How to Make an Origami Chandelier
In the sixth century, paper was first introduced to Japan, though it was mainly used for religious purposes. In 1797, the first origami instruction book was published, entitled "How to Fold One Thousand Cranes." Since then, origami has spread as a hobby worldwide. An origami chandelier can be made by combining two basic shapes -- a star and sonobe cube -- with wire hangers. These models rely heavily on two types of folds: a valley fold, where the crease indents into the paper, and a mountain fold, where the crease pops out of the paper.
Instructions
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Cube
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1
Fold the paper in half, meeting the top edge with the bottom. Crease and unfold. Fold the bottom half in half again so the edge sits along the center crease. Fold the top in half so the edges meet. Unfold.
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2
Rotate the paper 90 degrees so the creases run vertically. Fold the bottom right corner inwards, so the inside edge runs along the crease furthest to the right. Repeat this fold on the upper left corner.
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3
Fold the left and right sides to meet in the middle along the pre-existing creases.
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4
Fold the top right hand corner, so the left hand edge meets the left edge of the model.
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5
Unfold the lower left-hand layer. Lay the triangle from Step 4 flat. Refold the left-hand layer, tucking the triangle in the middle.
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6
Repeat Steps 4 and 5 with the bottom left-hand corner. Rotate the model 180 degrees, then flip it over.
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7
Mountain fold the top corner down and to the left, so the point aligns with the left hand corner. Mountain fold the bottom corner in the same way, so the point aligns with the right hand corner. Unfold both corners.
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8
Repeat Steps 1 through 7 five more times, for a total of six pieces.
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9
Orient one of the pieces so the corners from Step 7 are pointing up and down. Slip one of the other pieces into the slits on the face of the first piece, using one of the corners from Step 7. Insert a third piece into the second using the same method. Wrap the remaining corner from the third piece around, so it tucks into the first. This should form the first half of the cube.
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10
Repeat Step 9 with the remaining pieces, then insert the free sides together to complete the cube.
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11
Repeat these steps as many times as you prefer with different sizes and colors of paper for a varied look in the chandelier.
Stars
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12
Cut the origami paper into a 1/2-inch-by-11-inch strip, or any multiple of these measurements. For example, strips measuring 1 inch by 22 inches, 1.5 inches by 33 inches and so on, would all be acceptable, but produce larger stars.
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13
Loop the bottom quarter of the strip around your finger so the loop sticks out to the right-hand side. Pinch the end in place, then feed the top of the strip through the loop. Pull both ends tight.
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14
Crease the side, then tuck the short end into the small pocket on that side. Wrap the remainder of the strip around the pentagon shape until a 1/2-inch strip is left. Tuck this end into the outermost layer.
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15
Lightly pinch the flat sides of the pentagon to pop the model open. Softly crease these areas to complete the star shape.
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16
Repeat Steps 1 to 4 using different colors and sizes of paper as many times as you like to fill out the chandelier.
Chandelier
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17
Snip the top off one of the wire hangers, then feed one side of this hanger through the center of the second hanger. Secure the hangars together with string.
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18
Thread the needle with the string and knot one end.
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19
Feed the needle through one corner of the model, then out the other side at a flat surface. Tug the thread so the knotted end slips inside the corner of the origami model.
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20
Tie the string to the wire hangers and knot securely.
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21
Repeat Steps 2 to 4 as many times as necessary to hang all the origami shapes from your chandelier.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Tie the origami models with different lengths of string for a balanced and full look to your chandelier.
