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Japanese Paper Doll Chopsticks Holder

Sometimes in Japanese restaurants, one is given an adorable little chopstick sleeve with a paper doll that has a toothpick for a head. I have been charmed by these since the first time I saw one as a child. This is a pattern that I created for making what I affectionately call a “Toothpick Lady”.  The instructions are listed below. Click on  the first photo to see the captioned instructions and then click on the right hand arrow to move through the steps. This project would be perfect for impressing your friends at your next Japanese themed dinner party. Let us know how yours turned out and ask us any questions if you run into trouble in the comment section. Happy folding!

For this project you will need:

8.5 X 11 inch sheet of plain paper. You can use printer paper or something more pretty.
15 X 15 cm sheet of patterned origami paper. You can use other patterned paper, cut to the correct size but make sure it is square!
5 X 5 cm sheet of solid colored origami paper. Again, you can use non origami paper, cut to the correct size but make sure it is square!
1.5 X 1 inch piece of black crepe paper
Toothpick with two grooved lines at the top
Scissors
Glue
Ruler
Chopsticks
Sewing thread

Gather all the things you will need.
Place 8.5 X 11 paper vertically on work surface.
Fold 3/4 inches in on the right side.
Fold 2.5 inches in on the left side.
Fold right side over left side.
Fold triangle up at bottom edge.
Fold previous triangle up to create a second triangle.
Glue side seam and bottom triangle.
Place patterned origami paper plain side up on work surface.
Fold paper in half.
Unfold previous step.
Fold opposite side in half.
Unfold previous step.
Fold 1st corner into center.
Fold 2nd corner into center.
Fold 3rd corner into center.
Fold 4th corner into center.
Turn paper so one corner points up and place toothpick in center of paper.
Fold left side of paper over toothpick as shown.
Fold right side of paper over left as show.
Doll should now look like this.
Fold top piece back as shown.
Fold bottom piece back as shown.
Glue flaps down.
Place solid origami paper colored side down on work surface.
Fold in half.
Unfold previous step.
Fold lower half up to line.
Fold upper half down to line.
Place middle of solid piece on front of doll folded side facing down and glue.
Turn doll over.
Fold right side over doll’s back as shown.
fold left side corner down in triangle as shown.
Fold left side over right side as shown and glue down.
Remove toothpick from doll and put with crepe paper.
Roll crepe paper around toothpick lengthwise just above lower groove.
Wrap thread around upper groove in toothpick and knot.
Trim thread.
Fold crepe paper over knotted side and pinch the top of toothpick.
Gently spread bottom edges of crepe paper.
Insert toothpick back into doll.
Glue doll to sleeve. Do not glue doll’s hair.
Finished sleeve should look like this.
Put chopsticks in sleeve.
Finished!
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Fall at the Studio

[quote author=”Jill Scott-Hinkle”]Autumn is the root for spring when seeds for life are gathered in and golden, glorious colors spread the future cherry blossoms on the wind.[/quote]

We love fall; Picking pumpkins at the pumpkin patch; Hiking on forest trail’s ablaze with fall colors; PA122940Baking with apples and other fall fruits; Being inspired to create and envision from all the bounty and beauty around us.  We decorated our studio and home with tinny pumpkins as soon as they were available. I look forward to this every year. Heading out to the pumpkin patch and picking just the right ones. I like to bring as much nature indoors as possible because nature is important for our creative process.

Fall is a great time to gather ideas and make plans for artistic endeavors to keep us busy through the winter. This year, we are working on fall inspired paper flowers, Japanese fabric pillows and photographing the autumn colors.

The paper flowers are a new endeavor for us and so much fun. The ones pictured bellow are inspired by black eyed Suzannes. We experimented with several types of stems and finally decided on the pipe cleaners as they capture the fuzzy look of real flowers. Paper is a great medium because it transforms something flat and one dimensional into beautiful art that reflects something real or imagined.

Is fall an inspiring season for you? Tell us what you are creating from the beauty and bounty that surrounds you in the comments section.

(Click on any of the images below for a larger view! Hit Esc key or “X” at the left top when you are done)