About
I folded my first origami paper crane in second grade after reading the story of Sadako and the 1,000 Paper Cranes for a class assignment. It is a story that many of us read as children, but we often forget the message that is desperately tries to tell as we get older… A story of hibakusha suffering, Sadako’s story has become one urging peace and understanding from the level of those on the ground.
I attended a program in Hiroshima (Hiroshima and Peace 2009) and the stories I heard and the people I met have had a profound effect on me. I started brainstorming how I could contribute to the project of peace. So in my spare time, I began to fold little cranes that I can send on each anniversary of the bombing. Origami is so simple and yet the message is so powerful. When people see a paper crane, they immediately stop and remember Sadako's story.
Since this initial project, my origami journey continued and it branched into all kinds of directions. I opened a small shop on Etsy to try and sell my origami jewelry creations. After little success, I tried my hand at folding origami paper dolls and bookmarks. My hope is that I can continually create and bring the joy of simple paper folding to others around the world!
The Story of a Girl...
So you know a little about why I like to fold paper, but relatively little about the girl who hides behind the mask (or in this case, the online tag?). My name is Christina and I am pursuing my PhD in Art History. I am a Philadelphia, PA native stuck in California. I have one loving partner whom we shall call "J." on this blog, and three lovely "children" named Ame the cat, Sushi the newt, and Miso the gecko. Yes, I really did name all of my pets after Japanese food.
I have always wanted to be an artist, but my father always discouraged me from the profession as a whole. I think he had this notion of a "starving artist" so permanently imprinted on his brain, that he couldn't see me as anything other than insane for wanting that kind of lifestyle. So, I am a starving graduate student instead! Of all of my job responsibities, I enjoy teaching the most because I have a chance to connect with others and sculpt impressionable minds. It is truly a joy and I am blessed for having these wonderful opportunities. My focus is Japanese art, and I have been studying the language for the better part of 7 years now.
If you stick around long enough, I am sure that you will learn all sorts of tidbits about me and about my craft of choice. But if you are tired of waiting, why not check out my favorite posts of all time?
Christina's "Best Of"
- My Love Affair with Paper (5/2/2010)
- Handmade Street Smarts: To Blog or Not to Blog? (4/15/2010)
- Origami Font Fun! Free for Download (3/20/2010)
- Tutorial: Fourteen-Point Star (3/5/2010)
- Tutorial: Lucky Stars (9/21/2009)
Press
- Interview in LOC Design Studio
- Featured Zibbeter on Zibbet.com
- Ichigo Doll featured in Etsy's Storque on Hina Matsuri
- Interview & Giveaway in Serendipity Handmade
- Interview in NiftyKnits
Community
If you have seen me or my dolls around, chances are it was at one of the many communities I belong to! They are all filled with wonderful people and if you enjoy crafting or just love handmade, you will find yourself in wonderful company at these forums. Stop by and tell them "UmeOrigami" sent you!
