Folding an Origami Paper Bead Butterfly

These origami butterflies are really fun to make and look great with patterned papers.

Here are the instructions for making the origami butterfly. You can look at the samples to see what they look like.

Kodomo Kimono Pattern I paper, (2 @ 2" x 2", 1 1/2" x 12")
Silver wire, 22 gauge (10")
Gluestick
Tape
Skewer (or toothpick)



1. Cut a strip of paper in half diagonally. Any size strip will work (it will just change the size of your butterfly's body). For the sample on the right, we used a 12" x 1-1/2" strip of paper.

2. Roll the tip of the triangle around a skewer (or toothpick) once. Apply gluestick to the back of the triangle and continue to roll the entire triangle around the skewer (Note: keep the point of the triangle in center as you roll.).

3. Remove completed bead from skewer.

4. Fold a 10" wire in half (Note: do not fold completely. Keep loop at end.). Insert ends through hole in bead. Wrap wire around skewer to create coiled antennae.

5. Place 2" x 2" paper face down. Fold paper in half diagonally. Fold the longest side upward approximately 1/2". Turn piece over. Find midpoint along the bottom and fold sides upwards diagonally. Repeat step for the other sheet of 2" x 2" paper. These are the wings.

5. Position the wings so that the points touch. Adhere pieces together using tape. Adhere body in between wings using glue. Set butterfly aside to allow glue to dry completely.

To find the papers used for this project, visit my online store at http://www.injoystamps.com/ and do a search for Kimono Pattern.