Rubber Origami

Simple instructions to make origami a little more permanent. This project will teach you how to create rubber coated origami crane ornaments.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Originally, I made these as ornaments for my sad little Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

Recently I have become some what addicted to dipping things in Plasti Dip www.plastidip.com. The stuff is originally intended to create rubber tool handles. But you'd be surprised how much fun it is to play with.

Materials
- Printer Paper 5 inch by 5 inch
- thin gauge wire
- Plasti Dip
- scrap piece of wood, about two feet long
- ribbon or string

Tools
- wire cutters
- 2 spring clamps

Step 2: Fold an Origami Crane

I'm assuming you know how to make a simple origami crane (don't worry, it's not too difficult). I used this site to learn how www.sadako.com/fold/folding.html.

I started with 5 inch by 5 inch plain white printer paper. Anywhere from 4 to 6 inch paper squares should get the job done.

I recommend folding 5 cranes to start.

Step 3: Cutting the Wire

Cut some thin gauge wire into about 5 to 8 inch lengths (it doesn't have to be exact). I used 19 gauge stainless steel wire. I recommend a thinner gauge; it will be easier on your fingers. Cut the wire at an angle, creating a sharp point.

Step 4: Forming and Setting the Wire

Bend the dull end of the wire into a short "J".

Poke the sharp end of the wire through the bottom of the crane and pierce the back.

Fish the wire all the way through, setting the "J" in the hind quarters of the crane.

Make sure the wire is secure. Pinch the wire if you need to.

Step 5: Dip the Crane

This is the fun part. Take the crane by the wire end, and fully submerge it into the can of Plasti Dip. Make sure about an inch of the wire is covered as well.

I'm using a gallon can of Plasti Dip. If you are using a smaller sized can and your crane's wingspan is too wide, you can pour the Plasti Dip into an empty coffee can (or something similar). You may also need a tool to help fully submerge the crane into the Plasti Dip. I used a plastic knife.

Slowly pull the crane out of the dip and let the excess rubber drip off.

Step 6: Hang Them Up to Dry

I attached two spring clamps to a scrap piece of wood, and stacked them on two coffee cans. I then hung each dipped crane to the scrap wood to let them dry. Only handle the cranes by the un-dipped wire.

It takes about 30 minutes to dry.

Step 7: Re-Dipping

I dipped each crane about two or three times, letting them dry 30 minutes between each dipping.

Step 8: Clipping and Forming the Wire

After the crane is completely dry, clip the wire down so that only about an inch is sticking out of the crane's back (hopefully it is all covered in Plasti Dip). Then loop the wire into a hook.

Step 9: Tie a Ribbon

Cut a length of ribbon or string, about 6 to 7 inches in length. Loop the ribbon through the wire hook and tie the ribbon ends to each other.

You're done. All that's left is to hang it on the tree and get Snoopy and kids to sing around it.

Plasti Dip comes in many colors, and you could also use some fancy origami paper and use clear Plati Dip. The paper will show through the clear rubber.

I think a mobile of different sized and colored cranes is next.