Things You'll Need
Index cards
Scissors
Origami is a flexible art form that can be made from a wide variety of paper types such as index cards, business cards or regular craft card stock. Index cards are ideal for creating origami that will be used functionally because they are generally made from thicker paper that can withstand wear and tear. Origami crafts typically begin with a square piece of paper, while index cards are rectangular. With a few simple folds, a rectangular index card can be transformed into a square, and endless opportunities for origami activities will be at your fingertips.
Step 1
Lay your index card down on your workspace in front of you. Index cards are typically either 3 by 5 inches or 4 by 6 inches in size. Lay the card down so that the long edges, either the 5-inch or the 6-inch edges, are running along the top and bottom of the card.
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Step 2
Fold the upper right corner of your index card down so it meets the lower edge of the index card. Crease the fold firmly. Your index card will now resemble a triangle with a rectangle running along its left edge. The rectangle should measure 2 by 3 inches if you began with a 3-by-5-inch index card, and 2 by 4 inches if you began with a 4-by-6-inch index card.
Step 3
Cut off the rectangle running along the left edge of your folded triangle.
Step 4
Unfold the triangle, revealing either a 3-inch or 4-inch square index card.
Step 5
Experiment with different origami folds to create countless varying paper creations from your square index card.
Tip
Many index cards are printed with lines on one side and are blank on the other. The play between the lines and blank side created when you fold an origami creation out of index cards can be quite interesting, adding an element of pattern and contrast to your origami design.
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