Fold The Thing

ByFlorent Fabre

Designer: João Charrua

The Thing stares back at you… and you’re not quite sure what it wants.

This unsettling and expressive origami was designed by João Charrua, a brilliant Portuguese artist known for his sculptural, almost lifelike creations.

True to his style, The Thing is full of character. It’s folded to look like it’s peeking just over a ledge — two heavy-lidded eyes and clawed hands gripping the edge. Whether you place it on a shelf, a table, or the top of your TV, it’s guaranteed to add a touch of eerie presence, especially around Halloween.

Inside the Origami Circle, you’ll find the full diagram and a video workshop where João shares what drew him to origami, the story behind The Thing, and, of course, how to fold it yourself.

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3 new models with high-quality diagrams
Workshops from the world’s best origami artists
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Author Florent Fabre

Immersed in the captivating culture of Japan for over five years, I’ve developed a profound appreciation for its arts, including the delicate practice of origami. Although I consider myself a beginner, my fascination with origami has grown immensely.

Designer João Charrua

João Charrua is a Portuguese origami artist known for his expressive, portrait-like sculptures folded from a single sheet of paper. His work captures delicate human features and emotion with striking realism — “things that don’t exist because I wished they were real.”

Diagrammer Jimena Candia

I'm Jimena Candia from Firmat (Santa Fe), Argentina. I've been an origamist for several years. I also design origami models, hold workshops, and create diagrams. I've joined international virtual meetings like the Origami USA virtual convention and OWM4. I've taught origami for 12 years, both online and in person. What strikes me most about the art of origami is that you never stop learning. Origami shows that creativity has no limits.