Well, it's been a month since Valentine's Day and I finally did Meenakshmi Mukerji's Hearty cube!! 😅😅 I have procrastinated quite I know, but unfortunately work has been taking it's toll 😒

The cube, that has a heart on each side, is made from 6 modules. Each module is folded from half a square - a rectangle of ratio 1:2. So the easiest way to do it is to cut 3 squares into 6 modules. 

Origami paper with different colours work best, as that would mean the hearts would stand out. Instead of the traditional red, I decided to go with a light yellow origami paper, with little flowers on one side. Am quite pleased with the way this has turned out 💛

It is a simple modular origami and would be a great model to try out for beginner origamists. 

Model Details:

Model: Hearty Cube

Creator: Meenakshi Mukerji

Book: Exquisite Modular Origami II

Author: Meenakshi Mukerji

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 6 inches * 3 inches

Model Size: ~ 1.5 inches in height

Tutorial: Instagram

Number of Modules: 6

Recently I discovered another origami artist from Thailand, Sansanee Termtanasombat. As per her blog, PrwOrigami, her goal is to collect 1000 kusudamas. She also provides tutorials for a number of the models on her blog.

Of the models that have tutorials, I liked the heartbreak kusudama, for which the suggested colours are red and black. Naturally. But, I decided to go another way and chose pastel shades. I am not sure how well this combination of light blue, cream and white has turned out, but I quite like the pleasant colours. The individual modules are fairly easy to fold and so is the assembly, which is the traditional sonobe assembly.

In recent days, I seem to have developed a love for tassels, so I made a tassel for this kusudama too and made it into a hanging ornament.

Model Details:

Model: Heartbreak Kusudama 

Creator: Sansanee Termtanasombat (Praew)

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: 1:2

Paper Size: 3 inches by 1.5 inches

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 60

Tutorial: Youtube

The Graciosa wreath is a very simple origami wreath by Lidiane Siqueira. It is also very economical. The wreath is made from an odd number of modules - 7 of them. Each module is folded from half a square.

The size I liked is a 7.5 cms square cut into 2. So for my wreaths, I used one sheet of 15 cms square, double sided origami paper. From this, I got 7 rectangles, 7.5 cms by 3.75 cms. The modules are very easy to fold. Each module forms 2 spikes of the wreath, so that the final wreath actually has 14 spikes.

Assembly is also quite easy, it is just a matter of slotting one module into the next. It is held together with glue.

Model Details:

Model: Graciosa  

Creator: Lidiane Siqueira

Difficulty Level: Simple 

Paper Ratio: Rectangle

Paper Size: 3 inches * 1.5 inches (7.5 cms * 3.75 cms) 

Model Size: ~3 inches in diameter

Modules: 7

Diagram: Criativa'rte

After making this origami kusudama, designed by Ekaterina Lukasheva, I have a special respect for people who work with miniatures! For this model, I had some double-sided paper that was left over from a previous origami modular that I had done. So I decided to use that paper.

The size of those squares were 2 inches. Since this kusudama required paper in the ratio 1:2, I cut each of the squares in half which resulted in 30 pieces of 1 inch by 2 inches. And then proceeded with this kusudama.

While making the individual modules was quite simple, assembly was a real challenge, given the small sizes of the folded modules. Patience is of the essence and of course, a toothpick! I finally ended up gluing the modules to ensure that they did not come undone while assembling them.

Overall, an interesting kusudama. But I will think twice if I have to fold this one again! 😆😆

Model Details:

Model: Apricot

Creator: Ekaterina Lukasheva

Book: Modern Kusudama Origami

Author: Ekaterina Lukasheva

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 1 inch by 2 inches

Model Size: ~2 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

The Estrella Flor Kusudama is a modular origami created by Erny. Like my previous post, the Mt. Fuji Kusudama, the essential shape of this model is also a sonobe. And to form the sonobe modules, a total of 30 squares of paper is required. It works best if we use 15 squares of 1 colour and 15 squares of a second contrasting colour. That will bring out the flower pattern very well.

Each of the 15 squares are cut into 2 rectangles of ratio 1:2. So finally, to make the model, we will be folding 60 modules. 30 of these modules will form the flower shape and the other 30 will form the sonobe shape. The flower modules are slotted into the sonobe modules before starting the assembly. While the task seems quite daunting, the folding is not very difficult, though a little time consuming. Assembly is the usual sonobe assembly - 3 pyramids grouped in clusters of 5.

I quite like the colour choice I had made - dark purple and a light violet (or would that be mauve?) The final model is not too large, since I had used 7.5 cms squares. I decided to make it into a hanging ornament, so ended up with tassels and some beads to form the ornament.

Model Details:

Model: Kusudama Estrella Flor 

Creator: Erny

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: 1:2

Paper Size: 3 inches by 1.5 inches

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 60

Instructions: Folding in the air

Tutorial: Youtube

Recently I discovered a Youtube Origamist - Origami Kankichi. I later found out that he does have a blog and various other social media sites, but I prefer the youtube channel. Well, on his channel, he regularly posts tutorials on folding and assembling origami modulars. Most of this models are 30-unit assembly and of these, I especially like the sonobe variations - I have a particular fondness for sonobes. So after much deliberation, I decided to try out one of the sonobe variations that he has designed - the Mt. Fuji Kusudama.

The kusudama is a representation of Mt. Fujiyama in Japan. Naturally, it works best with blue and white paper. But, for me, the first time I saw this kusudama, I was reminded of Tomoko Fuse's Chrysanthemum Globe kusudama. So I decided to use a dark pink and white paper, to resemble a chrysanthemum covered mountain, I guess. Anyway, any contrasting colours should work out well for this kusudama.

The modular is made from 15 squares of dark pink and 15 squares of white origami paper. Each of the 15 squares are cut into 2 rectangles of ratio 1:2. So finally, to make the model, we will be folding 60 modules. 30 of these modules will form the mountain shape and the other 30 will form the sonobe base. The mountain modules are slotted into the sonobe bases before starting the assembly. While the task seems quite daunting, the folding is not very difficult, though a little time consuming. Assembly is the usual sonobe assembly - 3 pyramids grouped in clusters of 5.

Model Details:

Model: Mt. Fuji Kusudama  

Creator: Origami Kankichi

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: 1:2

Paper Size: 3 inches by 1.5 inches

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 60

Tutorial: Youtube

As a gift for a friend, I had again folded the origami Patterned Icosahedron, created by Meenakshi Mukerji. I had previously folded it during the Christmas season. And enjoyed making it.

So this time, I decided to go with a pink and lavender duo-coloured paper, a favourite of my friend's, which resulted in a very pleasing modular origami. And I also went with smer unit sizes than my previous attempt and still was able to fold and assemble without any problems.

Model Details:

Model: Patterned Icosahedron

Creator: Meenakshi Mukerji

Book: Ornamental Origami

Author: Meenakshi Mukerji

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3 inches * 1.5 inches

Model Size: ~ 2.5 inches in diameter

Tutorial: Youtube

Number of Modules: 30

The Origami Patterned Icosahedron has been on my to-do list for quite some time now. This pretty icosahedron is designed by the amazing Meenakshi Mukerji. The icosahedron is assembled using 30 modules and looks best with dual coloured paper. The same module can be assembled using 12 units to form the Patterned Octahedron.

The modules are pretty easy to fold and are folded from a rectangle in ratio 1:2 i.e., a square cut into two. I had used a green-red combination in the hopes of adding it to my Christmas Tree. But I get the impression that this looks more like a strawberry than an icosahedron, courtesy of the black dots on the red, I guess 😄😄 Nevertheless, it is a good modular to fold.

The assembly is, by modular origami standards, fairly easy. I would still recommend plenty of paper clips and an equal amount of patience when assembling this one!

Model Details:

Model: Patterned Icosahedron

Creator: Meenakshi Mukerji

Book: Ornamental Origami

Author: Meenakshi Mukerji

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3.5 inches * 1.75 inches

Model Size: ~ 3 inches in diameter

Tutorial: Youtube

Number of Modules: 30

Here's a wreath that I made for Christmas. The problem is that I had made use of a tutorial that I had saved a long time back, but unfortunately I know neither the name nor the creator of the wreath. Hmm.. Big problem!

But I can say one thing - it is an easy wreath to make and looks excellent with double sided paper!!

Merry Christmas 🎄🎄

Model Details:

Model: Wreath 

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Rectangle, 1:2 ratio

Paper Size: 3 inch by 1.5 inches

Model Size: ~3 inches in diameter

Modules: 8

Yet another of Tomoko Fuse's models - this one from her book 'Floral Origami Globes', called Parallelogram Floral Globe.

The thing I love about this book is that each module is made of 2 parts - a basic unit (which looks like a sonobe module) called the 'Base',  and an insert, called the 'Face'. Each unit is assembled by joining the base and the face. So this basically means that I can use the single-sided paper, that I have plenty of, and still manage to get some colours in my model.

The other point about this book is that, in each section, there are only subtle differences in folding one model and the next. But these difference still result in new, really cool variations. And of course, the fact that you use only half a square for the base unit and a quarter for a face unit means the whole model is very economical!!

Model Details:

Model: Parallelogram Floral Globe 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Floral Origami Globes
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Complex

Paper Ratio: Rectangles in ratio 1:2 for base and Squares cut into 4 quarters for face

Paper Size: 4 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 30 rectangles + 30 quarters

Since in recent days, I have been trying out many modular origami. I wanted to try out the inverse of the previous model I had folded - the 120-unit rhombic icosahedron using Tomoko Fuse's double-sided convex hexagonal rings. This time, I had used concave modules. As before, this one is also made of 120 modules.

This model turned out to be one of my most challenging. Mainly because this was like assembling the model upside down! And initially quite a few times, I started assembling the pieces as I would a regular icosahedron, with the cones pointing out. Then I had to undo and reassemble correctly. A lot of painful rework! Also, as the assembly progressed, I found that there were a few instances when I just couldn't get that little tab (the one that inserts into the adjourning section?) in place. Finally, I just gave up, but the model is so tight that there is no way the pieces will slip out. I can even use it as a football I think :)

Model Details:

Model: Double-sided Concave Hexagonal Ring 120 unit Rhombic Icosahedron 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Unit Polyhedron Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Complex

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3.4 inches by 1.7 inches

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 120

The Rhombic Icosahedron from Tomoko Fuse's book 'Unit Polyhedron Origami' is folded from 120 rectangular units. The assembly of this model is a serious test of patience! Folding the units took me a couple of days - it is no joke folding 60 yellow and 60 blue units! Assembly took me nearly half a day, a whole lot of patience and the aid of a couple of toothpicks. I was so tempted to tear the whole thing when I was assembling the last few pieces. Only the thought of folding another 120 pieces kept from doing it :)

The model is very sturdy. Well, I had used 80 gsm paper, so that was a very good decision in my view. Before assembling the model, I completed the 12 5-unit yellow centers first. Then I proceeded to add the blue units in the 3 and 4-unit assembly. In fact, I think if I had assembled the 3-unit blue sets as well, that would have made it even easier.

Altogether, a good, challenging model for me. There is another 120-unit model made from concave units, which would be the inverse of this model. I hope to do it. Some time, hopefully in the near future!

Model Details:

Model: Double-sided Convex Hexagonal Ring 120 unit Rhombic Icosahedron 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Unit Polyhedron Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Complex

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3.4 inches by 1.7 inches

Model Size: ~6 inches in diameter

Modules: 120

Tutorial: Youtube

What is Valentine's Day without one of Francis Ow's hearts? So here you go, Ow's Double Hearts.

The 2 hearts are made from half a square and each heart displays one side of the paper. So naturally, double sided paper with contrasting colours work best.

I used a double-sided 120 gsm 8-inch paper cut into 2. This was the only double-sided paper I had, so had to make do. But regardless, I was able to make the origami. So yay!!

Model Details:

Model: Double Hearts

Creator: Francis Ow

Book: Origami - 30 Fold-by-fold Projects

Author: Paulo Mulatinho

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ration 1:2

Paper Size: 4 * 8 inches

Tutorial: Youtube  

With Tomoko Fuse's lecture and workshop coming up this weekend, I decided to try out another of her popular designs - the Petals Kusudama (Type II). The kusudama is made from 30 units. Each unit has a base and an inset, which is folded into the base. The units are assembled like a sonobe. The kusudama holds well even without any glue, though, since I wanted to make it into a hanging ornament, I ended up gluing the joins.

A 3-colour combination works well for the kusudama. And for that, it is best to ensure that the paper used for the insets is single-sided - coloured on one side and white on the other. If it is double sided, then it works best if the paper has a different colour on both sides.

I used copy paper for the base and 60 gsm origami paper for the insets. So the model turned out pretty strong and sturdy. I also ended up making a tassel (this is pretty tedious work!) and string it along with a few beads and the kusudama to get myself a very pretty ornament :)

Model Details:

Model: Petals – Type II – Kusudama

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Floral Origami Globes

Author: Tomoko Fuse

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3.5 inches by 1.7 inches

Model Size: ~ 4 inches

Number of Modules: 15 rectangles of 1 colour and 15 rectangles of a second colour

Tutorial: Youtube

The Origami Star Dodecahedron is one of the many models that can be folded using the SIP (Six Intersection Pentagrams) Unit. The SIP model was co-discovered independently by Francesco Mancini, Jared Needle and Leong Cheng Chit. The same unit can be used to fold the Star Icosidodecahedron (60 units), the Star Dodecahedron (30 units) and the Star Prism (15 units). And since I tend to fold a lot of 30-unit models, I tried out the star dodecahedron :)

The units are fairly easy to fold and assemble. I had used handmade marble paper and am quite pleased with the way it turned out. And I absolutely love the ethnic feel that the background adds to the picture! 😍

Model Details:

Model: Star Dodecahedron

Creator: Francesco Mancini

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 4 inches * 2 inches

Model Size: 7 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Diagram: Creating Origami (The pdf provides the instructions for the Six Integrating Pentagram model, but the first page of the pdf has the diagrams for folding the unit)

Tutorial: Youtube 

I love reading and, consequently, love collecting bookmarks. But since it was Valentine's Day a couple of days back, I wanted to make heart shaped bookmarks. So off I went, making a whole bunch of these heart bookmarks for everyone I know! Wonderful V-Day gift for a book lover, huh?

The bookmarks are pretty easy to make, thanks to the tutorial by Jo Nakashima, who is also the creator of this model. They are made from a rectangle in the ratio 1:2 but from the tutorial, I understand any rectangle will work just fine.

Model Details:

Model: Heart Bookmarks 

Creator: Jo Nakashima

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle

Paper Size: 6 * 3 inches

Model Size: ~4.5 inches long by 1 inch heart

Tutorial: Youtube

I am quite fascinated with Tomoko Fuse's book 'Floral Origami Globes' and after completing the Butterfly Kusudama, I didn't waste much time, working on the next kusudama.

This kusudama is the Chrysanthemum Globe Kusudama, assembled from 60 rectangles. Each unit is assembled from 2 rectangles - a base and the chrysanthemum, inserted into the base.

The kusudama assembly is the basic sonobe assembly for 30-unit icosahedrons, but with a small difference. While the sonobe assembly is in a clock-wise direction (the pockets open to the right and the tabs go into these pockets), the chrysanthemum assembly is anti-clockwise - that is, the tabs are inserted into pockets that open to the left.

The chrysanthemum unit has multiple layers of paper in the central petal, so thin paper works better. I have used regular copy paper and had to be extra careful when folding it so that it did not tear in the middle.

Model Details:

Model: Chrysanthemum Globe Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Floral Origami Globes
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 4 inches by 2 inches

Model Size: ~5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

It has been quite a while since I folded modular origami and even longer since I folded any of Tomoko Fuse's amazing creations. This modular kusudama is the Butterfly Kusudama (Type III) and is from the book 'Floral Origami Globes'.

The model is made from 30 units and each unit is made from 2 rectangles. The fan-like section is folded into a base section to form 1 unit. I have glued the two parts of the fan, but as per the instructions, they are left as-is to represent the 2 wings of the butterfly.

Model Details:

Model: Butterfly Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Floral Origami Globes
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in the ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3 inches by 1.5 inches

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 60

As I had mentioned in my previous post, I tried out the modular cube variation, this one in orange. The assembly is the same as the modular cube. The only change, in fact, is the way the initial fold is done, so that the reverse of the paper becomes visible. So it is a good idea to use paper coloured on both sides, in contrasting colours. I preferred using single-sided orange coloured paper. I think it has turned out quite well :)

But in reality, folding the modules turned out to be an unexpected challenge! I had used the same paper size as in my previous cube (1.25 by 3.5 inches). Unfortunately, this model had a couple of additional folds, resulting in really thin strips. And folding those thin strips in such a small paper turned out to be painful!! I used a ruler to ensure that I got the folds right. Thankfully the paper was quite strong, I am sure I would have ended up tearing quite a few modules otherwise!

Model Details:

Model: Modular Box Variation 

Creator: Bennett Arnstein

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

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 1.25 by 3.5 inches

Model Size: Square cube with approximate side of 1.25 inches

Modules: 12

The decoration and modular boxes from the book 'Modular Origami Polyhedra' are beautiful and very tempting! The boxes are all cubes made from 12 modular units. They are quite easy to make as well. And I love the little windows in the cubes.

I had previously tried out the original decoration box and was quite pleased with the results. This time, I tried out the first of the modular cubes, which is actually a variation of Lewis Simon's decoration box.

This turns out to be much more economical than the decoration box too, since it is made from 12 rectangles in 1:2 ratio (a square cut in two). The decoration box, on the other hand, is made from squares. So you can make 2 of these modular cubes for each of the decoration boxes :) Naturally, the size of the cube is also smaller than the decoration box.

While folding the cubes, the one issue I faced was that, the backside of the paper (white in my case), can be seen peeking out in quite a few places! No matter how I folded it, the white was visible :( I guess paper coloured the same on both sides would have been better.

Well, I will be folding a few more of these cubes. The next variation of the decoration box is the next on my list, followed probably by the Ninja Star cube.

Model Details:

Model: Modular Box 

Creator: Bennett Arnstein

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

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 1.25 by 3.5 inches

Model Size: Square cube with approximate side of 1.25 inches

Modules: 12