Dark Horse Origami

A lot of cranes!

2012-02-12T12:56:00.000-08:00

A bunch of cranes, much hapiness, longlife, fidelity and peace!

Slideshow on Flickr

2012-01-18T03:30:00.000-08:00

Have a look through this slideshow, the pictures were taken

during a Dark Horse Origami exhibition at OBV

(Optica da Boavista, Porto 2011).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkhorseorigami/show/

Feiras Francas - Newspaper

2012-01-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

http://pt-br.facebook.com/pages/Feiras-Francas/127667583965715

The Women's Organization interview to Dark Horse Origami

2012-01-13T03:13:00.000-08:00

Last night as I was surfing the net I came upon this interview I did in 2010,
after seeking guidance with The Women's Organization when I was living in Liverpool.
Here is the link for the interview:
http://train2000.blogspot.com/2010/09/liverpool-businesswoman-gets-creative.html
Enjoy reading!

Dark Horse Origami's logo!

2012-01-12T13:08:00.001-08:00

I'm really proud to present you my logo!
The "dark horse" which as an expression represents someone with hidden talents
and the Sakura (Cherry blossoms) which is the national flower of Japan!
The art work was made by my lovely friend Susana Resende, an amazing artist.
Thank you so much Susaninha!
Please see more of her work in the following blogs:
www.susana-resende.blogspot.com
www.susana-sketches.blogspot.com
www.susana-resende.daportfolio.com

20th Edition - Feiras Francas

2012-01-12T12:55:00.001-08:00

Last 17th of December I participated in the 20th edition of Feiras Francas, a fantastic event held in Palacio das Artes in Porto. It was the best Art & Craft Event that I have been a part of in Porto. Really good artists, an amazing venue with a lovely atmosphere. We even had live jazz and lots and lots of people coming in! I was featured in their newspaper, which made me really proud! Thank you for the invitation!

Art and Craft Fair - Tane Timor

2012-01-12T11:42:00.000-08:00

During Christmas time I participated in several Art and Craft Fairs in Tane Timor, an organization that raises money to help orphans in Timor based in Porto, Portugal. It was a great experience, the other artists were a joy to be around and 20% of our sales went to the cause.

Origami Workshop at the Leaf on Bold Street

2011-03-03T02:47:00.000-08:00

Saturday 2nd April

at Leaf

65-67 Bold Street

Liverpool

L1 4EZ

Workshop 1: 12.00 - 13.00

Workshop 2: 3pm - 4pm

The workshop has a maximum of 8 people

and is suitable for beginners (over 7 years old).

£12 with all materials included

(10% discount for senior citizens, students and unemployed).

Please contact me for bookings at:

martanoris@gmail.com

0790 3238 654

New Silver Earrings

2011-03-02T10:45:00.001-08:00

Were you can find my work...

2010-10-07T02:47:00.000-07:00

Liverpool:

Tate Liverpool shop

The Olive Tree
Bluecoat Display Centre

Manchester:

No 68

Chester:

The Arc Gallery

Porto (Portugal):

Museu de Serralves - loja

Águas Furtadas

Kurikuri
Árvore
Engenho e Arte
Nove Vidas
Lisboa (Portugal):
Articula

I'm also building up a website,

which I hope will be

up and running very soon!

You can also contact me directly

if you wish to purchase any of my work:
sales@darkhorseorigami.com

Thanks!

Pure Silver Origami Lily Earrings

2010-10-07T02:42:00.001-07:00

These are my Pure silver origami lily earrings.

With them besides burnishing to a high shine

I also started experimenting

with some patina finish.

I'm really happy with the results.

Enjoy!

Pure Silver Origami Earrings

2010-10-07T02:36:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting for a very long time
to try some origami pieces with pure silver.

I'm very happy to show you the first

images of my silver origami work.

Hope you enjoy!

Peace Dove with swarovski crystals

2010-10-07T02:20:00.001-07:00

I was inspired to create these beautiful peace dove earrings

after seeing the Picasso exhibition "Peace and Freedom"

that was recently at the Tate Liverpool.

They are still beeing sold at the Tate Liverpool shop

with great success ;)

Fuschia Earrings with Swarovski crystals

2010-10-07T02:16:00.000-07:00

These intricate fuschia earrings are simply amazing.

I started selling them about 2 months ago and the

public reactions have been excellent.

I'm really pleased with them :)

Lovely Angels with sterling silver findings

2010-10-07T02:12:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Butterfly Earrings with Swarovski crystals

2010-10-07T02:09:00.000-07:00

Lovely Fan Brooches

2010-10-07T02:07:00.000-07:00

My next craft fairs...

2010-03-16T01:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday 30th of October - Art and Design Fair -

Courtyard of the Blue Coat (Liverpool)

from 11am till 5pm

Saturday 4th of December - Art and Design Fair -

LEAF - Bold Street, Liverpool

from 11am till 5pm

Saturday 11th of December - Arts and Crafts Fair -

LEAF - Bold Street, Liverpool

from 11am till 5pm

Lovely necklace and earring sets

2010-03-16T01:29:00.000-07:00

Wall hangers

2010-02-25T08:57:00.000-08:00

Japanese Dolls

2010-02-25T08:54:00.001-08:00

Silver necklaces with glass and washi paper pendants

2010-02-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

Lovely Japanese Dolls - bookmarks

2010-02-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

Beautiful handmade japanese dools used as bookmarks.

Made with japanese washi paper.

Origami Silver Bracelet

2010-02-09T04:21:00.000-08:00

Origami horses - hair grip

2010-02-09T04:20:00.001-08:00

Angel origami earrings

2010-02-09T04:17:00.000-08:00

Shikishi Frames with Japanese dolls - Wall hangers

2010-02-09T04:10:00.000-08:00

New Origami Necklaces

2010-02-09T04:06:00.001-08:00

Dark Horse Happy Customers

2009-11-16T10:55:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite customers is

a very lovely lady called Netta Dixon ;)
In one of my markets at the Old Christ Church in Waterloo

she bought two pair of origami earrings.

One for her daughter and the other for her granddaughter.

This weekend she sent me this beautiful picture

of her daughter Nancy and little Grace wearing the origami earrings.

Thank you Netta, hope to see you soon,

All the best for you and your family ;)

Lovely Lotus Flower Brooches

2009-09-21T09:31:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Double Cranes Origami Hair Grips

2009-09-21T09:29:00.001-07:00

Double Heart Origami Brooches

2009-09-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

Lotus Flower Diamond Earrings

2009-09-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Flower Bud Earrings

2009-09-21T09:19:00.001-07:00

handm@de

2009-08-30T10:03:00.001-07:00

www.handmadecraftfairs.co.uk/

www.ukhandmade.co.uk

2009-08-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

www.ukhandmade.co.uk

Diamond lotus flower earrings

2009-08-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

Peaceful lotus flower necklaces

2009-08-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

Lovely Lotus Flowers around your neck

2009-08-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

New necklaces with lovely butterflies

2009-08-21T09:07:00.000-07:00

Butterfly earrings and brooches

2009-07-31T07:53:00.001-07:00

Light and fluttery butterfly earrings and brooches.

The beautiful paterns of the Japanese washi paper

and the glow of the varnish

turns them into unique gifts

and a simple delight to wear.

Necklaces with butterflies

2009-07-31T07:33:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my first necklaces. A lovely butterfly colection.

Butterflies are a symbol of freedom, transformation and beauty.

They have always been loved and admired

by their light and graceful appearance.

The Gathering-The Big, Big L8 Lunch 2009

2009-07-31T07:18:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, 19th July there was on the Princes Boulevard

the best market that I have been on.

Organized by Arts in Regeneration, it was a great day to be spent outside.

A lot of people came to see the many stalls and also

to sit down with their neighbours and have a Big Big lunch ;)

Some of my new creations were on display that day

and were appreciated by all those who came for a closer look!

Dragonfly mobiles

2009-05-16T05:09:00.000-07:00

Magical place - Old Christ Church in Waterloo

2009-05-03T01:57:00.000-07:00

On the 2nd of May I participated in another market

at the Old Christ Church in Waterloo.

With new items to be sold like rings, brooches

and earrings with lotus flower.

Everyone enjoy my creations and lot of people were amazed

when I said it is all made out of paper ;)

In the first picture you can see me and my stall

and in the bottom one you can see a well pleased customer

wearing a pair of origami crane earrings

and a necklace with button knots.

This fantastic lady was my model of the day, thank you!

A big thanks also for all who gave me words of encoragement

and wished me good luck for my creative future ;)

Markets ;)

2009-05-01T07:31:00.001-07:00

Market time is always a great moment of joy for me.

It's a fantastic way to show my work and hear what people have to say.

Here are pictures from two markets, the first was taken on the 21st of March 2009

at the Old Police Station in Liverpool. The market was called the Calm Collective - Spring Celebration - Healing Day. In this market I also gave an origami workshop for children.

I quite enjoyed that, and so did they ;)

The other two pictures were taken in the Indoor Flea market

at Old Christ Church in Waterloo on the 2nd of May, 2009.

Helping me I had my friend Mónica that had been visiting me from Portugal that week.

Thank you Mónica ;)

The Old Christ Church is a beautiful place,

I felt very lucky to be showing and selling my creations

in such a magical and sacred place.

Origami Boxes

2009-05-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

Lovely boxes with

beautifuly paterned paper.

Makes any present

even more magical!

New Creations - Rings

2009-05-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

Beautiful and unusual rings

with the origami lotus flower.

Simply peaceful!

New Creations - Hair Grips

2009-05-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

Lovely hair grips featuring cranes,

snails, lotus flowers and cover buttons,

all with beautiful origami washi paper.

New Creations - Brooches

2009-05-01T07:11:00.001-07:00

These brooches were all made from washi origami paper and

represent several animals like the snail, the turtle, the crane,

the owl, the butterfly and also the lotus flower,

a symbol of harmony, purity and peace.

You can also find large cover buttons with beautifully

paterned origami paper.

New Creations - Earrings

2009-05-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

In the first image you have small earrings

made out of button cover with origami washi paper.

In the second image you have origami lotus flower earrings

also made out of washi paper and all of them covered twice

with a special varnish to make them last.

New Creations - More Necklaces

2009-05-01T06:53:00.000-07:00

From top to bottom you have a Pan Chang Knot that means endless.

Represents birth and death indicating that life can exist forever.

It also means happiness without end, because the chinese word for this knot shares the same sound as the word for happiness.

In the other two images you can see the button and double button knot, that is a symbol of good luck and it's also a graphic representation of the cyclical nature in Chinese Buddhism.

New Creations - Necklaces

2009-05-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

Made with braided, satin and cotton cord.

With various beads and chinese knots.

In the first image you can see button knots,

in the second, double coin knots and in the last you find

a cross knot necklace with a flat button knot fastener.

Enjoy! ;)

origami earrings at Landbaby

2009-02-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

dark horse on display at Landbaby

2009-02-08T07:13:00.000-08:00

These are some of the dark horse creations that you can find for sale on Landbaby. Pay a visit to this beautiful place and let your eyes be amazed by the wonders that you'll find within.

dark horse at Landbaby

2009-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Now you can find dark horse jewellery at Landbaby a store filled with beautiful hand made things, located at the Bluecoat. Items such as origami earrings, origami hair grips, origami brooch and wind chimes, can be purchase at this magical place.

www.myspace.com/landbabyshop

dark horse earrings

2009-01-28T02:36:00.000-08:00

Origami brooch

2009-01-28T02:32:00.000-08:00

Origami wind chime tree

2009-01-28T02:27:00.000-08:00

This origami wind chime tree was part of my stall

in the market "Light up my street".

Me and my dark horse jewellery card.

Me and my good friend Kun Chen.

Origami wind chimes

2009-01-28T02:23:00.001-08:00

Origami hair grips II

2009-01-28T02:21:00.000-08:00

Origami hair grips

2009-01-28T02:19:00.001-08:00

Origami crane earrings IV

2009-01-28T02:17:00.000-08:00

Origami crane earrings III

2009-01-28T02:16:00.000-08:00

Origami crane earrings II

2009-01-28T02:15:00.000-08:00

Origami crane earrings

2009-01-28T02:13:00.000-08:00

Origami - A brief history part III

2009-01-28T02:08:00.000-08:00

"Modern origami owes a great deal to the efforts of YOSHIZAWA Akira. After centuries of people folding the same traditional models, Master Yoshizawa published books with completely new models starting in the early 1950's. He, together with American Sam Randlett, also developed the standard set of origami diagram symbols that is still used today. Exhibitions of his work, both in Japan and around the world, introduced origami to many people, leading to the formation of various origami associations including the Origami Center of America (now OrigamiUSA), and the British Origami Society. Now there are origami masters and enthusiasts in many countries, forming a widespread but close-knit community. Yoshizawa, who died in 2005 at the age of 94, is still regarded as the grandmaster of origami.

Composition and paper choice play an important role in this newfound artistry. Yoshizawa has also led the way in this area, producing fabulous displays that capture the life of his subjects, whether shown as a diorama, as a mobile, or in a shadow box. He has developed a technique known as backcoating that is the lamination of two layers of washi to produce a paper that is unparalleled for folding. Also, a technique known as wet folding, where a heavily sized paper is folded while wet, allows the folder to sculpt his model into soft curves and 3D forms."

in, 1994-2009 joseph wu origami inc.

Origami - A brief history part II

2009-01-28T02:02:00.000-08:00

"The Japanese transmitted their designs via an oral tradition, with the recreational designs being passed from mother to daughter. Because nothing was ever written down, only the simplest designs were kept. The first written instructions appeared in AD 1797 with the publication of the Senbazuru Orikata (Thousand Crane Folding). One portion of the Kayaragusa (also known as Kan no mado or Window on Midwinter), an encyclopedia of Japanese culture published in 1845, included a comprehensive collection of traditional Japanese figures. The name origami was coined in 1880 from the words oru (to fold) and kami (paper). Previously, the art was called orikata ("folded shapes").
Meanwhile, paperfolding was also being developed in Spain. The secret of papermaking reached the Arabic world in the eighth century, and the Arabs brought it to Spain in the 12th century. The Arabs were devoutly Muslim and their religion forbade the creation of representational figures. Instead, they followed their mastery of mathematics and their paperfolding was a study of the geometries inherent in the paper. After the Arabs left Spain, the Spanish went beyond the geometric designs and developed papiroflexia, an art this is still popular in Spain and Argentina."

in, 1994-2009 joseph wu origami inc.

Origami - A brief history

2009-01-28T01:57:00.000-08:00

"No one really knows when and where origami was invented. Some origami historians argue that since the invention of paper is credited to Ts'ai Lun of China in A.D. 105, paper folding must have been invented soon after. Paper was then introduced to Japan in the late sixth century by Buddhist monks, and paper folding was brought along with it. In Japan, paper was considered an expensive commodity, and it was used in many aspects of Japanese life, most notably in architecture. Certain origami models were incorporated into religious (Shinto) ceremonies. In fact, the word for paper, kami, is a homonym for the word for spirit or god. The designs associated with Shintoist ceremony have remained unchanged over the centuries. However, since there are no known Chinese records of paper folding, and since the oldest Japanese records date only to the 18th century, other historians claim that origami is definitely a Japanese invention. Regardless of its ultimate origin, Japan is recognized as the country that most fully developed the traditional art of origami."

in, 1994-2009 joseph wu origami inc.

Happy Dark Horse customers

2009-01-18T12:13:00.000-08:00

Light up my street

2009-01-18T12:04:00.000-08:00

Last saturday, the 10th of January,

I participated for the first time in a marketplace, with my own stall.

The beginning of Dark Horse jewellery!

The experience was very good,

and i'm looking forward for the next chance to show my work!

Thank you, Denise Finch at Arts in Regeneration!

Celtic square knot necklace

2009-01-18T11:57:00.000-08:00

"To the monks of early christianity, the square symbolised the creation of the manifold universe. They used the geometric method of construction to create knots to fill squares in their designs for embellishing manuscripts."

in, Compendium of Celtic Arts, Search Press

Triangular knot earrings

2009-01-18T11:50:00.000-08:00

"This knot is also known as a Triquetra, a Celtic symbol of the Triple Goddess. The triple sign was a common symbol in celtic myth and legend and the idea of three in one is a possible reason why Christian beliefs such as that of the Trinity were so easily adopted by the Celtic people. The sign represented the three domains of the earth, sea and sky, the trinity of mind, body and soul and many other triple concepts as well."

in, Conpendium of Celtic Crafts, Search Press

Celtic cross

2009-01-18T11:49:00.001-08:00

Celtic Knots

2009-01-18T11:40:00.000-08:00

"Celtic knot designs can be found illustrating manuscripts, carved in wood and stone, enamelled and etched on to metal, impressed into clay, embroidered on to cushions, batiked and printed on to fabric and even burned as designs in wood."

in, Compendium of Celtic Crafts, Search Press

Good luck knot

2009-01-18T11:36:00.000-08:00

All chinese knots are a symbol of love and affection.

This knot will bring extra good fortune to the one who wears it

as well as to the one who gives it.

Clover leaf knot

2009-01-18T11:34:00.001-08:00

Prosperity Knot

2009-01-18T11:19:00.000-08:00

Button Knot

2009-01-18T11:14:00.000-08:00

In Chinese tradition this knot is a graphic representation of the cyclical nature of all existence in Chinese Buddhism.

A bit of History (part II)

2009-01-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

"At the beginning of last century, the pastime of knotting was widespread and, especially on festivals and at weddings, beautiful knotwork created by the participants could be seen everywhere. The designs of the knots were fashioned after the symbols of happiness, longevity, Buddhist treasures and prosperity, etc. Sadly these skills disappeared within two generations.

In the mid 1970's, however, with the increasing prosperity of Taiwan, several young chinese artists, realised the importance of preserving this dying art form. (...)

Nowadays, there are classes in schools and colleges, and also television programmes about knotting. Thus, in a nick of time, the art of knotting, along with other Chinese folk crafts, was saved."

in, Chinese knots for beaded jewellery, by Suzen Millodot

Chinese Knots - A bit of History

2009-01-18T10:45:00.000-08:00

" It is difficult to say when ornamental knotting started in China. Fabrics and cords are not as durable asthe materials used in other arts and crafts, so early examples of Chinese knots have long turned to dust. Knotted rope belts, however, are known to have existed as long ago as 1122BCE (the Chou Dinasty). Pictures from the Han dinasty (200BCE - 220CE) show knots and bows on waist sashes; recently, decorative loops and knots have been found in tombs from that era. From 618 to 906CE knotting was beginning to be used to adorn other works of art, but the height of its popularity came during the Ching Dynasty (1644 to 1911CE), when knots adorned clothes, jewellery, furniture and other belongings of all classes, from rich to poor."

in, Chinese knots for beaded jewellery, by Suzen Millodot

Dark Horse Jewellery

2009-01-11T11:11:00.000-08:00