About the Artist:  As a little girl of ten I was given my first book of Origami and How to Fold.    "I did not know another child in  my small mid-western town who folded paper .  Maybe I was on  the "cutting edge" of personal  artistic growth & didn't realize it at the time.    This book is a treasure that still sits on my  origami library bookshelf at home.    There is a photo of this well used book on the "Books" section of this Origami site.  Occassionally this book is still found on EBay for sale.       If you ask,  I will confess that I  enjoyed  folding as a novelty & artform as a child,... & would later as a teenager find it helpful to entertain children while babysitting.       Perhaps I should  tell of the times I folded Origami - using a church bulletin,  during a long sermon at church on Sunday as a child.  It would also keep my  mind  and hands busy and I suppose the "divine supervisor" of the universe would find it creative! "I folded for fun & pleasure, off and on during my adult years, but it was 15 years ago when I had more "adult time", that I again turned to the paper folding as an enjoyable artform and activity.   The world is folding now.  As I sit in a park, doctor's office, airport lounge, or any of a number of places and even on the soundstage or set of TV or films... I find folding enjoyable.   I soon have other asking about the foldind, or are interested in and fascinated by this artform!    Bookstores, libraries, EBay and Amazon.com are now carrying many wondeful books on Origami. You will see origami in commercials, advertising. classrooms, and clubs.    I am no longer surprised when I receive an email or story of what is most recently being folded in Hungry, or Alaska, Peru and around our world. Origami is no longer 'just' the hobby of Japanese children, but something enjoyed by the young and old, novice and master alike around the world."    It has become recognized as a valuable tool in education and therapy and more!  I am a member of Origami USA and the British Origami Society - that helps keep me in touch with folders and folding around the world.   As an artist I am always experimenting with new ways to share and display  these origami creations.    "It has color, texture, dimension, -  it is simple or complex, it is fragile & it is sturdy, it is thought provoking and challenging to the imagination!    It is theraputic at times,  it is relaxing - origami is creative and beautiful.  "Some artists capture a memory with a camera, some paint with  the brush & colors, some sculpt with their hands - in clay, rock, or even wire....    An Origamist sculpts with paper,  our papers have colors and textures.   We start with flat.. and transform it." It is an art form I can carry with me and easily share with others, young and old alike.   I can create things of interest or beauty,  and in return,  the smiles and joy of the viewer  is a gift & treasure to me as an artist!      I fold for personal enjoyment, I  fold to share the art form. "   BT Why Origami Designs?   "Life is beautiful.  I may purchase a painting, or a music CD,  the latest best selling novel, a quilt,  or a special piece of sports equipment,  or even a musical instrument.   These are items that bring  education, and joy into my busy life.  They are  treasured  gifts to myself.    I use or enjoy the visual or musical delights -  these  other things,  but could not or would not  have the time and materials to them "make" myself.      For those who might fold one animal or unit item, or even crane in a lifetime but wish to have  a piece of this beautiful art form in their lives,  I fold! "    For those just interested in knowing more about this wonderful art and how to get started themselves, I have Origami Designs   - a small peek into a beautiful world of Japanese Paper Folding.  *S* About the artist: Ms. Turner is a college graduate, mother, wife, business woman,  & origami artist,  living in Southern Oregon, with her husband.  In addition to other favorite interests, involvements,  outdoor & creative pursuits -  they share their home with a collection of  "objects": tigers, wolves, dragons, one lifesize but quiet cow . and one domestic cat.

I enjoy folding, even in some unusual places!

This page was last updated on: February 13, 2008

*   A Note About Origami Designs:   I fold traditional items that I offer here.  I love to share this art form.   Many know the story of Sadako and many more do not know of her story and the origami crane.  I receive no financial benefits from other websites I link to or recommend, or to the books that I have and those I recommend, for those wishing to know more about origami.      I do sell my origami creations.  I enjoy and wish to do more consulting and special projects: TV, films, advertising, concerts and stage decorations.  If you have "seen something somewhere" and want it -  you can email me.   Traditional designs are easily folded and available.   Specific folding or designs from other origamists are not available without the folders permission.   In these case I will always consult the artist for permission and advise a client -- before  continuing to take the order and commence folding.        I do not have a diagrams or models section here at my site. Though  I do invent some of my own folded designs and adapt models,  there are many excellent sites and books for those looking for diagrams or instructions.   I have been known to help find a model or diagram or refer someone to a site when they are desperate for that model of a snail or dragon etc.   Please check my Books  or    Folds For Fun pages for links.           I hope to add my voice to those who also enjoy this art form, to encourage more people to try their hand at folding, and to bring visibility to the  benefits of folding for fun , and  the benefits of origami when used in education & therapy.                                                                                                                   Origami Designs