Craft a Hawaiian Lei for Your Dolls!

Our doll's Hawaiian leis are crafted using silk flowers from a dollar store and cut up
colorful straws. For every two silk flower heads we strung one cut piece of straw
between in order to space out the florets evenly.

        A lei is a garland or wreath common in Hawaii, across Polynesia, and the Philippines. More loosely defined, a lei is any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn. Lei of various styles are given as gifts to honor people throughout the Pacific, being presented, for example, to visiting dignitaries, graduates, or to loved ones who are departing. The lei gained popularity in the United States due to the common practice of presenting one to arriving or leaving tourists in Hawaii.

It can take many silk blooms to make even a small doll's lei so it is best to purchase
these from an inexpensive dollar store.

       If you prefer, use beads instead of straws! Make sure that the length of twine or yarn that you use will fit comfortably over your doll's head after tying the two ends together. You can use elastic for this lei craft, but I prefer not to because it can get tangled into your dolls hair.

More Ways to Make Leis:

• How to make a Hawaiian flower lei with craft foam and straws...