Check out these Recycled Security Envelope Flowers made by Joey Ramone. He uses a traditional Japanese Kusudama flower technique using recycled envelopes. Very fun and what a wonderful combination!
I made these flowers using 2-inch paper squares (each flower needs five squares) cut from security envelopes (the sort which you tend to get bills and stuff in from companies, and it has a pattern printed on the inside, usually in blue or grey). I used this wonderful tutorial from Folding Trees: foldingtrees.com/2008/11/kusudama-tutorial-part-1/
They’re so easy to make and I think they’re really effective!
These Kusudama flowers would not qualify as origami because they are made with cuts and glue. Techniques using cuts and glue are categorized as kirigami which is an origami variation. Kirigami is made out of single piece of paper.
These assorted flowers are displayed wonderfully. I like the paper that is they are featured on. The interior and exterior shadows on the flowers are also interesting. I wonder how they would look backlit?
Do you notice that the flower pedals are two layers thick? Did you notice how there is a sliver of red pattern around the outsides of the pedals? Can you see through the white parts of the envelope to the subtle patterns beneath?
Bonus points for anyone who can find a picture of this original red envelope! I find this one very interesting because there was obviously some sort of advertising or instructions on the envelope. This text becomes completely illegible in the flower and adds a element of flair.