Tiny Origami Star Jar

I like tiny things. Tiny birds, tiny cake, tiny buttons. It probably has something to do with hitting 5'8" in the 8th grade. I don't wish I were small (I enjoy being able to reach the top shelf in Target), but I do appreciate the smaller, more delicate things in life.

Like these - origami stars so tiny, that staring at them for too long is not recommended for those with fragile conditions.

Make 365: Day 2 - Tiny Origami Star Jar

I first heard about these in Japan. Someone had sent a manga artist 1,000 minuscule origami stars in a big jar. The details are lost on me now, but around that time, my only thought was that you'd have to be certifiable to do 1,000 of those things. But, eyesight be damned, I'm folding them now.

NEED:

1 jar with cork/lid (the smaller, the less you have to fold! Unless you're shooting for the 1,000-star nutter mark)
Origami paper, cut into thin strips (regular printer paper will work, if you don't mind all white stars)



(If you do use regular paper, cut it into about 6"x6" squares before cutting the strips. Longer strips tend to be harder to fold and keep together)



First, take one strip, and gently tie a knot in one end. Don't pull too tight, just flatten it out.



It should make a sort of pentagon shape. Fold the long tail end of the strip around the pentagon, following the original folds. Your pentagon should get thicker.



When you're left with only a tiny tail, you can fold it over and tuck it under one of the previous folds on that side.



Then, gently pinch each corner of the shape with your fingernails to form the arms of the star. It's better to brace the star against your other fingers when you pinch, but I'm demonstrating bad form here.



Go all the way around the star, and when you're done, it should look like this:



Repeat. Many times. (This is good to do while watching a movie or something brainless.)



After awhile, your jar should start to fill up with these tiny freakshows.



And when you're done, it's really lovely!



These would probably make neat presents for people, since that gift-giving holiday is just around the corner.

If you're looking for neat tiny jars, the thrift store is a good place to start. All of mine came from the local Goodwill. Can't beat $.95!

If 1,000
is too much of a commitment
a tiny jar
of tiny stars
is just as pleasant
as a present.