Origami Page:
$ Shirt

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.

Why Money Origami? Sometimes money is the most practical gift you can give. Especially when you know that the recipient is saving up for something that’s important to them. However, there can be something a bit impersonal about giving a cash gift. The solution: $-Dollar Bill Origami! Or $10 bill origami, $20 bill origami, $100 bill origami, etc.

Money origami can be folded with any denomination as well as bills from any country. By folding money, you can turn a few bills into a gift that’s creative and memorable. Folded money also makes a wonderful restaurant tip for your favorite wait-person!

For some occasions money is a common gift - such as weddings, graduations, and birthdays. It becomes more personal when you fold it; try this shirt - which can feature either the green or black side of the bill, depending on which side you begin. The accompanying photos show both sides of several denominations so you can decide which you like best! This gift is also easy to enclose with your congratulations cards.

Tip: Use crisp new bills for the best results. If you can’t find new bills try lightly ironing your bills on a low setting to smooth them out.
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