5.2 How to Make Chanhua Orchid and Mantis

2026年2月22日

1. Prepare 0.2mm tarnish-resistant copper wire, 0.3mm red copper wire, 2mm red agate beads, 2mm copper spacer beads, and velvet or silk threads.

2. Thread a piece of 0.2mm tarnish-resistant copper wire through a 2mm copper spacer bead and fold it in half. Then twist the copper wires together like a twist.

3. Repeat step 2 to make several beaded flower stamens and set them aside.

4. Cut 5 pieces of red copper wire. Use silk thread to start wrapping about 1cm from the top of the wires and continue wrapping downwards.

5. While wrapping, add the beaded stamens you made. Place them at different heights to make the whole stamen group look more natural.

6. After adding the beaded stamens (their tops reach about 1cm), wrap the thread down the rest of the red copper wires to the end.

7. Use tweezers to spread out the tops of the red copper wires.

8. Apply jewelry glue to the tip of each red copper wire.

9. After applying the glue, stick a 2mm red agate bead onto each tip.

10. Set the finished stamen group aside to dry and let the glue set. Then gently curve the whole stamen group and set it aside.

11. Use the bead weaving petal technique to make 10 bead weaving petals and set them aside.

12. Use round nose pliers to gently curve all the petals into shape.

13. One by one, add the petals around the stamen group and wrap them together with thread to assemble the flower.

14. Assemble two hibiscus flowers and set them aside.

15. Prepare all the parts for the orchid mantis (wrap them with thread and paint them) and set them aside.

16. Place the two wrapped pieces for the back legs side by side. Use silk thread to wrap and assemble them together.

17. Wrap the thread for about 0.5cm on the copper wire.

18. Add the two wrapped pieces for the front legs. Make sure the front legs are spread wider apart than the back legs.

19. Secure them with thread and finish the end. Set this leg part aside for assembly.

20. Prepare a piece of 0.3mm copper wire, fold it in half, and set it aside.

21. Place the copper wire against the gradient-colored piece for the mantis's back. Wrap with thread to secure them together.

22. Add the side pieces. Place them below the first piece and wrap with thread to secure them.

23. Add the front leg section and secure it.

24. One by one, add the remaining side pieces and attach them to the body section.

25. Take the assembled leg piece. Place it below the body section. Pinch the copper wires together to hold them.

26. Wrap with thread to assemble them securely. Finish the end as usual.

27. Prepare a teardrop-shaped zircon bead.

28. Apply jewelry glue to the back of the zircon bead.

29. Stick the zircon bead onto the copper wires above the mantis's body to form the head.

30. Use round nose pliers to gently bend the front leg sections downward, as if they are folded.

31. Use round nose pliers to gently curve all the leg copper wires upward.

32. Use wire cutters to trim any excess copper wire.

33. Trim the orchid mantis's antennae to your preferred length.

34. The orchid mantis part is now complete.

35. Prepare the finished hibiscus flowers, the orchid mantis, and a bead-studded copper wire coil.

36. Place the two hibiscus flowers at slightly different positions with the stamens facing up. Use silk thread to assemble them together.

37. Use your finger to gently curve the stems.

38. Add the bead-studded copper wire coil (shaped into a ring) in a suitable position and secure it with thread.

39. Add the orchid mantis. Gently pose it so it looks like it's resting on the wire ring.

40. Use the invisible finishing technique to finish the thread. Then use shaping pliers to bend the finished end back onto the stem.

41. Take out the U-shaped hairpin and the assembled Chanhua piece, ready for final attachment.

42. Wrap blue silk thread around a piece of 0.4mm copper wire to make a wrapped wire about 10cm long.

43. Place the Chanhua stems against the U-shaped hairpin. Hold each end of the wrapped copper wire with your hands.

44. Use this wrapped wire to tightly bind the stems and the hairpin together. Make sure to pull the wire tight so there are no gaps and it feels secure.