I have started the year 2018 with a bang! I completed my first paper weaving project (a magazine holder) and here is my first origami of this year. This model is one of Tomoko Fuse's kusudamas, named Fuufuki Asagao Kusudama. It is taken from her book Unit Origami Fantasy. 

The kusudama is made from 30 smaller squares, folded and assembled together (I did the assembly with glue). I used fairly thick paper, by origami standards - 80 gsm regular printer paper, cut into 3*3 inch squares. I am not sure 60 gsm paper would have worked quite so well. 

What I loved about this kusudama was its angular, sharp appearance, something you don't usually see in kusudamas. Kusudamas, I think, are usually more flowery, soft and flowing. But here, I love the sharp dips that reveal the stars and the triangular peaks that remind me of Fuse's Little Turtle kusudama. 

Model Details:

Model: Fuufuki Asagao Kusudama 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Unit Origami Fantasy
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inch squares

Model Size: ~5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

I have not been the most active blogger these days, mainly because I am experimenting with paper jewelry and well, that is pretty time-consuming. Though I enjoy making paper jewelry, there is nothing like folding a good solid modular origami to get one back in the blogging game! This modular icosahedron is a fairly easy model to complete and is folded from half a square. So 15 squares, cut into half gives the 30 rectangles required for the icosahedron. The base unit is Lewis Simon's Triangle Edge Module.

Some points to note:

* I worked with coloured copy paper (80 gsm), which resulted in a good, sturdy model.

* If you are working with single sided paper, be sure to start with the coloured paper facing down (as given in the diagram).

* If your model is going to be tossed around (and believe me, this icosahedron very quickly becomes a football!), then be sure to add a dab of glue at the joints.

Model Details:

Model: Icosahedron from Triangle Edge Modules

Creator: Lewis Simon

Book: 3D Geometric Origami

Authors: Lewis Simon, Bennett Arnstein and Rona Gurkewitz

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle

Paper Size: 3.5 inches * 1.75 inches

Model Size: ~3 inches

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

Yuri Shumakov's origami vase is folded from a single sheet of paper and has a very realistic look to it. A good amount of pre-creasing is required before the vase is folded into shape. Though it is challenging, it a good origami to do.

I used a 80 gsm A4 sheet cut into a square. So the size was roughly 8.2 inches square. The model works best with thick paper - but not too thick though, since there is a lot of creasing to do. 80 gsm is ideal I thought. Regular 60 gsm origami paper might not be sturdy enough, once completed.

Model Details:

Model: Vase

Creator: Yuri Shumakov

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 8.2 inches

Model Size: 3.75 inches in height and 2.25 inches diameter

Instructions: Oriland

As kusudamas go, this is an easy kusudama, in the sense that, instead of folding 20 to 30 units, this origami needs only 6 units per kusudama. So the time spent on each of these modulars is much lesser.

That said, each module is a little more complex than the usual kusudama modules. The unit starts with a water-bomb base and involves a squash fold at the tip. Finally, after completing the folds, the module is opened up, with extra care, as it is very easy to rip up the squash fold.

Assembly is just a matter of sliding one module under the adjoining one. Not to worry, it holds firm without any glue.

Finally, a word on the paper used. Regular printer paper works best for the model. With regular 60 gsm origami paper, the problem I faced was during assembly. Sliding one module under the other needed a lot of care since 60 gsm paper gets crushed very easily. But with 80 gsm printer paper, this was not much of an issue. Naturally, the printer paper kusudama was more sturdy than the origami paper one.

Model Details:

Model: Quick Kusudama 

Creator: Nina Ostrun

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3.4 inches

Model Size: ~3 inches in diameter

Modules: 6

Diagram: Kusudamas.narod.ru

Tutorial: Youtube