"We must nurture creativity. We must encourage the new. We must not squelch every idea that does not conform to previous established ways of learning and thinking." - Jackie LeClaire

According to a book titled Everything Origami, by Matthew Gardiner, for centuries there were about 100 known traditional Origami designs that were passed on from parent to child. There were no written instructions. Everyone conformed to those designs. Many of them had a ceremonial significance so it was important that they be done as accurately as possible. Creativity in origami was limited to designing kami (the official word for origami paper) in interesting prints to make more beautiful versions of the traditional shapes.

According to Gardiner, following World War II exchange students from Japan and tourists from other countries visiting Japan began to spread origami world wide. At the same time Akira Yoshizawa, of Japan, and Samuel Randlett, of the USA, developed the standard symbols for illustrating the steps in folding a model. This led to increased interest in origami around the world. For the first time origami books were published in English. When the first contemporary designs were published people realized that it was possible to create more than the traditional models by folding paper. According to Gardiner, in the past 70 years over 30,000 designs have been documented, and hundreds more are created each year. All that was required for that surge in origami was creativity to be encouraged.

While preparing for my Origami class at California Clown Campin' next week I have been doing some experimentation. Many years ago I realized that the traditional drinking cup can be used as a flower pot for the napkin rose that is so popular with entertainers. You will find directions for making it at

Napkin Rose and Flower Pot

Last week I ran the archery range at a Cub Scout Day Camp. On the first day we did not have any trash cans or bags. We wanted to keep the range area clean and organized. So, I created my own trash can by folding a piece of newspaper like a large drinking cup. It worked very well. In fact, after we were provided with large trash bags my assistants on the range still made newspaper trash cans from newspaper because they were easier to carry around. Also, unlike plastic they are biodegradable so they are kinder to the environment. This technique would work well for balloon artists and facepainters desiring an inexpensive disposable trash receptacle to keep their work station clean.

I discovered that a drinking cup folded from a sheet of newspaper can also be worn as a Fez shaped hat. By adjusting some of the folds you can create a hat with a bill and other shapes.

When folding a drinking cup the bottom two corners are folded to opposite sides and then covered by the upper flap. I discovered that if you fold the corners back on themselves you can make them stick out beyond the side of the cup. Then after you fold down the upper flap, you fold a little of that top corner back up. If you rotate the Drinking Cup 180 degrees you have the shape of an animal head that can be used as a finger puppet. I drew the face of a cat on my cup. I have some commercially produced kami (the official name for origami paper) that is preprinted with a design for folding specific models. I unfolded my cup, traced the lines onto another piece of paper which I photo copied. Now I have my own preprinted kami which becomes a cat finger puppet when folded.

I think that over the years I have folded most of the basic designs. I have increased my origami skill by doing that. However, for me the most important and enjoyable part is discovering what I can do beyond the traditional and finding new ways to use origami. For example, I have created a "board game" that can be quickly folded out of inexpensive paper so Caring Clowns can leave it with a patient.

What new methods of learning can you use? How can you change your thinking? When you learn something considered traditional, how can you change it to create something new?