Origami Jewelry: Make beautiful paper accessories
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Jewelry crafted from beautiful Japanese paper.
Origami Jewelry is jewelry made of folded paper. Who knew? Well I certainly didn't know it was possible to actually wear paper jewelry.
My first encounter with origami accessories was in 2004 when I found earrings shaped like paper cranes in Seibu, a department store in Japan. The earrings had an all-over origami paper print so I quickly bought a couple of pairs - one for me, another for a close friend. All the while I thought they were made of metal or resin - never in my wildest dreams did I think they were made of paper... but how? Those earrings are so tiny!
Thanks to the internet and some resource books, I learned that origami jewelry is quite simple to make. If you read on, you will find basic steps on how to make paper jewelry and where to buy origami jewelry.
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Origami in a nutshell
The traditional art of Japanese paper-folding
Origami from oru meaning "folding", and kami meaning "paper" is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. The goal of this art is to create a representation of an object using geometric folds and crease patterns using only one piece of paper and preferably without gluing or cutting it.
Perhaps the most well-known form that origami takes on is the Japanese Paper Crane as it is traditionally the symbol for peace and hope.
Follow the directions in the video below to learn how to make a paper crane. You can use this as the charm or pendant for your first project. (You may also follow step-by-step instructions in this diagram if you prefer a static guide).
Photo by Flickr user Andy Schultz
How to make origami jewelry: Steps and Materials
Once you master the basic techniques, the possiblities of what you can make are endless.
(photos from Flickr user Harugurumi)
Make origami jewelry by following these 3 basic steps.
Step 1: Make the origami charm
There are a ton of forms you can make with origami - choose from any of these free folding instructions. They come complete with diagrams and step-by-step folding directions. 5"x5" to 6"x6" squares work well for pendants, 4"x4" squares and smaller (if you can handle them!) can be used for earrings and bracelet charms. Washi paper has been proven to give the best results. Take your pick from the following origami paper sets.
Aitoh Origami Paper 4 in. x 4 in.
Chiyogami 20 sheets
Aitoh Origami Paper 5 7/8 in. x 5 7/8 in.
Washi Chiyogami 24 sheets
Step 2: Coat your finished product.
Protect the finished product with an all-purpose varnish art spray. Polyurethane has been highly recommended by the experts because it will soak through the paper to coat the entire piece and not just the surface. It is water based and therefore easy to handle but, when dry, it is water resistant. Some picks are below:
DecoArt DuraClear
Poly Varnishes glossy
DecoArt DuraClear
Poly Varnishes satin
Step 3: Attach the jewelry findings (a.k.a. fittings).
Findings vary depending on the piece of jewelry piece you are making - for instance, you will need chains for necklaces, pin backings for pins and brooches, and earring posts or hooks for earrings. Here are tried and tested materials:
Darice Earring Fish Hooks
gold pack of 48
Darice Leather Cords
natural
Darice Steel Pin Backs
gold pack of 60
Darice Lobster Clasps
pack of 12 lobster clasps
More jewelry crafting materials are available at MisterArt.com: The world's largest online discount art & craft supply store
Origami jewelry tutorial links
Guides with step-by-step instructions
Now that I've shown you the origami jewelry instructions (wasn't that easy?), it's time to hunker down and make some! The following are links to origami jewelry tutorials with easy to follow instructions. Have fun!
- Origami Lucky Star Earrings
- Learn how to make lucky star earrings. Learn how to convert origami into wearable jewelry. Easy projects
- Matching Origami Lucky Star Bracelet
- Learn to make an origami Lucky Star Bracelet. Free instructions to make origami jewelry: earrings, necklaces, chokers, brooches, bracelets, barrettes,, hair pins, and finger rings.
- Origami Fluted Diamond Earrings
- Learn to make a fluted diamond earrings. Free instructions and tips to make wearable origami jewelry.
- Matching Origami Fluted Diamond Necklace
- Learn to make this lovely origami Fluted Diamond Necklace. Free instructions to make wearable origami jewelry: earrings, necklaces, chokers, brooches, bracelets, and finger rings. Project ideas....
- Origami Leaf Choker Necklace
- Learn to make an origami leaf necklace (choker). Free instructions to make wearable origami jewelry: earrings, necklaces, chokers, brooches, bracelets, and finger rings.
- Matching Origami Leaf Bracelet
- Learn to make an origami leaf bracelet. Free instructions on how to make wearable origami jewelry: earrings, necklaces, chokers, brooches, bracelets, and finger rings.
- Origami Shell Necklace
- Learn to make an Origami Shell Necklace! Free instructions to make wearable paper jewelry including earrings, necklaces, brooches, barrettes, hair pins, and finger rings.
- Origami Fan Brooch
- Learn how to make an Origami Fan Brooch. Free origami instructions on how to make origami jewelry: earrings, brooches, bracelets, hair clips, necklaces and more
- Origami Ring Brooch
- Learn how to make an Origami Ring Brooch. Free instructions to make origami jewelry: earrings, neckaces, bracelets, rings, and brooches.
- Origami Flower Barrette
- Learn how to make a flower barrette. Free instructions on how to make wearable origami jewelry.
- Origami Butterfly Hair Pin
- Learn to make an origami butterfly hair pin. Free instructions to make origami jewelry: earrings, necklaces, brooches, bracelets, and rings,
- Origami Finger Rings
- Here's an affordable way to give rings to your sweetheart: origami rings made with paper! Make it with gold foil paper, with dollar bills, or pattern imprinted papers. Looks great!
Come get your washi paper right here, right now.
TIP: Although you can experiment with other paper types, traditional Japanese paper called washi is the best choice for origami jewelry. It is beautiful, durable, soft and easy to fold and suitable for large and small pieces.
Many different types of washi are produced for various purposes. Two good choices for origami jewelry are Yuzen Washi and Mujizome washi.
(source: Origami Jewellery by Ayako Brodek)
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Origami Paper Ginburi Momigami Washi 6x6 12/S
Aitoh Ginburi Momigami paper for Japanese origami more...1 point
3
Washi Origami - 360 Sheet Assortment
A big assortment of small, colorful sheets measuri more...1 point
4
Origami Paper- Mini Washi Chiyogami 72 Sheet Pack
This packet of origami paper contains six sheets e more...0 points
5
Origami Paper Yuzen Chiyogami Washi 4x4 40/Sh
Aitoh Yuzen Chiorami paper for Japanese origami pr more...0 points
6
Origami Paper- Red Washi Patterns Mini Sheets
Exquisitely beautiful Chiyogami (traditional patte more...0 points
8
Origami Paper- Yuzen Washi Set of 12 Sheets
This set of 12 Yuzen patterns is absolutely beauti more...0 points
9
Washi Style Origami Paper, 120 sheets #N8383
Assorted designs and colorful patterned origami paper more...0 points
10
Cherry Petal Whirl Washi Origami Paper, 16 Sheets approximately 6 Inches Square in 8 Different Colors
This pack contains 16 sheets of very high quality more...0 points
11
Spring Flowers Washi Origami Paper, 16 Sheets approximately 6 Inches Square in 4 Different Colors
This pack contains 16 sheets of very high quality more...0 points
Buy jewelry findings from Amazon
Polyurethane to coat and protect your origami jewelry creations
Jewelry making tools and accessories
Hand-made or Store-bought?
Speak your mind!
Now that I've shown you the beauty of origami jewelry and a few basic steps on how to craft them, would you be willing to make some yourself? Or would you rather buy them ready-made?
(bracelet photo from Flickr user effemera)
Will you make your own origami jewelry?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byOf course! Part of the fun is in making things by hand myself.
KatieLay says:
I would like to, it may take a few tries but I think it will turn out really nice.
Posted November 14, 2011
Nah, it takes too much time. I'd rather buy it ready-made.
daria369 says:
I very much admire all the hand crafted stuff but no longer try to do everything myself. Instead, I choose to do what I enjoy to do - and buy things that others do well.
Posted November 03, 2011
kimmanleyort says:
To be quite truthful, I will leave this to others. But I am fascinated by it and would definitely buy some.
Posted November 02, 2010
Everything I learned about Origami Jewelry crafting...
I learned from this book.
I have a good collection of paper craft and origami books but Origami Jewellery: More Than 40 Exquisite Necklaces, Bracelets, Brooches and Earrings to Fold and Wear by Ayako Brodek is certainly one of my favorites.
Origami accessories by Ayako Brodek. Photos are from her website Oricraft.
The jewelry she makes is breathtaking and I'm amazed at how creative the pieces are. If you're thinking of making this a hobby, I strongly suggest that you start with this book. it covers everything (and I mean everything) that you'll ever need to know about the craft!
Origami Jewelry: More Than 40 Exquisite Designs to Fold and Wear
Amazon Price: $14.16 (as of 02/14/2012)
List Price: $24.95
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Supplement your origami education
Books on origami and jewelry making
If you're serious about taking up origami and jewelry crafting as a business (Yes! Why not? Everyone wants handmade stuff these days), it would be wise to do a bit more reading so you can expand your line and come up with something that isn't out there yet.
Origami Resources
Learn from the experts & practitioners of this ancient art.
an origami-folding rock star:
Origami Cranes T-Shirt
Buy this shirt at Poptastic Tees
Want to learn more origami? Need to brush up on your paper-folding? Bookmark the sites I've listed below and you'll be an expert in no time!
- The Origami Resource Center: List of Instructions and diagrams
- A comprehensive list of free origami instructions and diagrams. Models range from easy-intermediate to advanced.
- The Origami Resource Center: Origami Jewelry
- Features a few tutorials and links to other origami jewelry resources on the web.
- Origami Crafts by OriCraft: Ayako Brodek's website
- Origami Crafts by OriCraft. Ayako Brodek's website, gallery, and shop.
- Paper Folding
- A fun site to learn about origami, the art of paper-folding. Learn to fold, see the origami insects and dinosaurs, learn about origami history & origami and math, and much more.
- ORILAND - What Origami Can Be
- Oriland is the biggest, newest, and most imaginative paper world ever. It was created and folded by artists Yuri and Katrin Shumakov entirely from paper without cutting and gluing. Come and explore the paper realms of fancy
Buy origami jewelry
If you have no time to make paper jewelry.
No time to make your own hand-crafted accessories? That's completely understandable of course. And if you're on a tight budget, why not check out these great deals on origami jewelry from eBay shopkeepers.
Origami Jewelry is everywhere.
Look at photos from the Flickr community.
It's hardly surprising that origami jewelry is growing in popularity because real jewelry is certainly not cheap and everyone knows handmade jewelry is priceless. As you will see on Flickr, there's now a burgeoning community of talented and meticulous paper-folders. Care to join it?
What are people saying about origami jewelry?
Blog entries that talk about origami jewelry and accessories.
- Design Creative Of The Week: Katie Stainer [Ceramics, Jewelry, Glass]
- As a child I was fascinated by origami, paper cutting and books of every kind. My mother is an avid reader and my parents' house is still filled floor to ceiling with books. I even spent my teenage years studying creative writing, convinced I would ...
- Winter break programs
- 21, at 1, students in third through fifth grade are invited to learn "Origami 101." Art teacher Samantha Kanner will teach paper folding skills and how to read basic Origami designs. At 3 that day, students in kindergarten through second grade can make ...
- VIDEO: At Central, Everyone's an Artist
- The collection of artistic endeavors included everything from books and poetry, to sculpture, origami, Lego models, paintings, jewelry, videos of musical or skateboarding accomplishments?you name it, someone did it. And all of the projects were done ...
- Krasl Art classes begin Monday
- Youth classes for ages 4 to 12 are available from 4:30 to 6 pm in ceramics, jewelry, origami, illustrating and more. A home-school class takes place from 10 am to noon Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 7. Instruction for middle school and high school students ...
How about an origami dress to go with your jewlry?
Visit my page on origami dresses
Find the perfect origami dress to go with your handmade paper accessories!
Do you like this origami jewelry guide?
Your opinion matters to me.
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What do you think of origami jewelry?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
What do you think of origami jewelry? Now that you've read all I have to say, are you going to try and make some? Do let me know.
(The frog ornament is from the Manzanar Store)
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Reply
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earthybirthymama
Feb 3, 2012 @ 9:34 pm | delete
- I'd like to try and make an oragami crane with silver PMC paper. I'd need to practice using paper until I could make one without taking a break... The You tube Tutorial is helpful.
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klaird
Jan 11, 2012 @ 3:00 pm | delete
- Very neat. I've never even thought of making jewelry out of origami. I've featured your lens on my "50 Craft Ideas for Adults". Great Job!
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mumsgather
Jan 3, 2012 @ 6:09 am | delete
- I haven't heard of origami jewelry before this. Interesting. They look rather oriental. :)
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TopToysForKids
Dec 14, 2011 @ 1:58 pm | delete
- My best friend is huge into origami, keep up the good work! They look wonderful!
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TopToysForKids
Dec 14, 2011 @ 1:56 pm | delete
- My best friend is huge into origami, keep up the good work! They look wonderful!
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Origami Jewelry
More Than 40 Exquisite Designs to Fold and Wear by Ayako Brodek
Origami Jewelry: More Than 40 Exquisite Designs to Fold and Wear
Amazon Price: $14.16 (as of 02/14/2012)
With precise instructions and vivid, four-color photographs, Ayako Brodek shows readers how to create 40 elegant and unusual pieces of jewelry. Each project includes a list of materials, illustrated step-by-step folding and finishing instructions, a beautiful photo of the completed piece, and suggested color variations, paper designs and embellishments to make each piece exciting and unique.
Altered Paper Jewelry
Artful Adornments from Beautiful Papers
Altered Paper Jewelry: Artful Adornments from Beautiful Papers
Amazon Price: $6.11 (as of 02/14/2012)
By mixing relatively simple jewelry making methods with standard paper arts techniques, Altered Paper Jewelry offers paper crafters, altered art aficionados, and jewelry makers creative new ideas for creating stylish and contemporary jewelry from gorgeous paper.
Do you like Japanese pop culture and arts & crafts?
Visit the following recommended pages.
