Origami 3D Bird

Origami is among the first few crafts I have learned from my primary school. I am always amazed by its creations done by using piece or pieces of paper. Some folding technique might look a little sophisticated but it is not as complicated if you follow the steps. When I first saw Jenny’s youtube channel on her how-to origami, I know that I must approach her to share with us on her talent. I am so glad that she agreed to guest post on Craft Passion with her first ever original design 3D Bird Origami – TWEET, and she even makes the effort to come out with a video and step by step pictures to show us the how-to.

Jenny W Chan is a native New Yorker with a background in psychology and a passion for music, arts, and crafts. She is a self-taught origamist and has been folding paper intermittently for over 15 years. Her favorite technique of folding is modular origami, which involves assembling multiple pieces of paper–sometimes hundreds or even thousands–to create intricate, three-dimensional, models.

Although her passion lies in origami and paper crafts, Jenny also enjoys hand sewing sock monkeys and has created numerous to benefit charity. Her latest venture involved teaching a four-week sock monkey workshop to adults with disabilities in New York City.

Jenny has a YouTube channel dedicated to origami tutorials and music, with over half a million video views. Don’t forget to subscribe her channel and Craft Passion Youtube Channel while you are there.

Guest Tutor: Jenny
Special thanks to Joanne for the invitation to guest tutor on Craft Passion!

STORY OF “TWEET” THE BIRD
Having grown up with a parakeet at home, I have always been fond of birds. I have bird prints in my backpack, planner, wallet, and even reusable water bottle! Birds are also my go-to subject to draw. This bluebird, which I have named “Tweet,” was inspired by Twitter’s logo, and is my first, original origami model.

Origami 3D Bird

Guest Tutor: Jenny
Difficulty Level: Advanced
Approximate Time To Finish: 8.5 to 9.5 hours
If you are cutting your own paper to size, probably closer to 9.5-10 hours.

Tools & Materials:

1. 428 sheets of paper, 4 cm x 7cm (368 Blue, 59 White, 1 Yellow)
2. 1 sheet of white card stock (eyes)
3. 1 sheet of black card stock (eyes)
4. 1 sheet of light blue card stock (wings)
5. Craft glue
6. 6 binder clips
7. Glue gun & sticks
8. Scissors

A piece of 4 cm x 7cm paper

1. Create 428 units (368 Blue, 59 White, 1 Yellow)
a. Fold 4 cm x 7 cm sheet in half, lengthwise
b. Fold in half again
c. Open unit
d. Fold flaps diagonally to center crease
e. Flip over
f. Fold diagonally to center crease
g. Fold flaps down
h. Fold in half

2. Construction of Row 0
a. Glue 5 blue units at the tips only, all facing the same way
b. Secure with clips for drying
c. Repeat Steps 2a-2b in groups of 3-5 (create 5 sets of 5, and 1 set of 3 = 28 total units)
d. Remove clips after drying
e. Glue all 28 units together, at the tips only
f. Secure with clips for drying
g. Remove clips after drying
(ROW 0 IS COMPLETE. Additional rows will be counted as 1, 2, 3, etc. from bottom to top)

3. Construction of Row 1
a. Slip 1 white over 2 blues from row 0
(In other words: White should be in between 2 blues)
b. Add additional units next to one another
c. Continue with 10 whites, 18 blues

4. Row 2: 9 whites, 19 blues
5. Row 3: 10 whites, 18 blues
6. Row 4: 9 whites, 19 blues
7. After Row 4 (with bottom view facing you), shape unit by gently squeezing downward

8. Row 5: 8 whites, 20 blues
9. Row 6: 7 whites, 21 blues
10. Row 7: 6 whites, 22 blues
11. Row 8: 0 whites, 28 blues
12. Row 9 (bird’s neck): Put all units on backward. 28 blues

13. Rows 10-15: 28 blues in each row (units face forward)
BODY IS COMPLETE

14. To Assemble Hair: 4 blues (from bottom to top: 1, 2, 1)
Place at top-center of the head (in between 2 units). Use glue if necessary.

15. To Assemble Tail: 3 blues (2, 1)
Place at bottom-center. Use glue if necessary. Spread tail out.

Side view of the tail.

16. To Assemble Nose: 1 yellow
Place at the center of the face into two openings. Use glue if necessary.

17. To Create Wings: Design, draw and cut out wings. Fold at sides. Use a glue gun to attach to the body.

18. To Create Eyes: Design, draw and cut out eyes. Use a glue gun to attach to face.
YOU’RE DONE! Tweet! Tweet! 🙂