Zarin Greenough

Origami-based jewelry

I have loved folding paper as far back as I can remember, initially folding gas receipts in the family station wagon. I got my first origami books in Calcutta, then later in Japan and Seattle. I was self taught, until attending origami conventions in NYC in the 1990’s. It was incredible to spend time folding and exchanging ideas with hundreds of other origami enthusiasts.

For five years after college I sold origami jewelry at craft fairs, but went back to school to become a veterinarian. During this stressful time, origami helped me relax and master the fine motor skills of surgery.

While my children were growing up, I spent a lot of time teaching origami to young kids, starting with kindergartners – What fun!

Folding 1,000 paper cranes is an activity I have found to be an interactive way to send thoughts and prayers of healing or celebration to someone, focusing on them as you fold each crane. I think I have done this more than 10 times.

In 2013 I became ill with an undiagnosed meningitis, which left me a paraplegic. It was a challenging adjustment, but I am thankful to still be here and able to fold, an activity that again has helped ground me.

Covid didn’t change my lifestyle greatly, but folding was a gift. I wanted to send healing energy out into the world via 1,000 crane pins. Many of those pins found homes through this gallery!

I moved to Brattleboro in the summer of 2022, to be closer to family. I am lucky to share origami, and the “Peace of Paper” with my new community.

I love animals, and miniaturizing origami models of them is my special ambition. I also love the challenge of many different crafting processes, so I’m always trying new skills and forms of expression. Perhaps I am a serial crafter! - needle felting, beading, knitting, crochet, cross stitching, embroidery, and anything I have yet to try!