Origami Paper Circuits

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Contributors: Sarah Al-Mutlaq
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Adding LEDs

Conductive tape is one of the easiest ways to get started crafting a paper circuit. Just peel off the paper backing, and press down where you want your circuit to go! Copper tape is also solderable, allowing strong connections between components and traces that you won't get with paint and inking methods. (Again you might want to take a look at our more in depth Great Big Guide to Paper Circuits to help you understand all your choices and pick the right parts for your specific project.)

If you are just looking to use the flowers and components that I did, then here is an explanation of how I integrated the LED stickers and copper tape for each of the three flowers previously mentioned.

For the five petal flower, first I cut off the bottom corner of the petal so the wires have somewhere to go to the LED. Then I inserted the LEDs before using any glue but after I had done all of the folding:

Inside of one of the Kusudama Flower pedals before using any glue

Inside of one of the Kusudama Flower pedals before using any glue

For the lotus flower, I connected all the folded pieces with the rubber band and then added a paper with the LED before folding the petals up

Inside of origami Lotus with LED sticker on a separate piece of paper connected by the rubber band

Inside of origami Lotus with LED sticker on a separate piece of paper connected by the rubber band

For the rose, I folded everything and then unfolded the last step and placed an LED on one of the four prongs

Inside of origami rose before the last fold

Inside of origami rose before the last fold