Warabe Ningyo

So I don't don't do many paper crafts. You wouldn't think it, but paper's pretty expensive. I saw this kit in a local Japanese grocery store. I think it was about 11 when I got it. It was just so darn cute, and the first time I'd ever seen Japanese paper dolls.

I made one for a friend of mine on her 21st birthday in pink. She really liked it. Unfortunately I was in such a hurry to make it I never got a picture of it. It looks like the doll in the picture except I used origami paper for the obi. (I've always felt they looked better all bright and contrasting.)

The instructions were very detailed. You first cut the paper, then do some easy fold, assemble, glue, an voila!



It'd been over a year since I'd made one, but another friend's birthday came up. She really likes Japanese culture so it was perfect. A few little modifications were added like the hair buns, flowers, and gold rope. And then the not so little modification to the back.



I had intended to make it on a card, but the back looked so nice that I just wanted to keep it that way. I ended up covering the some folds with more hair, and added a bow for the obi to hide the glue and open spots.

I really want to make more of these, but won't be able to more than two until i can get a good cutter for circles. Sucks being a poor college student. T_T