WITH typical entrepreneurial flare, 19-year-old Michael Trew has turned a cottage industry making origami mascots into an international business.

The Beaconsfield teenager serves the likes of BP, American Express, Asian conference delegates and a Japanese fashion designer.

His business, Papershake, has built up a reputation with leading marketing and PR agencies seeking unusual business cards, table decorations, invitations and gifts made out of folded paper.

One of the first commissions was to design and print 10,000 origami yacht patterns to promote and celebrate the BP Explorer educational challenge in Australia.

Mr Trew had to design and make a model suitable for young children.

He produced the artwork, which was ultimately reprinted by BP and used in Australia.

Other commissions include 1,500 hand-folded Japanese cranes for trendy London designer Eva Menz, 500 paper corporate hospitality models of a man reading a newspaper, 25 horses made out of the Racing Post newspaper to celebrate a 70th birthday and a collection of elaborate table decorations for a major event.

Mr Trew, who lives in Ivins Road, developed an interest in the Japanese art of paper folding when he was given a book on the subject as a youngster.

His mother, Pauline, developed an interest too and is now librarian of the British Origami Society.

They are currently making 1,500 fish-shaped invitations for a corporate event.

Like many of the jobs, the commission has come from an events organiser who found them on the internet through the society.

Mr Trew is on a gap year after completing studies at John Hampden school in High Wycombe and has a place at Canterbury University to study music. However, he plans to carry on the paper folding business.

"I never get fed up making models. It is creative, enjoyable and calming," he said.

"The commissions are challenging and we get lots of enjoyment out of it."

To find out more see www.papershake.co.uk