How to fold an origami elephant out of a dollar bill.

I found this type of fold to be fairly easy and luckily found a video that shows the steps clearly. I wanted to share this with this class, although i know most wouldn't want to waste a dollar bill. You can always cut a piece of paper to be the same size of one.

Click HERE to watch the video.

I tried to research to see if there is any specific meaning to elephants in the world of Origami but i did not come across anything other then the paper crane and frog. But i went on and found that in many cultures, the elephant represents grace, prosperity, power, loyalty and wisdom. Some believe, including me that when you decorate or have some kind of elephant picture, statue, etc. in your house, the trunk pointing UP brings you good luck. Pointing DOWN is bad luck.

Have fun! Let me know if any of you succeeded in folding this elephant.

We Reached Our Goal!

1,000 Paper cranes? No, make that over 1,150 Cranes that my coworkers, managers and I from the Banana Republic Factory Store has helped fold with about 80 hours of volunteer work. It was fun, easy and a great way to get to know eachother more! We are very proud of our accomplishment and are ready for our next volunteer work! (feed my starving children)

折り紙 - Some history of Origami.

折り紙 (Ori "folding" Gami "Paper")

It is a traditional Japanese art of paper folding. It began in China before 200 BC where it spread to Japan sometime in the 6th century and was not popular until the mid 1900's. It has now evolved into a modern art form. At first there was very little paper available so only the rich could afford to do paperfolding. As easier papermaking was developed and was less expensive, it became very people since anyone, rich or poor, could join in on this form of art.

Not only were the Japanese folding paper, but the Moors, who were from Africa. They brought paperfolding with them to Spain when they invaded that country in the eighth century. The Moors used paperfolding to create geometric figures because their religion prohibited them from creating animal forms. From Spain it spread to South America. As the trade routes were developing, the art of origami was introduced to Europe and later the United States.

-More information will be added soon.

Goal For The Month

Deadline is March 31st..
My Coworkers and I have a goal to fold up to 1,000 cranes before the month ends. It is a volunteer project and we are donating to a family that has lost a loved one to some kind of brain injury/cancer. Their daughter's goal was to fold 1,000 paper cranes in hope to make a wish to live just a bit longer or to be cured from her illness to be with her family and friends. She never got to succeed and past away before she got to finish. So we are volunteering to help finish her "unfinished business" and bring her family peace that her daughter can Rest in peace.

Beliefs & Legends of the Japanese..
An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury.

A thousand paper cranes are traditionally given as a wedding gift by the folder, who is wishing a thousand years of happiness and prosperity upon the couple.

The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years. In Japan, it is commonly said that folding 1000 paper origami cranes makes a person's wish come true.

The thousand paper cranes have become a symbol of world peace.

How To Fold A Paper Crane..

http://www.wikihow.com/Fold-a-Paper-Crane

A kit in Japan that holds a 1,000 pieces of paper and some strings to hold the cranes together when finished.

Welcome

Welcome to my page everyone. This blog is made for school purposes only. You are welcome to come by and read, learn and be fascinated by new pictures that i come across and in return, share it to you. I myself am learning new things about this subject and i am excited to see what i can share onto this blog. I hope you enjoy what's coming ahead. Thanks for stopping by!