Midori Furze, paper craft and ink teacher

Midori Furze

Origami and art

location_on Sydney

local_activity classes: OrigamiPaper Craft and Ink

5.0 (26)
Instagram followers1k

I was born and grew up in Japan. I came to Sydney in 1989 and have been living in Sydney's Northern Beaches since then.
I am a multi-disciplinary artist who creates canvas paintings, Suni-e, origami 3D objects and installations. I work with event management companies to create unique origami in Sydney.

When I was at the artist residency in 2010, one of the directors saw my origami in my studio. Until then I painted Western-style paintings on canvas which I had learnt at school. But he encouraged me to do more origami because it was unique about me as a Japanese artist based in Sydney.
I did many public participating origami projects and they were all well-received.
In 2022, I received the Foreign Minister's commendation Award by the Japanese Government for my contribution to the Australia-Japan culture exchange. I was also awarded by the Consulate-General of Japan, Sydney in 2016.

I have been teaching Origami at many places in Sydney for more than twelve years. e.g. the Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum, Powerhouse Museum, Japan Foundation, Hazelhurst Art Center. My origami workshops are very popular at festivals and events.

Teaching Origami is one of my passion. It is delightful to see big smiles on people's faces when they completed their origami for the first time.
A sheet of square paper turned into a bird still amazes me. Japanese people have been folding paper cranes for more than 400 years. We fold the same way as the people who lived 400 years ago.
Origami is an affordable, lightweight, clean activity. You can play anywhere. It is a great exercise for our hands as well as our brains.

In recent years, origami techniques are used in design, math and science. The airbags in the cars are folded. The solar panels in the spaceships are folded. The stents save people's lives.
I hope we will have more wonderful inventors in Australia in the near future who enjoyed folding origami when they were little.

Let's start folding!






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Reviews

(26)


Andy Scoffin Sep 2023


Midori was great and we made a gift for our new home on our paper wedding anniversary! Would highly recommend

Origami Class for a First Wedding Anniversary Couple review by Andy Scoffin - Sydney

Ceri Sep 2023


Our teacher Midori, did an excellent job teaching us the amazing art of origami. The venue was cosy and welcoming and the refreshments were delightful. We had a wonderful time celebrating our first wedding anniversary.

Paper Craft and Ink class review by Ceri - Sydney

Rachel Szabo Aug 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews


We had such fun at this workshop. Midori was thorough and fun. We booked the workshop for a team building exercise at our workplace and we were all laughing and chatting, whilst gaining an appreciation for this artform. Thanks Midori. Highly recommend.

Anne Keniry Apr 2023

11 ClassBento workshops attended • 7 reviews


Great class in a peaceful environment with a talented and patient teacher. Lovely papers supplied to create two beautiful interlocking pieced decorations. Great value for money and a really enjoyable learning afternoon.

Paper Craft and Ink class review by Anne Keniry - Sydney

Jen Holt Mar 2023


Great teacher who was very patient and enthusiastic and helpful. I would recommend this class.

Origami Workshop for Adults review by Jen Holt - Sydney

Rebekah Johnson Jan 2023

2 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews


Midori Furze was kind, welcoming and patient and explained all of the steps clearly. We learnt to make roses and a butterfly that we put together in a beautiful picture frame. This was a wonderful and mindful activity to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. I thought this was excellent value for money and all of the equipment and the venue were perfect. Thank you very much, Midori-san. Our display looks lovely!

Origami Class for a First Wedding Anniversary Couple review by Rebekah Johnson - Sydney

Anne Keniry Sep 2022

11 ClassBento workshops attended • 7 reviews


Midori is a lovely, patient, knowledgeable teacher who always has her students making amazing things and loving what they have made. Midori is a very experienced and talented origami practitioner who also inspires students with new levels of origami items they can aspire to making. She supplies great materials and notes and you learn more about what you can use to make origami in each class.

Vimasha Bandaranayake Jun 2022


I had a great time and learnt great skills today at Midori's workshop. It was my very first time doing origami and Midori was very patient with me.

Mum Nan Jun 2022


Such a fun experience something different to do with my mum and daughter Midori was fantastically talented and a patient teacher and useful treasures to take home

Origami Workshop for Adults review by Mum Nan - Sydney

Mitchell Heaven Apr 2022


Midori was amazing! My wife and I really enjoyed this class and we learned a lot along the way.
Midori was thoughtful, welcoming, warm and helpful. It was a delight to have had her take us on this experience.

Philippa Kohnke Feb 2022

2 ClassBento workshops attended


Midori was a fabulous teacher and really friendly and fun to chat with. I loved doing the origami - it was fun and at the right level for a class. Midori was generous and I got to keep what I made and a gift from her too. I would definitely like to do another class with her and highly recommend her classes for anyone to try!

Paper Craft and Ink class review by Philippa Kohnke - Sydney

Effie Huang Dec 2021


I signed up this class being a surprise for my husband on our first anniversary. We didn’t have any experience of origami. Midori was very nice and patient with us. She made it easy for us to follow along. We made a display of paper roses and butterflies with a red string in a shape of infinity resembling eternity of love. It’s a special gift for us. Thank you!

Paper Craft and Ink class review by Effie Huang - Sydney

Oceane Guittard Nov 2021

5 ClassBento workshops attended


Midori was an amazing teacher. She adapted the class to our request and had everything ready for us when we arrived. She is lovely and we had a great time sharing her passion. I would totally recommend this workshop.

Origami Christmas Workshop review by Oceane Guittard - Sydney

Anne Keniry Apr 2021

11 ClassBento workshops attended • 4 reviews


I really enjoyed the class. The teacher is very skilled and patient and helpful. The venue is relaxed, airy and quiet and the class great value for money. I can highly recommend the class and the lovely items you will get to create and the skills you will learn.

Paper Craft and Ink class review by Anne Keniry - Sydney

Daniel Blackhall Feb 2021


This was a really great class, Midori is attentive and patient. Thanks for a great day.

Mel Tan Feb 2021


Midori was a great teacher and we had so much fun creating something we could take home with us! Her guidance was very detailed and easy to follow. We enjoyed the options available to us in terms of colours and the end reuslt was amazing

Sophia Ferguson Jan 2021


We had a wonderful experience learning origami with Midori, who is a patient and friendly teacher.

The workshop is in a peaceful setting and the origami works Midori helped us create were beautiful.

We would recommend this workshop to any couple who would like to learn a new creative skill together.

Ines Stewart Nov 2020


Interesting arty venue. Teacher is an artist and world expert in origami. All materials were provided and we were kept very busy for 2 hours. We were given extra materials and instruction sheets to take home. It was a lot of fun.

Paper Craft and Ink class review by Ines Stewart - Sydney

Suzanne Jul 2020

3 ClassBento workshops attended • 3 reviews


Midori was An excellent teacher and so giving of her craft teaching us with patience and grace and some interesting stories of Japanese culture. She was also very generous with her time. I would be happy to recommend her.

Pamela Allardice Jul 2020


Midori is a terrific teacher - very warm, generous and full of interesting stories about Japanese culture. My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed her company and the whole experience of the class. The venue is funky and cute, and we had a grand day. We are already talking about doing another workshop with Midori!

Andrew Duggan Mar 2020


Amazing origami workshop with a fantastic tutor, Midori Furze.

Really loved the venue, a real hidden gem.

Midori was the perfect host, looking after us, providing expert tuition and a genuinely fantastic experience. Loved the art and the Japanese hospitality.

Big thanks to Midori for making this happen, especially in the trying times of social distancing.

Paper Craft and Ink class review by Andrew Duggan - Sydney

Amir Chehelnabi Mar 2020


Thank you so much Midori for the great experience you’ve created for my son,Rohaan
He has already planned his next workshop with you and so determined to build up on his skills

Joe Redner Feb 2020


Midori was very good and patient. She had prepared learning materials for the two designs I wanted tutoring on. The studio was excellent. I really enjoyed the lesson.

Paper Craft and Ink class review by Joe Redner - Sydney

Caroline Gracie Jun 2019


Midori is a great teacher and venue very interesting altogether was a thoroughly enjoyable class.

Isaira Ramirez May 2019

2 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews


The value for money is good,the teacher is amazing, so sweet and kind, I learned beautiful origami pieces . I can wait for the next work shop

Origami Workshop for Adults review by Isaira Ramirez - Sydney

Marc Rolet Mar 2019


Midori was a master at teaching us today. We made so many things from a box, little birds, hearts and roses. The venue was easy to find and the space was very calm and relaxing. Midori is very attentive and assists you with practical demonstrations and visual aides. Thank you for this workshop for our first wedding anniversary.
Marc & Tammi

Origami Workshop for Adults review by Marc Rolet - Sydney

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