The Craft of Teabag Paper Folding
At present, you will surely find a variety of tea leaves,
such as oolong, rose, vanilla, jasmine, mint, and even fruit
teas, including lychee, lemon and mango, in local supermarkets
and coffee shops.
Even tea bags have evolved from the common
rectangular shape to the new circular or pyramid-shaped bag
that is infused with long tea leaves instead of dust, which
are indistinguishable tea leaf particles.
Along with the rise in the popularity of tea drinking over
the years is the emergence of a craft named tea bag folding.
Tiny
van der Plaas, a woman from Holland, was the one who created
this tea bag envelope inspired paper craft. She came up with
the idea, which is commonly known as Miniature Kaleidoscopic
Origami, when she started to fold up a fruit tea bag envelope
while thinking of a novel way of creating a birthday card
for her sister.
Tea bag folding can be compared to origami, a popular Japanese
paper craft, in the sense that both hobbies make use of paper
to create various designs. However, these creations are usually
just used to
decorate cards and are made using small matching paper squares.
In contrast, the Japanese origami cannot only be used as decorations for cards and gifts, but
also to produce paper replicas of different animals, flowers,
and almost anything under the sun.
 In
the past, only tea bag envelopes were used for this paper
craft technique. As more and more people all over the world
learn of this paper folding art, however, paper manufacturers
have started to produce specialty papers exclusively for miniature
kaleidoscopic origami.
Tea bag folding aficionados all across
the globe have also modernized this paper craft art by coming
up with more magnificent and intricate geometric designs and
innovative and unique materials.
Kaleidoscope papers come in various colors and designs, such
as flowers, stars, musical instrument, snowflakes, dragons,
spirals, and even soccer balls. Most tea bag papers available
in the market are printed in 90-100 grams per square meter
paper.
 Uses
of miniature kaleidoscopic origami
Tea bag folding was traditionally used to decorate birthday
cards. Now, you can use this colorful and wonderful paper
craft
as decorations of greeting cards for all occasions. Some people
utilize it to decorate photo frames, wall frames, wall clocks,
and even scrapbooks.
With just a bit of imagination and
creativity, you can make use of it to decorate almost anything
and everything. Moreover, tea bag folding can be considered
as a
relaxing hobby. If you feel that you are on the edge, stressed
out because of too much work, try creating some designs, and
you
will definitely loosen up a bit.
The most important material of this craft is tea bag envelope
-
if you want to be traditional - or colorful paper. For a more
intricate effect, you might want to choose paper with geometric
designs and elaborate patterns.
Other essential materials of tea bag folding are cutting
mat, scissors, ruler (preferable metal edged), knife or cutter,
and paper adhesive.
 Popular
Folded Paper Designs
For people who are interested in starting a miniature
kaleidoscopic origami, you can find a lot of materials and
reference over the Internet. There are also some scrapbooking
stores that carry tea bag folding materials and books that
could
help you learn this paper art. If you are on a tight budget,
you
can even just print designs that are available online.
If you are a neophyte tea bag folding practitioner, you might
want to start creating tea bag rosettes. This is a colorful
flower-shaped design that can be used to decorate gifts, cards,
and even bookmarks. Another beautiful design that has caught
the
hearts of many is the starburst design. You can use glitters
so
that your paper star design will look more brilliant and vibrant.
Tea bag folding is an easy and inexpensive hobby you can
take
on. Once you have started tea bag folding, you will surely
get
instantly hooked.
Tea bag folding (also known as Miniature Kaleidoscopic
Origami) is an easy and inexpensive paper craft hobby.
Tea Bag Folding Craft Resources
Printable Wrap or Scrapbook Papers - printable scrapbook papers are
good to use for origami, tea bag folding, gift wrap
and paper crafts
Clip
Art and Crafts Folding Papers - clip art pictures for printing
your own tea bag folding squares or scrapbook background
papers, free printable paper sheets to download for
crafts, origami, card making, scrap booking, and tea
bag folding. Click sample swatches below to see all
the free papers:
 
About the author:
Lee Dobbins writes for http://tea.topicgiant.com
where you can learn more about different kinds of tea and
tea accessories like the teabag. |
