Beyond the Paper Crane

By now, provided you’re one of the millions of folks worldwide who observe the odd tradition of hauling a freshly hewn tree into your home for the holidays, you’ve probably already begun to ruminate on the subject of decorating that tree. If you’re the neighbor who yearly sets out to shame the others with that plum and gold, shimmering ball-festooned edifice sprouting with pheasant feathers in the window where every passerby can see it, you might have overlooked today’s featured item. If, however, you can appreciate a more organic, sensible approach, you might consider origami ornaments this year. You heard right. Origami, a lost art, has returned in time for the holidays, courtesy of Suanne of Paper Affection. Employing the elegant movements of such styles as Magenta Arabesque and Lime Star Petite, while also building with more traditional boxy shapes such as Blue Modular Petite, Suanne demonstrates the many possibilities of this art form as yuletide décor and awakens us all to an old/new design paradigm.

If the ornaments are unique and fresh, however, the earrings that Suanne manages to produce are downright striking. Since origami is essentially papercraft, it’s expected that these earrings would have a delicate, almost weightless bearing to them. Even so, the precision and inspiration of the Aqua Brocade Earrings, Blue and Green Flipped Cubes, Origami Cherry Earrings and so many others in this collection prove that Paper Affection’s catalog is as long on substance as it is short on wasted material. And say this much about origami accessories: You will never lack for a conversation piece with such a lovely conception dangling from your lobes. Finally, to encourage us even more to explore the boundaries of this ancient Asian tradition both in our fashions and by our firesides, Suanne is offering a very special giveaway: The winner will receive a generous $25 Paper Affection Gift Certificate, good toward the purchase of any item in the store. To qualify, visit Paper Affection, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 12/16/08.

**We have a winner! Crystal said, "Awwww, How sweet the Winged Heart Necklace is...Love it:)"**