For a while I've been exploring other kinds of foldable materials. In many cases materials that are different from paper are better for practical models. This depends on the purpose of the model: My Coat hanger is best folded in a transparency sheet due to its strength but it's a very bad material for wallets since it tears kinda fast from all the opening and closing... I know, I know, it's not common to take practical origami this seriously .
Anyway, I wanted to make a classification of the most common practical models folded in origami. I have the following categories for now. I'm including what I consider the original purpose of each one.
- Bags: For collecting objects and transporting them.
- Bookmarks: For indicating a particular page within a book.
- Boxes: For storing objects.
- Card holders and wallets: For carrying and organizing small flat objects.
- Chopstick sleeves: I'm not sure if for protecting a pair of chopsticks by covering them or decorating them for special occasions (the use of origata).
- Chopstick rests: For keeping the tips of chopsticks lifted from the table.
- Envelopes: For concealing and holding flat objects.
- Lampshades: For diffusing the light from lamps.
- Letterfolds: For concealing messages and making them easy to take with you.
- Napkin rings: For holding rolled up or folded fabric napkins as part of a place setting.
- Packets and tatos: For storing small items (quote from origami-resource-center).
- Pencil holders: For holding writing implements for easy retrieving.
- Photo frames: For showing photographs.
- Vases: For holding cut flowers and provide water for them.
A curious thing I just noticed (I'm a bit slow ) is that all this common models, except for the letterfolds, interact with other objects in order to be considered useful. Besides that, some imply more contact with our hands than others. You will touch many more times your wallet than a photo frame in order to use them both. And also, most of them need to be made between certain sizes in order to really be useful; card holders won't work if they are too big or too small.
Actually wallets are very demanding when it comes to choosing the best material. With the wrong material they can easily get dirty from grease, sweat and other elements from your hands, besides that, both their colors and the material itself have to keep their integrity within the compact space of your pants' pockets as the wallet moves along with other objects like coins and keys for example, and last, it shouldn't tear despite the constant opening and closing action. It becomes even more complicated if you want to use economical materials .
Currently my Shopping bag is challenging for me, since it also implies constant hand interaction and opening and closing action, but besides that, it has to resist mild rain and the original material must be big. And also, I do want to find a cheap option .