How to fold an origami harp
Fold a triangle's three edges in to make the frame: a wide soundbox with a pleated rib, a pillar and a neck. Cut the neck into a curve, flatten the foot into a pleated base and draw the strings.
You need: A 15 x 9 cm gold card cut corner to corner (use one half), scissors and a black pen. Hard, 6 steps, about 20 minutes.
Steps
- Flat foot. White side up, long point at the bottom. Cut 4.6 cm off the point, straight across, so the harp gets a flat foot.
- Pillar. Fold the left edge over on a line 8 mm in. This straight strip is the pillar.
- Soundbox. Fold the slanted edge over in a strip 1 cm wide at the top and 1.6 cm at the foot. This is the soundbox.
- Soundbox rib. Fold the strip's inner edge back out 4 mm to make a pleat. That white rib is where the strings meet the soundbox.
- Neck. Fold the top edge down on a line 1.2 cm below it. This strip is the neck that holds the strings at the top.
- Curve the neck. Cut the neck's top edge into a gentle curve: high over the pillar for the crown, dipping, then rising before it meets the soundbox.
Ready to play!
Draw strings from the neck down to the rib, a tuning pin for each on the neck, rings on the pillar and a little scroll on the crown.
How to play
- Stand it on its base and run a finger down the strings: a waterfall of notes!
- Make an angel to play it for a winter window.
- Glue it to a card for someone who loves music.