| Tea
bag folding is a paper craft also known as miniature kaleidoscopic origami.
It was created in Holland by a woman named Tiny van der Plaas. According
to the story, she was in need of a unique and decorative birthday card.
As she sat thinking, she began absently folding a colorful tea bag envelope
that was on the table. Voila! Tea bag folding was born.
Unlike
more traditional origami, tea bag folding uses several small identical
squares of paper, usually eight of them, folded exactly the same way. These
are either interlocked or they lay side by side. The end result is a symmetrical
medallion which can be used on cards or as ornaments.
As
this new craft has grown in popularity, the use of actual tea bag envelopes
has diminished and retailers offer special craft papers in a variety of
designs and colours. |
