Roses

How a single sheet
of paper turns into a
beautiful flower.

ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM
ASSOCIATE EDITOR

PHOTOS BY
GLENN TRIEST

Above:
A delicate
flower from a
sheet of paper.

Above right:
Shoshana and
Ruth Allon start
folding.

Right:
Sara Hejda gets
directions from
her mother,
Miriam.

11 it took was a series of folds, and within minutes
Seema Selmar had turned a sheet of paper into a
cup, or a flower, or a windmill.
So, too, did a group of women and girls who met
last week for an origami class taught by Mrs. Sel-
mar. The program, sponsored by the Agency for
Jewish Education, was held at the AJE library.
4 Mrs. Selmar said she began learning origami
when she was about 3. Her mother was an artist,
and Seema found herself enthralled by the thin,
colorful papers used for the art.
In origami, Japanese paper folding which in-
volves no scissors or glue, "everything is preci-
sion, patience, perfection," Mrs. Selmar said.
The program was one of a number sponsored
by the library, which also hosts book groups for adults, story-
telling for children and meetings of Emmet (Emotional Maturi-
ty Through Torah), a women's self-help support group, said
librarian Julie Solomon.
With the aid of Mrs. Selmar and her daughters, participants
at the origami program had the chance to create some of the
more sophisticated pieces, including a flower. However, even the cc,
complete novice can make a simple cup (which is actually us-
able). All you need is a square piece of paper. —
First, fold paper in half, diagonally, point to point. You will
now have a triangle. Next, fold up one of the bottom angles to —
the top middle of the other side, like a bird's wing folded over the > .cr -
front of its chest. Turn over and do the same on the other side.
Next, pull down top flaps, one on either side. Stretch middle
open. Now you're ready for a drink! ❑

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