The Art of Lotus Origami (for Goddess of Mercy / Guan Yin / 观音)

After "manufacturing" large numbers of paper lotuses for the Qing Ming festival, I have decided to explore folding paper lotuses that are attached to an intricate looking base.  Of course I wasn't gifted in origami but I relied on You-Tube videos as a form of reference in making it possible.

Please refer to the video clip below if you are interested in learning how to fold paper lotuses:

 

For a start, mastering the art of origami for a layman like myself has always been perceived as a challenge.  Reason being that I have never been quite good with art work.

Origami for religious purposes meant that you would be required to ensure that you "got it right" where the placement of prints such as incantations, sacred wordings, sutras, etc are in the right places of the finished product.

As the paper lotuses are manually done, there would always be some glitches, imperfection in the outlook of my artwork.  Photographs featuring what I've accomplished are attached below.

To all newbies out there - practice makes perfect.  So let's hold up our cups & drink to perfection in the Origami.

Cheers!

Postscript :  The prayer papers for folding these paper offerings are bought from Fushan (Yang Yong Ann) which had been mentioned in my earlier blogging entry ["Origami" for Qing Ming festival - Paper Lotus] dated 30th March 2012 & joss sticks shops in the heartland.

Paper trimmed in gold tone - bought from Fushan (Yang Yong Ann Pte Ltd)This prayer paper is catered specifically for folding golden ingots. 

However, I decided to use it to fold paper lotuses since the floral designs at the sides looked pretty.

The outcome of the paper lotus didn't turn out the way I envisioned it to be. :(

The print placement is such that the lotus flower prints on the prayer paper are all concealed.

It was then that I realised that the floral print at the 4 corners of the prayer papers wouldn't be revealed on the petals of the paper lotus. 

Side view of the paper lotus

As I've mentioned on the preceding photograph showing the full appearance of the prayer paper, it's meant for folding golden ingots and after folding just a single paper lotus, I had switched lanes to folding paper ingots which I picked up from You-Tube videos too.

 

 

 

To tell you the truth, learning to fold these golden ingots took me quite a while to have a full grasp of the folding technique.  I was slow in picking up and there were times when I got confused.  Unlike how the professional in the You-Tube video has fared, not all my ingots are exact in their alignment when folded.

There are 2 sides to the golden ingot after folding it.  Different wordings are shown in both sides of the golden ingot.

(Sorry about the poor editing... edited using Aviary sponsored by flickr.com... sorry to say this but it's user unfriendly...)

Both corners of the golden ingot are flanked by lotus motifs as illustrated in the photograph.  Isn't it pretty looking?

(Please excuse me for the blurry looking photograph...)

I was surprised to see that image of the Goddess of Mercy (观音) showing up at the hollow section on the reverse side of the golden ingot.

Before we offer the golden ingots to our 观音 deity at home, I would stuff paper money meant for 观音 into the hollow section.

The photographs below illustrates another variation of decorative prayer papers that are used for offering to 观音 & available at Fushan (Yang Yong Ann Pte Ltd).  This type of paper is definitely cut out for making into paper lotuses - the lotuses have appeared on the tip of every flower petal.  Unfortunately, they aren't my favourite. 

The paper is alot thicker because of the gold foil that's printed on the prayer paper. Due to the thickness of the prayer paper, it was alot difficult to shape the petals & "bloom" them.  As such, the appearance of the paper lotus looks ... crumpled & somewhat messy when created by a beginner like myself. :P  Some of which would even turned out not as pretty & errr, deformed.

Top view of the paper lotus

Side view of the paper lotus.

This is a more presentable version of what I had folded using this style of decorative prayer paper.

The photographs below shows paper lotuses that are made from decorative prayer papers that are commonly sold in joss sticks shop at the heartland area.

Top view of the paper lotus.

Side view of the paper lotus.

This is another design of prayer paper which could be bought from Fushan @ Aljunied Road (KH Plaza).  Such a design of prayer paper comes in several versions catered for different purposes.  The one which I bought is meant for offering to Buddhas (including Guan Yin):

After watching the You-tube video (link right at the start of this blogging entry) which had been conducted by an expert Taiwanese aunty using another different form of prayer papers, it took me many rounds of practice to master the art of creating a throne-like base for the paper lotuses.

So here comes the photographs of the final product & the product-in-transit!



The challenge for me in creating this "throne-like" base was to ensure that the folds of prayer papers doesn't unwind on their own... otherwise, the outcome would be a disaster.

The Taiwanese professional aunty used 36 sheets of the prayer paper, folded into halves before tying them up with a red string.  I've tried cutting corners and discovered that I require at least 28 sheets of prayer paper so that the "folds" would have a "holding power" to stay in place & shape.

Posing the unfinished product in front of the camera lens.

The semi-finished product... pending the mounting of a paper lotus at the top of the "throne-like" base.

I found this strip of embellishment in the packet of prayer paper & decided to use it as a skirting at the centre of the base.










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Dislcaimer:  Please note that I do not own any of the video clips which are attached in this blogging entry.  Full credits would go to the respective video producers on You-Tube.  I am also not affliated to any of the retailers / organisations which are mentioned.  Thank you.

"Origami" for Qing Ming festival - Paper Lotus

The Qing Ming festival is arriving soon.  I was told by elderlies and shops selling joss sticks & prayer stuff that it spans a 21-day period such that it's 10 days before and 10 days after the actual day for Qing Ming, which falls on the 24th day of the 2nd month on the lunar calendar.

While moving around at the Aljunied area, I found this Taiwanese inspired prayer shop known as Fushan Sandalwood (Singapore) Pte Ltd at the following address:

12 Aljunied Road #01-01 KH Plaza
Singapore 389801
Tel : 6-746-7496

I was told that this retail is a joint venture between Yang Yong Ann (located at Loyang) and Taiwan Fushan Sandalwood Co., Ltd. 

I was pretty excited to see that the shop carried those beautiful looking sheets of paper that could be folded into complicated looking stuff such as lotuses, dragon boats, igots, etc for the purpose of offering to deities, Buddhas & the deceased. 

There was an assortment of colourful folding papers that were sold in the shop and they are indeed manufactured & imported from Taiwan.

I bought a packet of medium sized papers in a standard pack of 9 colours with incantations printed on them for offering to our loved ones who had passed on.  My idea was to try folding paper lotuses through watching videos on You-Tube.

折蓮花教學影片 (how to fold paper lotus)

The quality of the colourful paper is exceptionally good with great colour consistencies in the pack I bought. 

Unlike their counterparts that were imported from China & sold here in Singapore at some of the joss sticks shops, the colour didn't bleed onto my palms while folding lotuses.

This photograph features the lotuses folded using prayer papers which are bought from other joss sticks shop.

The gold foil peels off very easily and makes folding a very messy job.

Not recommended for folding of paper lotuses if versions of better quality are available.



My learning curve for folding paper lotuses

The learning process wasn't exactly a breeze.  In fact, I folded the paper such that the wordings failed to appear at the "tip" of both the petals & the leaves at the base.  Further, I folded such that my paper lotuses were slightly smaller & "cuter" looking than what it was supposed to be.

Nevertheless, the retail staff was kind enough to console me, and reminded me that it was the thought that counts.  In the near future, I would have to make a conscientous effort to ensure that the petal of the lotuses would shown on all the petals & leaves.

The series of photographs below illustrates how a blue paper lotus with green leaves was brought to "bloom".  Ideally, I would like to take a video of how the folding is done by myself.  Unfortunately, there's a lacking in logistics.  As such, I haven't had a chance to record my folding of paper lotuses live on video yet.  I would do so & upload in the near future.

First layer of petals

After bringing up the first layer of petals as shown in the above you-tube video clip, I would adjust the positioning of the paper lotus such that the 4 petals are centralised. 

We wouldn't want lopsided looking petals.  As such, it's important to adjust the petals consistently while "blooming" the lotus.

Second layer of petalsUsing the video attached as a reference, you would have noticed that the petals are flipped up in an alternate fashion.

For the first few paper lotuses that I made, I had to concentrate real hard to ensure that I didn't mess up the sequence in "opening" up the petals.

I went shhhhhhh... at Hubby Dearest when he interrpupted my concentration while I was busy with the "blooming".

Third layer of petals

Once again, I must reiterate that I had to constantly shape the lotus as if I were holding on to a cup but pressing the structure very gently such that I am narrowing the centre (or "mouth") of the lotus.

This is to ensure that the lotus flower wouldn't be lopsided in shape.

(A close-up photograph of an unfinished paper lotus)

(A paper lotus in full bloom - complete with blue petals & green leaves)

(The same paper lotus taken from another angle)

A Variation of colourful paper lotuses

If you are interested in viewing more of the paper lotuses that I have folded using the Taiwanese imported prayer papers, please scroll down for more photographs.

Red lotus with green leaves :





Folding of paper shoes for the deceased

While I was surfing through you tube videos, I found this interesting clip where experts use square-shaped prayer papers to make shoes for the deceased.  It's really very cute looking but please make sure that you got the right type of prayer papers (meant for offering to the deceased) and that they are square-shaped (not rectangular in shape).

For instructions on how to fold these paper shoes, please refer to the following You-Tube video:

This is the first pair of shoes that I made.  Meant for my maternal granny who passed away during the wee hours of the first day of Chinese New Year in 2010.

The other variation of the paper shoes that I folded for her as well are shown here:

Post-script :  These paper shoes & paper lotuses are used as offerings to our loved ones who had passed on.  During the Qing Ming festival which is an annual event, we would visit places where they are laid to rest.  After praying to our loved ones, we would bring these paper offerings to designated spots at each respective locations & burn them.

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Dislcaimer:  Please note that I do not own any of the video clips which are attached in this blogging entry.  Full credits would go to the respective video producers on You-Tube.  I am also not affliated to any of the retailers / organisations which are mentioned.  Thank you.

My Newly Re-Upholstered Sofa & Dining Chairs

Hi folks,

Photographs of my sofa which had been re-upholstered recently by Boey Lee from LEE MENG HUAT Cushion & Sofa Maker are ready for sharing now.

Based on the pricing that Boey had quoted us to get the sofa re-upholstered by his company, I was tempted to abandon the idea of re-upholstering & discarding my 12 year old sofa. Prior to being introduced to LEE MENG HUAT, we had scouted around for a new sofa. However, there really was nothing that we fancied after browsing through furnishing boutiques.

Those which we fancied and of baroque styles, couldn't be accomodated in the limited space at our TV room. Additionally, we couldn't bear to let go of our existing sofa which came in the style of a chaise lounge which we bought from Barang Barang 12 years ago as a newly wed couple. There was so much sentimental value that's attached to the sofa. It was too much of a waste to simply just let it go & settle for something less desirable from our perspective.

As such, we had decided to throw in our bets with LEE MENG HUAT & gotten our 12 year old sofa re-upholstered.

SOFA
Here comes the BEFORE photograph :

The old sofa was emitting a terrible stench & the white fibre material containing the sponge & polyfill are already torn as you could see from the photograph above.
As the TV room has been subjected to plenty of afternoon sun, Boey had recommended a range of material that could withstand weathering & meant for partial outdoor services. The outcome is illustrated in this AFTER photograph :

* The colour ought to be a more saturated tone of butterscotch (missed my old laptop as the borrowed version doesn't allow editing)
** We have requested for Grade 1 high density foam to be used for the long seating cushion as opposed to the recommended Grade 2
*** Please note that those 2 mini cushions in gold tone isn't part of the re-upholstered ensemble.

We love dealing with Boey as he is a very enthusiastic person to work with. Time seems to be the essence for him and he would constantly be on the look out for new ideas & new opportunities. It was a joy working with him.

I would personally like to thank him for introducing us this partial outdoor fabric in a gold theme. We were exceptionally worried how our sofa would turn out in this particular tone of fabric as it's a butterscotch yellow & there's a fair chance that it might just turn up ... the way we didn't want it to.

Anyway, when we saw the final outcome, we were pleased with it because it came across as really classy & designer style from our perspective. We were so excited that we told our friends that we were sitting on stacks of gold bars.

We had some issues with the huge back rest cushion & contacted Boey immediately. I was pleasantly surprised that his after sales service wasn't just existent but he was so prompt in visiting us on the same day of our complaints & rectifying the issue within less than 2 days!

Boey was also thoughtful in highlighting to us that we should avoid velvet material since the location of the sofa would be hot & velvet material has a strong inclination to retain heat. Can u imagine us drenched in perspiration all the time when we sit or lie down on the sofa?

Service is EXCELLENT (10/10)!

We have decided to be conservative over workmanship because it's tough to achieve perfection when it comes to anything pertaining to customisation. Workmanship for LEE MENG HUAT is GOOD (8/10)!

DINING CHAIRS
We love baroque styles & the dining chairs of such genre seemed to be pretty out of our budget especially when the wooden framing of all our 12 year old dining chairs are in great condition.

As such, we sent the dining chairs to LEE MENG HUAT for facelift & it came back better than expected.

Here comes some photographs where our dining chairs are still encased in plastic sheets since the day they were delivered back to our home...
* The actual fabric colour should be a champagne gold with a muted glossy sheen which couldn't be captured in the photograph.
** Grade 1 high density foam has been used.

The removable cushion covers for all our dining chairs are being made such that the floral placement/ floral motifs are being centralised at the same position. And for perfectionists like myself whose fussy to a fault at times, I must say that the dining chair reupholstery is very well done.

Workmanship for dining chairs is EXCELLENT (9.5/10)! - as I have suggested in my earlier entry that there's no perfect score when it comes to customisation.

I know that many of you aren't in favour of such prints as they seemed old fashioned. I was very tempted to use another range of fabric which looked absolutely classy & elegant but was detered by the pricing as it would cost us double the pricing as the fabric is imported from Belgium & requires dry cleaning. We decided to select this other cheaper alternative instead.

From my perspective, my dining chairs still look romantic & I love them!

If you like what Boey has done for us & would like to explore re-upholstery options, including customistion of headboards & wall features, please touch base with him directly at the following contact details:

Blk 3016 Bedok North Avenue 4,
#02-20 Eastech
Singapore 489947
Mobile Number : 9113-5564
Office Number : 6283-0865

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Disclaimer:
Kindly note that this thread is strictly for the purpose of sharing my humble & objective views of works and services provided by the aforesaid company. And not an advertising platform.

Reader's discretion is therefore sought when viewing this thread.

In view of issues pertaining to every individual's privacy, facial identities are witheld from the photographs featured in this thread.

Thank you for your kind understanding.