Ronghua Tutorial: How to Make a Horse Brooch

2026 is the Year of the Horse! Be it your zodiac sign or not, horse is such a beautiful and beloved animal. In celebration of the New Year, we created this festive project. We hope you will kickstart your new year just like how this horse does!

Preparation: What You’ll Need

If you’ve purchased our Ronghua Toolkit, you already have everything required!
If not, prepare the following tools:

1. Bristle brush (Medium to soft hardness)
2. Flat iron (the one you use to straighten your hair)
3. Tweezers
4. At least 2 pairs of Scissors
5. wooden sticks / pencils / chopsticks
6. Hair spray or diluted white glue (1:1.15–1:1.2 ratio)
7. Big clips (around 15cm)
8. Twisting boards and wooden blocks (for even tension)
9. Anti-slip powder (optional but helpful)

Full Tutorial Video

Step 1. Align and Arrange the Silk Threads

Start by untying your silk threads. Locate the knot at one end of each bundle and cut it open carefully. After cutting them open, don't forget to cut all the silk thread in half again.

Step 2. Group and Prepare the Threads

Each silk bundle consists of tiny strand-like structures — these are your individual strands. Align all strands neatly and tie them around a thin stick, keeping the ends even. Avoid uneven lengths — this ensures consistent texture later on.

Step 3. Make Silk Rows

Repeat the above process to create your silk rows. Remember to refer back to the data provided in the diagram for the following rows, as each will differ slightly. Below are the finished silk rows we made.

Step 4. Brush the Silk

Use your bristle brush to comb the silk rows. Continue brushing for about 10 minutes until the silk is smooth, fluffy, and free of tangles. If the silk becomes static, use a spray bottle to lightly mist the air (not the silk directly) with water.

Step 5. Attach Copper Wires

When you feel that the silk is brushed enough, secure its tail with another big clip to your table or anything that can help stretch it taut. Take out one copper wire from the folded end of the row and straighten it. Twist the folded part into a spiral of about 3 cm. Clamp the silk threads between two copper wires and twist the opposite side tightly. Pull both wires taut and continue twisting until they merge into one. Remember, the twisting direction for the left and right end are opposite.

The spacing should be as shown in step 1.

If you have anti-slip powder, it will be much easier to dip your fingers in it and twist it.

We highly recommend you watch the video tutorial for this step:)

Once done, remove the silk row from the stand and lay it flat.

Step 6. Cut the Silk Strips

Trim the row’s end neatly, then cut between each pair of copper wires to create even silk strips. When cutting, the scissors must be placed in the middle of two copper wires, otherwise the width of the silk strips will be inconsistent.

If threads stick to your scissors, clean them — it’s usually caused by static or residue. Cut quickly and cleanly for smooth edges. Don't touch the wire or it may get displaced.

Step 7. Center and Twist the Strips

Align the copper wire to the middle of each strip using a flat surface or wooden block.

Once centered, twist both hands in opposite directions to tighten.

Next, place the copper part between the twisting boards and continue twisting in the same direction. Stop when the wire feels firm — twisting too far may cause it to break. How do you know if it is tightened enough? If tightened properly, the copper wire should only faintly show. If the copper wire is very visible, it’s not tight enough.

Step 8. Taper the Petal Strips

The red and yellow silk strips need to be trimmed into pointed shapes. While trimming, rotate the strip gently and avoid squeezing it too tightly. The final shape should be wider in the middle and narrower at both ends. This is the correct form, and you will need five strips of this color.

The light yellow and red strips are trimmed using the same method. A sharp pair of scissors will make the process much easier, so try to keep the cuts as even as possible. In total, prepare ten light yellow strips and ten red strips. Pointed trimming takes some time, so be patient. 

Step 9. Fold and Twist the Strips

Next, fold each strip in half so the ends align, then twist the silk tightly at the base. All the pointed strips should be folded in this way. This is to make the flower center.

Step 10. Assemble the Small Flowers

Prepare two flower centers and cut each one in half. Use two strands of silk thread to secure the flower center. Then begin attaching the small petals, wrapping the thread once after adding each petal to hold it in place. Each small flower needs five petals. After the petals are attached, wrap the thread downward about 1 cm to finish the base. Adjust the petal shapes by curving them slightly inward. One small flower is now complete.

Make two red flowers and two light yellow flowers in total. Finally, trim the base wire diagonally. 

Step 11. Flatten the Strips

Next, we will prepare the rest of the silk strips. 

Use tweezers to tidy the silk strips. Trim the wire from one end of the red strip, then press the strip flat with a heated flat iron. Always press from back to front. Trim one end of the green strip as well and press it flat the same way.

Neatly trim any remaining wire. Soak the strip in hairspray to help it hold its shape. If you do not have hairspray, you can mix white glue and alcohol at a ratio of about 1:2/1:3. Remove any excess glue, otherwise the strip will become too thick. Insert the strip upright and allow it to dry.

Soak the long red strip as well and remove the excess glue using tweezers. Hang the long strip upside down to dry, securing it to a rod with paper tape. Wait until all the strips are completely dry. 

Step 12. Set and Glue the Silk Strips

Once dry, trim the edges neatly. All the strips will need trimming. Then apply jewelry glue along the edges and stick the strips together. You will need to glue seven pieces in total. 

Step 13. Mold and Attach the Wire Frame

Using a mold, shape the copper wire into the form of a horse. Make sure the wire fits closely against the mold. This step requires patience. Once the shape is correct, secure the wire with paper tape to prevent it from shifting. Finish shaping the wire around the horse’s leg area. When the shaping is complete, remove the tape.

Use the molds to shape the other copper wires as well. Next, attach the horse-shaped wire to the silk strip. Apply jewelry glue along the edge of the wire and press it firmly onto the silk so it adheres well.

Attach the other shaped strips in the same way. This mold is used to form the leaves. We will need three leaves. Adjust the width of the wire to match the green silk strip, then apply jewelry glue along the edge and attach the wire to the green strip.

Once the glue has partially dried, press it with the flat iron to strengthen the bond. Then shape a gentle curve into each leaf and trim away any excess silk. 

Step 14. Assemble the Piece

Because the horse shape is curved, trimming can be more difficult. For hard-to-reach areas, you can lightly use a lighter to clean the edges. Remove the wire from the other two strips and apply jewelry glue at the indicated positions before attaching them. The tail piece should be attached to the back of the horse.

After everything dries, press the piece again with the flat iron. Wrap silk thread around the copper wire, covering about 2 cm.

Now begin assembling the flowers and leaves. Start by wrapping the silk thread around the leaves, then attach the flowers in the order shown. In total, use five small flowers and three leaves.

Trim the tail wire diagonally and secure the horse and the flowers together.

Fold the wrapped wire in half and continue wrapping until the wire is completely covered. Place a folded copper wire or silk thread at the point where the wrapping ends, then keep wrapping over it. You can watch the video tutorial for this step:)

Cut off the excess silk thread, thread its tail through the folded wire, and pull the wire through to lock it in place. Finally, trim away any extra thread. 

Step 15. Attach the Piece to the Accessory

Finally, attach the base to the horse with glue. 

Brush a small amount of hairspray over the wrapped area to hold the shape better. 

And that completes the piece. Enjoy crafting your own Horse of 2026! 🌸