i think the world of you

This little box and lid are made from a reclaimed atlas - paper that carries a story, maybe a dream or a journey and some gentle wear and tear. 

Old books, maps and discarded pages invite us to create art thoughtfully with the well-being of the earth and it's inhabitants in mind, remembering that art paper doesn't have to be new to be beautiful.

I love to work with reclaimed and upcycled papers because:

• They reduce waste and extend the life of well-loved materials
• Each finished origami model is one-of-a-kind, with it's own history and texture
• Making with care feels aligned with my values of mindfulness and stewardship
• Imperfection becomes part of the design, not something to hide

You can try folding your own rectangular box by following this short video on YouTube.

diy friday: magical mushrooms

Q.  What did one mushroom say to the other mushroom?

A.  You're a fun guy!  (Get it?  Fun-guy?  Fungi?)  Hahahaha!

Ok, I admit I learned that joke way back in elementary school, but I still think its cute. 

And so are these origami mushrooms!

You can make your own "fun guy" with any paper you like. 

Some origami papers work really well, but I also love the unpredictability and uniqueness of magazine ads. 

Makes the origami 'shrooms look a little... well... magical!

What you need:

Mushroomy looking paper.

What to do:

Follow one of these diagrams on origami club. Or these on paperkawaii.com.  Or look around, there are so many out there to forage for! 


Warning:  Do not eat - wild mushrooms can be toxic! ;-)

guess

diy friday: upcycled pocket books

Today we're folding little booklets that can be used as cards, notebooks, journals and more!

What you need:

- Copy paper for the inner pages.
- Thicker paper for the cover. (I recycled a Tommy Hilfiger ad.)
- Scissors and a paper cutter.
- Double sided tape or glue.

What to do:

1. Cut your copy paper to size.  Cut the cover a few millimeters larger than the copy paper.

2. Follow the instructions for the second booklet in this video on foldsomething.com to create the inner pages.

3. Use glue or tape to attach the pages inside the cover. 

Voila!  Your own one-of-a-kind upcycled notebook or scrapbook!

Experiement with junk mail, magazines, brown paper bags, thin cardboard packaging and other papers in your recycling box for unique, free and eco-friendly booklets!