Jean reviews Origami Jewelry Motifs: Fold and Wear Your Own Earrings, Bracelets, Necklaces and More! by Julian Laboy-Rodriguez

This beautifully photographed book offers you two crafts, origami folding and jewelry designing, combined into one. What an innovative idea!
As the reader will see, the results couldn't be prettier, more fun, or more inspirational.
Author Julian Laboy-Rodriguez is an expert at the ancient art of origami, which developed in Japan in the 6th century A.D. by way of China. He begins by introducing the reader to everything she or he will need to know to fold origami into all sorts of lovely shapes such as flowers, animals, and geometrical designs. Origami Jewelry Motifs: Fold and Wear Your Own Earrings, Bracelets, Necklaces and More! is the result of his years of practice and design work.
After the interesting introduction, where you learn how the author developed his passion for origami,there is a section on tools and materials. This is split into origami materials and jewelry tools and materials . The section on origami papers is very well written and enlightening if you are new to origami. The introduction to the jewelry tools and materials which will be needed is excellent as well.
Next comes a section called Origami Models. It will teach the reader how to fold the models in the book.It opens with origami basics and basic folds and suggests that the reader begin with the easiest models and progress to the more difficult ones. It has projects starred from one to three stars to help you understand which models are easiest to learn. In case you have concerns, there are a lot of beginner level models.The papers used are charming and will appeal to anyone who loves color and bright design. You will be looking forward to getting into the swing of folding your own origami as soon as you open this book.If you love animals, there are plenty for you to try. The swan, the owl, the sitting dog, the crane, the fox, the ladybug, and lots more are offered. Geometrics are very striking and some of them are easy to fold as well. There is a fractal rose that I thought was gorgeous, and it is listed as beginner skill level. Some of the figures offered, such as the samurai, the Japanese man, and the angel have that beauty and elegance that origami is always known for. There are origami pieces the reader might enjoy folding which have a 3-D aspect, such as the lily flower. The author suggests this one as a great flower for all sorts of jewelry projects from bracelets to necklaces to earrings.
Looking for something different? Try the brontosaurus! It is adorable and will work well as a post earring.
The next section combines your folding with the jewelry projects. The reader will learn that there are two types of origami jewelry designs offered. One has the origami glued to a base component, and one is made from components and origami charms. After you learn the techniques taught, you can make your own variations.
The reader will learn how to prepare origami models, attach origami to components such as earrings, make charms, and add the charms to jewelry. You will also learn to make some additional items such as a ring or a brooch. There is more to learn as well, as the book proceeds on through hairpins (really cute), charm bracelets (a complete knockout) and all sorts of dangle earrings.
It is hard to express how uplifting a book on jewelry can be until you see what the author has created by combining origami and jewelry. If you are feeling as if you wish to try something new and fresh, try this pretty and well-structured book. I expect you will love it. Julian Laboy-Rodriguez' Origami Jewelry Motifs: Fold and Wear Your Own Earrings, Bracelets, Necklaces and More! is a breath of fresh air and totally delightful.