The Birds: Origami Nursery Decor

Easy
What qualities do you look for in a baby mobile? Bright colors? Blinky lights? Movement?
How about something an adult might actually enjoy looking at?
That was my challenge: I wanted to make a baby mobile that wasn't too babyish. Because at the end of the day, the fact is that I'm going to spend a lot more time looking at it than she is.


I was inspired by my sister-in-law, who made thousands of origami cranes as decorations for her wedding. I was able to snag a handful and save them for this project.
I stained and sealed 3 different-sized embroidery hoops, then hung the birds from the hoops using invisible thread. Instead of blinky lights, I added mirrored beads to the bottom of each bird for a little extra sparkle.
The big crystals in the middle of each embroidery hoop were originally for more sparkle, but I discovered the added weight also helps stabilize the hoops. The crystals are attached with 8-pound fishing line, which runs through the hoops and all the way up to the ceiling, where each hoop is hung from its own Command hook.
The result is a sparkly, colorful mobile that appears to float in midair over the crib. The paper cranes are light enough that they move gently in the air currents of the house, which makes it more interesting for a baby, right?


But I don't mind admitting, I'm a little jealous I don't have one over my own bed.


Sarah's Big Idea
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 4 questions
  • DEBORAH BYRD DEBORAH BYRD on Dec 29, 2016
    Where do you get invisible thread?
  • Sojourner Sojourner on Jul 20, 2017

    What's your secret to stringing the hoops so that the hoop hangs level with the ceiling once they're hung?

  • Coconut511 Coconut511 on Nov 19, 2019

    Which Command hooks did you use on the ceiling? How is the monofilament attached to the hook?

Comments
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3 of 14 comments
  • Carol Cole Carol Cole on Jun 02, 2019

    I would love to have the instructions on how to make the birds.

    • Tomi Tomi on Jan 09, 2020

      google origami cranes. There are directions all over the internet.

  • C C on Sep 15, 2020

    I do not trust the command hooks. They have let me down way too often. I would NEVER put them over a baby crib. Maybe off to the side. Please be careful with this.

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