Customer Reviews

Joyful Origami Boxes: A Basic Book for Beginners

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I love boxes and have collected examples from all over the world in a variety of materials. When I found Fuse's Origami Boxes, I fell in love. They were challenging without being frustrating, effective without being extravagantly expensive to make. This year before Christmas I found Fabulous Origami Boxes and bought it to add to my collection. I had hoped the lady would have added additional shapes and ideas and was definitely not disappointed. When I found Joyful Origami, I wasn't quite sure if I should spend the money on yet another box book by the same author, a book that might just be a re-hash of what I already knew. It seemed inconceivable that Fuse could have come up with anything beyond her impressive collection to date. Still I couldn't resist; I purchased the book. Well I was wrong; the lady is a genius at the paper folding art! Not only are there newer embellishments of her square, triangular, octagonal, and hexagonal boxes, but she has added an heptagonal shape of all things. I had thought it was a misprint at first, but counting the sides did indeed prove that there were seven. If one wonders what conceivable difference one more or one less side could possibly make, one has only to look at the color photo illustrating finished items. Gorgeous, especially in the paper she has chosen for them. The lady has also added steeple shaped and pyramidal lids, and several new patterns for "plates"--actually more bowl shaped than flat--in folded petals. Lovely. She has also added somthing she calls "docking boxes," some of the simplist patterns I've ever seen for a box, yet some of the most useful and effective. They require only two pieces of paper, have simple folds and can be made of either square or rectangular starting sheets. Another interesting design, also very simple and made in much the same manner as the docking boxes are her "trays with stand." These are also made of two pieces of paper, again either square or rectangular, that make a one piece shallow tray with "legs" beneath. I could see these as very effective containers for jewelry, coins or other small items normally kept on bureau draws, or as candy or nut dishes for parties, or in sturdy enough paper as trays from which to serve slices of cake, cookies or dessert bars. Personally, I can hardly wait for the lady's "next act!"

Length:: 4:08 Mins

I'm a huge fan of Tomoko and not only have all her English box books, but most of her ones in Japanese as well! This book actually contains a lot of my long-time favorite models from some of her Japanese books, but it's really nice to have them in English now, for those little points I missed before. Most of the models are not too hard to fold, but are really beautiful looking. Unlike some other boxes, most of these are also not too bad to fit the pieces together on. I like folding ones like the octagonal boxes from decorative chiyogami and/or washi paper...people can't believe that they are actually hand-folded, they look so beautiful! With scrapbooking becoming so popular, you can often find really nice papers that can be cut down to make boxes with as well. This book has a wide variety of the octagonal (8-sided) models that I love so much, but also includes a wide variety of other boxes, from triangular, square, hexagonal (6 sides) and even some heptagonal (7-sided) boxes. A must-have book for anyone interested in origami boxes.

Keep in mind that these are not meant for total origami beginners. You should be experienced with basic folding before trying these. With boxes, it is essential to be very accurate in your folds or when you go to lock the pieces together you won't get great results. Start with regular origami paper before working up to more decorative washi papers for truly lovely boxes (check your local craft store or internet origami paper sources).

This book is a must have for any paperfolder, and a good book for a beginner. All the models embody elegance and beauty. To remark on a previous review, actually the book shows how to assemble the units for every box and lid.

Although these intricate and almost mesmerising boxes look complex, they are much easier to fold than you might expect. A beautiful book for beginners or experts. Fold just one box, and everyone will be impressed. NOTE: Fuse leaves some of the assembly up to you, so you have to work it out alone. But don't worry these boxes are still fascinating to make.

Do you love paper? Do you love to give handmade gifts but don't have a lot of time? Or, do you need a special touch to present a special gift? These origami boxes are beautiful. I was not an experienced origami crafter, but was able to teach myself using this book, even though the designs look advanced. Great fun!

I have most of Tomoko Fuse's Japanese books and as far as I know all of her English language ones. This is another collection of delightful boxes which includes my favourite octagonal design. She shows you in this book how to work the same design so that it has five, six, seven or eight sides as you wish and how to make suitable bases which will always fit your box. There is a nice variety of designs including simple little "docking boxes".

Miss Fuse's boxes often look quite delicate but aren't at all - considering they are made from several sheets of paper slotted together they are remarkably strong and I have had a number on my desk at work acting as receptacles for various items for some years without mishap.

Care is required in the folding and the boxes are not for the complete beginner. Anyone starting to make them should at least have mastered the basic models in any beginner's book and then the boxes will be relatively easy though that final sheet is always fiddly to maneouvre into place.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys origami as I have come back to it again and again over several years and still enjoy folding from it.

Nice selection of boxes in this book but it's hard to find a copy to purchase. If you can't find one to purchase, check your local library. Several of our local libraries carry this book.

Joyful Origami Boxes has a number of different variations of square boxes that Fuse's newer book, Origami Boxes, does not include. Both books have about the same difficulty level. Fuse's book Fabulous Origami Boxes is more difficult than either of these 2 books. Her book Quick and Easy Origami boxes is her easiest box book.

Most of Fuse's BOX books are geared towards those who have some origami experience. Dedicated beginners might be able to do the boxes in this book, but some experience (making paper cranes, angelfish, etc.) would definitely be helpful.

While I really like Fuse's newer book (Origami Boxes), the OCTAGON box in this older book (Joyful Origami Boxes)is much better because it is STRONG and holds together well. The Octagon box in Origami Boxes is made out of only 4 pieces of paper rather than the 8 pieces in this book. The 4 piece octagon is pretty to look at but is wimpy by comparison to the 8 piece.

That said, Fuse's newer book (Origami Boxes) has EXCELLENT square, triangle, and hexagon boxes! Also, you can easily find a copy of it to purchase! It's one of my favorite origami books (except for the octagon box). If you can't find a copy of Joyful Origami Boxes, I highly recommend you get Origami Boxes by Fuse. You won't be disappointed. I sent about a dozen of Fuse's boxes to my mom who makes jewelry. These boxes are wonderful, decorative containers for many things including small items like jewelry.

Exquisite and sturdy boxes with straight forward and easily understood directions (for novice to experienced folders). The simple variations are clearly detailed. These boxes are more basic than the "Fabulous" series and, in the case of the octagon, of a better, stronger design. This origami book is accessible to children as young as 10 years old who have folding experience and some initial experienced folder support. I am an elementary/middle school teacher and have taught thousands of kids to fold...many have successfully used my prized copies successfully.

Another one of Fuse's excellent books about folding origami boxes. The illustrations and directions are great (though for the more complex boxes, I suggest using xtra large paper), and the models you create look wonderful. People are always impressed by them. I reccomend it higly.

Tomoko Fuse is, as any box folder knows, the epitome of designers. She is creative, practical and her illustrations are easy to follow. This book is yet one more in a continuing series of Fuse box creations that continue to delight and impress any origami enthusiast. Each and every Fuse book I have is treasured, used and re-used. I comb bind all of her books so they lay flat on my working surface. Just a hint for all you other Fuse followers!