September 17, 2012

Make origami mini paper books

Some things are worth making, even if you can't quite figure out what they're good for. I've folded origami books from a single sheet of paper before, but this version, created from several pieces of paper, is easier. And I daresay, even cuter! I followed the instructions at Paper Kawaii.

The finished mini books are 1.5" square when made from 6" x 3" pieces of paper (one decorative sheet for the cover and seven plain sheets for the interior.) I used plain computer paper for the inside, and sheets from the Traditional Prints pack by Tuttle Publishing for the covers. The patterns are printed on coated paper (unlike more typical uncoated origami paper) and reversed on the back side of each sheet.

Total adorableness. I'm planning to mail them to my little niece.

47 comments:

  1. ~amy~September 17, 2012 at 1:12 PM

    How cute are these?!!!

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  2. Grandma GSeptember 17, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    Your little niece will be absolutely delighted! She loves getting packages from Auntie Jess! The teeny books are sooo cute!

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  3. Jessica JonesSeptember 17, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    Don't tell her something is coming!

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  4. Grandma GSeptember 17, 2012 at 1:34 PM

    Mum's the word! ;)

    Mum

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  5. Jessica JonesSeptember 17, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    Har, har.

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  6. SuzanneSeptember 17, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    These are perfect for a secret sister gift I have to give on Thursday. FUN! Thank you.

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  7. ilariatjSeptember 17, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    Really very cute !!!

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  8. liza janeSeptember 17, 2012 at 4:05 PM

    Ack! So cute! I want to make some of these right now.

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  9. lady jasmine craftsSeptember 17, 2012 at 5:39 PM

    OMG this is fantastic thanks for sharing xxx now following xxx

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  10. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    These are so cute! I want to make some, but am I missing how to make the binding part:(

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  11. MelissaSeptember 17, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    Love these! Made one myself. So cool! Thanks for posting this.

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  12. KatieSeptember 17, 2012 at 11:51 PM

    Those are so cute. Will have to show these to my daughter. She loves origami(and make beautiful tessalations--I think that is what they are called) Your niece will love these!

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  13. PialiSeptember 18, 2012 at 1:27 AM

    Super cute!!

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  14. donna mikasaSeptember 18, 2012 at 1:40 AM

    cute, cute! love!!

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  15. UnknownSeptember 18, 2012 at 3:54 AM

    Lovely. Useless, but lovely! :)

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  16. Created by Hannah GrunzkeSeptember 18, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    So cute!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5M-9bC9UHQ&feature=related

    Have you ever seen this origami book? It's teeny tiny and made from one piece of origami paper. No scissors or anything. Probably the most fun and most impressive origami project I ever learned!

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  17. Jessica JonesSeptember 18, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    I've seen that one! The beginning of that guy's video series is so funny. He's like, "Yo, I'm way too cool for origami, but I'm sooooo bored I guess I'll make a tiny adorable book."

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  18. Elle @ eGaragesSeptember 18, 2012 at 9:52 AM

    Wow! I can't believe its that easy. Thanks! They are really cute!

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  19. Elspeth EvansSeptember 18, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    These are very sweet! They would make nice stocking fillers for Christmas.

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  20. UnknownSeptember 18, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    How cute! I love little things to make notes on, but these might be the cutest ones I've ever seen!

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  21. StrickilottiSeptember 18, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    Soooooooooooooo cute!!!!

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  22. JennSeptember 18, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    yours look perfect! even smaller ones could be used as jewelry charms- I've seen that kind of thing on etsy...

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  23. Jessica JonesSeptember 18, 2012 at 3:28 PM

    Anonymous who asked about the binding: The accordian-fold page sections fit into one another, making a continuous piece. Though this step is optional, I followed the suggestion in the tutorial to press the stacked pages together with a binder clip and apply glue along the spine. It will keep any pages from sliding out later. When the glue is dry, (or if you skipped that step), just wrap the cover around the pages, following the tutorial, and it will hold the book together.

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  24. VickySeptember 18, 2012 at 3:48 PM

    These are just so lovely! Sure I can find an excuse to make some...

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  25. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2012 at 7:15 PM

    Cute!

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  26. Katie LewisSeptember 18, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    My 10 year old self would have died and gone to heaven to have these for my dollhouse.

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  27. JenSeptember 19, 2012 at 8:22 AM

    OMGosh! I am totally making these this weekend with my daughter. She is five and a half and loves crafting, and these are simple enough for her to make as well.

    Your blog is absolutely awesome--I love getting the emails that there is a new post, since it is always something cool!

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  28. AmandineSeptember 19, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Saw this 2 days late but oh my goddddd so cute! I will attempt to make one at my desk today.

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  29. Festive Party GirlSeptember 19, 2012 at 1:44 PM

    These are super cute. They would be so fun for a girly party.

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  30. LaAliciaSeptember 19, 2012 at 2:06 PM

    I'm having a total Santa's elf moment...how cute would these be as stocking stuffers? squee!

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  31. EFMSeptember 20, 2012 at 11:13 PM

    I just made two of these and they are so stinkin' cute! Thanks a million for sharing!

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  32. Stephanie @ henry happenedSeptember 22, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    a, really cute! I wish I had an entire library with these :)

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  33. BUSIRSeptember 23, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    I couldn't resist and made one right away , but i've a little problem with the last page so i cheated by putting some glue.I must watch the tuto again.I was visiting my daughter last week in Chicago (Edgewater) not fare from Evanston.i'm back in Paris France.Thank you for sharing.Y.S

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  34. AmandineSeptember 24, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Would like to add, I made some really really tiny ones out of sticky notes at my desk. They are like 1" x 1/2" big. I don't know what to do with them though... perhaps mail them to someone? What a terrible problem to have! (not really :) )

    ok back to work.

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  35. Jessica JonesSeptember 24, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    BUSIR, I hope you had a great time in Chicago! Amandine, I know... it's a dilemma. A very cute dilemma.

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  36. IsabelSeptember 25, 2012 at 2:14 PM

    I have fall in pages don't want to be together and when I open the book they go to all the ways... :(

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  37. GwenninElbéOctober 25, 2012 at 1:11 PM

    This is so cool ! :D

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  38. Chef PotpieNovember 25, 2012 at 10:23 PM

    Your tutorial is excellent, easy to understand! Thanks!

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  39. MarthaJune 1, 2013 at 2:11 AM

    OH, this is just TOO cute!
    I love making mini books!
    Thanks for the link to the FABULOUS tutorial! I just tried it.

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  40. Jessica JonesJune 1, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    So fun, right?

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  41. AnonymousNovember 29, 2014 at 7:42 PM

    i cant fold them perfect enought
    HELP!!!!

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  42. AnonymousDecember 16, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    Super cute!😊 I wanna make some now.

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  43. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2016 at 8:16 PM

    I'm making one:) gonna use hot glue for binding, and washi tape for "cover", these would also be really cute for party favors!

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  44. UnknownJanuary 25, 2016 at 11:19 AM

    If anyone is in the Pocket Letters crafting craze right now these would be perfect.

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  45. dopamineNovember 30, 2016 at 3:04 PM

    How cute are these?! <3 adorable! So beautiful

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  46. AnonymousDecember 8, 2016 at 11:36 AM

    How cute are these?! Easy to make too. I love you Paper Kawaii
    WITH LOVE
    RIA

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  47. AnonymousMarch 31, 2018 at 2:23 PM

    I feel like I am the only person that fails at diys :(

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