The nested lid and receptacle of a traditional origami Masu box is functionally compact, but I often find the snug fitted design difficult to open.
I allayed the shortcomings of my rather deft-less fingers by inserting a strip of card into the box. This heightens the lid and creates room for gripping.
I also experimented with knotting loops on the top and bottom of the boxes, enabling me to pull them apart like Christmas crackers. This would work well with a box made out of sturdy card stock, for a gift that can handle being bounced around 🙂
Click here for a good tutorial on making the base of your origami box and then click here for instructions on how to create its lid.
Depending on the size of the paper squares you start out with, these boxes can go as big or as small as you need them.
I’ve just tried this – using newspaper scrap as a trial. (Would have hated to try it on ‘good’ paper and then made a mess -> waste!).
I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it (eventually) was. I had to try and understand what all the instructions exactly meant first, but once I got the groove, it was easy-peasy.
A 6X6 inch paper gives you a box that’s roughly 2×2 inches all round. If my maths is right, 12×12 inch paper will give you a box with 4×4 dimensions. Not bad all round. A rather decent size.
Thank you Sal :). I love it and will definitely use it! Keep these awesome ideas coming….. xxx