today at strathcona county library!

Thanks for joining me today at Strathcona County Library! 

Take a look around the blog and check the origami links page for more inspiration and resources.

Each of these workshops stands on it's own but they're also part of a larger collection of hands-on learning experiences where origami becomes much more than a playful craft. 

It's a way to explore creative thinking, mindfulness, nature, and meaningful conversations. 

Every workshop is designed to leave beginners and experienced folders of all ages with something they make and something they discover.

The collection includes:

Mindful Origami — creativity, focus, and flow

Wetland Wonders — nature through folding and observation, inspired by the Beaver Hills Biosphere

Community art projects — collaborative installations and displays

Reflection and journaling workshops — folding paired with thoughtful prompts

Seasonal and themed programs — connecting books, nature, and creativity

And more — let's keep folding!

july 21, 2026 at strathcona county library

Correction: This class is on TUESDAY, July 21, 2026

 

july 21, 2026 at strathcona county library

our completed community garland

Last night at the library, something simple and beautiful unfolded.

We gathered around tables with paper, patterns, and open hands—folding, layering, choosing, and creating. 

One small piece at a time, a community garland took shape. 

Each pennant tells a tiny story. 

Each flower carries the imprint of the person who made it.

Different styles, different energies—connected by a common thread.

Some folded carefully and quietly, some experimented playfully. Some simply chose colors that felt good in the moment—and every piece belonged.

The finished garland now hangs near the elevator as a reminder that connection doesn’t have to be complicated. 

It can be as simple as:

* sitting together

* making something with your hands

* and adding your piece to a shared whole

Thank you to everyone who came, created, and contributed their time and energy to this installation. 

Thank you to Sylvia and the Strathcona County Library for hosting such a warm, welcoming space.

I would absolutely love to offer this again. 

There’s definitely something special here worth repeating.

tonight at strathcona county library

Origami Circle: Craft, Connect, Create

A Community Garland

Tonight, using simple materials—paper, string, and care—participants of the Strathcona County Library Origami Circle will fold, reflect, and contribute to a collaborative garland, each piece made by hand and joined together as a shared artwork.

Why?

To gather in creativity, to slow down, and to experience how small, individual gestures can become something meaningful when held together.

Because connection is something we make.

Would you like to make a similar garland of your own? 

Step One: Fold or cut out triangular flags for your garland. We will be using 6" squares folded into an origami kite base.

Step Two: Create coordinating embellishments. 

Tonight we are using 3" squares and a simple Kirigami (fold and cut) technique to create a variety of flowers inspired by nature and our imaginations, as individual as the people who create them. 

Here is a diagram showing how to fold your paper. 

You can play with the angle and shape of your cut to create all sorts of five petalled flowers inspired by nature: from star shaped blossoms like Laurentia to rounder Baby Blue Eyes, notched Cherry blossoms, multi-petalled Chrysanthemums, pinked Carnations and more! 

You can even layer forms to emulate more dimensional  Columbine type blooms.

Step Three:  Cut out or fold leaves and centres to attach, if you choose.

Step Four: Glue your completed embellishments to the flags and attach the flags to your string or twine.

Step Five: Display your unique creation!

You can make these in almost any size or paper to suit your aesthetic or occasion.

* If you'd like a video tutorial to follow, this one from Kamikey Origami on YouTube demonstrates similar techniques to make a cute bouquet/card.

* Rather fold on your own, along with a sweet dreamy soundtrack? Here's one I'm enjoying today. 

april 27 at strathcona county library

In just one week we gather at the Strathcona County Library for Origami Circle: Craft, Connect, Create.

A relaxed, social evening of folding and creating together, led by Tara Woltjen—yoga and origami instructor.

Together, we will contribute to a community garland, each piece a small act of attention, creativity, and care. As we fold, we reflect on connection—to ourselves, to one another, and to the wider world we share.

Inspired by the spirit of collective exploration and the reminder that we are part of something larger, this gathering invites simple making, meaningful conversation, and a sense of belonging—one fold at a time.

Note: This workshop is full. If you have registered and can't make it, please let the library know. There is a wait list of people who would love a chance to attend.

origami circle - join the waitlist

Date: April 27, 2026

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Strathcona County Library, Sherwood Park, Alberta

Origami Circle: Craft, Connect, Create.

A relaxed social evening of folding and creating together led by Tara Woltjen, yoga and origami instructor. 

Each participant contributes to a community garland while reflecting on the power of creativity and connection.

Three weeks from now, we’ll be gathering to fold, reflect, and create something beautiful together.

The Origami Circle is currently full (which honestly makes me so happy), but I want to gently encourage you — if you’re feeling the pull — please add your name to the waitlist.

Here’s why it matters:

Sometimes spots open up. Life shifts, plans change, and waitlisted folks often get a chance to join after all.

And just as importantly, waitlists tell the library, there is a hunger for spaces like this. For quiet creativity. For shared making. For moments of being human together.

So if you’re curious, even a little, add your name.

Even if you don’t get a spot this time, you’re helping plant the seed for more gatherings like this in the future.

I’m looking forward to sitting in a circle with you enjoying paper folding, stories, and small acts of care for what we carry together.

More soon,
Tara

(Paper will vary from the image - each garland is unique to the group that creates it.)

April 27 at Strathcona County Library

Origami Circle: 

Craft, Connect, Create

There are only two spots left for this special event at Strathcona County Library on April 27 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

We’ll spend the evening folding simple forms together and adding them to a collaborative community garland while reflecting on the power of creativity and connection.

No experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to slow down for a couple of hours.

Register at sclibrary.ca

I’m really looking forward to seeing what we create together!

library session, origami folding resources and references

This post accompanies a live origami "Paper to Pin" folding session offered at the Strathcona County Library.

During the session, folds are taught live and by demonstration. It is an analogue, embodied, traditional knowledge experience supported by the web, not replaced by it.

The links below are provided as optional references for participants who would like to revisit the forms later.

They point to external resources with diagrams or guides that are free to view and good for beginners.

Patterns explored today:

* Simple Origami Cup at Origami Club

* Heart Pendant at Origami Club

* Tanzaku (traditional, unpublished)

* Mini Zine at Migra Whistle

Note: 

*Many variations of these origami models exist; these links are offered as starting points rather than definitive instructions. 

* You are welcome to bookmark or explore these pages on your own time if you want to practice a fold again or make more origami models at home.

Origami Pattern References

This link leads to diagrams and folding guides for simple paper forms like hearts, cups, and more:

Origami Club — Diagram Library 

Origami Club is an index of a large collection of origami diagrams, folding animations and videos that you can explore by category and by western and Japanese seasonal holidays (animals, objects, basic shapes, Valentine's Day, Star Festival etc. ).

Zine Folding Instructions

Migra Whistle

Fold a single sheet of paper into an 8-page mini-zine using this beginner friendly guide.

This page includes downloadable zine folding diagrams and printable files that show how to fold and assemble simple zines. 

The downloadable files on this site include a Zine Folding: How To document you can use as a reference for folding a mini zine from a single sheet of paper.

january 22: paper to pin origami event

I'm excited to meet the participants of my upcoming class at the Strathcona County Library! 

"Paper to Pin - Folding Words into Wearable Inspiration"

January 22, 2026 from 7-8:30 pm

Transform a beloved word, quote or story into a wearable origami pin. Beginner-friendly folds to carry inspiration closer to the heart.

Four simple origami models will help us honor the words we choose, carry and share. Paper becomes our co-creator, holding what matters so we can linger with words we love.

tonight at strathcona county library

Friends of Folding Meeting: Thursday April 19th

Bring your paper and your ideas, your current project, your questions or just your enthusiasm.

Please note that folders of all ages are welcome, but we request that young guests are accompanied by an adult.


This is not a workshop or class, there is no cost to attend.  For more information click here.