Making a Maile Leaf Lei
A member of the periwinkle family, the maile vine is thin and aromatic with leaves of shiny, waxy forest-green. These vines are popular in leis in Hawaii, so when you're hosting a Hawaiian-inspired gala, you can make leis with these precious plants. Knowing how to make leis with maile leaves gives you ornamental pieces without having to depend on pre-made leis that are either overpriced or cheap and flimsy. If you're a florist, your handmade leis may also impress your customers.
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Instructions
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Select a length of maile vine measuring 28 inches. You can either select a fresh maile vine or an artificial variety from a craft and hobby shop. Maile vines ordinarily come in shades of green, but some cultivars come in shades of green with gold-hued foliage. Choose one suitable to your needs.
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Connect the ends of the vine with a 2-inch strip of floral tape to create a circle shape. To do this, simply meet the ends and center a strip of tape over the seam where they meet. Wrap the tape around to adhere the ends together.
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Snip the stems from your choice of assorted blossoms. Use Hawaiian-inspired blossoms like passion flower and orchids. Leave 1 inch of stem on each flower.
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Insert 1 inch of wire into the center of the protruding stem of each flower. Wrap the stem, with the flower, around parts of the maile lei. This adds floral accent in various parts of the vine.
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