A Tato is a Japanese flat container and Tatogami is one of the oldest form of paper folding. Tatos can hold small flat objects like needles and buttons and postage stamps.

Traditional tatos are easy to make, so instead of making a traditional one, I tried out this butterfly tato, designed by Marcela Brina. Origami paper, coloured differently on both sides, works well to bring out the butterfly shape in the middle.

The instructions are clear, though for a beginner it might present a bit of a challenge initially.

Model Details:

Model: Butterfly Tato 

Creator: Marcela Brina

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 6 inch squares

Diagram: Artis Bellus 

The Decoration Box is from the book 'Modular Origami Polyhedra' and is designed by Lewis Simon. The cube is made from 12 modules. Variations made from half a square and from dollar bills are also found in the book.

Of all the cubes that I have tried in the recent days, this is, by far, my favourite. The alternate dark and light strips add so much beauty to the cube. If the folds are well-creased and accurately done, the final cube is quite firm.

Model Details:

Model: Decoration Box 

Creator: Lewis Simon

Book: Modular Origami Polyhedra
 
Author: Lewis Simon, Bennett Arnstein, Rona Gurkewitz
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inch squares

Model Size: ~3.5 inches side

Modules: 12

Tutorial: Youtube 

The Origami Pinwheel Cube is designed by Tomoko Fuse and is found in her book 'Multidimentional Transformations Unit Origami'. The cube is formed from just 6 units, so as compared to the other cubes that I have done in recent days, I found it pretty quick to complete. 

The name of course, comes from the pinwheel shape that is seen on each of the faces. Origami paper that has different colours on both sides will work best. 

Model Details:

Model: Pinwheel Cube 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Multidimensional Transformations Unit Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inch squares

Modules: 6

Tutorial: Youtube (Folding and Assembly)
After Meenakshi Mukerji's Cube variations, I gave some other cubes a try. The one in this is by Kunihiko Kasahara and is formed from 8 corner modules and 6 linking modules. The modules are quite simple to make and are made from half a square. So a total of 7 squares of paper are required to complete the 8 + 6 modules required for the model.Steps are clearly presented in his book 'Amazing Origami'.

I thought that this model would make good photo holder when made in the right size. Each face could hold a photo and the corner modules will hold them in place :)

Model Details:

Model: Cube from Corner Modules 

Creator: Kunihiko Kasahara

Book: Amazing Origami
 
Author: Kunihiko Kasahara
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ration 1:2

Paper Size: 3 * 1.5 inches squares

Modules: 14


Yet another modular cube, also designed by Meenakshi Mukerji. This is called the Daisy Cube and like the previous one, this too is folded from 24 modules.

Model Details:

Model: Daisy Cube 

Creator: Meenakshi Mukerji

Book: Origami Inspirations
 
Author: Meenakshi Mukerji
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inch squares

Modules: 24

Diagram: Origami - MM's Modular Mania
The origami whirl cube is a simple modular origami and will take about an hour or so to complete. More than the model, I am crazily in love with the paper that I had used. I had got this paper some time back and for some reason, never got to use it. And now that I have used it, I think I will use it quite a few more times!

I also took the piece to keep on my computer in office and it attracted quite a bit of attention! Very pleasing :)

Model Details:

Model: Whirl Cube 

Creator: Meenakshi Mukerji

Book: Origami Inspirations
 
Author: Meenakshi Mukerji

 Creator's Website: Origamee.net
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: ~3 inches side

Modules: 24

Instructions: Origamee.net

The origami thatch cube is a simple, modular piece, designed by Meenakshi Mukerji. The cube is made from 24 units. I love the thatchy look of this model :) And I love that it looks much more intricate that it actually is!

Model Details:

Model: Thatch Cube 

Creator: Meenakshi Mukerji

Book: Origami Inspirations
 
Author: Meenakshi Mukerji
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inch squares

Modules: 24

Tutorial: Youtube

Diagram: Origami - MM's Modular Mania


Once I made the original Thatch cube, I couldn't resist making a variation which involves making a slight change in the fold and in the assembly. The paper size I had used was 3 inch squares.


The origami Goldfish is a simple extension of the samurai hat. It does involve a couple of cuts though, so have a pair of scissors in hand before proceeding with the origami :)

Similar to the kabuto, dual coloured paper would be the best for the goldfish. If made small enough, they make beautiful earrings too!

Model Details:

Model: Gold Fish

Origin: Traditional

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: ~2.5 inches

A few months back, I had done Tomoko Fuse's Little Turtle and this time I tried a variation of that. Instead of using 3 modules, the variation uses 5 units. Other than that, everything else remains the same.

The design doesn't really need origami paper. It looks very good when done with heavy, wrapper paper that is brightly coloured. The first little turtle I had made was also from the same paper as the one I have used here :)

Model Details:

Model: Little Turtle Variation 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Multidimensional Transformations Unit Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inch squares

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube

The Flat Sonobe is yet another variation of the Sonobe, designed by Tomoko Fuse. The Icosahedron of the Flat Sonobe is made from 30 units. Assembly is the same as all icosahedrons, with 3 unit triangles which are used to form 5 unit rings.

The 30-unit version does require glue to hold it together. So be sure to have some glue handy before assembling this one. 6 or 12 unit versions can also be made, which are fairly easier to make.

Model Details:

Model: Flat Sonobe

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 4 inches

Number of Modules: 30

Well, it is past Christmas, but that doesn't mean that I can't post a tutorial to make Christmas paper globes :) These globes are very easy ornaments to make and can be a good craft for turning waste into wealth. I have reused a lot of Christmas greetings, left over card stock, to turn out these pretty globes.

Now on to the tutorial:
What is needed?

  • 20 cards - either greeting cards or card stock. I prefer greeting cards, since they add a lot of colour and bring out the Christmas spirit.
  • Something to draw a circle from. I usually use a cup with a circular mouth.
  • Glue or stapler. Stapler works just fine if you are using greeting cards and the pins are hardly visible. If solid colour card stock is used, then glue will be better.
  • Glitter, rubber stamps or anything else that takes your fancy and can be used to decorate the globe.

Steps:
  1. Using the circle, cut out 20 circles from the greetings/card stock.
  2. Next, fold an equilateral triangle into the circle. You can just eye-ball it and fold 3 corners to form a triangle.
  3. Once you have folded the triangles, take 5 of the circles, and join together, either glueing or stapling them as shown in the picture. You will need to make 2 such sets. They form the top and bottom of the globe.
  4. For the centre of the globe, join the remaining 10 circles in a straight row so that alternate triangles face the same side.
  5. Make a circle from this by joining the ends together.
  6. You are almost done :) Once the circle is formed, 5 tabs can be seen, where one of the sets made in Step 3 will be stapled/glued.
  7. Do the same on the other side and you are done.
  8. Decorate the globe using glitter, rubber stamps, ribbons, buttons and anything else you like. Add a loop to hang it by and you are done :)



A Kabuto is a Samurai helmet and is a part of the Japanese armour. The origami Samurai Hat, though, is a beginner origami that takes about 2 minutes to learn! They are fun to make and are great as party hats. The hats can be made from any kind of paper, starting with newspaper! But they look best when made from dual coloured paper, so try it out :)

Btw, here is a little titbit about the Kabuto - this little helmet was the inspiration for the helmet of Darth Vader in the Star War films.

Model Details:

Model: Samurai Hat or Kabuto

Origin: Traditional

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Instructions: Origami Instructions

Tutorial: Youtube

Model Size: ~2.5 inches