Ian Buckley : November 2012

The 3D workshop was great. I learned various techniques such as how to plait, cutting paper technique and a folding technique.

examples of my experimentation with plaiting. The plaits at the bottom being my first attempts and the plait at the top being my last attempt so far.

These were my attempts at figuring out the plaiting system. I have come to the conclusion that the best amount of straws to plait with is a prime number as it allows you to alternate between "skipping 2 straws" and skipping any other amount of straws as long as it doesn't pass the halfway point of the number of straws.

Why Prime numbers? Its simple when using a prime number for the plating system of "for example" whether it be (Skip 2 straws go to the straw one back and repeat.) or (Skip 3 straws go to the straw one back and repeat.) or (Skip 4....) you will never end up with not using all the straws. However if you have 9 straw. 9 not being a prime number we open the risk of not being able to use all the straws depending on the folding pattern. "For example" (9 straws skip 3 and go one straw back) If one where to try this pattern one would end up only using 3 straws in the pattern. As the number is a multiple of 9 because of this it is only numbers that are not multiple should be used to make plaiting patterns.

This is a strip of paper folded together i really like the effect. There was a noteable process of the folding process that involved scraping the back of the paper with the dull end of a scalpel to make the paper easier to fold.

Something also to note the making of the paper strips seems to be preety tedious.

So make a gride of all the strips you want to have before cutting and strengthen the folds. Then cut them all. If they are all side by side it would be faster then messurig them all individually.

This was an interesting cut in the paper made by a 4 headed scissors

The folding techniques inspired me to experiment around witht the process and changing the different shapes used up in it. \This pieces was made up of individualy folded strips. To me looks like a king

My next aim was to try to replicate what i did with the king pieces without having to resort to segments stuck together.

This was the template. While examing the various different way to fold the paper numerous shapes reveiled themselves such as that as a fish.

When folding together. I forced one of the dimond shapes inward and it tore. It was no problem as i was able to fold it inwards and glue the sides together.