DIY: Giant Origami Cranes as Holiday Decor - Remodelista
Photography by Justine Hand for Remodelista. A few days ago, when the two creative 10-year-olds who live next door came home with a giant paper swan, it immediately gave me an idea: paper cranes as holiday decor. If you already know how to fold an origami crane, this project is easy. Handmade, decorative papers are readily available at art supply and paper stores, such as Paper Source. Step 1: Unless you’re already proficient at origami, I suggest you begin by practicing with a small square of origami or other paper. Turn and fold in half the other way to divide your paper into four equal squares. Step 2: Fold the paper diagonally in half to form a triangle. Unfold and you will see that your paper is divided into eight equal parts. Step 3: Collapse the form into a square base by bringing two opposite corners toward each into the center and reversing the inside fold. The bottom should be open and the top closed. Step 4: Fold in the two horizontal points to meet in the middle. Turn the form over and repeat on the other side. Step 5: Fold the top of triangle down over your two folded sides. Step 6: Lift the outermost bottom flat of the square base and gently pull it up to form a long diamond. A completed bird base should have two separated points at the bottom. Step 7: At the bottom where the two sides remain open, fold each side over to meet in the center. Then turn the form over and repeat on both ends. When all the sides are folded in, this is what the form looks like. Step 8: Perform a reverse fold on each bottom point to bring it up to the wings. Step 9: Fold the tip of one of the smaller ends down to form the head. It may sound complicated, but rest assured that the crane is one of the beginner favorites of origami. Ready to begin working with a larger piece of paper? Once you have a large square, repeat the basic crane instructions above. To hang your finished work, use a long sharp object strung with twine or ribbon to pierce the top of the body of the crane. The cranes are light enough to affix to the ceiling with a piece of tape. Air currents cause them to gently turn as if in flight.