Origami

 Research the history of origami. Practice a few folds, then jump in. Start by making a simple design like a crane, plane, or boat.

Ironically, the best history of origami I came across was a digital resource public paper-folding history project.  

It arose independently in 3 regions (Europe, Japan, and China).  The traditions began to influence each other between 1867 and 1904 with increased globalization.  The site posits that the development of kindergarten and its paper craft curriculum starting in the 1850's established mass-appeal for paper folding crafts.  

I learned that a simple bird shape was called a cocotte/pajarito.  They were sometimes interpreted as horses.  Cocotte could also be used figuratively as a term of endearment directed toward a child, to imply something was childish, or a higher-class prostitute.  Incidentally, I got the impression that of the European countries, Spain had the strongest legacy of paper folding, with Miguel de Unamuno receiving acclaim for his pajaritos.  This could be from Moorish influence, yet there is no section of the website which covers Muslim or paper folding in the Middle East.  

There also seems to be some debate on if cutting is permissible (or shunted off into a separate discipline of kirigami).  Personally, I am more impressed that such an abundance of shapes could spring from a single material and could be unfolded back to their original shape without corners getting cut.  However, I am also intrigued by the indigenous American tradition of papel picado, or pierced paper which involves more cutting than folding.    

Here is my list of cool things to make a contemporary version of: 

• Mitres of infamy (1394): Public humiliation hat which listed the wearer's offenses.  In my case, I would make them as "name tags" at big parties and maybe they'd get more use if I called them paper crowns!  
• Dollar bill folds in rings, bow-ties or other ornate shapes for cash gifts
• Grocer's cones and other beautiful biodegradable boxes to share food on the go, bonbons, or around the pool.
• Pastry boxes as a substitute for seed-starting flats
• Paper boats to race across water ways or airplanes to race across driveways
• Containers to trap bugs
• Napkin/toilet paper ornamental folding 
• Collapsible lanterns for mood lighting
• An ark of animals 
• A bouquet of flowers

Likewise, while I checked several origami books out of the kid's section of the library, I had trouble following the instructions.  Ultimately, I found previewing and then watching Jo Nakashima's youtube tutorials in slow motion with frequent pauses was the most effective way to end up with a recognizable end product.  I "jumped in" with a frog and some extra sticker eyeballs.