Mel Sawyer

Modular origami designer and artist

Cloud pendant origami lamp

Selected Works

Disc lamp on books
Arc desk lamp
Tripod lamp
Hero
Rainbow cluster sphere
Oval tessellation lamp
Large rose spiral lamp
Column lamp with plants
Dark teal kusudama
Three illuminated origami lamps
Origami floor lamp
Black star with color accent
Rose kusudama lamp
Hex frame wall art
Kusudama lamp with shadow patterns
Gradient tessellation
Geometric wall pendant
Rainbow kusudama
Black star flat view
Stellated lamp
Pinwheel pattern detail
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About

Mel Sawyer is a Portland origami & paper artist who specializes in origami lamps. This past fall, she was one of the featured artists in Portland Open Studios, and has also her work at OrigamiUSA exhibitions & at various papercraft shows.

Each of her works is created with, at minimum, 30 sheets of paper, and some are made from thousands of sheets and take upwards of 4 months to complete. She's inspired by the ways that light can cast unexpected patterns through paper, and how her work combines mathematical geometry with visual arts for a truly unique medium.

Portrait of Mel Sawyer

Shop

Interested in a custom commission? Email me!

Starry Night Table Lamp
Starry Night Table Lamp $210

Handmade from 120 individually folded sheets of paper. Includes base and low-heat LED bulb.

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Column Lamp
Column Lamp $170

Stacked geometric modular tower on a slim metal base. Casts triangular light patterns through layered folds. Includes base and low-heat LED bulb.

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Stellated Desk Lamp
Stellated Desk Lamp $75

Modular stellated origami shade on a 3D-printed base. Includes low-heat LED bulb.

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Column Pendant Lamp
Column Pendant Lamp $110

Modular geometric pendant lamp on a tan rope cord. Casts intricate light patterns through layered folds. Includes low-heat LED bulb.

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Arc Desk Lamp
Arc Desk Lamp Sold
Tripod Lamp
Tripod Lamp Sold
Hex Frame
Hex Frame — Sunset Sold
Disc Lamp
Disc Lamp Sold

Teaching

Mel teaches origami workshops at WildCraft Studio School in Portland. Classes cover modular origami techniques, lamp construction, and paper folding fundamentals.

Private and corporate workshops are also available upon request. Get in touch to learn more.

Upcoming Classes

Apr 3 Origami Paper Lamps Friday, 10am–4pm · WildCraft Studio School $175 + $35 materials · Waitlist Details →
Jun 21 Origami Paper Lamps Sunday, 10am–4pm · WildCraft Studio School $175 + $35 materials Details →

Open Source Models

30 Unit Sonobe Icosahedron
30 Unit Sonobe Icosahedron

30 sonobe units assembled into an icosahedron. Based on the traditional sonobe module.

View on MakerWorld →
120 Unit Sonobe Icosahedron
120 Unit Sonobe Icosahedron

120 sonobe units arranged into a higher-order icosahedron with raised triangular faces.

View on MakerWorld →