Trialling out a bunch of paper earrings, made from Japanese washi paper. I still have ways to go, but I think I have made a good start. 

I used predominantly green paper for this set. The biggest problem with making paper jewellery is dealing with the size of the modules. But while the going in difficult, the end result is very good.

Most of the designs are from Ayako Brodek's book on Origami Jewellery, a real keeper if you are inclined towards making such jewellery. The most useful part was the size details provided for each design.

I also tried out some traditional, simple designs such as the star and the wreath. The only problem with these designs was that I had to experiment quite a bit to arrive at the optimum size of paper.

All the earrings are made sturdy by glazing. And this also makes them water resistant.

Paper hearts are really great to make! They are simple and however badly you end up making them, they still turn out great :) So ended up making these heart earrings.

I love how the colours pop in the gold and orange earrings. Absolutely my favourite. These next ones in blue are a more subtle version, complete with a couple of heart beads to liven them up.

I like most of the origami designed by Carmen Sprung and here is another of her designs. This one is called √3 Schachtel (Google gives the translation as box or case). √3 because of the paper ratio which is x:√3x. I think this must be the only time that I use such a ratio!!

In case you are wondering what the value of √3 is, it approximates to 1.732. So if one side of the paper is 3 inches, then the other side would approximately come to 3 * 1.732 = 5.2 inches. If you wish to have one side as 6 inches, then the paper size would be 6 inches by 10.4 inches. For more approximations, check out the instructions where Carmen Sprung has already provided some of the values.

As for the folding, it is not very complicated. The last step might require some effort if you are a beginner origamist. I rather like the shape of the box and the fact that it is folded from a √3 paper ratio adds uniqueness to the piece.

Model Details:

Model: √3 Schachtel

Creator: Carmen Sprung

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: x:√3x

Paper Size: 6 inches by 10.4 inches and 3 inches by 5.2 inches

Instructions: Origamiseiten

Valentine rings are quite popular during this season and here is one that is pretty easy to make.

The ring is designed by Hiroshi Kumasaka. It is made from a square. In order to make a ring that fits you well, add 2 cms to the circumference of your finger. So if the circumference is 6.5 cms, add 2 to make it 8.5 cms. I converted this approximately to 3.5 inches and that is the size of paper I had used.

Model Details:

Model: Valentine Day's Ring 

Creator: Hiroshi Kumasaka

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3.5 inches

Instructions: Cecilia's Origami Website

With Valentine's Day just round the corner, I found this interesting table card, complete with a little heart at the top. The table card is made from 2 pieces - a base and the heart. It was a little challenging to fold, but I love the result, especially the red card with white heart.

Model Details:

Model: Heart Card 

Creator: Hans Birkeland

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 7 inch square

Model Size: ~2 inches across

Diagram: Origami Resource Center 

 

Most origami boxes are modular pieces and to get a box this size, you would need really small modular units, which could turn out to be tedious to make. But this box is just perfect in size!

One thing that I would suggest is that, if you are giving this to someone, it would be better to glue the little pocket that is on the inside of the box. I also glued the join at the top of the box to prevent it from opening up!

Model Details:

Model: Heart Box 

Creator: Robin Glynn

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: A4 (297 mm * 210 mm)

Model Size: ~4 inches

Diagram: Origami Diagram

Tutorial: Youtube (Part 1 and Part 2)

The Four Leaves Tato is designed by Christiane Bettens, better known in the origami world as Mélisande.

The paper should be at least a 7 inch square to give a usable tato. The first I had done was using regular copy paper. The tato that I completed was immediately picked up by my daughter to store her jewelry :)

The leaf is made of accordian pleats, the more pleats there are, the better the leaf looks. So take your time and make as many pleats as possible :)

Model Details:

Model: 4 Leaves Tato

Creator: Christiane Bettens / Mélisande

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 8 inches

Instructions: La chronique de Mélisande