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[Handmade] Recommended Motifs and Crafting Ideas for DIY Chopstick Rests
Do you usually use chopstick rests?
In restaurants and traditional eateries, chopstick rests are always provided, but at home, fewer people may use them.
However, having cute chopstick rests can brighten up your table and make meals even more enjoyable.
In this article, we’ll introduce handmade ideas for chopstick rests.
Rather than quick ones made from chopstick sleeves, we’ve gathered craft-style ideas using origami and oven-bake clay.
Please use them as a reference!
Origami (1–10)
First, let me introduce some origami chopstick rests you can use not only for everyday meals but also for a slightly special occasion! I’ve picked out a variety of motifs, so if you find a favorite, be sure to look up how to make it.
In addition to the ones introduced here, there are plenty of tutorials on how to make chopstick rests on YouTube!
dog
Perfect for dog lovers! How about a cute, seated dog chopstick rest made from origami? Prepare long, narrow strips of origami paper in any colors or patterns you like.
The size is a bit irregular, but it’s very easy to make, so it’s perfect for crafting with children.
You can adjust the size—make larger ones for adult chopsticks and smaller ones for kids’ chopsticks! It can stand on its own, so it’s lovely not only as a chopstick rest but also as a decorative object.
Let this be a little inspiration to add a touch of color to your dining table.
Butterfly
These origami butterfly chopstick rests are perfect for table settings at home parties.
Butterfly motifs have an elegant feel and are very popular with women! The finished piece looks festive, as if a butterfly were resting its wings on the table.
Prepare standard-size origami paper or chiyogami.
The folds progress from basic to more intricate, so the latter half may be a bit challenging.
Finally, spread and shape the wings—and you’re done! The three-dimensional butterfly pairs perfectly with a chopstick rest, and it also makes a lovely little gift.
heart
Perfect for Valentine’s Day or parties with someone special! Here’s how to make a heart-shaped chopstick rest out of origami.
A heartfelt handmade heart will surely strengthen the bond between the two of you! Since it uses smaller origami paper, it may be a bit tricky for beginners.
The key is how you fold the rounded parts of the heart.
Set the tips of your chopsticks into the crease at the center of the heart.
Red and pink are classics, but it’s also lovely to change the color or material to suit your partner’s or your own taste.
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji, a symbol of Japan, is also a popular motif for celebrations! Let’s fold Mount Fuji out of origami and make a chopstick rest.
Use a standard-size sheet of origami paper.
There aren’t any particularly difficult folds, so beginners can enjoy it too.
The key point is the final step where you fold the tip of Mount Fuji inward, as if sinking it.
Fold it in various colors for an adorable, photo-worthy result—definitely try it with friends and family! It won’t just work as a chopstick rest; it also makes a charming decorative object that can accent your room, so you can enjoy displaying it as well.
crown
These crown-themed chopstick rests make great accents for table settings and are perfect for birthday parties.
Just having chopstick rests on the table—something you don’t usually use—can create a special atmosphere! Prepare small sheets of origami paper in your favorite colors or patterns.
Because the paper is small, some of the finer folds may be a bit tricky, but overall the difficulty is fairly low.
The key is to shape it neatly at the end.
It’s also fun to make them together for your child’s birthday party.
Flower
Here’s how to make a flower-shaped chopstick rest out of origami that you can use all year round for events like birthdays and anniversaries.
It’s perfect if you’re tired of store-bought items! Because it’s handmade, it turns out warm and charming.
The key is to make firm creases in the paper.
The petal section involves fine folds, so it might be a bit tricky.
Using different colors and patterns of origami completely changes the look! It also makes a great gift, so give it a try.
crane
Why not try making a chopstick rest by folding a crane—an auspicious motif—out of origami? It has a strong presence and instantly brightens up the dining table, making it perfect for the New Year or the start of any year.
It’s also great that you can use standard-size origami or chiyogami paper.
The folds are all basic—like mountain and valley folds—so even beginners should find it easy.
Using gold or silver paper, or washi, also helps create a festive atmosphere, so it’s highly recommended! Try making them with your family at the end of the year and have fun with it.
Oven-bake clay (1–10)
Next up is a chopstick rest made with oven-bake clay.
You can even find oven-bake clay at 100-yen shops, and it’s also known as resin clay.
It hardens just by baking it in a household oven, so even beginners can easily enjoy a pottery-like experience.
Here, I’ll introduce some recommended motifs for chopstick rests made with oven-bake clay.
With a bit of creativity, you can make just about anything—so give various ideas a try!
rabbit
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkXGvzPPv9W/Animal-shaped chopstick rests are small and cute—they really lift your mood! How about making a rabbit, one of the classic motifs? Long ears, a round little body, and hind legs that look ready to spring at any moment…
it’s a creature you could watch forever.
When you picture a rabbit, I bet most of you think of white.
White is said to give people a sense of cleanliness, which makes it perfect for the dining table.
That said, of course, colorful rabbits are adorable too!
Daruma
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjDKkl-hkMd/This is a chopstick rest made of resin clay, featuring a cute daruma with beady little eyes.
Mix acrylic paint into the clay to color it, knead it well, then roll it into a ball and shape it into a daruma.
Press a pen into it to create a small indentation.
Place white clay for the face on top, draw the eyes with a pen, then bake it in the oven for the specified time to finish! Since it takes time to harden, you can redo it as many times as you like until you’re satisfied with the shape.
It’s easy to try even if you’re not into crafts, so give it a go!
lotus root
https://www.instagram.com/p/CklGrEXybvx/Lotus root, with its many holes visible in cross-section, is said to offer a clear view of the future and is popular as a good-luck charm! It’s also widely used in New Year’s Osechi cuisine.
How about making handmade chopstick rests inspired by lotus root? They’ll add a festive accent to your New Year’s table! If you use oven-bake polymer clay that hardens with heat, even beginners in crafting can try it easily.
You can find oven-bake clay at home improvement stores or 100-yen shops.
Shape each piece by hand with care—people will surely appreciate them as gifts, too.