How to Make an Origami Bird Chopstick Rest

Eating with chopsticks is half the fun when going out for Asian food. But sometimes where to place the chopsticks in between bites of food can be a challenge. When there’s no room on the plate and you don’t want to place chopsticks on the table, an origami chopstick rest saves the day. ("Ori" is Japanese for to fold, "gami" means paper). This is suitable for ages 5 and up. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper chopstick holder, or long rectangular piece of paper. A piece that is ½-inch by 8 inches works well.

1. 
   Use fingernails to make a strong crease.

   Fold the chopstick holder in half. Crease well making a line.

2. 
   The nose of the airplane resembles the beak of a bird.

   Unfold the holder, and place horizontally on the table. Fold one half of the paper to the middle line as if your are beginning to make a paper airplane. Do the same to the other side.

3. 
   The rest is shaping up.

   Make another fold to each side.

4. Flip chopstick paper over, laying it flat on the table.

5. 
   What you do to one side of the chopstick rest, do to the other.

   Grab one side and fold it back to the formed triangle. Fan/accordion fold the paper in quarter-inch increments. Repeat on the other side.

6. 
   The forefinger and thumb are best for shaping the rest.

   Marry both fan/accordion folded sides together. This forms wings. Using your fingers, pinch a beak into place and massage the paper into a bird. This shouldn't require more than a couple of nips and tucks with a finger.

7. 
   Let's eat!

   Place chopsticks on the chopstick rest, and get ready for the meal ahead!

Tips & Warnings

• Making origami chopstick rests is a great way to keep children amused and quiet while restaurant dining.
• Keep trying if your first go at it isn't up to snuff. The paper can be handled many times before becoming unusable.
• Need help with chopsticks? Kitchen stores frequently carry special chopsticks that are designed for learning to master the art.
• Standing chopsticks straight up in the center of a rice bowl is a definite no-no in Japan. Refrain from doing so while in a Japanese restaurant; it will be appreciated.

Resources

• Origami only uses a small number of different folds, but they can be combined in a variety of ways to make intricate designs. In general, these designs begin with a square sheet of paper whose sides m
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