One of the most important influences when growing up is art. As we age and grow, we sometimes leave behind the wonder and curiosity that art instills in us. It can increase hand-eye coordination, technical abilities, problem solving skills, imagination and patience, as well as instill a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.
One medium that young and the old alike can enjoy is origami. Basic origami techniques are typically very easy to understand and can give anyone a sense of accomplishment, once they learn origami techniques and complete projects successfully.
There are only a few key items that are needed for origami; paper being the only tangible thing you really need. It can also give you a sense of joy and calm when you look at the wonderful models you have created.
Origami paper that you purchase at a store is thin enough and already cut to the proper size and shape. Now all you need to construct beautiful shapes, like origami roses, is some origami techniques and your fingers.
One of the easiest origami flowers shapes to make is the rose. You will need one sheet of origami craft paper for the stem and leaves, and three sheets for the flower itself. The second sheet needs to be slightly smaller than the first sheet, and the third sheet should be slightly smaller than the second sheet.
The sheet for the leaves should be the same size as the first sheet. A square crane base is the pattern that will be used to make all three of the flower pieces.
This really is a simple origami process to learn. To begin, diagonally fold the large square for the flower, and then fold it on the east to west line and then the north to south line. The colored side of the origami paper should be facing up.
The diagonals should be folded downwards, as a valley fold, and the east to west and north to south lines should be going upward, as a mountain fold. Repeat this same process on the other two smaller flower sheets.
Next, you need to fold and then unfold the right corner of the base so that it lines up with the imaginary line in the middle. Unfold the edge onto the crease mark you just made and then fold the right side over to the left side. After that, repeat these same steps on the other side. Use these steps on the two remaining sheets of paper.
Now all you need to do is place each successive rose "petal" inside the larger sheet to create a three dimensional origami flower. You can shape some leaves and a stem out of the other piece of paper as you wish. This is the time to be creative. Finally, place all the "petals" on top of the stem and leaves.
For kids crafts, there are a large variety of options, and it usually depends on whether the child is a boy or girl as to what type of artistic kids crafts projects will be of interest.
Yet by endeavoring to create paper shapes by following origami instructions, they will no doubt carry a sense of well-being with them as they continue to appreciate this art form throughout their lives. Origami can even inspire a life-long passion for art within some people.