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DES MOINES - If you've never heard of iris paper folding before, Laura Kerr of Gilman isn't afraid to tell you.

After all, she told dozens of people about it at the Iowa State Fair during her working exhibit in the 4-H building.

Kerr, 14, is starting her freshman year at East Marshall High School. She qualified for state through the Central Iowa Fair last month.

Iris paper folding is a way to fold colored paper to where the design looks like the iris of a camera. It can be used to make artwork and greeting cards.

"One of our family friends had a book about it and I was able to get more information on the internet," Kerr said.

Kerr - who brought 900 sheets of paper for visitors to use at the exhibit - said her favorite part of presenting is "interacting with people and helping them learn something."

Doni Sheldon, Marshall County extension youth coordinator, said Kerr's working exhibit at the local fair opened a lot of eyes and got several children involved.

"It was very unique and we've never seen that type of thing at our fair," she said.

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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com