My name's Sara Adams, and I discovered origami for myself during Christmas 2005. I've been hooked ever since. The intention of this site is to get you hooked, too. You've been warned! — Now go enjoy some instructional videos, pictures in the gallery, and all the rest of it. And most importantly, happy folding!

Crumpled Paper Review

6 December 2011 - 6:12am — Sara
Authored by Ilan Garibi and Gadi Vishne
Weight (gsm) Sizes Color Palette Texture Aging
48-51 64cm by 64cm 28 colors, plus 12 pearled bumps less than a year
Attributes:
Wear and Tear Memory Forgiveness Tensile Strength Bending Restistance
n/a 8 / 10 6 / 10 4 / 10 4 / 10
Model Suitability:
Classic Action Tess. Complex Modular 3D Wet Folding
8 / 10 7.5 / 10 8.5 / 10 8.5 / 10 7 / 10 8 / 10 n/a
Final score: 8 out of 10
Paper type: 
Crumpled Paper

Many years ago there was a shop in Tel Aviv that had a uniquely textured paper. It was called Twist paper. And then it was gone. Many years later, a new paper came to my attention. This paper is commonly known as VOG paper, since it was introduced by the Vietnamese Origami Group. Having now had hands-on experience with VOG I can say for sure - the Twist is back!

This paper is made in China and is sold in Vietnam as a wrapping paper for flowers and gifts. When it was discovered by the VOG, the makers said that "a new use was given to him, making it and its producers proud" (quoting from their forum with the help of Google Translate). Its brand name is really Crumpled Paper and there is another version, Pearl Crumpled Paper.

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Editing: How the Magic Paper Works

13 November 2011 - 11:01pm — Sara

The fifth article in my series on video diagramming has been online for a while now, but I'm only getting to announcing it here now. This next article is all about editing the recorded video: http://www.origami-usa.org/thefold006_video_diagramming_editing

Previous articles:

  1. Making Video Diagrams: A Comprehensive Guide http://www.origami-usa.org/thefold001_video_creation_guide
  2. Asking for Permission - the Why and How http://www.origami-usa.org/thefold002_video_diagramming_asking_for_permi...

Stardream Paper Review

12 October 2011 - 8:14pm — Sara
Authored by Ilan Garibi and Gadi Vishne
Weight (gsm) Sizes Color Palette Texture Aging
110-340 (120 tested) 72cm by 102cm 33 colors smooth and sparkly years
Attributes:
Wear and Tear Memory Forgiveness Tensile Strength Bending Restistance
n/a 9 / 10 9 / 10 9 to 10 / 10 7 / 10
Model Suitability:
Classic Action Tess. Complex Modular 3D Wet Folding
8.5 / 10 8.5 / 10 9 / 10 7.5 / 10 7.5 / 10 9 / 10 9 / 10
Final score: 9 out of 10
Paper type: 
Stardream


I first folded with Stardream when learning how to fold Chris Palmer's Flower Tower.

It all started because of aging; my aging! I had gone to a class to learn how to fold the Flower Tower by Chris Palmer, but forgot to bring my Elephant Hide. My teacher gave me a shiny light purple sheet of paper that I hadn't seen before, and I knew I had to review it.

It is made in Italy by Gruppo Cordenons, who have two paper mills - the Cordenons mill and the Valsugana mill. The first has been producing paper since 1630 and was the official supplier to the Republic of Venice. The Valsugana mill was built in 1715, owned by influential Venetian families. Both mills were acquired and renovated by the Gilberti family in 1975. They have specialized in the production of high-quality fine papers ever since.

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Origamido Paper Review

30 July 2011 - 11:03am — Ilan
Authored by Ilan Garibi and Gadi Vishne
Weight (gsm) Sizes Color Palette Texture Aging
10-100 40cm by 50cm and more very broad varies many years
Attributes:
Wear and Tear Memory Forgiveness Tensile Strength Bending Restistance
n/a 5 to 9 / 10 6 to 8 / 10 10 / 10 2 / 10
Model Suitability:
Classic Action Tess. Complex Modular 3D Wet Folding
8 / 10 7.5 / 10 7.5 / 10 9.5 / 10 n/a 9 / 10 n/a
Final score: 9 out of 10
Paper type: 
Origamido


Many origamists are proud of their Origamido® collection. Image by Isaac Gorden

I bought Origamido® more than 6 months ago and had never dared to touch, never mind fold it. The mere idea of having to choose a model froze my mind. What model is worthy of this paper and can I fold it perfectly? Nothing came to mind and probably never would have. This paper was doomed to lie forever flat.

Until this review.

Origamido® is made by Michael LaFosse and Richard Alexander at their studio in Massachusetts and true to the real meaning of custom made, is often made according to the special needs of an artist and their chosen model, sometimes in collaboration with them. For example, Mr. LaFosse has stated that his Frog requires a special formula, quite different from, say, Robert Lang Insect Paper.

To achieve these differences they use a range of fibres each with specific properties; Abaca, Hemp, Flax, Cotton Linters, Cotton Rag, Linen Rag, Kozo, Gampi and Mitsumata, which they blend to produce the desired paper.

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