carnation lei - help!

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fatcatflowers

fatcatflowers

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Aug 16, 2007
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I see a thread for an orchid lei, but how about some advise for a canation lei?

I have an indian wedding where she wants 2 long (5 ft linear each) leis, made with only carnation, one foot of white, 6 inches of red, repeat.

Any guesses as to the number of carnations and the mechanics? I have a nightmare of them all facing the same way, or this weighing 50 lbs?

and I guess a time factor so I can figure out what to charge

and if there is already a thread out there addressing this - sorry, I didn't find it!
 
Hi i have done these and they are really quick. First it is best to have your carnations really open, then basically cut off the heads and thread them onto really thick decorative wire (not sure of the proper name but if you dont know what it is i will get a pic and post). When you have the length you require you can make an eye and a hook to fasten around the neck. They are really really quick to do. Sorry no pics though.

Hope this helps, i did this for an howaiin themed wedding that was aired on british tv so i had to make sure it looked perfect. I used a selection of colours and this looked great together.
 
It will be heavy!!!

We do them on 20# test fishing line.
 
any guesses

Any guesses as to how many carns? I guess I will have to buy a pack and string them to see . . .
 
Idea!

to estimate, could you lay 12 carnations head to calyx on the work table with stems attached and see how much distance they would cover?
I tried. 12 carnations = 18"-20" so 5 foot(60 inches) lei would need 48 carnations. Me always on the safe side would have 3 bunches in the shop and price it like I was using probably 60 to CYA.
 
Jaimala is the name for this, and what we do is get heavy clear fishing line or even heavy silk thread, and take a large needle and wax it, and then put it through each flower, and then knot each of then so that they are tight togeather, so it is not as heavy, are you making two of them?, They only wear them for a short while, So for what you are asking it takes about 45 carn, but we usually use roses for the red part, hope this helps some.
 
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When I make a carnation lei, I actually cut the stem real close , so that it flops open
but not fall apart. the flowers will actually lay nicely on top of each other and not just be a string of carnation
heads. good luck on figuring out the math. :)
 
We used mini carnations for a regular lei and I was thinking it took about 30 or 40 ( can't remember for sure) and we charged $30 for it. They are really quick to do with fishing line.

Trish
 
I did not use the mini cars, used blooms and it really was not that heavy at all. Very sturdy though! Good Luck
 
thanks

I am going to do a test run, and thanks for the input!
 
I did some research and found single carnation leis are strung end to end ( usually takes 40-60 flowers) and the double ones are strung after removing the calyx.
Check on line instructiosn from the book Hawaiian Flower Lei Making by Adren J. Bird.

jan
 
I need to make 30 leis by noon tomorrow!!

I was researching other threads for making flower leis and found this one. Sounds like lots of you use carnations and other flowers than orchids.

I need to make 30 leis for a funeral service by noon tomorrow. They don't care what they are made from. They can be all different. Since I am on the east coast, I couldn't order them from Hawaii and have them fed exed since it would take another day to long to get here.

I am considering using different flowers such as carns, mini carns, spray roses, etc. I am also thinking of using rose petals. I am thinking if enough were strung together, it might make a beautiful presentation. Some of the leis on line kind of look like rose petals (but I'm sure they are not).

What have you found that works best for you? They need to last through tomorrow evening.

Thanks in advance. I always appreciate all of your help!!
 
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