Origami Jewelry: More Than 40 Exquisite Designs to Fold and Wear

by Ayako Brodek

With precise instructions and vivid, four-color photographs, Ayako Brodek shows readers how to create 40 elegant and unusual pieces of jewelry. Each project includes a list of materials, illustrated step-by-step folding and finishing instructions, a beautiful photo of the completed piece, and suggested color variations, paper designs and embellishments to make each piece exciting and unique.

The book opens with sections on choosing paper, equipment, basic folds and bases, and making the piece that then become building blocks for all of the modular and beaded origami jewelry designs featured in the book. There is a section on finishing techniques, followed by the main part of the book, the Directory. Author Ayako Brodek has organized the Directory by seasons and motif, and includes a section of Traditional Japanese Designs as well. Each project is coded by type: (F) Figure; (M) Modular; and (B) Bead.

For Spring, readers will learn to make the Butterfly brooch/pendant, hairpin, bracelet and earrings; The Flower Bouquet brooch; and the Chick & Egg brooch/pendant. Summer offers the Sunburst brooch/pendant and matching earrings; the Seashell brooch and earrings; and Beach barrettes. In Fall, there's the Leaf brooch/pendant and earrings and the Pinecone necklace and earrings; and for Winter, the Festive foil beaded bauble necklace and earrings, and the Star brooch/pendant and earrings. In Traditional Japanese Designs, readers will find favorites like the Crane brooch/pendant, tie tack and earrings; the Kimono brooch/pendant and earrings; and the Paper Fan brooch/pendant and earrings.

Genres: Origami, Crafts, Nonfiction, Jewellery, Art

128 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Alicia Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like both jewelry and origami then this book is for you!

Good: 40 projects to you can make, great for rain days or during winter, a bit of challenge for those who want to move on form easy origami yet not ready for books like Toshikazu Kawasaki, combines origami and jewelry.

Con: Can be expensive unless you already have said tools, not a good book for beginners and very young kids, not a quick project for those who don't have a lot of time.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just gorgeous! Of course, only the best origami paper (and did you know they make origami foil?) was used, and the patterns and colors are just scrupmtious. Origami paper also folds the best (better than, say, scrapbook paper, or printer paper). Don't know if I want to spring for origami paper just to try out the designs, but I sure am tempted.

The pieces are coated (and stuffed if need be) so they hold up to being worn, but again, I find myself doubtful.

Lovely just to look at. :)

[Chet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and rated several origami books, classifying them in one of four categories: beginner, advanced, Martha Stewart quality, and PhD level.
This book is at the PhD level.
The designs and methods for creating your own jewelry are surprising. I would highly recommend this book.
If you like this book and are looking to create other beautifully complex paper crafts look at, "Paper Crafts A Maker's Guide."

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is a novice I found this book relatively easy to follow. I have been doing origami for a long time, but I am not consistent with it. It is something I love and I know basics, but not something I am constantly working to excel at, even though I wish I had the time to. With a stressful job I needed an outlet and so have taken origami up again to relax and have a creative outlet. I saw this book and thought, wow how cool. I really want to try this. I am more than happy with my impulse purchase. The pictures are clear and concise. She gives you all the basic folds in the front so you don't have to go looking in other materials for them. The author also allows your creative juices to flow. She shows many different project pictures with the same origami shape. This allowed me to take her projects one step further and really make them my own. I have never made jewelry before (other than macaroni necklaces in kindergarten) and she details all the tools and materials you need. Really, if this peeks your interest, then take the plunge and buy it. You won't be disappointed.

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun ideas in this craft book, not all what you'd expect from the title, some traditional looking pieces but some different things too. Why had I never thought of making water bombs into beads? Clear instructions and lovely photos featuring all different types of papers.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous book with some lovely origami designs and jewellery involving them.

[Kate Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to get this book. I will be very sad to return it to the library.

And, so, I did purchase it.