Origami Page:
Two-Piece Spinner

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.

Summertime is here - a great time to explore Origami Toys that are fun to make and fun to share!

This month’s model is an interactive spinner. These traditional spinners are made using two pieces of paper and are pretty easy to make… and they really spin!

Once you fold and assemble the model you can spin it by flicking a corner with a finger, or it can be pierced and a toothpick added to make it spin like a top.

After folding your spinner, decorate the surface with designs and see how the image changes when in motion. It is surprising to see what effects are made by different markings when they spin. Variations of circular marks seem to make the most interesting designs when spinning.

You can also play games with the model, such as a traditional Korean game called ddakji (also spelled ttakji). In this game the idea is to make one model flip over by throwing another one at it. One player places their paper ‘tile’ (the spinner) on a table or on the floor. The other player tries to throw his or her tile so that it makes the other player's tile flip over. If successful, the thrower gets to keep the other tile. Therefore, it would be a good idea to fold several tiles before you begin playing.

Throwing ddakji looks simple, but you’ve got to hit the one on the table or floor just right to make it flip. Getting the angle and force necessary to do this takes lots of practice.
So if you can’t make this game work, make up your own games!
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