Diagrams edited by Ian McRobbie
The two sides of the Pop-Up Star. See PDF diagrams.

Each year, I fold around 50 origami ornaments to send to friends and family. Usually, I design a new origami model, but sometimes I make a tiny book.

The gift must be flat so it can mailed in an envelope. The Pop-Up Star meets that requirement, but it develops volume once it is liberated. It requires one sheet of paper, a pentagon. The finished star has two good sides, which is a plus for a model that is meant to be hung.

The star can be made from almost any paper. Decorative duo paper is best. Only one side of the paper shows, except for the central swirl on the second side. A pentagon cut from an 8½-inch sheet produces a 4⅛-inch model.