Why you should join a creative workshop
28/09/2019Launching a new product: DIY Bookbinding Kits
17/03/2020One book, many possibilities!
There is no workshop or market where I don’t get this question: “What’s an Origami Book supposed to be?” And my answer is always the same: it can be anything you want! Because when it comes to Origami Books, your creativity is the limit! So get your pencils and brushes, because I will share my 3 favourite ways of using an Origami Pop up Book with you today. Ready?
But first, what actually is an Origami Book?
If you have been following me for a while, you already know that my handmade business is all about traditional bookbinding. One of my favourite techniques and product line is what I call “Origami Books”. The Origami Books are a kind of a geometrical pop up book with a WOW effect. I rebadged them Origami Books, because the folding technique I use to create them is based on the Japanese paper folding technique, better known as origami.
Since the moment I started Indigo Craft Room, I knew that I would love to have these unique pop up books in my portfolio. And actually from February 2019, I also organize creative workshops where you can learn this bookbinding technique and create your own Origami Pop up Book!
So, the book is done, and now what?
I have to admit that sometimes I find myself having a hard time to decide what to do with my own books, if I ever dare to write on it… because they are oh, sooo beautiful!
But precisely for that very reason the Origami Pop up Books are perfect as a present, e.g. for Valentines or your wedding anniversary. And of course as a greeting card for a birthday, a farewell party and the list can continue if we include other special occasions like a birth announcement or a bridesmaid proposal, to name just a few of them.
The fear of a blank page
This might be the main reason why some of us don’t explore our creativity more often. Because we are afraid of that big, blank page. I have to be honest, sometimes I don’t really have a plan on what I am going to write or draw… I just start making some drafts until something nice pops up.
But if you already know what you want to use the Origami Book for, then it gets easier. With an idea in mind, you can start searching for inspiration on the internet or in your crafts books (if you have dozens of them, like I do!)
Hand lettering is in vogue – jump into the pool and don’t worry about the perfect lines!
My interest for hand lettering and calligraphy awoke about 3 years ago. Although I got myself a couple of books and even joined one or two workshops, I haven’t really made it my main hobby. But it’s nice to experiment with it from time to time. I guess that in my case I am a bit impatient. You know I like the imperfection of the beautifully handmade. So sitting for hours drafting perfect lines is not for me.
But why deprive yourself of a creative hobby just because you cannot master a technique like all the hand lettering stars on Instagram? Rather embrace the beautiful imperfection of your artwork and never stop creating (even if the lines are a little bit crooked!)
Here are my 3 ideas on how to use an Origami Pop up Book:
IDEA 1: A Happy Birthday Origami Pop up Card
So, here I am showing you my (a little bit) imperfect hand lettering for a happy birthday card I created in one of my hand marbled Origami Pop up Books. I recorded a short video and hope it inspires you to grab a pencil and a brush and start creating your own!
3 easy-peasy steps for a hand lettered happy birthday card:
1. Search for inspiration and once you have found a nice design, draft it on paper with a pencil. Don’t apply too much pressure on the pencil, because you will need to rub out the lines later and you don’t want to have strong marks on the paper. The best is to hold the pencil with a 45° angle. I don’t use the ruler too much, but if it helps, you can use it e.g. to divide the page in same sized areas. This way you can make sure that all the elements are proportionally spread over the page.
2. Mark the lines with a hand lettering brush: if you are only starting out on hand lettering, you can use any brush pen you have at home. However, there are a few brands specialized in hand lettering brushes and it really pays off to invest in a few of them if you want a quality finishing. The japanese stationery brands are masters of this. My favourite brush pens are the Fude Touch Sign Pen from Pentel. Once you have marked all the lines, let it dry and rub off the rest of the pencil marks.
3. Add some decorations, e.g. with markers or brush pens in other colours, stickers, stamps or like in my case, punch some stars and circles out of hand marbled and coloured paper.
IDEA 2: Valentines Origami Pop up Book
Make your Origami Pop up Book an unforgettable Valentines present! You can add some pictures of you and your loved one. Write a poem or your favourite love song… love and creativity is in the air!
IDEA 3: New Year’s Resolutions Book
Maybe if we write down our New Year’s resolutions on a beautiful Origami Pop up Book we actually stick to our goals and don’t forget about them mid January 🙂
My standard Origami Books have up to 30 text blocks where you can list your goals, happy thoughts or things that make you happy or you are proud of. Because with the new year, we get the wonderful present of 365 days to start over again: fresh, positive and powerful!
EXTRA: Christmas Card, of course!
Here is my goodie for you: extra inspiration for this holiday. Because Christmas is coming and who wouldn’t love to receive such a wonderful card full of your best wishes for the cosiest time of the year?
Are you ready to customize your own Origami Pop up Book? Find more original and unique hand marbled and hand dyed Origami Books in my shop.
And if one of your new year’s goals for 2020 is to explore your creativity, check my agenda for next Origami Bookbinding workshops in the Netherlands.
Happy crafting!
Karen