How to project: A MapLove Decision Maker

Learn how to make a MapLove decision maker and celebrate The Travelling Bookbinder’s new e-course. All you need to help you make choices is one square of paper! This origami form may bring back memories as you fold….

You’ll need:

• A square of paper, around 15 cm x 15 cm or 6 inches x 6 inches.
• A bone folder, for neat creases (Optional.)
• Spare ephemera to cut up.
• Scissors or scalpel.
• A glue stick.
• A writing pen, or pencil.

Instructions:

Starting map-side face down.

Fold the square diagonally, from corner point to corner point. South to North.

Open out and repeat with the other corners. East to West.

With the map side still facing down, fold a corner in to the centre.

And the second.

And the third.

All four corners folded in!

Flip the whole thing over, and fold a corner into the centre again.

And the second.

And the third.

And the fourth.

Lightly emphasise the creases dividing the straight sides in half, with gentle valley folds, then turn over, and slip a finger underneath one of the squares.

And a thumb under the one next to it.

Pinch them together.

Repeat with the other two squares.

Practice opening and closing it in opposite directions.

Now for the creative part: Mark each of the outer squares with North, South, East and West.

I wrote the letters on scrap paper and then glued them in place.

Next, on the eight inner triangles, add types of weather or temperature – for example: Wind, Sun, Snow, Dry, Cold etc.

(I’ve numbered them too.)

Then open up each flap so that you can write the final destination or activity. I’ve chosen activities that correspond to the climate conditions, such as walking when it’s dry, or writing when the rain is pouring.

Of course you could illustrate or embellish each word instead.

Now put your decision maker into action: Choose a point on the compass, and spell out each letter – so West is W, E, S, T, which means four opening and closings of the decision maker.

Then decide on the weather condition. I’ll choose ‘cold’ so i’ll spell out C, O, L, D as the decision maker opens and closes. Then pick a number and look under the triangle to reveal the designated activity. Simple.

P.S. Why stop at one? Create a different one for each area of life! Collections of multiples look wonderful.

In some places, decision makers or fortune tellers are also known as cootie catchers – what do you call them?!

If you’d like to experiment with more making with maps, the MapLove e-course is open for bookings!