Origami, the art of paper folding, has captivated people worldwide for centuries. Its mesmerizing creations, ranging from simple to intricate, have become a symbol of cultural heritage and artistic expression. Among the most iconic origami figures is the crane, a symbol of peace, happiness, and long life. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explore how to make an origami crane using a gum wrapper, a readily available material that adds a unique twist to this classic craft.
Origami cranes made from gum wrappers not only add a pop of color and shine to your creations but also promote sustainability by repurposing everyday items. So, gather your gum wrappers, unleash your creativity, and embark on this journey of transforming a humble wrapper into an elegant origami crane.
Before delving into the step-by-step instructions, let’s gather the necessary materials and ensure a smooth crafting experience. You’ll need a clean and unfolded gum wrapper, a pair of scissors (optional for cutting the wrapper to a square shape), and a flat surface to work on. Optional materials include a ruler and a pencil for marking precise measurements, but these are not essential for creating a beautiful origami crane.
How to Make Origami Crane Out of Gum Wrapper
Follow these five simple steps to create your origami crane:
- Prepare gum wrapper
- Fold into a square
- Make preliminary folds
- Form the body and wings
- Shape the head and tail
With patience and practice, you’ll soon be folding elegant origami cranes from gum wrappers, adding a touch of art and sustainability to your life.
Prepare Gum Wrapper
To begin your origami crane journey, you’ll need a clean and unfolded gum wrapper. If your gum wrapper has creases or folds, gently flatten it out using your fingers or a flat object like a ruler. Ensure the wrapper is as smooth and wrinkle-free as possible, as this will make the folding process easier and the final product more visually appealing.
Next, check the shape of your gum wrapper. Ideally, it should be a rectangle or a square. If it’s not, you can use a pair of scissors to carefully trim the edges and create a square shape. Remember to be precise in your cuts to ensure the proportions of the wrapper are correct. A well-cut square will make the subsequent folding steps smoother and help you achieve a symmetrical origami crane.
Once you have a square gum wrapper, you’re ready to embark on the exciting journey of transforming it into an elegant origami crane. With patience, attention to detail, and a touch of creativity, you’ll soon be folding beautiful cranes that will add a unique charm to your space or serve as thoughtful gifts for loved ones.
Remember, the key to successful origami is precision and care. Take your time with each fold, ensuring it’s neat and aligned. The more precise you are, the more refined your origami crane will be. So, gather your materials, prepare your gum wrapper, and let’s begin the enchanting process of creating an origami crane.
With your gum wrapper prepared, you’re now ready to delve into the art of origami and transform it into a graceful crane. Follow the subsequent steps to bring your origami crane to life.
Fold into a Square
With your prepared gum wrapper in hand, let’s embark on the first fold, transforming it into a perfect square. Begin by orienting the wrapper so that the shiny or colored side is facing down. This will ensure that the finished crane showcases its vibrant colors.
Locate the center of the wrapper by folding it in half horizontally and then unfolding it. Next, fold it in half vertically and unfold it again. These two folds will create two intersecting crease lines, marking the center of the wrapper.
Now, bring the top and bottom edges of the wrapper towards the center crease, aligning them precisely. Press firmly along the crease to ensure a sharp fold. Unfold the wrapper, and you’ll notice a horizontal crease running through the center.
Next, fold the left and right edges of the wrapper towards the center crease, again aligning them precisely. Press firmly to create another sharp crease. Unfold the wrapper, and you’ll now have a perfect square with four equal sides and four sharp creases.
With your gum wrapper transformed into a square, you’ve successfully completed the first step in creating your origami crane. Now, let’s move on to the next fold, where we’ll begin shaping the crane’s body and wings.
Make Preliminary Folds
With your square gum wrapper in hand, let’s embark on the preliminary folds that will lay the foundation for the crane’s shape. These folds will create the crane’s body, wings, and head.
- Fold in Half Diagonally:
Begin by folding the square gum wrapper in half diagonally, from one corner to the opposite corner. Press firmly along the crease to ensure a sharp fold. Unfold the wrapper, and you’ll have two diagonal crease lines.
- Fold in Half Again Diagonally:
Repeat the diagonal fold in the opposite direction, creating two more diagonal crease lines. Unfold the wrapper once again, revealing a square with four diagonal crease lines intersecting at the center.
- Fold in Half Horizontally:
Next, fold the wrapper in half horizontally, aligning the top and bottom edges. Press firmly to create a sharp crease. Unfold the wrapper, and you’ll have a horizontal crease running through the center.
- Fold in Half Vertically:
Finally, fold the wrapper in half vertically, aligning the left and right edges. Press firmly to create a sharp crease. Unfold the wrapper, and you’ll have a vertical crease running through the center, intersecting the horizontal crease.
These preliminary folds have created a grid of crease lines on your gum wrapper, which will guide you in shaping the crane’s body, wings, and head in the next steps. With each fold, ensure precision and attention to detail to achieve a symmetrical and elegant origami crane.
Form the Body and Wings
Now that the preliminary folds are in place, let’s transform the gum wrapper into the crane’s body and wings.
Step 1: Fold the Top and Bottom Flaps:
Orient the gum wrapper so that the horizontal crease is at the bottom and the vertical crease is in the middle. Fold the top and bottom flaps inward, aligning their edges with the vertical crease. Press firmly to create sharp creases.
Step 2: Unfold the Top Flap:
Unfold only the top flap, returning it to its original position. Leave the bottom flap folded inward.
Step 3: Fold the Sides Inward:
Fold the left and right sides of the wrapper inward, aligning their edges with the vertical crease. Press firmly to create sharp creases.
Step 4: Fold the Top Flap Down:
Fold the unfolded top flap down, aligning its bottom edge with the bottom edge of the crane’s body. Press firmly to create a sharp crease.
With these folds, the crane’s body and wings have taken shape. The body is formed by the folded bottom flap, while the wings are created by the folded sides and the top flap.
Shape the Head and Tail
With the body and wings of the crane taking shape, let’s now focus on forming the head and tail.
- Fold the Top Point Down:
Locate the top point of the crane’s body, where the top flap meets the folded sides. Fold this point down, aligning its tip with the bottom edge of the crane’s body. Press firmly to create a sharp crease.
- Unfold the Folded Point:
Unfold the point you just folded down, returning it to its original position.
- Fold the Top Flap Inward:
Fold the top flap inward, aligning its bottom edge with the crease created in the previous step. Press firmly to create a sharp crease.
- Fold the Bottom Flap Upward:
Fold the bottom flap upward, aligning its top edge with the crease created in step 3. Press firmly to create a sharp crease.
With these final folds, the crane’s head and tail have taken shape. The head is formed by the folded top flap, while the tail is formed by the folded bottom flap.
FAQ
Have questions about the art of origami? Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to help you on your origami journey:
Question 1: What is origami?
Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. It involves transforming a flat sheet of paper into a variety of shapes and forms through folding and sculpting techniques, without the use of glue or scissors.
Question 2: What materials do I need for origami?
All you need is a sheet of paper! Origami purists prefer using traditional Japanese origami paper called “washi,” known for its strength, thinness, and vibrant colors. However, you can use any type of paper, from regular printer paper to colorful construction paper.
Question 3: Is origami difficult to learn?
Origami can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. While some folds may seem complex at first, with practice and patience, you’ll be able to master even the most intricate designs.
Question 4: What are some popular origami folds?
There are countless origami folds, but some of the most popular include the crane, the boat, the airplane, the frog, and the flower. These classic folds are a great starting point for beginners and offer endless possibilities for creativity.
Question 5: Can I use origami to make 3D objects?
Absolutely! Origami is not limited to flat shapes. With clever folding techniques, you can create stunning 3D models of animals, objects, and even buildings. These 3D creations add an extra dimension to the art of origami and are sure to impress.
Question 6: Where can I find origami instructions?
There are numerous resources available to learn origami. You can find books, websites, video tutorials, and even origami classes to guide you through the folding process. With a little exploration, you’ll discover a wealth of origami instructions to suit your preferences.
Remember, origami is all about practice and creativity. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different folds and let your imagination soar. As you continue your origami journey, you’ll discover the endless possibilities and beauty that this art form has to offer.
As you delve deeper into the world of origami, here are some additional tips to enhance your folding experience:
Tips
As you embark on your origami journey, here are some practical tips to help you create beautiful and intricate folds:
Tip 1: Choose the Right Paper
The type of paper you use can greatly influence your origami experience. For beginners, it’s best to start with origami paper specifically designed for folding. This paper is usually thin, strong, and easy to crease. As you gain more experience, you can experiment with different types of paper to achieve various effects.
Tip 2: Start with Simple Folds
Don’t try to tackle complex origami projects right away. Begin with simple folds that will help you learn the basic techniques and develop your folding skills. As you master these simpler folds, you can gradually move on to more challenging designs.
Tip 3: Be Patient and Persistent
Origami can be a challenging art form, and it takes time and practice to master. Don’t get discouraged if you can’t create a perfect fold on your first try. Keep practicing, and you’ll eventually be able to achieve the desired results. Patience and persistence are key to becoming a skilled origami artist.
Tip 4: Experiment and Have Fun!
Origami is all about creativity and self-expression. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different folds, techniques, and types of paper. Let your imagination run wild and see what unique creations you can come up with. Origami is a great way to relax, de-stress, and explore your artistic side.
Remember, origami is a journey of exploration and discovery. Embrace the learning process, enjoy the challenge, and most importantly, have fun along the way.
With dedication and practice, you’ll be able to create stunning origami pieces that will amaze and inspire those around you. So, keep folding, keep learning, and keep creating!
Conclusion
As you conclude your origami journey through this comprehensive guide, take a moment to reflect on the beauty and versatility of this ancient art form.
Origami, with its simple yet profound concept of transforming a flat sheet of paper into intricate shapes and forms, has captivated people worldwide for centuries. It’s a testament to the endless possibilities that lie within a single piece of paper and the power of human creativity.
Throughout this guide, we explored the steps involved in creating an origami crane out of a gum wrapper, a unique and sustainable way to practice this art. We also delved into the fascinating world of origami, discovering its history, techniques, and the joy it can bring to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Remember, origami is not just about following instructions and creating perfect folds. It’s about embracing the process, experimenting with different techniques, and allowing your creativity to flow. The true beauty of origami lies in the personal touch you bring to each creation.
So, continue your origami journey, explore new folds, challenge yourself with complex designs, and share your creations with the world. Let origami be a source of joy, relaxation, and inspiration in your life. Happy folding!
