will whip through your favorite colors before you know it! The Yasutomo brand origami papers are safe for kids (non-toxic), and are available from MisterArt.
Click on the photo or caption to buy or to read more info.
Yasutomo Fold'ems Origami Paper 5 7/8 in. bright assortment pack of 100
Books
The origami instructions on this site may have whetted your appetite for more. Or perhaps you'd like to give a gift to someone.
1) For kids, paper airplanes are always in season. These encourage creativity, as well as an interest in science and math.
The book Origami Airplanes by Florence Temko is one of the best. She presents 25 planes that you won't find anywhere else, including helicopters. Click on the photo to buy or to read more info:
2) For many people, origami is all about the animals. Animal Origami Adventure makes a perfect gift, because it is actually a complete kit: not one, but three books, and 96 sheets of origami paper.
The animals include the elephant, kangaroo, snake, walrus, starfish, ostrich, swan, and beetle. The books are by John Montroll, an accomplished origami author.
After a session of folding origami animals, we always feel like we've been on a safari, and you or your gift recipient will feel the same!
Click on the photo to buy or to read more info:
3) Wow, just look at the cover of this one: a mounted horseman! This gives you an idea of what you are in for: finely drawn diagrams of classic origami, both simple and complex.
New designs are included, and the work of some international origami masters are featured. The Secrets of Origami features over 120 designs.
This book is aimed at the more dedicated paper-folder. Click on the photo to buy or to read more info:
