SNAP!

[#1]

When my father-in-law was very ill, my daughter read that 200 origami cranes brought good health and fortune.

She spent the next several weeks creating these fragile paper creatures. The dozens of cranes were woven into a hanging mobile. It was a special gift for him in his final days. Patients, visitors, nurses and even doctors stopped by to comment on this unique piece of art.

Composed of the Japanese words oru (to fold) and kami (paper), origami has a rich and complex history that spans culture, class and geography.

If you’ve never attempted this unique art form, it’s easy to learn, but takes patience. Here’s a great link to get you started.

 

Interested in learning more about this ancient art form? Be sure to check out Between the Folds, a unique documentary about modern paper folders. These scientists, engineers and artists use origami art in ways you never thought possible.

[#2]

What a sweet idea. I'm sure the gift made your father-in-law's final days that much more pleasant, having a constant reminder of how much his family loved him  

I find origami quite difficult, but the end result can be beautiful. And it's probably the cheapest way there is to make art-- all you need is paper and a design in mind!

[#3]

I used to have a student who made origami in class. I was worried at first that it might be a distraction for him, but I actually came to see that it helped him focus and reduced his anxiety. It was slightly distracting to the people around him who couldn't help but marvel at his beautiful creations, though.

I would love to try this myself. Can you use any size paper, or does it have to have special dimensions?

[#4]

I love to make Origami. Yes, it needs a lot of patient to fold the paper and help take my mine off everything else, too.  You can call it a stress release when you think about it.  it shows the result of your work with a smile on yourself and everyone else face, too.