DIY LED Origami Kit

Who doesn't like getting flowers? Why not give the gift of flowers that never fade? Go even further and show your crafty side by making a brilliant bunch of flowers with this LED Origami Flower Kit.

Step 1: What You'll Need

LED Origami Flower Kit Includes:
Battery pack, AA batteries, baby-sized breadboard, hook-up wire, RGB LEDs, and a pencil for stem making.

You'll also need:
Paper, electrical tape is preferred, soldering equipment just to solder the LEDs
to the ends of the hook-up wire and lots of patience is also helpful when it comes to folding paper.

Step 2: Battery Base

Add the batteries and close the box. Lay the battery box flat with the switch facing up. Insert the black wire into a hole closest to the middle divide of the breadboard. Insert the red wire into a hole about two to three rows over. Each wire should have its own dedicated row on the breadboard. Secure the wires to the breadboard and secure the breadboard to the battery box with some tape.

Step 3: Wire Stems

Wire Stems - A coiled stem adds a bit of whimsy to the project. To make an approximate 5" stem, cut two equal lengths of solid hook-up wire; about 2 feet (strip the ends of each wire before coiling). Holding both wires close together, wrap the wire tightly around the pencil.

Step 4: LED Bulb

Solder an LED to the end of the wire. It is probably easiest to leave the wire on the pencil as a way to keep everything in place while you solder. Using an over-under method, weave the leads of the LED into the wire to hold it in place. There must be enough tension to keep the stripped end of the wire touching the lead at the base of the LED so you can solder the connection.

Step 5: Plant Your Stems

With the battery box turned on, briefly touch one of each wire leads to the positive and negative rows created on the breadboard. If it doesn't light up, then reverse the wires and test again. Repeat for the other stems and bulbs.

Step 6: Making the Flowers

This is the challenging part, but there are a variety of instructions for origami flowers all over the internet. You may find this website helpful: http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-flowers.html

The flowers used in the photo are the Tulip, the Lily, and the Kusudama Flower. When the flowers are done, cut an "X" centered at the base of the flower so you can mount it on the LED. You may also make a straight cut across the bottom of the flower to open the tubular center. Start with small cuts because you want the flower to sit snuggly at the end of the step.

Check out this kit in action: http://youtu.be/f8fUDEtNfnM