Buy Origami Architectural Cards

What Are Origami Architectural Cards?

An origami architectural card is similar in design to a pop-up card. However, while pop-up cards are typically designed by attaching cut and folded pieces of paper to a card, origamic architecture is created by cutting and folding the card itself. All three-dimensional effects are achieved through careful manipulation of sections of paper to create the design. While many designers enjoy recreating famous buildings and monuments in paper form, the use of the word "architecture" can be misleading. Origamic architecture can depict everything from flowers to Santa Claus.

Where to Buy Origami Architectural Cards

Evermore Design

Evermore Design offers an extensive selection of origami cards. A few of the available designs include:

• The Empire State Building
• Lloyd's of London
• Casa Vicens Paper Sculpture
• Winterscene
• Colosseum
• Taj Mahal
• Arc de Triomphe

Hilltop Studios

Hilltop Studios offer origami cards for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and weddings. The site also includes cards expressing thanks, congratulations, and friendship. Can't find what you're looking for? Order a custom design.

Live Your Dream Designs

Live Your Dream Designs sells themed collections of origami architectural cards. Just a few of the assortments include:

• Los Angeles Architecture with the Hollywood Bowl, Concert Hall, La Minitura by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Capitol Records Tower, Griffith Observatory, and Los Angeles International Airport.
• San Francisco Architecture with the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Ferry Building, a cable car, the Conservatory of Flowers, and California wine country.
• Washington, D.C. Architecture with the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, Georgetown, and the Lincoln Memorial.
• Designs for Christmas and Jewish holidays.

AG Industries, Inc.

While AG Industries, Inc. focuses primarily on Whitewings gliders, the company also sells some origamic architecture. The one available design is the Golden Gate Bridge. The Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty are currently listed as out of stock with no indication whether more will become available.

Brick-and-Mortar Stores

You may have to search a bit to find origami cards in brick-and-mortar stores. You'll be most likely to find them in stores with an artistic flair or specialty stationary stores. A few possible sources include museum gift shops, galleries, and boutiques.

Additional Resources

At some point you may grow tired of always needing to buy origami architectural cards and decide to try your hand at making your own. The following books and websites will prove useful:

• 3D Pop Up Greeting Cards by Keiko Nakazawa introduces the basics of this unique form of origami.
• Pop-Up Origamic Architecture by Masahiro Chatani is an out-of-print resource that you may be able to find at a library or used bookstore.
• origami.no contains a gallery of origamic architecture and a brief explanation of the art.
• The site of origami architecture artist Ingrid Siliakus includes examples of creations, lists of resources, and links to galleries selling her work.
• The International Pop-up Gallery features a combination of traditional pop-up constructions and origamic architecture from around the world.
• Jagoda's Origamic Architecture includes a gallery of cards created by the site owner.
• Virtual Gallery of Origamic Architecture is another site with a gallery of completed projects.
• Marivi's Heraldry teaches origamic architecture enthusiasts how to create a coat of arms.
• Willem's Origamic Architecture features an extensive collection of patterns, with buildings from across Europe and Asia and an assortment of holiday-themed designs.

Whether you are just looking to buy origami architectural cards or are interested in learning the technique to create your own paper masterpieces, you are sure to enjoy this intricate and delicate art form.