Silver & Fold

Remember that one time in 4^th grade art when you first learned about origami, and you made a kickass flower from a single piece of construction paper?! Or that time at camp when you perfected the beloved “fortune teller” (or as we so eloquently called them: “cootie catchers”) to divine the future husbands or your friends?!  There was nothing more empowering than showing that piece of paper who was boss…and nothing more annoying than seeing your creative genius being crushed in your backpack by the rogue edges of a trapperkeeper.

As a would-be origami enthusiast, the frailty of the medium has always been a thorn in my side. How can I love it so much when I know that I can’t keep it forever? As usual, the solution to my conundrum came in the form of jewelry.

Origami Bijou, by designer, author and paper-folding diva Cindy Ng, takes three of my favorite things (origami, sparkly baubles, and permanency) and reconciles them into eye-catching wearable pieces of fabulousness.

[all images from Origami Bijou]

For the past four years, Ng has been creating pendants and earrings from 99.9% pure silver. Each charm is made from a single sheet of fine silver and fashioned using origami folding techniques. 

 

There are critters like the complex “Crane” ($110 USD)...

 

dood-dads like “The Fortune Cookie” ($60 USD)...

and botanical-inspired pieces like my personal favorite “The Lotus“($60 USD).

For a little extra loot, Origami Bijou has 24K gold fusion charms that are made using the same techniques that samurais used to embellish their armor.

What makes me totally enamored with these pieces is their understated glamour. It’s truly unique jewelry that’s heavy on style without overpowering an outfit or running the risk of causing scoliosis.

Now if I can just find someone who’ll do bronze-cast etchings of my sketches from kindergarten, all will be right with the world!



Comments

[the sassy kathy]

oh my gosh i love these!!!