Paper Folding: Origami

Origami means, literally, "to fold paper". There are many good sides to origami:

It is relaxing.
It trains fine control over muscles, which is very good for kids.
It allows an outlet for your creative side.
It amuses and amazes kids.
It can be done almost everywhere without people hating you.
It does not cost much to indulge in.
It provides nice and startling decorations for letter papers, presents, ...

I have been folding papers since I was ten years old. At times, I haven't done any folding for a year or more, but then the itch starts again. It's good that there are so many different models, there's always something new to try.

A note on the paper used: I have so far never used real origami paper. Instead, I have used whatever has been available to me. Many models I have seen diagrams of asks you to use a paper with different colours on different sides; in my case gift-wrap paper has often served well. But I have also used printer paper, fax sheets (with and without print), newspapers, magazines (rather too stiff, and flakes when folded), bills, ...

Three models

A simple butterfly.
It looks better if you use a paper with a coloured pattern. The paper can have any aspect ratio; I often use an A5 to fold this, or the left-over strips from making a square paper out of an A4. This model is easy to fold even for a beginner.
PostScript diagram (9173 bytes)
An origami parrot
This is folded from a square paper. The description starts at a finished bird-base; it's not a model for the utter novice. Tropical colours are the best to use. The diagram is in 3 parts.
Postscript diagram, part 1 (6155 bytes)
Postscript diagram, part 2 (7305 bytes)
Postscript diagram, part 3 (4210 bytes)
Origami bull-dog
This model can, by small alterations, be made to look like a bulldog, a bull, a cow, a rhino, ... It contains a rather awkward sinking of a top, and a free-hand fold. I would say it's a medium to easy model to fold.
Postscript diagram, part 1 (9397 bytes)
Postscript diagram, part 2 (10670 bytes)