Ronghua Tutorial: How to Make Fragrant Secret Gourd

Small, fragrant, and full of charm — the Fragrant Secret Gourd brooch carries a secret inside: a handmade fragrance ball.  This tiny gourd is a quiet companion of scent and story.

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. This project uses only one colour of silk to create only one silk row.  Refer to the diagram below for thread combination details.

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 the silk row. Below is the finished silk row we made. 

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.

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 and start to stick to each other, it's ready:) 

This is what the brushed silk thread feels like:

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 annealed 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 twsiting direction for the left and right end are opposite. 

The space between the copper wires should be 2.5cm.

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. Flatten the Strips

Cut off one end of the copper wire. Heat your flat iron and press the strip gently from bottom to top. Move slowly and evenly. Trim away any loose silk fibers for a clean look.

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 and stick them up to dry. After they are dried, flatten them again to ensure they are as flat as possible.

Step 9. Make the Leaves

Take out a twisted copper wire, fold it in half, and pinch it into a pointed tip. Use a round tool as support and shape the wire into a circle, then gently adjust it into a leaf form. Continue refining the shape until you’re happy with the outline.

Apply a thin layer of jewelry glue along the wire — not too much, as any overflow will make the edges look uneven. Press the silk strip firmly onto the wire so it adheres well.

Next, take another piece of copper wire and apply a bit of jewelry glue onto it. Attach this wire to the center of the leaf to form the vein.

Use the iron to press the silk again to make sure it’s firmly bonded, then trim off any excess silk for a clean, neat finish.

Now let’s assemble the leaves. Start by wrapping the copper wire with reddish-brown silk thread, keeping the wrapping smooth and even. Add a leaf every short distance along the wire to create a natural, layered look. You’ll need a total of three leaves for this piece. 

Step 10. Make the Gourd

I. Preparation

1. Prepare a wide-mouthed container filled with beads for easy access;
2. 7 copper wires, each 36 cm long (folded in half = 18 cm);
3. Tweezers and fragrance pellets.

II. Beading Tutorial

1. Take one copper wire (A) and string 3 beads, threading 2 beads crosswise;
2. Continue by threading 3 more beads, this time threading 3 beads crosswise;
3. Repeat the process until all beads are used up — this completes the first gourd section;
4. Take another copper wire (B) and thread 1 bead, threading 1 bead crosswise;
5. Insert one end of wire B from outside to inside through the gap between two bead rows of A, then string 2 beads, threading 2 crosswise;
6. Repeat the steps — pass one end of the wire through the gap, then cross through the beads again. Continue according to the bead pattern until a total of 6 gourd sections are made;
7. Take the 7th copper wire, cross through 1 bead, and insert both ends from outside to inside through the gap between the first and sixth gourd sections;
8. Following the same pattern, insert both ends through the gaps between bead rows, then cross through the beads again;
9. When near completion, use tweezers to place the fragrance pellet inside;
10. Continue threading the remaining beads to complete the work.

See below for illustrations.

Note:
If you wish to make a larger or smaller gourd, simply increase or decrease the number of beads in each row evenly.

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

Step 11. Assemble the Piece

Cut a slightly longer piece of copper wire and start wrapping from the middle using silk thread. Once you’ve covered a few centimeters, fold the wire in half and continue wrapping both ends together until you reach the tip.

You’ll also need a similar red wire-wrapped piece for accent. Gently curve both wrapped wires to give them a natural shape. Then, attach the gourd to the copper wire and secure the joint firmly with silk thread.

Next, thread a few golden beads onto the copper wire near the gourd and twist the wires tightly to hold them in place. Make three of these beaded stems in total. Cut two more sections of copper wire and start wrapping from the middle again. Fold the wires and continue wrapping smoothly. Add the small prepared beads as decorative accents while wrapping.

Once the length looks balanced, finish off the wrapping neatly and bend the wire slightly into a natural curve. Finally, attach the curved wire and the leaves together, securing them to complete the arrangement.

After wrapping the thread all the way to the bottom, begin wrapping it back upward toward the top again. Fold the tail ends of the copper wires neatly, and continue wrapping until the entire wire is evenly covered with thread.

Next, we will use a special technique to finish cleanly. Take another folded piece of copper wire and keep wrapping the thread along its length. Pass the silk thread through the wire loop, then gently pull the wire out to secure the thread in place. Trim off any excess thread once it’s firmly wrapped.

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

Use a lighter to lightly burn off the frayed ends for a clean finish. 

Step 12. Attach the Gourd to the Base

Now, you can attach this finished piece to the main body of the brooch. Start by tying the silk thread onto the main piece, then bind the brooch and the new component together tightly with thread. Make sure to pull each wrap snugly to keep everything secure and well-aligned.

For finishing, we will use the same technique as above, with a piece of folded copper wire.

Note that the base could be replaced. You can also use the hairpin base and make a beautiful fragrant gourd hairpin!

Step 13. Final Adjustments

Finally, adjust the overall shape. And that's it - your Fragrant Secret Gourd is complete!