deviantART user orscobrusco specializes in origami. He's put pictures of impressive pieces in his gallery, such as this cobra. It was made from a single sheet of paper with no cuts or glue. Here's his description run through Google Translator:
Original model of the undersigned, created in '98.
This in particular is made of paper "elephant skin" patterned wet-folding, sheet starting about two meters long. The paper has been applied to the wounded colored with a dark wood stain and ink.
Link | Gallery
Hrmmm... isn't that kind of cheating though? ;)
Seriously though, cool... I totally suck at the simple origami.
Also, Lisa, as I understand it, there are computer programs Origami makers use to map out their folds first, before they ever go into actual folding