Ronghua Tutorial: How to Make Summer Raindrops Lotus Leaves Earrings

Inspired by raindrops glistening on lotus leaves, Summer Raindrops combines the softness of silk with the subtle shine of silver leaf. This project guides you through every step — from shaping delicate leaves to adding a silver finish that catches the light like water after rain.

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 3 colours of silk to create 3 silk rows.  Refer to the colour 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 three silk rows in total. 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 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 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 spacing between wires should be 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.

The spacing between copper wires is big, so it may be more difficult to hold the silk in place. Be sure to tighten up the wires further with tweezers if necessary. 

Step 7. Center and Twist the Strips

Place the copper part between the twisting boards and continue twisting in the same direction. 

If you have done some of our other Ronghua projects, you will notice that the fluffed up strips look way messier than a lot of other projects. But don't worry: it's meant to be so. Tidy up the fluffy strips with tweezers or fine combs. Rake through the fibers gently or it may pull them off. Trim off the irregular edges to make it smooth and round.

Step 8. Flatten the Strips

All silk strips need to be flattened. Cut off one end of the copper wire. Heat your flat iron and press the fluff flat. Move slowly and evenly.

After flattening, cut off one end of the copper wire.

Step 9. Shape the Leaves

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)

Spray the solution onto the leaves until they are fully wet. Put the wireless side of wet leaves down on your table and lift it up slightly so it gives it an initial shape of lotus leaves.

While still damp, shape the strips using the “wet concave” method:

• Press out extra solution with tweezers.
• Shape natural curves along the petal edges while wet.   

Pinch and form wavy curves along the rim to mimic a real lotus leaf.

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

Then stick them up to air-dry. When they are dried, trim off the frayed edges or any protruding wires.

Step 10. Make the Leaf Stems

Take a piece of 0.4 mm copper wire and fold it in half. Bind it securely to the base of the leaf to add structure and support, leaving the stem slightly longer for flexibility when assembling later. Wrap the entire stem neatly with silk thread. Once wrapped, you can briefly flash the thread with a lighter to lock the fibers in place — be careful not to burn the silk.

Step 11. Make the Bead Stems

Cut several pieces of copper wire to roughly the same length as your leaf stems. String one silver bead onto each wire, twist the ends tightly to secure it, and then roll the twisted part on the rubbing board to smooth and shape it. Repeat the same process to make six beaded stems in total.

Step 12. Assemble the Piece

Arrange the lotus leaves from light to dark, keeping a gentle, natural spacing between them instead of packing them too tightly. Place the bead stems in the gaps between the leaves to create balance and flow. Bind all the stems together with silk thread, wrapping firmly but neatly. If the wire bundle feels too thick, trim off any excess; otherwise, it may become bulky. Fold back any wire ends that extend beyond the wrapping to form a small, neat loop, and continue wrapping until all exposed wire is fully covered.

Finish by tucking the thread into the copper wire. We use a special technique to tie the thread without any trace. To do this, you will need to take a small piece of copper wire or thread and fold it in half. Cover the copper wire / thread when continue wrapping. When finishing, pass the remaining thread through the small loop of the copper wire. Then quickly pull the copper wire out from the tail. The thread ends are left inside the wrapped silk threads. You can safely cut off the exposed silk thread, and trim off any excess.  

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

 

Step 13. Make the Leaves Dewy

Brush on PVA (white) glue only over the areas where you want the silver leaf to adhere. Apply it in thin, even layers, repeating several times if needed—avoid overloading the surface. When the glue becomes tacky, gently lay down the silver leaf. Once it’s completely dry, use a soft brush to dust off the excess. Finally, lightly pass a flame over the silvered areas in quick, controlled motions to set the finish.

Step 14. Attach the Piece to the Earrings

Take a jump ring and open it carefully with pliers. Attach it to the earring by passing the open ring through the small reserved loop or hole on the leaf. Once it’s in place, close the jump ring securely with the pliers to ensure it’s firmly fastened.

And you are done! Your lotus-leaf earrings are complete—crisp structure, natural waves, and a balanced composition that photographs beautifully or makes a thoughtful gift.