Origami Boxes. Florence Temko

14 All-Purpose Box 16 Row of Boxes 18 Reverse fold 19 Desktop Basket 20 Square or Preliminary base 20 Classic Japanese Box 22 Blintz base 22 Banded Box 24 Nested Boxes 26 Plant Pot Cover 27 Box of Cards 28 Patchwork Box 30 Gift Bag 33 Stand-Up Frame 34 Triangle Box 36 Money Basket 38 Reverse fold 38 Color Cube 40 Flower Gift Wrap 43 Star Basket 44 Square or Preliminary base 44 Book fold 45 Triangle Gift Box 46 Five Happiness Bowl 48 Blintz base 48 Reverse fold 49 Mystery Box 50 Hexagon Box 52 Four Thirsty Birds 54 Blintz base 54 Squash fold 55 Petal fold 56 Reverse fold 57 Round Bowl 58 Triangle or Waterbomb base 58 Book fold 59 Petal fold 59 Frog base 60 One-Piece Box 62 Book fold 62

      

Introduction

      Folding paper boxes has recently become a popular branch of origami. Crafters seem to derive great satisfaction in seeing a box develop step by step, besides enjoying the obvious, practical result.

      Boxes may be folded from one sheet of paper, or assembled from separate units, called modules. In Origami Boxes and More, I have tried to offer a representative selection of both techniques.

      The usefulness of origami boxes is quite evident. An attractive box enhances any gift presented in it, while the box itself may become a gift that the recipient can keep as a home accessory. Open containers can be stacked with candy, toiletries, or other things, then swathed in cellophane gathered at the top and tied with a ribbon. Open boxes turned on their sides can serve as three-dimensional frames for any figures displayed inside. A series of boxes can help organize unsightly areas or they can be displayed as ornaments or table decorations. In my studio, a mobile of five boxes in bright colors hovers over my computer.

      But boxes also present mystery. Some artists hide objects inside, stimulating visitors to use their imagination to visualize different contents. The ancient Greek story of Pandora's box illustrates the irresistible temptation to explore the contents of a closed container.

      You are invited to select from the shapes and sizes of boxes illustrated in this book, combine them with beautiful papers, and end up with your own handcrafted surprises.

      

About Origami Techniques

      To help you make sense of the lines and arrows on the drawings, you should study the explanations of a few basic techniques. It will be well worth a few minutes to learn to recognize the following procedures which are international standards for origami.

      Basic Procedures

      1. Valley Fold

      In general, you can fold paper toward you or away from you. In origami, the forward crease is called a valley fold. In the diagrams it is shown by a line of dashes.

      Fold the square in half by bringing one edge of the paper toward you and matching it to the opposite edge.

      You have made a valley fold.

      With this one simple fold you have made a greeting card.

      2. Mountain Fold

      When you crease paper to the back, away from you, it's called a mountain fold. In the diagrams it is shown by a line of dashes and dots.

      Fold the square in half by guiding one edge of the paper to the back and matching it to the opposite edge.

      You have made a mountain fold. With this one simple fold, you have made a tent.

      3. Existing Crease

      A crease made previously is shown in the diagrams by a thin line that does not touch the edges.