All about origami for the New Year

Not everyone probably knows that the word "origami" appeared only in 1880. But the art of folding paper figures appeared much earlier, and for a long time paper crafts were called "orikata". The popularity of this type of creativity has long gone beyond the borders of Japan; fine paper products have fallen in love with people on different continents. They decorate homes, classrooms and children's studios, origami even appear in offices. Just one paper crane (for example) already changes the atmosphere of the room, and also participates in creating home comfort. And for sure, origami figures are able to maintain the New Year's atmosphere in the house.

The main tool in origami is hands. And, of course, the author's imagination, as well as the ability to clearly follow instructions. But of course, you can't do without paper.

Here are some tips for choosing the right origami material for your New Year's Day.

• White office paper - the most affordable option. It has sufficient density and convincing smoothness. This paper is also suitable for modular origami, because it is non-slip and able to retain its shape.
• If there is an opportunity to do figures from colored office paper, this expands the capabilities of the wizard. This paper is colored on both sides; it does not turn white on the folds.
• To make simple models (for example, for beginners), suitable small note sheets, they are also often called stickers.
• "Kami" Is a specialty origami paper found in craft stores. It is convenient because it is already cut into pieces of the desired shape, usually square. The size of the squares can be different. Most often, one side of the "kami" is white, the other is colored, and the set includes samples of different colors. But you can find both double-sided colored paper and ornamented.
• Colored paper for children's creativity. But first you need to check if this material is torn at the folds, if it does not slip.
• Journal sheets. If you come across magazines of good typographic quality, sheets from them are quite suitable for bright origami samples.
• Wrapping. Sturdy and well-printed, it is also great for creative experimentation. But you only need to take matte samples.
• Embossed paper. For making flowers (for example, Christmas poinsettia), it is perfect.
• Corrugated. It can be used to create individual elements of the craft, for example, wrapping around the stems.
• Japanese paper woshi. This is an expensive version of the material for creativity, since it requires manual processing. The paper is soft, fibrous, so the folds will come out soft too.

You can also make interesting figures from napkins on the table, but not in all cases do napkins cope with the task at hand.

And also to create origami for the New Year you will need: glue (thick PVA or glue stick), paints, a cutter, scissors, rulers (triangles and protractors), a pencil and other additional accessories like sparkles, rhinestones and other trifles.

Even a beginner can navigate according to the diagrams, it shows how to make decorations using the origami technique in stages. You need to start with the simplest schemes that will give you confidence and introduce you to the basic techniques.

You can start with a minimalistic Christmas tree. It will be performed by both adults and children. For the first lesson, origami is ideal.

For work, you need 4 sheets of paper 8x8 cm (3 green, 1 brown).

Let's analyze the step-by-step instructions.

• One green square needs to be folded into the basic "double triangle" shape.

• To do this, you should outline the diagonal folds.

• The square needs to be turned over.

• The figure folds in half, unfolds.

• The workpiece is returned to the front side.

• The left and right extreme points on the central axis should be folded towards the middle. Lower the upper part of the square. This is how a double triangle is made.

• All other green modules are done the same way.

• Now we need to make the trunk of the tree. Fold the basic double square shape. Again mark the diagonals and, turning the workpiece over, mark the central axes.

• The right and left corners need to be bent towards the middle. This will create a double square.

• The workpiece is positioned with the free edge down, the outer points are going to the center. The same is done with the lower corner, it unfolds. The same must be done on the other side.

• It remains to complete the trunk, revealing the folds made in advance, bend the upper and lower corners. The cruciform part needs to be folded, its center will become the top of the new shape.

• The side valves are wound inward. Green modules, one by one, are nested inside each other, glued together. This is how all the triangles are connected, creating a silhouette of a Christmas tree.

An interesting version of the New Year's craft is an origami star. As a pendant, it diversifies the Christmas balls on the tree. It can also become a gift box or serving item on the table. To make a star, it is advisable to use double-sided colored paper (contrasting).

Let's consider step by step how to make an unusual star.

• You should start on the side of the sheet that will be inside the star. The bottom edge folds up. The top left corner folds down towards the center. Use your finger to make a notch on the diagonal. This will create a slight crease.

• The lower right corner is folded crosswise to the previously marked. The left edge of the top layer is right aligned. The workpiece is folded along the dotted line.

• Now you need to make another fold "slide", taking the left side back. All the edges of the shape are aligned.It will turn out as in the picture №11. The top of the figure is cut off along the oblique line.

• If you open the pattern, there will be a pentagon with clear edges. Its corners are bent according to the scheme (Figure 14). A star is clearly visible inside the figure. All 5 corners are re-folded. You will get another star, more like a snowflake.

• Turn the workpiece over, fold each vertex along the dotted line. Inside, again, a star formed. Its rays need to be bent in order to highlight the faces of another formed pentagon.

• Now all the folds of the craft should be strengthened to give the star-box volume.

So, without glue, you can make a very beautiful star, which will serve not only as an ornament, but even as a small box. A perfect gift for a grandmother or mom. Of course, very kids, preschoolers are unlikely to cope with this work. But young schoolchildren make such simple but effective crafts in one labor lesson. And you don't have to wait for the lessons: for mom and dad, it's a good way to have a creative weekend with your child.

You can start with lighter crafts, which are done in 8-10 steps.

A very beautiful ball is made of round modules, such a craft appeals to the interior style, which focuses on the aesthetics of Ikea. This is not quite a classic origami, because glue is used to assemble the model, but the balls are so beautiful that you can not focus on this moment.

You need to use metallized paper to make balls, vintage music sheets or even pages of an old book (you can use it in English) are also suitable, and double-sided packaging craft is also useful.

The step-by-step instructions include several points.

• Circles with the same diameter are cut from square leaves (each side 8-10 cm).

• One of the blanks must be folded in half, positioned with a round open edge down.

• The left end point also needs to be folded towards the center. The same step is repeated on the right side.

• The workpiece can be fully opened.

• Now it's time to fold the extreme points that are located in the middle to the center. The so-called double triangle will come out. The picture shows how one module will turn out. And there are 17 more such modules to be made.

• Ready modules are to be connected in blocks, in one block - 6 pieces.

• The upper, lower and central parts must be glued together. You should not take PVA for this - its substance may be too liquid, which will leave ugly waves. A glue stick will handle this optimally.

• That's all - the ball is ready. The more interesting, the brighter the paper is taken for him, the more spectacular the decoration for the Christmas tree will look.

And one more example of an excellent New Year's decoration, which certainly impresses with the Scandinavian interior style - pleated balls.

A delicate pleated origami ball can be done by hand.

• For one ball, you need a sheet of thin, thick paper (10 by 35 cm).

• The sheet must be divided vertically, taking a step of 1 cm.

• The lines on the sheet should be pushed through with a scoring (you can do this with the back of an ordinary clerical knife).

• The sheet should be folded in half "valley", its long edges should be folded by 1 cm.

• Now diagonal lines are applied to the sheet every 2 cm (as in the photo).

• Attention - now the diagonals need to be drawn in the opposite direction in order to get a mesh for future folds of the ball.

• Further, one by one, the folds are made "mountain" and "valley". The result of this work is an attractive volumetric design.

• The resulting product is to be assembled with an accordion, ironing the folds very carefully. And such you need to make 2 sheets.

• Now at the ends of the two halves obtained, holes must be punched (with a hole punch or an awl).

• A thread must be passed through the entire accordion and tied, pulling it into a ball.A loop should be made from a satin ribbon, which will lie inside the toy in a knot.

You can make a real garland from such beautiful balls. - a light bulb will pass through the hole on one side (specially left wide). And the loop is not needed. It turns out a very beautiful New Year's decor: it is difficult to guess that the item was not bought in a store, but made by hand.

And "for dessert" there are excellent examples of successful samples for inspiration - 10 New Year's origami.

• A small but cute composition with Santa Claus (even two), a deer and Christmas trees. Conceptually and not very difficult to implement.

• Cardboard stars for decor, beautiful in their laconicism, can be made of designer paper.

• Another variation of stars for decorating a Christmas tree, at home, as a craft to school and more. Can be made in different sizes.

• Lovely Christmas trees are perfect pendants for simple decor. They can also be used to decorate greeting boxes.

• An example of how cute (and uncomplicated) an Advent calendar can be.

• Simple Snow Maiden, which can be assembled from the picture.

• Whether little Santa, or New Year's gnomes - in any case, they look equally cute.

• A little unusual, but cute balls for the Christmas tree. You can start making them already in November.

• Adorable kid in origami 3D (you can also make not only a bunny, but also a dog, a kitten).

• Here is such an interesting Christmas-themed wreath picture. If you post it on a social network, you can collect all the "hearts".

Happy creative experiments!

For information on how to make origami for the New Year with your own hands, see the next video.