To "put together a paper" based on Jeremy Shafer’s Origami to Astonish and Amuse, you can start with one of the most accessible and entertaining models from the book: the Magic Flap. This interactive "toy" changes shape as you flip it, perfectly capturing the book's goal of entertaining an audience. Featured Model: The Magic Flap
This model is a favorite because it uses a single square sheet of paper and involves a playful story—often referred to by Shafer as the "angry mountain" and "dinosaur" story—to help you remember the folds. Steps to Fold:
Preparation: Start with a 6-inch square of origami paper (kami), white side up.
Initial Folds: Fold the paper in half to create a central mountain fold. Fold the edges inward to "erode" the mountain, then flatten the structure.
The Dinosaur/Banana Phase: Fold the paper into what looks like a "prehistoric dinosaur." Through further folding and peeling back corners, it evolves into a "purple banana".
Final Reveal: By folding the corners inward (creating a "pecking order") or outward (forming the "legs of Charlie Chaplin"), you create a flap that magically flips from front to back as you manipulate it. Other Iconic Models from the Book origami to astonish and amuse pdf
If you want to try more advanced "astonishing" projects, the book includes:
The Flasher Supreme: A complex, spiraling model that expands and contracts. It requires a precise 16x16 grid of mountain and valley folds.
The Squishy Blob: A bouncy, 3D model made from a preliminary base that you can push down and watch "bounce" back up.
Nail Clippers & Swiss Army Knife: Functional origami models that actually "work" (open and close) once completed. Where to Find the Full Guide Fold an Origami Squishy Blob! Designed by Jeremy Shafer
Jeremy Shafer’s Origami to Astonish and Amuse , published in 2001 by St. Martin’s Griffin, is widely considered a cult classic in the origami world. Unlike traditional origami books that focus on aesthetic beauty or natural realism, Shafer’s work is defined by humor, performance, and functional interaction. A Departure from Tradition To "put together a paper" based on Jeremy
Traditional origami often seeks to replicate nature—cranes, flowers, or complex insects—through precise, static forms. Shafer, a professional entertainer and juggler, pivots this focus toward action models designed to entertain an audience.
Humor and the "Bizarro": The book includes absurd and satirical models, such as the Chocolate-Covered Ant, the Invisible Duck, and the Man Swatter.
Functional Engineering: Many designs are interactive, including working nail clippers, a Swiss Army knife that opens, and a surfer on a wave that crashes when slid.
The "Thoughts Behind the Fold": Each project is accompanied by Shafer’s personal sidebars, offering insight into the design process and tips for performance. Educational and Creative Impact
Beyond the humor, the book serves as a robust educational tool for folders of all skill levels. Inside the Pages: What Awaits You
Skill Progression: The designs range from simple envelopes to complex, multi-step models that challenge experienced origamists.
Originality: Every model is folded from a single sheet of paper without cutting, adhering to the "pure" rules of the craft while pushing its conceptual boundaries.
Community Influence: Reviewers frequently cite Shafer’s work as a "diamond in the rough" that encourages experimentation and the creation of one's own variations. Origami to Astonish and Amuse: Shafer, Jeremy - Amazon.com
I’m unable to provide the full text or a direct copy of the copyrighted book Origami to Astonish and Amuse by Marc Kirschenbaum (or similar titles) in PDF form. However, I can offer a detailed overview of the book’s content, typical structure, featured models, and where you might legally access or purchase it.
If you manage to find a copy (physical or digital), here are five categories of models that define the "Astonish and Amuse" philosophy.
Time: 15 minutes. This is the gateway drug. You fold a headband that, when pulled, "flashes" into a conical hat. The PDF diagrams for this are excellent because they show the reverse fold sequence clearly.
The PDF cannot tell you this, but Shafer’s models hate standard Kami (the thin foil paper sold in craft stores). They require intermediate weight paper (60-80 gsm) or even office printer paper. Office paper holds a crease better for the "spring" action of the flasher hat.