Artist Spotlight: White Elephant by Sipho Mabona

Lately, I've been having a hard time becoming inspired to create. I don't know what it is--Deadlines? Winter? Lack of sleep? However, conceptual origami artist, Sipho Mabona of Mabona Origami has turned a light bulb on in my brain. What an inspiring and fresh, new artist.

Image via Migros Magazin

Images via Sipho Mabona by Phillipp Schmidli.

Sipho's crowdfunding project (watch first video below) was successfully funded four months ago and, in what I can only imagine is record time, has produced his beautiful, life-size origami elephant--now on display in Art KKLB, Beromunster, Switzerland. I'm so excited to see what Sipho creates next. His ideas for future life-size animal origami pieces are awe-inspiring. Love that bear! Watch the videos below to grab some inspiration for yourself.

Crafty Project: Junior High Love Note Folding

Speaking of things from our childhood, does anyone remember the awesome folding techniques that we used to employ when writing silly notes to each other in junior high? With Valentine's Day coming, I think we should all write fun, folded notes to each other! I know a few people who are definitely getting one. Here are a few of the folds I remember:

Start with a few blank sheets of notebook paper (hee! hee!) and a red pen.
First pattern: The Write & Tuck!

Fold the top right corner in all the way to the left edge.
Turn sideways and fold the right edge over until it is flush with the left.
Flip it over and fold about 1/3 of the bottom up.
Fold 1/3 up again.
Flip over again, and tuck the remaining corner under
the pocket fold you have created. Crease. You're done!

Next up: The "Pull Here" Tab!

Fold the top two corners in towards the center of the page. Flip vertically and repeat on the other side.
Then fold each side edge inwards towards the center.

Fold the two points in towards the center. Then, flip the paper over and fold 1/3 upwards toward the center.

Fold the remaining 1/3 towards the center until you have a small rectangle.
Tuck two of the points into the two little side folds you have created. Voila!


And now for the Valentines coup de grâce: The Heart Fold
Fold both top corners flush with the other sides' edges and unfold.

Fold the top half of the paper down until it reaches the bottom of the creased 'x.'

Push the two side creases in towards each other to create a triangle.
Fold the two base triangle points upwards to the top point.

Fold each side edge in towards the center.

Fold the bottom edge up until it meets with the bottom of the diamond.
Flip over and fold the top of the front triangle down. Crease.

Fold the bottom two points up until they are just covering the bottom of the point. They will meet in the middle nicely. Tuck under the diamond. Fold the left and right points of the diamond diagonally down. Tuck the two points into the flaps that we previously made above.

That's that! You've got a heart!
Happy folding! I'll pass you a note after class.

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Update: In similar news, check out this adorable article about a couple who framed their original middle school love notes to display at their wedding. Love!