When I was younger, I was always amazed at how my cousins could fold the chopstick wrappers into dodecahedron shapes that you could bounce around the table. Later on in junior high and high school, everyone at school knew who the best note-folder was. One time I got a note that I wasn’t even sure how to open. Call it paper folding or call it origami, knowing that you can do more than just write on paper is a skill that can impress. (Just like Hiro Nakamura when he folded 1,000 paper cranes for Charlie.) (P.S. Ignore that last comment if you didn’t watch Heroes Season 1.)
About World’s Best Origami
Remember folding paper into a hand-held fortune teller, paper airplane or secret note square? Whether a fortune teller novice or a seasoned paper-folding expert, the new book World’s Best Origami challenges readers with more than 100 of the most unique and best-loved origami patterns ever created.
Professional origami artist, Nick Robinson, guides readers through the process of folding paper. Projects are rated from beginner to advanced and include everything from the traditional swan and poppy box to truly amazing pieces such as a geodetic tower and a jet plane! Each diagram is clearly displayed with easy-to-understand folding instructions for a perfect outcome every time.
The Review
I was super excited to get a copy of World’s Best Origami to review. I purchased some origami paper in various sizes and colors and was ready to start folding. Once the book arrived, I dove right in.
Now if you’re the sort of person who takes the time to know what they’re doing, you’ll really appreciate the first chapter of the book where they give you the “Origami Basics.” That covers basic folding (mountain vs. valley) and an introduction to the symbols, bases and techniques that they’ll use throughout the book. I was not that sort of person. I immediately looked through the table of contents to find something cool to fold.
There are lot of options to choose from as well – from complex shapes to flowers to animals to people. Each section has a collection of origami designs that range from a level 1 difficultly to level 5. Me being me, I dove right in and chose a level 5 origami folding diagram for making an angel.
Starting with step 1, I folded flipped and crimped my square, pink piece of origami paper. 26 steps later, I had this:
Pretty cool, right? But the fun didn’t stop there. I then moved on to a level 2 frogs head.
And then I tackled the more elaborate diagrams, which included a 6 piece modular Goldfinch star (modular meaning you make several of the same thing and then combine them together):
Followed by an amazing two-color box. One of my fellow testers joined in on the fun with a swan.
I was amazed by how much fun I had folding these little pieces of paper. Each origami folding diagram was like learning a secret to a paper folding puzzle. Time does fly when you’re folding, and it’s something that could be fun for both kids and adults. The instructions detailed each step and fold that you needed to make, but I did find some of the instructions required some additional pondering in trying to figure out what I was supposed to do, so this book probably is more for kids and adults ages 10 and up.
With over 100 origami folding diagrams, detailed how-to instructions, and step-by-step folding guides, World’s Best Origami is a great way to dive into the art of paper-folding. It’s fun (and actually quite relaxing) and will impress your friends.
World’s Best Origami Online
The WiC Project World’s Best Origami Giveaway
The Prize:
One winner will receive their very own copy of World’s Best Origami by Nick Robinson.
This giveaway is closed.
The Rules:
Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST, December 24, 2010.
Visit our Giveaway Rules page for general giveaway rules that also apply to this giveaway.
Disclaimer: This post consists of my (and/or fellow tester) opinions only. Your experiences may be different. No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a free product from the manufacturer or their representing PR agency to use and test for the purposes of this review. This did not affect the outcome of this review.
I would fold with my kids.
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oursafehaven
I’d like to fold paper napkins.
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Email subscriber.
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I’ve dabbled in origami in the past and I usually do it when I’m with my grandkids. They adore it. My best fold in the flapping bird but I’d love to learn some new interesting folds.
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My daughter and I love to craft together. We have been thinking of trying this Origami out for awhile now. I just love the way it looks.
~Steph
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I am an email subscriber.
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I follow ‘The Wic Project’ on fb (Stephanie Christmann)
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I would like to fold a wallet to carry my money in.
I follow via GFC.
I love origami although I haven’t done it for awhile. I would like to make a Christmas Star.
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I’d like to decorate a tree with origami ornaments made of holiday wrapping paper. I’d love to learn how to fold the single page to shape a bolloon type ornament.
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bettycd
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I would fold with my wife
I would love to share this with my grandsons
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@copperllama
I would like to fold swans with my daughters.
I would fold with my daughter
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I would fold with my daughters.
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If there is a paper airplane of some sort that would be great for me and my son to do together, I try but am not to good at it.
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subscribed to wic project emails
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amber jackson porter
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My daughter and I would have fun doing this together
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I’d love to fold with my kids.
I would like to learn to make the Angel with my little sister!
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I would love to do this with my 6 year old and 9 year old!
I’d like to learn to fold and would share this book with my granddaughter. mcgillrmcgill(at)charter(dot)net
i’d like to fold with my mother.
My daughter and I both like to do Origami. We would use this to learn some new projects together.
hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com
I subscribe via Google reader.
hafner611{AT}gmail{DOT}com
I would like to learn how to make a frog
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i would fold with our son
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
Fold Christmas decorations for our tree or Cranes.
I want to make swans with my daughter
I’m an email subscriber.