We’re all looking for new ways to stretch a buck, right? Well, I certainly never thought of this way.
My kids have all become enamored with origami, the ancient Japanese art of folding paper into creative shapes. “Oru” means folding, and “gami” means paper. It first began in the 17th century, during the Edo era, and really became popular in the 1900s. At my house, it hit its peak in 2009. The goal is to form your designs without cutting the paper or using any glue, and it’s been amazing to me to see the things my children have come up with. And now some very creative people are taking that art form and applying it to the green stuff. It is paper, so I guess it’s all fair game!
You can use money to make simple shapes, such as a ring, or more complicated designs, such as an elephant. The main thing is to start with money that hasn’t been crumpled up in your pocket. Origami paper is smooth and flat, and you should try to use money that is as new as possible. If you’re a real die-hard, you might even go to the bank and get some crisp new bills.
Next, make sure that your folds are as crisp as possible. Do this by working on a hard surface, like a table or counter, and as you make the fold, crimp it with the edge of your fingernail. If your fold isn’t sharp enough, the paper won’t hold a neat shape.
As I mentioned, in traditional origami, you don’t use any glue. Be sure not to put glue on your money origami, either, or spending it might be difficult!
Folding your money into fun shapes is a creative way to give birthday gifts, leave tips, wish someone well as they head off to college. It’s also a unique hobby and will definitely be a conversation starter wherever you go!
Visit these fun money origami websites for more information:
Related Blogs: