Origami Page:
Letterfold Envelope

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.

Well, who knew that February is the International Correspondence Writing Month, aka "InCoWriMo"? I discovered this too late to post the origami "Letterfold Envelope" for February, but I figure it's never too late to write letters! I think this origami all-in-one model is perfect for easy letter-writing. If you want to know more about the InCoWriMo, there is an International Correspondence Blog [InCoBlog] with lots of information. You can check it out here: https://incowrimo.org/blog/

I enjoy making and using origami envelopes and letter-folds, of which there are many! This one-piece model is a favorite of mine, and so simple to fold! It's fun to find colorful paper designs for this model, and people enjoy receiving this unique hand-made envelope-letter. The diagram shows how you can adapt this envelope fold to also hold a card, photo or other flat enclosures.

Small note-pad papers are fun to use for mini-envelopes and make great gift enclosures, secret admirer notes, lunch-box surprises, or whatever else you can think of!

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