A few weeks ago, I entered a contest for a book giveaway hosted by Two Classy Chics’ blog. The book was Chrissy Pushkin’s Kawaii Origami which came with 50 sheets of multicolored origami paper. I figured not only would it be a good book to blog about, but it would give me the chance to revisit the origami world. I was named the winner and received my prize in the mail shortly thereafter.
As a kid, I loved the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, about the little girl who tries to fold a thousand origami cranes so that she can wish to be cured of the cancer caused by the atomic bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima when she was a toddler. I learned to make these cranes myself in a fifth grade origami club, along with other basic origami shapes. I remember not being too good at origami, but I was able to pull off most of the projects with some help.
Puskin’s book is a step-by-step guide to creating 25 different Kawaii (or “cute” in Japanese) origami projects. The whole book has a cutesy feel to it. It’s the kind of book that I would have checked out of the library over summer vacation. I always liked learning new skills, especially artsy ones.
Origami skills
What I confirmed in attempting the projects in this book is:
- I don’t have a head for geometric shapes, especially 3D shapes.
- I’m a visual person who needs to see these things done in front of me.
- I was getting super frustrated trying to figure out the instructions for even some of the most basic projects.
- I should stick to making fortune tellers.
It was discouraging to not be able to pull off most of the projects in this book. I’m not a person who gives up easily, but I also know my limits. If I couldn’t complete the easy projects, I was never going to pull off the really cute ones.
I should have gone to Pushkin’s YouTube channel to see a more visual demonstration, but that would have defeated the purpose of reviewing the book. Plus, I didn’t know what I was going to do with the projects after I had made them.
Whether that means that this book is meant for more experienced origami artists or that I’m just that terrible at it, I can’t say for sure. I’ve put the book in my little free library for another person to try. I’m hoping that whoever gets it has an easier time with it than I did.
My article on HubPages
If you want to see my mostly failed attempts to create the Kawaii Origami projects in the book, check out my article on HubPages here. In it, I chronicle four projects that my sister and I attempted in the book before throwing in the towel.
Besides an easy envelope that I attempted the day after our photo shoot, the only project we managed to pull off was a piece called “water balloon.” I remember making this balloon in origami club so it was less intimidating than the others. In the end, it became our one and only victory.
How are your origami skills? When was the last time a project frustrated you to the point where you gave up? Leave your comments below!
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Buy a copy of Kawaii: Origami here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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I love the idea of Origami. I have looked at the tutorials and bought the little books of coloured card but I am still useless at it. I just get fiddly and frustrated and give up!
– Nyxie
https://nyxiesnook.com/how-to-practice-self-care-on-a-bad-day/
It seems so easy. All you do is fold paper. But it’s way more difficult than I remembered, and it makes you want to rip your hair out.
I looked up your article on HubPages! The water balloon reminds me of the blow-up bunny I made for my grandma. It’s a similar shape, just more rectangular and with ears.
When I do origami, there’s always at least one step I struggle to figure out. If I get it, I can keep going. If not… guess I move onto a new project!
Same with me. I have a hard time looking at a 2D image and turning it into a 3D one. Thanks for reading!
That is so good, I love your articles