Origami Page:
Fan Fold Leaf Note

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 dimensional origami model is both attractive and versatile. Use it for a note or card, an invitation, a gift-card, package decoration, name cards on your dinner table, or... what else can you think of? To learn this pleated form it's best to begin with thin paper and larger sizes; once you master the pleating process smaller sizes will become easier. When using paper that is either too small or thick to pleat into 16 folds, stop at 8, which looks just fine as shown by some of the illustrations here.

Pleated origami forms are fun to experiment with… after learning the basic method try using different sizes and proportions of paper to see which results you like. Narrow rectangles, fat rectangles, squares, triangles... all will have interesting results! Also, try beginning folding from different corners - left or right, top or bottom.

Other variations come from the paper itself: Paper with color on one side and white on the reverse; the same color on both sides; or - a different color on each side. Also: Use pieces of plain or decorative papers attached to the note under the pleated section for visual contrasts. And gift-wrap is great to use and can result in interesting and beautiful designs.

After folding several models try experimenting with combinations: perhaps two or more attached to a piece of card or paper, or atop an origami box for embellishment. Maybe cut apart just the pleated section and attach to something else, or attach two models back-to-back. Use a thread and hang as an ornament or decoration. I'm sure you'll come up with your own ideas!

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