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How to fold an origami conch shell

Fold one edge of a diamond behind and the other corner flares out as the conch's lip. Three little pleats step the tall spiral top.

You need: 1 square sheet (15 cm), pink or orange on one side, and a black pen. Medium, 8 steps, about 8 minutes.

Steps

  1. Half a kite. Start coloured side up, like a diamond. Fold the upper left edge behind, so it lies along the middle. The top is now a long point: the spire.
  2. Spiral 1: behind. Fold the top point behind on a slightly slanted line, about 3 cm down from the tip.
  3. Spiral 1: back up. Fold it back up a few millimetres lower. It leaves a little step, like one turn of the spiral.
  4. Spiral 2: behind. Fold the whole top behind again on a slanted line, about 2.5 cm lower.
  5. Spiral 2: back up. Fold it back up a few millimetres lower. It leaves a little step, like one turn of the spiral.
  6. Spiral 3: behind. Fold the whole top behind again on a slanted line, about 2.5 cm lower.
  7. Spiral 3: back up. Fold it back up a few millimetres lower. It leaves a little step, like one turn of the spiral.
  8. Narrow the spout. Fold the lower left side behind on a line from the bottom corner up to the left edge, so the shell tapers to a long spout.

Hold it to your ear!

Draw a row of knobs along the shoulder and the long opening down beside the lip. Can you hear the sea?

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