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This gold fish is not difficult to make. I have taught this to many friends and colleagues. A few of them need only to look at it and with a few verbal clarifications, were able to make them on their own without the need to show it to them step-by-step.
There are many versions of this gold fish and this
is the version I like best.
1) Making the Tail
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The tail require 3 hongbaos.
The first 2 shows the type of folding required for all 3 hongbaos. Fold all 3 to get the rightmost piece. This picture shows the top view.
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This picture shows the bottom view for the first
2.
You need to use double-sided tape to tape the pointed shape together and hold it. The second picture shows how you can use the double-sided tape. You need to do this for all 3 units.
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Next you need to tape one of them as shown. Remember
it is double-sided tape.
The double-sided tape is for taping all 3 together.
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Then tape all 3 units together. This will form the tail. |
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Tape one end together using ordinary transparent tape. This holds one end tightly together while leaving the other end free, looking like a fan. |
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Next you will need to shape the tail so that it
will open up. You need to do this for all 3.
You need to invert it. You may need to experiment with it until you get
it correct. I was told by many that this is the most difficult step.
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If you do it correctly. This is how the completed
tail will look like.
If you want another view of how the completed tail looks like, scroll down to see the completed fish.
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2) Making the Body
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You will need 3 hongbaos for the body.
In some instances, if the hongbao is too long, you may want to cut a small portion off. It usually looks better if the tail if much bigger than the body. You will need to fold a small piece to get the mouth. Then fold the corners where you made the mouth to get the second picture. Next fold the other two corners and try to taper is as much as possible, so it it slighly longer, to get the third picture. If you are not sure how the folding is done and want to get another view, see the pictures below. |
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Fold all 3 hongbaos. See picture for final result.
Next you will need to fix them together as shown
in the picture.
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To fix it together, again you will need double-sided
tape.
Actually you need only to tape one of them as shown
in the picture.
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Then tape them as shown in the picture.
I prefer to reinforce them by stapling again.
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This is the bottom view.
If you look carefully, you can see the staples.
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Next you will need to fold the 3 fins and tape
it together as shown in the picture.
The middle unit has 2 fins taped together and this forms the bottom portion of the fish. The other fin form the top fin. The folding the fins are left to you to work out.
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In this picture, the accessories are already fixed.
It is usually better to fix them before completion.
The bottom accessory can be varied to make it look as beautiful as you like or as elaborate as you like. The top string need to be positioned in such a way that it balance the whole fish nicely. You may need to experiment with it until it is just the way you want it. Note the double-sided tape already pasted as shown.
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Get the picture orientation correct first.
The 3 units are now taped together at the top part.
Note the top fin in the picture.
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Next we tape the bottom part of the fish.
In this picture, one side of the bottom part was
already taped.
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In this picture, both the bottom part was already
taped.
This picture with the double-sided tape seen is the top part, yet to be taped together. Look at the next picture, the arrow points to the area where the taping will occur next. Before you tape them together, you will need to insert the tail of the fish into the hole. On both sides of the hole are double-sided tape that will hold the tail and the top part of the fish together.
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Tape the top part securely together. Make sure
the tail is firmly attached.
Make sure the tail is correctly positioned equivalent
to what the tail might look like in a real gold fish.
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Completed.
Note the positioning of the tail in relation to
the body of the fish.
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Two views of the completed fish.
Some people may like to tie a red ribbon on the
part between the body and the tail of the fish.
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