The Scaled Octahedron is yet another modular origami that I have had the pleasure to work on, in recent days. It is not the easiest piece that I have made, mainly because of all the different size square that are needed.

The one that I have made required a total of 24 squares and 12 rectangles. The 24 squares were converted into 6 pyramids of 4 levels each. The number of levels in the pyramids can be changed as desired - in multiples of 4. So instead of 4 levels, one can also do the same with 5 per pyramid or even with just 3 levels per pyramid. The number of rectangles remain the same - these are the units needed to connect the various pyramids together.

The size of square paper for making the pyramidal modules change for each level. If we assume 'x' is the side of the smallest level, then the side of the next level is 1.5x. Followed by 2x, 2.5x and so on. So in my case, I started with 2 inches squares, 3 inches, 4 inches and 5 inches. The rectangular connectors have one side that is the same as the largest square (5 inches in my case), the other size is a quarter of this side. For me, this was 1.25 inches. A total of 12 rectangles are needed.

Folding the individual modules is fairly easy. Assembly is a little more challenging. It is better to use printer or copy paper for this model. For one - it is firmer which makes assembly a lot easier. And for another, the back of the paper is also visible, which means the white part of single-sided paper will be seen and that is not a very pretty sight for this model.

Model Details:

Model: Scaled Octahedron 

Creator: Laura Azcoaga

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Squares and Rectangles

Paper Size: 2 inches, 3 inches, 4 inches and 5 inches squares + 5 inches * 1.25 inches rectangles

Model Size: ~8 inches across

Modules: 36

Instructions: Origami Modular en Argentina

Tutorial: Youtube

Philip Chapman-Bell's origami creations on Flickr has got such beautifully flowing and aesthetically pleasing lines that, when I came across the instructions for making the Zhoubi bowl, I didn't hesitate to try it out.

He notes on his blog, The Fitful Flog, that the design is based on an illustration from an ancient Chinese mathematics text. The bowl, which starts with dividing into sevenths, is relatively easy to fold and results finally in an elegant piece of origami.

For folding this bowl, I used leftover wall paper in dark brown and ivory cream. The thickness of the wall paper meant the bowl was fairly sturdy and the patterns and texture of the paper stand out beautifully. A square of at least 8 inches is needed. Else the bowl would be too small to serve any purpose. The bowls I have made are now Little Miss's clip bowls.

Model Details:

Model: Zhoubi Bowl 

Creator: Philip Chapman-Bell

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 9 inch squares

Model Size: ~7 inches from tip to tip

Instructions: Steve's Paper

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Today is Good Friday, the day when Christ's crucifixion and death on the cross is remembered by Christians world over.

On this day of sacrifice, I folded this traditional cross from a strip of paper in the ratio 1:30. We usually fold this cross from palm leaves on Palm Sunday, but to me, the meaning of the cross is more profound on Good Friday. So I love folding this cross every year on this day to remind myself of Christ's amazing sacrifice for man.

I usually make this cross from 10 mm quilling strip - the perfect paper for making strip origami, be it stars or crosses! Here though, I have used single-sided paper and this has given me a small square in the centre.

Model Details:

Model: Cross 

Origin: Traditional

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Strip

Paper Size: 1 cm by 30 cms

Instructions: Origami Resource Center 

These earrings are made from a variation of the sonobe units, created by Mitsonobu Sonobe. They are easy to make and look very elegant. They actually look much prettier that this :) My photographic skills at fault here.

They are made up of 3 modules each. Each module takes about a minute to make, so creating the unit takes about 10 minutes maximum! Add a couple of beads and earring hooks and voila! You have a very nice pair of earrings.

I initially tried making it with 1 inch squares, but they turned out to be too small and all details were lost. This is made from 1.5 inch squares. I guess even 2 inch squares will look good.

Model Details:

Model: Diamond Earrings from Sonobe Units 

Creator: Mitsonobu Sonobe

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 1.5 inches

Modules: 3

Tutorial: Youtube 

The spiral star is very elegant, intricate-looking origami which is surprisingly easy to make. Assembling the piece is quite easy if you use a cheat's way out.. some paper clips to hold the sides together :D

The modules start with a bird base. They are then twisted into spirals and then the modules are attached along the arms.

I loved the colour combination of red and white that I had chosen for this piece. And I loved the way the photographs have come out too.

Model Details:

Model: Spiral Star 

Creator: Grzegorz Bubniak

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 5 inches

Modules: 6

Crease Pattern: Gregorigami

Tutorial: Youtube 

There are plenty of origami vases, ranging from the ultra simple to the super complex. This vase is a simple one and shouldn't take a few minutes to complete.

As with a lot of my origami, I folded this from wrapper paper. I love how both these vases turned out! The glossiness in the paper adds a shine which looks great in my opinion.

The vase does require glue to hold the folds in place, but is still a good design to fold.

Now all that remains is making the roses/flowers that should go into the vase :)

Model Details:

Model: Chinese Vase 

Origin: Traditional

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 6 inches

Tutorial: Youtube 

So, remember the kiddie bracelets that I had made about a month back? For my daughter and her friends? And remember I promised a tutorial for that?? So here is my promised tutorial. It is quite simple to make, so have a go..

What you will need:

• Rectangular pieces of paper. You will need an even number of pieces. Around 20 - 22 pieces works for a regular size. You might need more or less depending on the size of the pieces.
• If the paper you are using is thick (like copy paper, handmade paper, wrapper paper) and if the edges are smooth (if you have used scissors or a paper cutter, then the edges will be smooth), then cut out rectangles in the ratio 1:4. 1 inches by 4 inches is a good size to start with.
• If the paper you are using is thin (like most magazine paper) or if the paper does not have even edges, then cut out rectangles in the ratio 1:2. 2 inches by 4 inches is the usual size I use for bracelets I make for adults. 1.5 inches by 3 inches works well for my daughter's bracelets.
• Tweezers or something sharp to help insert the last bit

Instructions:

Making the Unit - Type 1

If you have cut rectangles in the ratio 1:4, then make units following these steps (Click the picture above for a larger image):

1. I have used 3 colours for the bracelet. White, black/white, black.
2. Fold the rectangle in half, along the longer edge.
3. Fold in half to form a smaller version of the long rectangle. This is the completed unit. Repeat the same steps for the remaining units as well.

Making the Unit - Type 2

If you have cut rectangles in the ratio 1:2, then make units following these steps. There are a couple more steps involved, but the resulting braclet is sturdier than the first one. (Click the picture above for a larger image):

1. I used wrapper paper with a blue design on the front and plain blue on the back. I have started with the plain blue at the top.
2. Fold in half length-wise.
3. Unfold.
4. Fold the right edge to the central crease from Step 2.
5. Repeat with the left edge.
6. Refold along the central crease from Step 2.
7. Fold in half, from top to bottom. This is the completed unit. Repeat for the remaining units.

Making the Bracelet Chain

1. All the units beautifully folded before making the bracelet! :)
2. Hold one unit vertically and fold another unit around it horizontally, leaving enough space for inserting another unit. In the picture, the white is wrapped around the black.
3. Fold the leg of the vertical piece as shown. The leg will now aligned with the horizontal unit.
4. Fold the triangular leg back so that it lies on the horizontal unit. The clip is not necessary. I just needed something to hold the fold in place while photographing it!
5. Flip over so that the edge AB becomes BA. The leg is now at the top.
6. Repeat Step 3 again, as in the picture.
7. Fold over the triangular leg as in Step 4.
8. Add the next unit, this time horizontally.
9. Repeat the steps, folding the traingular bit and folding back over the previous unit.
10. Flip over, so AB becomes BA. And repeat the steps. Continue till you have the required length of bracelet.

Completing the Bracelet: 

1. Once you have completed the required length of bracelet, you will need to complete your bracelet. For this, take the last legs of the unit and insert into the space you left in the first unit of the bracelet.
2. You will need to put in a little effort, along with efforts from a tweezer in all probability, to ensure that all the bits and pieces are pushed into the little space.
3. You will need to repeat the same steps, to form the triangle and fold back.
4. You will need to repeat the same steps, to form the triangle and fold back.
5. The bit that is standing out has to be pushed behind the unit below that. Repeat the same with the other leg. This will go on the inside. A little more effort than the front leg, but not too difficult.
6. Annnnnd... Tada!! Your bracelet is complete :)