Since origami is such a portable art, I need only some paper and my hands to make something.
But whenever I travel, either near or far away, I always carry with me a small tool bag. The tools in this bag often come in handy allowing me the opportunity to realize spontaneous creative ideas.
Here is a list of the tools in my bag:
- color pens
- a paper cutter – “Envelopener” (yellow rectangle in the photo)
- an inkless pen (for scoring paper)
- a pencil (with a metallic holder to attach it to my blouse)
- an eraser
- scissors ( I’m not a folding fudamentalist!)
- a stick of glue
- an exacto knife
- a bamboo flat and pointy folder (great for creasing, getting into small corners, and pointing when teaching. Now available here!)
- a small square
- miniature pliers (To fold wire for occasional origami-earings making)
- removable tape
- a small hole punch (Read here where I found it!)
- tweezers
- tooth pick and skewer
- mini clothes pins
- clips
- needle and thread
I’m just now preparing to travel to Bellevue WA, near Seatle, to attend the Pacific Coast Origami Convention 2011 -also known as PCOC, and I’ll be sure to have my trusty set of tools along for the ride.
Remember: If you are flying, be sure to bring the pointy tools in the check in luggage!
What creative tools do you carry when traveling?
Hi Leyla,
I would really like to get a bamboo folding tool but I can’t seem to access the page on your website. It just says page not found. Have you stopped selling them now? It’s quite hard to find things that are non-standard when it comes to origami in the UK. *sad face*
Yours,
Jo
Hi Jo, the tools are out of stock, but we are working hard to bring them back. I’ll let you know when they become available again!
were can I get the envelopener
Origami USA sells the envelopener http://origamiusa.org/catalog/miscellanous/cutters
Leyla,
What brand of color pens do you use?
Hi Margaret,
The brand name of the pens I use is STAEDTLER. I love them. Their point is very fine, and the colors are vibrant, but do not bleed through the page. I use them daily on my journal. Another advantage is that if you forget to put their cap, they won’t dry out.
Here I place a link to Amazon (affiliate).
Hey.. well I won’t be making it to PCOC.. but have fun! Hmm.. I usually carry in my tool kit, my scissors, bone folder and most importantly my paper cutter. I haven’t reached the projects that really would need as much tools yet. But I definitely noticed that some of my friends/fellow folders have interesting tools such as a ‘unusable’ pen with a cap, and a little water spray bottle, among other tools.
-Linda
I use a ‘half-unfolded’ paper clip to get into the corners – but I like your bamboo tool! Where do I find one fo those (without going to China or Malaysia…LOL)?
;))
Great List!
I will be with you and all the other folders in an “Origami Spirit.”
Have fun!
Best wishes,
Rosemary
Thanks for this list, Leyla! Great items – I need to get some of those in my arsenal. I like to use a steel crochet hook (2.1 mm) for scoring paper and getting in small spaces – the tip is not as sharp as some empty pens so it is easier for me to make smooth scorings (I don’t think that is a word :)) and to not accidentally poke holes in the paper. I haven’t used it much yet but those miniature pliers are better than tweezers for lots of things.
Have fun at PCOC!