You may have heard the term origami and wondered just what it means, as the name sounds foreign and unusual. It is actually a very ancient art form that involves making many, many folds to a piece of paper to create representations of flowers, birds, building or whatever else the artist deems appropriate, and it dates back thousands of years to China. If you want to understand how to make origami, then the only real skill you will need to learn is how to make folds. Different techniques are combined with folds to form different foundations or bases, from which an almost endless number of origami designs can be constructed.

The first thing you need to do is gather the appropriate size and weight of paper. Traditional origami diagrams generally assume you will start with a square sheet, but in a few instance, this is not always the case. Read over your instructions to verify what you will need for your project before beginning. Square Japanese paper sheets are available from craft stores like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s, or you can make your own squares from any rectangular sheets you might have.

Now that you have your basic material, it is time to get detailed instructions. When you are beginning origami, it is especially important to get detailed instructions that are clearly outlined and easy to understand. Now is the time to decide which type of origami you would like to make. Animals such as a crane or a frog are probably the most familiar types of origami, but there are numerous other diagrams you can make as well, such as origami flowers and stars, or a dog, a piano, a cup or an airplane.

In order to truly advance with the craft, you must practice all the basic folds; the bird base, fish base, frog base and the kite base, when learning how to make origami. Many people make the common mistake of creating origami without knowing the initial basic folds. Make all of your folds on a flat, solid and stable surface, as this will allow you to get as close to perfection as possible. Always fold every crease with precision. All the folds must be flattened well in order to get the utmost success at creating your model. As you make each fold, ensure that each corner and edge meets accurately and precisely.

Aside from everything else and most importantly, have fun while learning how to make origami. The more fun and enjoyment you get from it will be evident as you transition from the easy and simple origami structures to the more sublime. Find a quiet kind of “feng shui” atmosphere in which to work, where there will be no disturbances, interferences or distractions.

Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed treating panic disorder as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medications available at www.anxietydisordercure.com.