Keep a little autumn after the leaves are gone.
Turn fine silk threads into golden ginkgo leaves with Ronghua, the traditional Chinese craft of shaping silk into flowers and foliage by hand.
WHAT YOU'LL MAKE
Ronghua DIY Kit | A Letter from Autumn
I already own Ronghua tools
Already have Ronghua tools? Choose DIY Kit Only for the project materials + full video tutorial.
I'm new to Ronghua
New to Ronghua? Choose DIY Kit + Toolkit to get the project materials, tutorial, and the reusable Ronghua tools you’ll need to get started.
You only need one toolkit — use it again for future Ronghua projects.
First order? Use NEW10 for 10% off.
Two things you'll need at home
- Setting Solution: Regular hairspray works beautifully and is what we most often recommend, but spray products can’t travel with our international parcels.
- A stable edge for stretching the silk: A Ronghua stand is useful but not essential; a stable household setup can work too.
It really does start as thread
Ronghua begins with fine silk thread. You brush it, wire it, cut it, trim it and shape it — until something unexpectedly botanical begins to appear.
Brush the silk
Turn natural mulberry silk into soft, fluffy velvet fibres.
Create the floral core
Clamp flexible copper wire to form the flower’s structure.
Cut silk strips
Prepare even strips for balanced petals.
Twist into petals
Wrap and twist silk around the wire by hand.
Refine with heat
Smooth and taper petals for clean, elegant tips.
Shape by hand
Curve and open each petal to add depth and softness.
Assemble the flower
Layer petals into a finished ronghua bloom to wear or display.
Brush the silk
Turn natural mulberry silk into soft, fluffy velvet fibres.
Create the floral core
Clamp flexible copper wire to form the flower’s structure.
Cut silk strips
Prepare even strips for balanced petals.
Twist into petals
Wrap and twist silk around the wire by hand.
Refine with heat
Smooth and taper petals for clean, elegant tips.
Shape by hand
Curve and open each petal to add depth and softness.
Assemble the flower
Layer petals into a finished ronghua bloom to wear or display.
And when you're finished, don't put it in a drawer.
WEAR IT AS A BROOCH
Pin it to a coat, scarf, hat or bag when autumn outside has already moved on.
WEAR IT AS A HAIRPIN
Or swap the base and wear it in your hair. Both accessory bases are included.
The part we're most interested in
What happens when you try
START YOUR RONGHUA PROJECT
Ronghua DIY Kit | A Letter from Autumn
I already own Ronghua tools
Already have Ronghua tools? Choose DIY Kit Only for the project materials + full video tutorial.
I'm new to Ronghua
New to Ronghua? Choose DIY Kit + Toolkit to get the project materials, tutorial, and the reusable Ronghua tools you’ll need to get started.
You only need one toolkit — use it again for future Ronghua projects.
First order? Use NEW10 for 10% off.
Two things you'll need at home
- Setting Solution: Regular hairspray works beautifully and is what we most often recommend, but spray products can’t travel with our international parcels.
- A stable edge for stretching the silk: A Ronghua stand is useful but not essential; a stable household setup can work too.
Everything that's difficult to source. Prepared for you.
6A Untwisted Mulberry Silk
We work with trusted silk suppliers in Suzhou and Hangzhou to source high-quality mulberry silk chosen for its softness, sheen and consistency.
Annealed Copper Wire
Plenty of 0.2 mm yellow copper wire is included — enough to practise, test, and not panic over the first imperfect piece.
Templates and Flower Centers
Worried about the shapes? We’ve got you covered. Templates are included to guide the proportions, so you won’t have to guess your way through every leaf.
If you choose "Kit + Toolkit" option
The Ronghua toolkit contains the main reusable tools for preparing, cutting and shaping the silk.
If you choose "Kit + Toolkit" option
Our toolkit currently includes items such as traditional iron scissors, rolling boards/clip, bristle brush, mini iron, tweezers, craft scissors and metal clips.
If you choose "Kit + Toolkit" option
Buy it once. Use it across future Ronghua kits.
20-25 hours? Yes.
That's rather the idea. This isn't a craft you have to finish on Saturday afternoon. Make a few leaves tonight. Come back tomorrow.
Ignore it for three days.
Pick it up again when your hands want something to do and your brain would quite like to be left alone.
A Letter from Autumn can stay with you for a while.
You don't have to remember everything.
Watch a step. Pause. Make it.
Rewind when your silk has other ideas.
The video tutorial guides you through the project step by step, so you can work at your own pace rather than trying to keep up with a class.
So, what exactly is Ronghua?
Ronghua is a traditional Chinese craft that transforms fine silk and wire into remarkably soft flowers, foliage and decorative forms.
It is repetitive, precise and surprisingly tactile.
And while its history goes back centuries, the part that interests us most is what happens when an old technique arrives on a completely new pair of hands. Perhaps yours;)
Is it a good first Ronghua project?
You may enjoy this project if you like embroidery, crochet, knitting, model-making or anything else where small repeated actions slowly build into something larger.
If you've never tried detailed handcrafting before, or would simply prefer a shorter first project, begin with one of our Pre-made Petals Kit or Level 1 Ronghua kits instead.
Intro · Pre-made Petals
Our easiest kits. Petals are ready — just assemble, style, and relax.
Level 1 · Beginner Friendly
Simple design and basic techniques. Perfect for your very first ronghua project.
Level 2 · Gentle Next Step
Try new techniques while keeping it fun and doable.
Level 3 · Craft with Confidence
Work with raw silk and layered forms. Slower, deeper, more immersive.
Level 4 · Statement Pieces
For confident crafters. Complex, rewarding, and truly satisfying.
FAQ
I've never made Ronghua before. Can I make this?
Yes, but A Letter from Autumn is a Level 2 project rather than our easiest starting point. If you already enjoy detailed crafts and are happy to follow a step-by-step tutorial, it can make a rewarding first project.
If you'd prefer to learn the basic techniques with fewer steps, we recommend starting with our Pre-made Petals Kits or Level 1 Kits.
Do I need to buy the toolkit?
If you already own suitable Ronghua tools, choose DIY Kit Only.
If you're new to Ronghua, choose DIY Kit + Toolkit.
The toolkit is reusable, so you don't need to purchase another one for future Ronghua kits.
Is the tutorial included?
Yes. The project includes access to a step-by-step video tutorial that you can pause and replay while you work.
How long will it take?
Approximately 25–30 hours.
You don't have to make it in one sitting — most people will naturally spread a project like this across multiple crafting sessions.
Is this suitable for kids?
We recommend for ages 13+, as scissors and fine tools are used.
Where do you ship from?
Orders are prepared from our studio in Chengdu, China and shipped internationally with tracking.
How long does delivery take?
Shipping to the US: Orders are usually prepared within 1–3 business days, with tracked delivery taking approximately 8–15 days after dispatch.
Shipping somewhere else? See delivery estimates by country here.
What if I need help?
Send us a message. We're a small team and actual humans answer the questions.
We would rather help you through a tricky piece of silk than have your half-finished ginkgo leaves glaring at you from a drawer.