Preserving Paper Cranes

Traditionally, paper cranes should be made without glue and scissors.  I have been trying to Google different preservation methods of paper cranes and found nothing. 

My questions:

1.  Will the folds stay together?

2.  Will the cranes get damaged under the weight of other cranes in the jar?

3.  Does stringing the cranes help them keep their shape?

4.  Should I spray each crane with a mat finish lacquer?

5.  Should I only use acid free paper?

At this stage I will go with the traditional method.  If I keep asking questions, I will never start making them!  I do want them to be perfect and last forever, but I guess more importantly it is the thought and meaning that is most important.

And if I go ahead and photograph each one and scrapbook it in an album as a keepsake, if they DO get damaged over time, there is still this record.  Plus I can add photos of us, share my favourite memories and more!

What Size Paper Should I use

This is a very good question because the size of the cranes will determine how much space is required for displaying them.  One website recommended three inch squares.  This makes a wing span measuring approximately two and a half inches.  This is quite an efficient size, and it's not too small to make the origami fiddly.

Different Sizes of Cranes 

However, if I am to fit one thousand cranes into a single container, perhaps I need to perfect my fine folding and use the two inch squares.  I will start with small cranes and see what happens.  There is no reason why I can't have multiple sizes.  

I've also learned that the measurement of the square needs to be absolutely accurate or the final product will be slightly off balance.  The thinnest paper was much more versatile.

Unfortunately, these cranes won't be included in my one thousand beautiful paper cranes.  When I start making, you will be the first to know!

How To Display 1000 Paper Cranes

1.  In a very, very tall glass jar with a lid.

2.  String them together with a glass bead in between each one. 

3.  Flatten them and glue into a handmade book.

I'm really indecisive at this stage.  I like the idea of the jar because it can be on display.  And I love my original idea of displaying them in a handmade book.  The problem with the book or giving them strung together is that it will be looked at once and then stashed away in a deep dark corner.  At least the jar will be remembered and admired for years to come?

 

Should I make a public display in a jar or give a private handmade keepsake?  I really value your feedback, thoughts and ideas.  Please comment below.

What Do 1000 Paper Cranes Look Like

My plan is to present my gift of one thousand hand folded paper cranes in a gorgeous glass bottle.  But really, what does one thousand paper cranes look like?

This may seem like a silly question, but it is important to know how big the paper squares need to be and how big the bottle or jar needs to be.  I'm visualising the container to be about a metre high.  

Here are some photos I have found online.  If this is your photo and you want it removed, please message me.  I have sent an email requesting use of these images to the contact on their website.

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Star Wars = Who Said Origami Was Easy

When Googling instructions for making paper cranes, I came across instructions for an origami Yoda!  What a punch in the face!  Who said origami was easy?

This is what he should have looked like...

http://boingboing.net/2005/06/11/yoda-origami.html

And this is what my first unfinished attempt looks like...

So then I decided to try something basic.  It's always a good idea to start from the beginning.  A gold fish...  After four attempts I had it perfected.

My first attempt at a basic gold fish...

Origami requires meticulous folding.  Practice makes perfect.  So that is exactly what I will need to do - practice making paper cranes before I actually start making my special one thousand.  *sighs* It will be a long journey...

Washi Paper or Paper Scraps

Today is Saturday, and I went in search of Japanese paper.  Washi paper is proving to be quite expensive with the average price per A4 sheet being four dollars.

So, forget about washi paper - I have a much better idea!

I'm gonna make each crane with a piece of 'found' paper. To start, I have heaps of great paper scraps from my craft tub including handmade paper, gift wrapping paper, maps from my travels and old sheet music.   Most of it is very feminine, but I will certainly need to find other materials which can be a variety of colours and designs. 

Old magazine pages are another option.  I'm against tearing up old books, but i can scan and print interesting pages.  I'm looking forward to hunting down some real treasures for crane making!

The Story of 1000 Paper Cranes

The crane is a sacred bird in Japanese mythology.  It is believed that anyone who folds one thousand paper cranes will be granted one wish.  You may be familiar with the story of Sadako, a Japanese girl who made one thousand cranes to cure her leukaemia cause by the Hiroshima bomb in 1945.  It is because of her story that the crane became the symbol for World Peace.