How to Make Hawaiian Leis From Leaves
Whether you're having a Hawaiian themed party or visiting the islands on vacation, making a lei out of leaves is easy to do for the occasion. Although traditional leis have ti leaves, any leaves will work. You can make leaf leis for events year-round, simply by using leaves from the different seasons.
Instructions
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1
Hold a string around your neck like a necklace and cut it to the length you desire. Below the chest is a traditional length.
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2
Lay the string horizontally on a flat surface like a table. Place newspaper or other protection under the string so glue does not get on the table.
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3
Glue a leaf near one end of the string, leaving about 2 inches of string outside the leaf. Glue the leaf facing away from you at the base of the leaf or on the stem, depending on the thickness of the string you're using. A thicker string could hold a leaf by its stem, while a thinner string would better hold a leaf by its base.
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4
Glue a leaf facing away from you on the string next to the first leave, leaving an inch gap between leaves.
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5
Repeat Step 4 until leaves cover the entire string facing away from you. Leave about 2 inches of string free of leaves at the finishing end.
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6
Using the gaps between the leaves as a guide, glue leaves facing toward you down the string. This should leave half-inch gaps between leaves all along the lei.
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7
Turn the string over carefully. Repeat Step 3 through Step 6, using the gaps as guides of where to glue the leaves. By the time you finish, all the gaps should be gone.
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8
Tie the 2-inch-long ends in a knot and wear your lei like a necklace or use it as decoration.
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Tips & Warnings
The thicker the string, the easier it will be to glue the leaves.
Use fake leaves or leaves that are freshly cut for better flexibility.
Be careful when dealing with a hot-glue gun around children.
