Origami Bowl

Of course I love Origami as a art and as an activity but I'd never seen any origami with a practical use until today.  It's a very simple to make bowl.  It only takes a few seconds, it's easy to remember and it's very useful.  It seemed so useful I had to have my friend teach me and so I pass it on to you.

Step 0:

You need a piece of paper and it must be rectangular.  A square piece of paper will not work.  In fact it's best if you have a normal 8 1/2 by 11 or A4 piece of paper.  I used a two colored piece to hopefully make it easier to see how I'm folding but a regular piece of normal paper works just fine.

Step 1:

Fold it in half

 
Step 2:

Fold it in half again

Step 3:

Unfold it once then fold the corner in and match it up to the center.

 
Step 4:

Fold the opposite corner similarly

Step 5:

Open the previous fold and turn it inside out

 
 
 
Step 6:

Do the same for the other side/fold as well

Step 7:

Notice in the picture on the right the blue area at the bottom. The middle is separated. If yours looks like that you need to flip over the sides so only white is showing, so there is no separation at the bottom.

 
 
 
 
 
Step 8:

Now fold one of edges over to the center.

 
Step 9:

Do the same for the opposite edge and the 2 edges on the other side.

 
Step 10:

Now, the blue part (end part), fold it over in 3rds

1/3
The next 3rd should line up with the white (the bottom of the other folds)
Then fold the whole thing over the white part (over the other folds) and press it good and hard.
Step 11:

Do the same for the opposite side

Step 12:

Fold the bottom point up.  This fold is only to make a crease.

 
press it good and hard to make a good crease
Step 13:

Now open the bowl

 
 
FINSHED!!!

Put something in it. It's great for parties or for handing out some chips, crackers, nuts etc at the office or whatever.  My friend that taught me would get a bag of crackers, whip out 3 or 4 of these boxes and then pass them out with crackers in them.  Better than just piling them on a napkin don't you think?


All images not copyright me copyright their respective companies. Everything else copyright me.
Comments: 1 [2][3][4][5]...[6]

Kick Ass [ e ]

Very useful!  Thanks, Gregg!

posted by BionicRoachNovember 15, 2003 at 13:51

[ e ]

Normal people uses bowls :P but this is a pratical soloution so why not, and its not exactly that you have to clean the paper bowl. Would have to try this someday...

//Kristofer/sweden

posted by ZehgernanNovember 15, 2003 at 21:22

[ e ]

Nice photo essay! You could be a graphic designer if you wanted to! (I think that pays even worse than game programmer, though!)

My Taiwanese-American wife's family makes these out of junk mail or old newspapers and uses them as table-top waste baskets (like to put shells in when we're eating nuts.) You can make a whole bunch ahead of time -- only don't unfold them into the final box form until you need to use them.

posted by JoeSurferNovember 16, 2003 at 2:19

hola [ e ]

la raja a wea de tasa... xD

posted by AgueonaoNovember 17, 2003 at 11:00

[ e ]

QUE CRESTA ES ESTA WEA?....VALE CALLLAMPA!

posted by nitroNovember 17, 2003 at 21:27

esto es mejor [ e ]

la guea que ponen por que mejor no hacen una guea pa poner los papeles cagaos mejor

posted by jorgechamorroneiraNovember 18, 2003 at 14:02

caja de paper [ e ]

Hey! My mom makes a lot of the papar bowls for table-top waste basket! By the way, your pics are very nice taken!

posted by TwgirlNovember 18, 2003 at 18:44

Ke es eso????!!!! [ e ]

Es pa' echar la caga???!!!!!!!!

posted by panchochileNovember 18, 2003 at 21:57

mejor sirve pa una broma [ e ]

pinche caja mejor usenl para hacer una broma, le metes mierda ya sea tuya o de algun perro, lo envuelves en papel de regalo, y se lo das a algun familiar en su cumpleaños

posted by desmadreNovember 20, 2003 at 3:47

muy util [ e ]

oigan la mamada esta no esta tan mal , en buen plan puede servir para cuando alguien quiera comer cereal y no aya platos limpios pueden usarla , tambien cabe recalcar q las fotos estan muy bien tomada , felicidades greg

posted by gsutavoNovember 20, 2003 at 12:40

[ e ]

Me gustaría que agregaras mas figuras, me parece interesante sobre todo para enseñarselos a los nitetos. Gracias.

posted by prfejiraNovember 23, 2003 at 8:34

eeee [ e ]

shuenla con mayo monton de huecos y wea

posted by anonymouszDecember 3, 2003 at 16:29

Anime stuff [ e ]

moved to the forum

posted by ZehgernanDecember 6, 2003 at 20:28

Tried and failed [ e ]

You lost me between the two last images in step 5.. Can you give some additional information or are my origami skills just too bad? :)

posted by cactusFebruary 19, 2004 at 14:29

[ e ]

great! wonderful! but just the one item...how about a few more...please?

posted by walsh92663February 22, 2004 at 21:01

Cuanta gente tonta que hay en la Web !! [ e ]

Greg no hagas caso de los comentarios de gente tonta que anda por la Web y nada más le gusta decir groserías !!

Buena forma de explicar algo sencillo y complicado a la vez !! Agrega más !! No te desanimes !!

posted by Eduar2February 23, 2004 at 19:34

LA ZORRA LA WEA DE CAJA [ e ]

wea util, es hermosa la wea de taza. super mistica y la wea (origami)...
buena greg y gracias. ahora tenemos donde poner... mmm cualquier wea.

posted by arkengelkahlgaFebruary 23, 2004 at 19:36

If you want more origami [ e ]

try

Joseph Wu's Origami Page

Origami

paperfolding.com

Google

I only posted the one above because it was functional origami vs most origami that is made for art.  And the only other reason I posted it was because I couldn't find a website that had instructions for it already

posted by greggmanFebruary 23, 2004 at 21:59

[ e ]

thanks greggman. great to delve into other cultures now and again. your site keeps me interested in learning more about japan. even started going to mitsuwa in costa mesa. shop and eat there about 2x a week now. thanks again.

posted by walsh92663February 28, 2004 at 14:38

Origami Mom [ e ]

Gregg ... I just have to tell you I finally moved past your useful origami box to other forms.  Folding origami forms has been on my list of things to try for several years ... just for fun and relaxation.  Last month Jon and I visited The Morikami Gardens and Museum in Del Ray Beach, FL (which is the second time we've been there) and in the gift shop low and behold there was a kit of paper and instructions.

I use this practice for calming my mind and it works since it takes all my concentration to get the folds right.  I'll have to admit sometimes there is a bit of frustration, but I eventually get it right.

So far I have made a box and lid, a balloon, a blossom, a  pinwheel, a  penguin, a samorai helmet, a lantern and a cecada.

posted by MomApril 11, 2004 at 15:17

Nice! [ e ]

I have got into origami only in the past year, but since then have excelled at it. I am only a teen, but it still interests me. This design I have not seen before, and it is very simple, yet effective. Thanks 4 putting it up!

posted by Kat007June 28, 2004 at 13:07

SO CUTE! [ e ]

WHY DON'T YOU SHOW MAKING ORIGAMI ON THE STREAMING?

I FOUND IT INTERESTING, THAT WE JAPANESE MAKE RATHER A TINY ORIGAMI BOX,
BUT YOUR ORIGAMI BOX IS SO HUGE!(笑)

IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU ON THE BLOG DINNER
http://drikin.com/blogentry.
2004-10-07.4570517720

HOPE TO SEE YOU IN THE NEXT BLOG DINNER!

posted by NISHIMAKIOctober 12, 2004 at 11:40

very nice [ e ]

Congratulations for this simple model and instructions but there are a lot of usefull things you can make with origami. Take a look at Tomoko Fuse boxes in my website in a step-by-step instructions layout.

posted by fermentoNovember 18, 2004 at 13:32

did not know [ e ]

dear someone just ot let you know I got stuck on step six... I did not know how to do it..........................
...??????????????????? BE MORE SPECIFIC

posted by JenniferJanuary 22, 2005 at 16:08

hfhfjhsdjkhkf [ e ]

be spefic

posted by JenniferJanuary 22, 2005 at 16:10

cute [ e ]

I think it is a cute idea and all I just cna't DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by JenniferJanuary 22, 2005 at 16:11

[ e ]

Step 6 is the same as step 5, just turn the whole thing over and do the other side.

posted by greggmanJanuary 22, 2005 at 17:15

kool [ e ]

i think it is kool

posted by jasonFebruary 13, 2005 at 18:35

So Neet [ e ]

I followed ur pictorial, and it wuz so neet!  If u have any other's I sur would like 2 c them and learn.

posted by WilpoFebruary 14, 2005 at 10:49

Nice chips! [ e ]

OK, Ok, I know the point here is the origami...  But where'd you get those chips?  Look like real, thick, non-artificially-flavored potato chips!  (ala Cape-cod Chips)  Am I wrong?  Are those Japanese, or imported?

posted by LanceFebruary 19, 2005 at 20:21

Too Hard [ e ]

 Hey, that bowl was cool and all, but you need to be more specific in your directions and your pictures don't really help either. I got lost on Step #5. Too Confusing!

BE MORE SPECIFIC!

posted by CaitlynMarch 11, 2005 at 8:16

it is brilliant [ e ]

wow that is fantastic you should have more stuff

posted by jamiefoxMarch 18, 2005 at 5:02

it was quick [ e ]

i made it in about 2 minutes everyone should try go on you have nothing to lose

posted by jamiefoxMarch 18, 2005 at 5:06

[ e ]

hi chris origami is cool me and chris make it all the time

posted by jamiefoxMarch 18, 2005 at 5:14

ok [ e ]

It way ok but I Got kinda got lost on the last few more deitle

posted by alkdjflkaMarch 22, 2005 at 22:53

canu hide ur stash in it [ e ]

Can u hide ur porn or ur drugs in it???

posted by NipplemanMarch 23, 2005 at 8:10

[ e ]

loved it. this was one of the best sets of origami instructions i've come across on the internet. i think you might have confused some people, though, because your instructions may be too detailed!

posted by meMarch 28, 2005 at 1:09

[ e ]

Thanks! My (can't say the name) party mix is great in it for the office!! It only took a few seconds too!

posted by JenniferMay 10, 2005 at 11:22

step 5 [ e ]

step 5 was to confusing

posted by joshkMay 12, 2005 at 17:23

Origami [ e ]

Hey, I can make loads of things in origami. A aeoplane, a lilly, a tulip, a boat, 3 boxes (including this one), swan, a crane, a star, a vase, a shirt and many more, this is a gud origami site. Thanks

posted by AnnaJune 3, 2005 at 11:58

Amazing and easy [ e ]

I love this origami bowl. It's useful, fun, and easy to fold. you're very descriptive and the pictures should help beginners.

Even though I'm an expert, each step should be easy for beginners. Just make some guesses of folds. Step five and six ar pretty easy even for beginners. just take your time. You've got plenty of it.

So in the end if you don't end up with what you want try again.

posted by JohnMichaelJune 4, 2005 at 21:20

[ e ]

i made the box and it turned out messy. other then that, it was great!!!!!!

posted by emmaJune 7, 2005 at 3:41

good enough 4 a skool project! [ e ]

i am using this 4 a tpot 4 a skool project i am doing on japan! greg! thnx sew much 4 the info on how 2 make it !

posted by emmaagainJune 7, 2005 at 3:58

Is a good option [ e ]

This is a good option for parties and for any other activities that we need something to serve snacks

posted by rousJuly 7, 2005 at 16:03

box [ e ]

I make about 20 or so of these but i moutain fold the sides in,and they then can store flat in one of the open boxs upright.

I have snapped off the cover of a cd case and its lugs and i use this underneath an open box so it does not stick to the worktop and we use them for used tea bags and other bits.fluff out of drier and crumbs off the worktop.when I need another i just have to pull one out of the box and pull it open.

If you need one thats water tight i use tracing paper ideal for a water bowl when out with dog.

other uses I have found is on the dash of my wagon for all my bits and bats.

the instructions are clear,very easy to follow.

Thanks again.

posted by zchussJuly 18, 2005 at 22:23

box ammendment [ e ]

sorry I mountain fold the base into the box this forms a small rectangle very easy to store 20 or so then into one of the ready box's

posted by zchussJuly 18, 2005 at 22:26

Many thanks! [ e ]

I have just moved and waiting for my stuff to arrive .. obviously on a tight budget.. and found your site!  Great tips! and sth to do when I am fed up with the cleaning..

posted by MJuly 30, 2005 at 17:15

yeah [ e ]

yeeearrr...i'm too cheap and lazy to buy a decent bowl, so i looked up "origami bowl" and made one of my own.  thanks friend.

posted by anonymoussssssOctober 1, 2005 at 21:23