Hi,
I am a retired jack-of-all-trades (I prefer to call myself a Renaissance Man) . I have a lot of interests, most of which involve doing creative things which occupy my hands. I really like origami. I am somewhat picky about what I like and sometimes get frustrated when I can't find anything new that is attractive and not so far beyond my abilities that it becomes frustrating. I don't know anyone near where I live that shares my interest and am delighted to have found this site. I look forward to see what the group has to offer and never tired of sharing my own knowledge and experience. (Yes, I am a talkative old geezer.) See you around!

I use a paper cutter like those used in schools. Alternatively, I have had almost as good results using a carpenter's square. If you have a rectangle with true 90 degree corners, you can fold one side over to align its edge with the edge of an adjacent side, bisecting the angle between them. Cut off the single thickness of paper that protrudes from the double-thick triangle made by the fold and the remaining triangle will unfold into a perfect square.

I like to make origami flowers. When I need a larger, heavier square of paper to make a vase, I look in the scrapbook section of my my local hobby and crafts store. There are 12 x 12 inch squares of paper available in a variety of weights and textures with literally hundreds of color/pattern choices available. I use selections from the same source for folding some models when I think it desirable. For some applications I reinforce the vase with a lightweight cardboard liner.

There are 3 excellent books that are available as free downloads in pdf format from scribd.com: Robert Lang's "The Complete Book of Origami" and "Origami Zoo" and "Origami Sea Life" by Robert Lang and John Montroll. The first has an extensive section on origami techniques and symbols and all three have lots of diagrams of origami models that range in complexity from fairly easy to very difficult.

Joe Nakashima has a free downloadable diagram of a penguin that is 3d and instantly recognizable. I give them away as fast as I can fold them. Even easier is Peterpaul Forcher's "Maus". If you use pink paper and fold it with the white side up you get a white mouse with pink ears and tail. It is a classic and very simple design that can be folded in minutes and is very impressive to those unfamiliar with origami (and to some that are). I love folding them and they are so simple that I was able to make the origami from memory after following the diagram 3 or 4 times. It's a free download.