Joo Hyun makes things special with art of origami

Maria Kegel, Contributor, Jakarta

Origami has been Joo Hyun Kim's favorite hobby for half her life.

The 12-year-old student at Jakarta International Korean School (JIKS) has spent most of her free time making beautiful crafts from colorful squares of paper since she first took lessons at the age of six.

After that, she learned from books and her friends.

"I like to do origami because it's fun and easy," she said.

And she said anybody could do origami, because it was not difficult even though it looks like it is.

People think origami first started in China many years ago, however, the craft was developed in Japan.

Origami is a Japanese word that means to fold paper. Hundreds of years ago people in Japan made paper objects for traditional ceremonies.

But now it is a favorite family pastime that has spread to many other parts of the world. There are even origami clubs which have exhibitions and newsletters.

Although it is a very popular hobby, some origami creations have become valuable works of art.

Things you make from origami are great for gifts, and you can make almost anything, Joo Hyun remarked.

Little turtles, flowers of all shapes and sizes, birds, rabbits, boxes, baskets, bows for presents and hearts are just a few ideas.

You can even make picture frames and drink coasters with a photo of yourself inside, but you should laminate the coasters afterward, she said.

The best paper to use for origami is thin, square and colored on one side. For special projects, it is nice to use paper with different colors on each side, which you can buy or paste together yourself.

The most important thing though is that all four sides of the square are equal.

Prepackaged origami paper is available in a variety of colors at Gunung Agung stores, Hero supermarkets or stationery stores in Jakarta.

You can try this step-to-step origami to create a simple boat.