Along my journey to discovering how to make origami flowers I came across many roadblocks. While the journey was enjoyable I have to admit that if there were an origami resource that would have eased the process for in learning how to make origami flowers, even ever so slightly, it would have made my life much easier and helped me avoid certain frustrations. Now, don't get me wrong... ... http://www.squidoo.com/origamiflowers Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:10:51 -0600 FeedCreator 1.7.2 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:39:22 -0600 http://www.squidoo.com/origamiflowers Along my journey to discovering how to make origami flowers I came across many roadblocks. While the journey was enjoyable I have to admit that if there were an origami resource that would have eased the process for in learning how to make origami flowers, even ever so slightly, it would have made my life much easier and helped me avoid certain frustrations. Now, don't get me wrong... I do like certain challenges very much! But I would have preferred that those challenges had come in the form of developing my skill, perfecting technique to get origami flowers done correctly and nicely and also in the creation of my own original origami flower creations. One of the snags I encountered was that I found very few books dedicated to only flowers, let alone solely origami flowers, and the origami book volumes I did find were often poorly written and lacked good illustrations. Often there were less illustrations than there were steps and I was left having to guess and become frustrated at figuring out whether or not I was folding correctly due to the lack of visual references. Another was that I had to search and pick through many, many books to collect the origami flower instructions to build a repertoire and collection of origami flowers that I could learn. Recently I came across a book called, "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers".  I wasn't particularly interested in looking at another origami book but because the introductory price was so low ($5 - I don't know if it still is) I didn't hesitate getting it. I could relate to the claims on the web site, which talked about searching online to find "something left to be desired" instructions and the burden of looking online for any useful information. Not to mention looking through physical books, scanning them to find origami flower instructions of any use and rarely succeeding. Actually, that reminds me of a book called "How To Make Paper Flowers and Party Decorations" by Natalie Morgan. However, this book is not about origami and while it is a great resource it did not help me nor will it help those interested in origami flowers. Still, I have it in my collection and have enjoyed creating from it very much at times. I was pleasantly surprised when I purchased "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers" and the paper flower book by Natalie Morgan was included at the time as an extra gift bonus even though it was not mentioned on the sales page. It was a nice plus. I wish some sort of origami book existed, at least that I knew of, that was like "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers". It has top notch illustrations and it has them for every step. The origami instructions contain to the point but comprehensive guidance and it is pretty much devoid of extraneous information. "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers" also contains templates at the end for all of the origami flowers within it. This origami book makes origami easy and that is a big plus if you are a beginner. The origami flowers taught go from easy to slightly more advanced but not insane. I believe this origami book will provide an easy way to learn and develop a strong foundation for continuing one's journey in origami paper flower creation. It is worth very much to buy an easy origami book like this one for such a nominal amount when the origami instructions are made easy to understand with complimentary pictures to follow along all the steps, where not only do you get that but my favorite part is that every origami instruction is for flowers and so it contains a collection of beautiful origami flowers to contain in just this one origami instruction resource. In my book that beats the heck out of searching online to find origami flowers one can make just to save a few measly bucks. Beautiful! But, I do have one slight reservation and that is that in this origami book there are no photos of completed origami flowers. It doesn't really matter, since the illustration in the instructions will get you there and you will find out soon enough what your origami flowers look like. So, it's not that origami flower pictures are necessary but it would have been nice. I asked the author about that and when he was kind enough to reply to me I was told that he does agree that it would be a nice plus to have a picture or at least a hand drawn illustrated representation of the finished flower but he does not own a digital camera since his last one went on the fritz. He actually wants to buy a new one when he can and not just for the sake of adding finished origami flower pictures in his easy origami instruction book, but because he also wants to show people how to make an origami money flower and he says that to explain this properly it would be better to take photos of the origami money flowers. I would agree with that. He ended by saying that since his origami book is being received well he may do some videos, but that is no guarantee. One last piece of advice to the author, William. In my experience most of the people who want to make origami flowers are women. Now, I'm not saying many men don't enjoy origami. Obviously many do and I am one of them, but most seem to be women and the web site for this origami paper flower book seems to be marketed at guys by playing the angle that it will make them more interesting and more sweet to the opposite gender. This could indeed work and is an interesting avenue to take, but if I were him I would probably focus my attention on the women somewhat more because I think that's where William's main customer base would come from. Hey, I had to think of something to criticize! :) j/k There you have it my friend. "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers" is my number one origami book of choice for beginners and those wanting to learn because, and here are only three reasons because this article is getting pretty long: A) Easy to understand B) Illustrations don't let down C) My favorite reason - It is all about the flowers I would have mentioned the low price. It is actually low, yes, but for me that is not a main reason to get or not get an origami book. The affordability of it just makes it less of an excuse not to get if one wants to learn origami and needs to get started somewhere. This origami book is in digital format but is nicely done that it looks ready to be printed out and published in physical form, which come to think of it would be a nice thing. Don't forget, origami flower making is still origami. Even if you are interested in something other than just origami flowers, it will still build your chops to do other origami as well. I have to give "So, You Want To Learn... How To Make Paper Flowers" 8 out of 10 stars. This origami book was a pleasant find for me and it can help you get started in your origami flower hobby in developing and mastering a great and wonderful skill to possess. You can find this convenient little gem, see a sample and get free origami flower tips delieverd to you at...  www.paper-flowers.org Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:39:22 -0600