It's been a very long time since I've taken the time to post anything - I've missed it. A lot has changed: we've moved states, I'm employed again (Yay!), and I'm still working on going to school online. I wish I had more time to do origami and post about it. Sadly, until I'm out of school (not going to happen soon enough) I'll just have to do it whenever possible.
The latest origami model that I've been folding (a little obsessively) is the Origami Magic Star that was created by the amazing creators of Oriland. A link to the YouTube video of their model in action is here. You can buy the e-book on how to fold the model here. The creators have a Flickr page with pictures of fan-folded models here.
The model can be folded in several different ways; from as many as 48 squares of paper to 12 strips of paper to 6 strips of paper all the way to the extremely impressive single sheet of paper (here is a picture of someone that tackled this daunting task). My favorite way to fold the model is the one that is the most modular: by using 48 squares of paper.
No matter what initial folding method is used to create the units, the final assembly method is pretty much the same. The model is essentially created through 6 rings that are interlocked (unless the single sheet of paper method is being used). For myself, the hands-down most difficult point is the assembling of the final ring to the first one. The creators show a technique that interlocks everything nicely, but I have yet to be able to assemble is without tearing the paper. Thankfully, the points where the paper tears aren't seen and don't seem to affect the model.
So, without further rambling here are the pictures and videos of the models that I have folded. Normally pictures are completely sufficient to show off origami, but the reason this model is so fantastic is that its an action model. I've got a picture of each of the models followed by a short video clip of them.
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| This is my first Oriland Magic Star. I already had almost all of the squares cut out that were left over from a different project. When I purchased the e-book and was looking through the various color patterns that were shown I instantly liked the checkerboard pattern and wanted to try it first. |
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| The next pattern that I attempted was the basic 'ring' style. My wife picked out the colors and as a result they go very well together :-) |
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| After seeing the first 2 models that I had made my Mom of course requested one. To make things easier on me she requested the basic rainbow colors. In the video you can see that several of the colors 'walk' around the model as it is rotated (the red is probably one of the easiest to see). |
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| My oldest son's favorite colors are black and blue. After I made the first magic star he was begging for me to make one for him. So for the pattern here I used the Yin-Yang design that the authors describe. The blue and black colors seemed to chase each other as they rotate around. I will say that I was a little disappointed in the recommended pattern as it rotates one way and then back again instead of continuing to rotate in the same direction. |
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| My next model was made for my oldest sister who happened to be visiting in the area for Christmas ( I usually only get to see her once or twice a year and so don't get much opportunity to share my folding with her). After making the Yin-Yang model I decided to change the pattern a little to see if I could get the desired effect I was hoping for. Here it is close; not exactly what I was hoping for, but much closer and gave me the direction I needed to continue to try. |
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| And so the next one I made was for my Dad. He has an office job and displays a few of the origami things I've made for him. Of course when most people see something intriguing on someones' desk at work they have to pick it up to examine it. As a result I don't give anything to my Dad to take to work unless it is solid and durable - as these models are. Here I finally achieved the pattern I wanted. The red color simply 'walks' all the way around the model as it is rotated; endlessly :-) |
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Finally, this is the model that I made for my youngest son, who isn't quite 2 yet. My wife tells me that anytime someone has their magic star out he wants to put it on his head like a crown. So, she asked me to make one for him to walk around with. That made me wonder just how large I would be able to make it. The model on the left is my oldest son's and is about 6 or 7 inches in diameter. The other one is considerably larger :-)
Sadly, I don't have a video of it in action yet. But as soon as I do, I will post it. |
This last video is for entertainment purposes. When the models are assembled, there is a certain spot in the rotation that can hold a particular amount of tension (likely due to the faults of my assembly). So, if you're not careful they can kind of jump out of your hands :-D
There have actually been a few other models that I have folded and am in the process of folding. I either need pictures/videos of them or I need to finish them. Either way, my school work is currently having to come before anything (dang school is always getting in the way of fun).
I totally recommend purchasing this e-book from Oriland. The instructions are fantastic and all in color. The directions are very clear and easy to understand. Be warned, though, that the final assembly does get a little tricky and may take a couple of attempts. But the end result is totally worth it!
