FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Doris Lee, left, teaches Sheryl Dohm how to make philodendrom angels at Wahiawa Botanical Gardens.
Unique crafts are homemade, using natural materials
A trip to the backyard, a visit to the park or a stroll along a hiking trail can yield a host of items for craft making. Natural materials can be used to create holiday ornaments, angels, wreaths and more.
Garden Holiday Craft Classes
Call 537-1708 to register.
Succulent Wreath Making: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 18, Foster Botanical Gardens. Plants provided by Cactus and Succulent Society of Hawaii. Bring gloves and clippers. Cost is $20, $15 garden members.
Swags with Greens: Use the wili lei-making technique, 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 16, Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. Cost is $20, $18 garden members, which includes materials.
Several students at the Wahiawa Botanical Garden gathered to make philodendron angels last month. The basic structure can be created in about a half hour. "It's the garnish that takes a lot of time," said Doris Lee, class instructor.
Some tips for angel making: Put books on the wings to prevent curling. Use newspaper to stuff the skirt so it dries puffy, not flat. And, be sure to tie things tightly because the leaves will dry and shrivel.
Mae Takata had seen the angels at craft fairs on many occasions and had always wanted to make them. "They are much more simple than I had envisioned," said Takata. "The hardest thing we will encounter will be finding the leaves. It's not like you can pick them up at Wal-Mart."
Various nuts can be used to make the head. "If you walk along the beach, sometimes you can find them floating in the water," Lee added.
Extra leaves can be used to create double wings or fuller skirts. Raffia or other materials can become belts or haku leis.
Each angel is unique, Lee said. And remember, "Nothing in nature is perfect."
» 4 to 5 philodendron leaf sheaths or monstera leaves
» Kamani nut or cork ball
» String or yarn (brown)
» Needle and brown thread
» Small bouquet of dried flowers
» Newspaper, paper towel and water.
1. Wash and soak leaves overnight.
2. Clean and trim leaves.
3. Take one large leaf and wrap around the nut, folding the sides to create a back.
4. Wrap another leaf around to create the front. Make the skirt longer in the front.
5. Tie at the neck with yarn, square knotted.
6. Cut third and fourth leaves to make wings
7. For the arms, cut a strip longer than the wing span and roll to form arms.
8. Slip the arms and wings in between the back and front pieces and tie waist with
thread, using a square knot. A small piece of the leaf can also be rolled up to create a bust.
9. Tie hands together and place bouquet, tying in the dried flowers with thread.
10. For halo, take raffia or similar material, measure longer than the head and braid strip to
form halo. Sew in place.
11. Make a sash with a leaf strip
12. Wrap neck with leaf scrap and tie in the back.
13. Loop yarn for hanger, if desired.
14. Once dried, hot glue or tacky glue can be used to secure arms, wings and embellishment in place.