we’ve been wanting to make a mobile for a long time, but it always seemed a little intimidating. what gauge wire should we use? how will we get it to balance? finally we decided to try making one with some supplies we had on hand: floral wire and origami papers. floral wire is great because it comes in pre-cut lengths and is super easy to bend. the origami paper is light and every piece tends to weigh pretty much the same, which made assembling this goldfish themed mobile a snap. click here for the full instructions or just click “read more” below.
have fun!
derek & lauren
Origami Mobile
here’s what you’ll need:
-6 pieces of origami paper in corresponding colors and patterns
-scissors
-double-stick tape
-sewing needle
-thread
-3 pieces of 18″ fabric covered floral wire
-needle-nose pliers
1. following these instructions (or this video), fold 6 origami goldfish (or whatever motif you want!) use double-sided tape to close the bottom. try to use pieces of paper that are around the same size, so that the weight will be evenly distributed when you hang them.
2. cut 6 pieces of thread that measure 12-18 inches long. thread your needle and tie one end to the top of each fish. set aside.
3. using your needle-nose pliers, bend one piece of floral wire in half and wrap around the tip of your pliers, creating a circle. carefully bend a small loop at each end.
4. cut the remaining two pieces of floral wire in half using the cutter at the base of your pliers, and discard one of the four pieces. repeat step 3, creating three loops on each of the three pieces of wire.
5. attach a piece of thread to the center loop of the large piece of wire and suspend (from a tack on the wall or in the ceiling, from a light fixture, etc.) so you can make sure the mobile is balanced as you assemble it.
6. tie three pieces of thread to the loops on the long piece of wire, and attach all three short pieces through their center loops.
7. attach the origami goldfish to the 6 loops, adjusting the length of your thread and trimming off any excess. if the mobile doesn’t balance, you can add a little weight to some of the fish by slipping tiny pieces of tape or paper in between the folds until it hangs just right.
