Origami Page:
Origami Treat Box

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.

Click for printable file.

This month's origami model is a useful item, a traditional box. I call it a "Treat Box" because it is handy for holding yummy treats (think Halloween!). But sometimes I call it a "Utility Box" because it is also handy for holding miscellaneous items, like rubber bands, paper clips, or even loose change.

This box will not work with square paper; you need a rectangle. The resulting box will be 1/4 the dimensions of your original paper. A good size to begin with is a standard 8.5 x 11" piece of paper, which makes a box 4.25" x 5.5".

After step 6 in the diagram, you can decorate the box while it is still flat. Use markers, crayons, colored pencils, stickers, pictures, etc. to customize your boxes.
This box will be stronger if you use heavier papers. I have used old calendar pages and the results were colorful as well as sturdy. Used magazine covers are also good to use.

Once you know how to fold this model, try using different sizes of rectangles, and see if some of your smaller boxes will fit into a larger one to create divided areas to keep items separated. Be creative and see what works best for you!

Happy folding.

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

All of her Paper Dream Paintings can be seen in her Etsy shop where custom matted art prints of her original work can be purchased. Go to: www.etsy.com/shop/LyricFineArts

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