Origami Page:
Origami Hearts

Mary Ellen Palmeri

Welcome to our monthly "Origami Page". Origami is folding paper and ending up with delightful figures and models, such as flowers, boxes and animals. This feature will showcase a different origami model in each monthly issue, with diagrams and photos to help readers learn how to fold them. Most models use one square of paper, some use a rectangle, and others use more than one piece of paper.

Photo by Mary Ellen Palmeri

Make your own "Conversation Heart" for your Valentine. Use this origami heart and add a strip of paper with your special message written on it - then slide it into the center slit of the heart before you enclose it in a card or gift.

Candy "Sweethearts" conversation hearts were invented in the 1860s by Daniel Chase, brother of NECCO Candy's founder. Daniel created the machine that both pressed sayings onto the candy dough and cut the shape.

Some favorite messages found on candy hearts are: "Be Mine", "I Love You", "Soul Mates"; "kiss Me"; "You Rock"; "Sweet Talk"; "E Z 2 Love"; "Be True"; "URA QT"; and "Sweetheart". But an origami heart has room for a longer message so you can write a personal note, or be creative with your 'conversation'!

Happy Valentine's Day & Happy folding!

Click for printable PDF file.

Origami originated in ancient Asian cultures and has been adapted by contemporary artists worldwide to reflect their own cultures. Local artist Mary Ellen Palmeri has incorporated paper folding into many of her mixed media art paintings, and teaches origami classes locally and nationally. Some of her work can be seen in a Tucson Happenings feature here: Artist_Profile

Ms. Palmeri's original origami models have been published in books and magazines, she has been featured on broadcast media, and her mixed-media fine art works often include various original origami models. Origami LAFF (Lyric Arts Folding Fest) is a Tucson based club founded by Ms. Palmeri to provide a venue for sharing this art. The group meets monthly at a local library; for more details please contact the artist at info@lyric-arts.com