Origami Ikebana

Origami Ikebana
by Benjamin John Coleman
Gifted by Tuttle Publishing
www.tuttlepublishing.com
Reviewed by Molly Fletcher, Editor, AllFreePaperCrafts.com
 

Origami Ikebana combines two time-honored Japanese traditions: flower arranging and paper folding. Discover a new appreciation of these art forms by diving into this elegant book by Benjamin John Coleman.

A math teacher by trade, Coleman believes that anyone, no matter what their profession, can be an artist. He has written several books on origami, including Origami Bonsai and Origami 101. By using straightforward techniques in Origami Ikebana, Coleman hopes to prove that you don’t have to be a genius to make a gorgeous paper flower.

This guide contains eight tutorials for leaves and over thirty tutorials for flowers. Every is accompanied by step-by-step instructions and full-color photos and diagrams, so beginners can join in the fun. As if written and illustrated instructions weren’t enough, Origami Ikebana comes with a DVD so that you can fold along with the master himself. This is a great resource for people who are new to origami because they can watch the process over and over again. Practice makes perfect!

Paper flowers are ideal embellishments for a variety of projects, from scrapbook layouts and thank you cards to handmade garlands and accessories. Learn how to roll paper stems using the makigami technique. These stems look delicate yet are strong enough to support elaborate paper blossoms. Origami Ikebana features tips for anchoring flowers in faux stone bases that can be used as centerpieces. Not only are these arrangements more cost-effective than real flowers, but they also won’t wither or wilt.

Organized by flower type, Origami Ikebana can help you get the look you need for your living space or party venue. If you can't find quite the right hue to match your home decor, you can follow Origami Ikebana's helpful tutorial on how to paint paper flowers to create a living space that is as beautiful and balanced, just like a Japanese garden.