Origami

Every year October 24th through November 11th is celebrated as World Origami Days, a celebration of the joy of paperfolding.  Participants are encouraged to make origami visible by teaching a class, folding in public, give origami to friends, or exhibit their origami.  October 24th is the birthday of Lilliam Oppenheimer (1898-1992) who founded the first origami group in America.  November 11th is Origami Day in Japan. 
Here are ten books for paperfolders of all levels and interests!

Extreme Origami: Transforming Dollar Bills into Priceless Works of Art by Won Park - Won Park has taken the ancient art of origami to a whole new level. Using American currency, Park transforms dollar bills into creative works of art. He relies on the fibrous quality of the paper to fold, bend and twist hundreds of times per model without tearing. With no cutting and no pasting, Park is able to incorporate the details on the bills into his model designs. His signature koi fish is folded in such a way that the patterns on the dollar bill become the scales on the fish, and even the facial features fall in exactly the right place. His designs include a wide array of vehicles, animals, and mythical creatures. In this book, step-by-step instructions are provided for 20 distinct models that are bound to challenge even the most proficient folders. The challenge includes a Formula 1 race car, a toilet, a butterfly, a koi fish, a scorpion, a sea turtle, a fox, an ox, a marlin, a car, a praying mantis, a dragon, a spider, a stag beetle, a stegosaurus, a bat, Pegasus, a fighter jet, a battle tank, and a pig. All models can be made with either one or two dollar bills. Why worry about the declining value of the U.S. dollar? Follow the instructions in this book, and you can transform your dollars into works of art!

Hello, Origami: 30 Fun & Easy Origami Designs for Secret Notes & Special Messages by Mizutama - Say it with origami! Do you love sending handwritten notes and making your own greeting cards? Are you interested in origami, but find all those complicated folds intimidating? Then Hello Origami is just the book for you! With Hello Origami, you'll learn fun and easy ways to transform boring old paper into adorable and useful designs that you can use to send secret notes and special messages. Fold fun shapes, such as hearts, flowers, and ice cream cones and use origami techniques to create festive gift tags, greeting cards, bookmarks, and more! Use pretty origami paper, or learn how to embellish notebook paper, sticky notes, and envelopes with highlighters, washi tape, and gel pens for a custom look. With a few simple folds, you can create one-of-a-kind greeting cards, notes, and decorations that are sure to brighten anyone's day!

Horrorgami: 25 Creepy Creatures, Ghastly Ghouls, and Other Fiendish Paper Projects by Chris Marks - If you thought origami was just about making peaceful cranes, flowers, and sailboats, you're in for a wicked treat. Horrorgami is a new and dark way to look at the once gentle art of paper folding. Follow simple step-by-step instructions for creating 25 creepy creatures like evil witches, ghoulish goblins, sinister skulls, fearsome fangs, Frankenstein's Monster, and more. Also included is level of difficulty for each project, a glossary of fiendish folds and tips, paper-sourcing ideas, how-to illustrations, and a fun full-color design throughout.

Manga Origami: Easy Techniques for Creating 20 Super Cute Characters by Marcio Hideshi Noguchi & Seth Friedman - Origami masters Marcio Hideshi Noguchi and Seth Friedman show everything you need to know to create adorable paper characters from your favorite manga/anime stories with basic origami folding instructions and clear step-by-step diagrams. In the first section you'll learn about the paper and other necessary materials, the origami symbols and terminology, and the general folding techniques needed to create and assemble all the basic figures. In the second section you will find specific instructions for customizing each of the characters with their outfits/costumes, accessories, and unique hairstyles.
Some of the twenty projects are very recognizable as Japanese manga/anime characters, such as the Ronin Samurai, Kimono-Chan, Tea Picker, and Shrine Maiden, while others, like the French Maid, Nurse, Baseball Player, and Bunny Girl are more western. Also included are some fantasy characters, like the Fairy, Ori Fighter, Santa's Helper, and Dragon Girl. Of course, characters depicting school life and summer vacation fun are here too, such as Schoolgirl, Sailor Fuku, Gym Girl, Beach Bunny, Sensei, Uki-wa Chan, Harem Otoko, and Neko Form. All projects are clearly marked with their difficulty level- beginner (*), advanced beginner (**), intermediate (***), advanced (****), and expert (*****).

Michael Lafosse's Origami Butterflies: Elegant Designs From a Master Folder by Michael Lafosse with Richard Alexander - Whimsical, exquisite and fragile, butterflies and moths have enchanted and inspired people for centuries. Origami artist Michael G. LaFosse is no exception. His original butterfly paper-folding techniques are a dramatic new development in origami--which some have hailed as the most important advance in origami since the first paper cranes appeared centuries ago. Hundreds of LaFosse butterflies have been featured in exhibitions around the world and his iconic designs are now eagerly sought and widely imitated by folding enthusiasts everywhere. Michael LaFosse's Origami Butterflies presents 26 original projects from LaFosse's extensive butterfly and moth repertoire, including all his personal favorites. This collection has many rarely-seen designs, and several of the models illustrate new technical and design achievements made possible by the ingenious "LaFosse Origami Butterfly Folding System." These elegant forms--each created from a single square sheet of paper without cutting or glue--showcase the versatility of the folding system. All are deceptively simple, yet provide a solid foundation for creative flights of fancy in the hands of an experienced folder. Clear step-by-step instructions show you how to make literally hundreds of different variations by making small adjustments to a few key folds! Whether dry-folded from recycled candy wrappers or wet-folded from expensive handmade papers, these designs exemplify the best aspects of the paper folder's art today. This exciting new book with accompanying DVD represents the culmination of a lifetime of designing and perfecting the art of origami butterflies. It contains everything you need to create your own unique collection!

New Expressions in Origami Art: Masterworks From 25 Leading Paper Artists by Meher McArthur - This origami art book features the work of 25 contemporary master folders who are among the most innovative origami artists working today. They are pushing the boundaries of origami vigorously in new directions in terms of style, scale, materials, subject and scope. This elite group includes: Joel Cooper, Erik Demaine and Martin Demaine, Paul Jackson, Beth Johnson, Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander, Robert J. Lang, Linda Mihara, Bernie Peyton, Richard Sweeney, and many more. The stunning photos and brilliant essays in this book demonstrate why origami is now an international art movement largely through the efforts and artistic genius of a few contemporary masters. The trailblazing efforts of Japanese artist Akira Yoshizawa elevated the paper folding to an artform by showing how subtle shapes and figures could be created from a single sheet of paper though a variety of non-traditional folding techniques. Artists in other parts of the world including the United States, France, England, China and Scandinavia took Yoshizawa's cue and pushed these techniques further and further. The result has been the emergence of many new and surprising sculptural forms created through techniques such as wet folding, curved creasing, tessellating and the application of alternative materials besides paper.

Origami 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily Through Step-by-Step Instruction by Benjamin John Coleman - Have you always been intrigued by origami, but often found the diagrams confusing or the models uninspiring? Origami 101 is here to help. Geared toward the absolute beginner, this book contains more than 40 amazing folding projects for the whole family and includes models that evolve from one of four basic origami shapes. A revolutionary illustration enhancement called Glow Fold makes the diagrams and video steps easy to understand. With the introduction of every folding symbol, you'll find a detailed sidebar explaining what it means and a symbol index bookmark that guides you to these sidebars whenever you need to be reminded. If you need more help, just watch the accompanying online videos for any model.
With the help of origami enthusiast Benjamin Coleman, you'll learn how this classic craft can be enjoyed by all ages. Amuse yourself and delight your friends with these captivating folded figures!

The Origami Artist's Bible by Ashley Wood - This hardcover book with internal wire-o binding is 6.5in x 8in, a perfect size for readers to keep handy and reference often. The stylish design of this book, along with the interior photographs, illustrations and diagrams, make the learning process simple and fun for origami beginners and provides useful tips for more advanced folders.
Origami transcends gender, culture, and language. It demands no prior learning and no complex equipment; it can be done at any age, by anyone; models can be large or small, useful or ornamental. You can fold a bus ticket or a sheet of gold leaf, but the sole requirement of becoming an expert in origami is that you enjoy it!
The Origami Artist's Bible starts with a simple set of origami folds, illustrated with clear step-by-step diagrams, and three essential origami "bases" that are starting points for project models in the rest of the book. The models are arranged according to theme; some are complex, requiring patience and practice, and some are suitable for total beginners.

Origami Jewelry Motifs: Fold and Wear Your Own Earrings, Bracelets, Necklaces and More by Julian Laboy-Rodriguez - Fold your way to necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more!
Want to add something new to your look? Look to paper! In Origami Jewelry Motifs, you'll learn to fold more than 30 charming origami models, from animals and flowers to shapes and figures. Mix-and-match the jewelry-sized motifs with headbands, necklaces, rings, and more to create your own custom jewelry.
New to folding? Not a problem! The models included range from beginner to intermediate. Start with a simple model, such as the Christmas tree, and work your way up to the more complicated brontosaurus. Even if you're an experienced folder, the small-scale models will challenge and engage you.
Once you've mastered a few simple jewelry-making techniques, you'll be able to create endless variations using your favorite motifs. Try a pair of playful fox earrings, or make a statement with the fractal rose necklace. Adorn your hair with a whimsical butterfly headband. Whatever your style, you'll find something to make and love in Origami Jewelry Motifs!

Origami Odyssey: A Journey to the Edge of Paperfolding by Peter Engel - Renowned origami artist Peter Engel first astounded origami enthusiasts and the lay person alike with his popular Origami from Angelfish to Zen. Since that book, published in 1989, Engel has gone through a personal change in his philosophy of origami design, honed through decades of elevating what is often viewed as simple paper folding into a fine art.
In Origami Odyssey, Engel takes paper crafters on a journey to the edge of paper folding, providing instruction for exquisite and original origami designs, including several that have been shown in galleries and museums throughout the world. Experienced folders will delight in the chance to grow as artists as they master the projects in this book, and new comers to origami will find the author's journey so inspiring that they'll be ready to begin an odyssey of their own.