Ronghua Tutorial: How to make Willow Candle Holder

Soft branches and flowing lines define the willow — a symbol of grace and resilience. This willow candleholder combines organic movement with warm light, turning a simple candle into a serene centerpiece. As you work through the steps, you’ll focus on flow, balance, and the quiet beauty of handmade details.

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)

Important Note Before You Start

Our material kit currently has an old version and a new version.

If your kit contains silk threads in multiple thicknesses (old version), you can simply follow the video tutorial when arranging the threads.

If your kit contains only one thickness of silk thread (new version), then you’ll need to refer to the Ronghua Manual in step 1 for the correct thread arrangement.

How to tell the difference between the two silk thread types:

One type feels slightly rougher to the touch. Each individual strand is finer, and several strands may stick together easily.

The other type feels smooth. Each individual strand is thicker, and strands do not stick together.

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. This project uses multiple shades of green silk to create 4 silk rows. 

If you have received the updated Ronghua kit, refer to the colour diagram below for thread combination details. Otherwise, just follow the instructions in our video tutorial.

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 four silk rows in total. Remember to refer back to the data provided in the diagram for the following rows, as each will differ slightly. 

If you have received the old version of material, please follow the video tutorial for silk row arrangement. If you have received the new one, please use the diagram in step 1 as reference.

Step 4. Brush the Silk Rows

Fix one silk row onto your stand using big metal clips - if you don't have the wooden ronghua stand, that's totally fine! You can refer to our video about alternative solutions to the stand.

Hold the ends of the threads with one hand and brush gently but firmly from top to bottom. Don’t lift the brush midway. A light mist of water will prevent static. You can apply some pressure — silk threads are stronger than they look! Make sure to brush both the front and back sides until the row looks smooth and fluffy. If you see any knots when brushing, untangle them first.

Everyone uses a different brush and hand speed, so the time it takes to complete this step is also different. Taking my situation as a reference, it took me about 10 minutes to brush this silk row. When you feel the hair is soft and fluffy, you can stop and check. When there is no complete linear distinction between the threads, it's ready:) 

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.

For the light green strip, cut it in the middle into one long and one short strip. 

For others, just trim off one copper end. 

Step 8. Flatten the Strips

Flatten them with a mini iron.

Then we need to strengthen the flattened strips.

Prepare your setting solution:

1. Use either hair spray, or
2. Diluted white glue (1:1.15 or 1:1.2 ratio)

Soak the flattened silk strips, let them absorb the solution, then scrape off the excess. Stick them up to dry.

Once fully dry, trim the strips into willow leaf shape: one end should be pointed, while the other remains softly rounded.

Step 9. Shape the Strips

Now the strips are ready to be shaped. Use a mini iron to gently curve each one.

For small, shorter leaves, a soft, simple curve is enough. For the other leaf types, create the curve first, then add a light twist to give them more movement and character.

There are five different leaf types in total—keep them separated so they don’t get mixed up during assembly.

Step 10. Assemble the Willow Branches

Cut eight copper wires, each at least 20 cm long, and vary their lengths slightly so the branches won’t look uniform.

Using leftover silk thread, begin assembling the branches. Start with the lightest-colored leaves, spacing them gradually along the wire.

Arrange the leaves so those on the left and right are staggered, rather than sitting on the same horizontal line.

As you move upward, transition to darker and larger leaves. Leave a section of bare copper wire at the bottom for wrapping later.

Once each branch is complete, tie off the thread securely and apply a small amount of white glue to seal the end.

You should now have eight willow branches, each with a slightly different length and rhythm.

Step 11. Assemble the Piece

Prepare the candlestick base components. 

Use silk thread to tie the willow branches onto the base, wrapping all eight branches evenly around the central rod. Wrapping about 4 cm is sufficient.

Finish with a firm knot, trim away any excess thread and wire, and seal the end with white glue.

For shorter willow branches, use annealed copper wire to fix them near the bottom of the arrangement. Adjust the overall balance so longer branches sit higher and shorter ones lower.

Your silk Ronghua willow branch candlestick is now complete!