35 In Tutorials

Crepe Paper Succulents

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.com

Hello everyone! Lately I have been seeing succulents everywhere! They’re very trendy right now and I’ve seen some cute weddings with succulent favors and decor. I think this is great because they’re drought-resistant, which is a huge plus for me in California right now.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.com

Today I have a tutorial for you for succulents that are not just drought-resistant, but drought-proof! When I first came up with the idea to make a crepe paper succulent tutorial, I knew I had to mimic their thick leaves otherwise they would look like water lilies. However, crepe paper is very thin, so it took me a while to come up with an idea. I couldn’t make the leaves thick throughout, but the tip of the leaves are folded over, giving the impression of thick leaves. This was one of my favorite tutorials to make so far, because it was really easy and I enjoyed making the fake planters to display the succulents as well.

Let’s get started!

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comSupplies:
1) Green crepe paper – 2) Scissors
3) Glue
4) Cardstock cut into a small circle about 3″ diameter – to use as the base

First, you’ll need to cut 25 strips of green crepe paper. I made mine .75″ x 3.5″. The size does not need to be exact, but you just want to keep a general 1:3 ratio. Make sure the crinkles of the crepe paper runs parallel with the length of the strip.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.com

Please ignore any tape that is visible in the photos. It is only there to aid in photography. Take one strip and twist it in the middle, then fold the strip in half. Now there should be a little knot at the tip of the leaf from the twist. You can apply a little bit of glue on the sides to keep the leaf folded in half.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.com

Now trim the leaf so that it is shaped like a deflated balloon with a neck.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comUsing the pad of your thumbs, slightly stretch the top of the leaf so that it creates a cup. Repeat all these steps for all the strips of crepe paper. Now arrange the leaves so you have a row of 9, 7, 5, 3,  and 1. This will help you remember the layers.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comUsing your cardstock as a base, Begin gluing the leaves in layers. The first layer should consist of 9 leaves.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comThis is what the first completed layer will look like.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comContinue with the second layer of 7 leaves. You may need to bend the leaf a little so curves away from the bottom layer.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comAdd your 5-leaf layer and then 3-leaf layer.Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.com

For the last leaf, glue the two sides together so that it forms a tube.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.com

Attach the tube to the center.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comAnd you’re done!

You can use the same general technique to create other types of succulents. For example, I used a darker green crepe paper and cut my strips to .5″x3″. This created longer, narrower leaves.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comMake a small cut bottom of the petal and glue one flap on top of the other. By doing this, your petals will stand up straighter.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comAs you can see in this picture, the petals stand up straighter than the previous light green succulent.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.com

You can experiment with different colors and shapes to achieve a variety of succulents. The key is to twist and fold the strips to mimic the thickness.

Crepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comCrepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comCrepe Paper Succulent Tutorial | ashandcrafts.comI hope you’ve enjoyed today’s tutorial! As always, if you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me through the comments or my contact form. I’d also love to see your creations!

I think these succulents could make a really cute escort card holder for a wedding or event. How would you use these crepe paper succulents?

 

 

 

Advertisements

You Might Also Like

35 Comments

  • Reply
    TwoPlusCute
    May 19, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    Amazing.
    I could never do such a detailed masterpiece (at least not with something so fragile as crepe paper) but I admire the beauty of your creations.
    Where did you learn how to do such elaborate crafts? 🙂

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 19, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      Thank you so much! Crepe paper is actually easier to work with than it looks! I attended one workshop for the paper peony but most of the other projects are things I have seen online or figured out on my own. 🙂

  • Reply
    CoCo - the crowned goat
    May 19, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    Ash, this is so amazing! I had no idea that crepe paper could look so good. These are really beautiful. I need these in my office something fierce. Hope you’re having a happy week, CoCo

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:26 pm

      Thank you so much! They’re very easy to make!

  • Reply
    Christine
    May 19, 2015 at 6:30 pm

    Hi Ash, these look absolutely amazing, and SO real! A true work of art! Thank you for sharing at #OhMyHeartsieGirlWW!
    Christine@CherishingaSweetLife

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:27 pm

      Aw..thank you Christine!

  • Reply
    Karen @ a house full of sunshine
    May 19, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    Wow – AMAZING!! I am in love with these and I can’t believe you made them using crepe paper!!

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:27 pm

      Thanks so much Karen! I really love working with crepe paper!

  • Reply
    Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
    May 19, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    Wow! This is just AMAZING and they look SO real!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:27 pm

      Thanks so much Carrie!

  • Reply
    Evija
    May 20, 2015 at 1:48 am

    Thank you for joining our Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday Link Party, these look so cool! Have a great day, co-host Evija @Fromevijawithlove

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Thanks Evija!

  • Reply
    Carmia @ Clementine Creative
    May 20, 2015 at 3:11 am

    What a cute idea! They look so realistic and pretty. Pinning this now 🙂

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Thank you so much Carmia!

  • Reply
    Shellie Bowdoin
    May 20, 2015 at 5:27 am

    You have such a unique talent with paper! Thanks for lending your craftiness to Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday!

    Shellie
    http://www.thefabjourney.com

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:33 pm

      Thanks so much Shellie! I really love working with paper!

  • Reply
    Katie
    May 20, 2015 at 8:09 am

    This project came out so cute! I love how the succulents look so life-like and how you created different versions of the plant. These would definitely look cute sitting by a window.

    I also wanted to let you know that you gained a new follower! Your projects are really awesome and you do a great job with your photography.

    Happy Crafting 🙂

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      Thank you so, so much Katie! You’re so kind!

  • Reply
    Cucicucicoo: Ecological Living
    May 20, 2015 at 9:04 am

    Oh my goodness, those are so cute and the folded ends really do give the impression of thick leaves! Nice job! 🙂 Lisa

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      Thank you so much, Lisa!

  • Reply
    Karren Haller
    May 20, 2015 at 9:55 am

    Ash, I expected to come find a tutorial about starting succulents and here they are in ceape paper, they are ad turned out fantastic!!

    Thanks for sharing on The Oh my Heartsie Girls ww this week!!

    Have a great day!
    Karren

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 21, 2015 at 1:36 pm

      Thanks so much Karren!

  • Reply
    Emily
    May 22, 2015 at 8:36 am

    Wow the detail in these is amazing! They look incredible, thanks for sharing. I’ve included your post in my Five on Friday roundup. Have a great weekend! 🙂

  • Reply
    Erlene
    May 23, 2015 at 9:58 am

    This is amazing! Who would have thought to make succulents from crepe paper. Would be a great gift for brown thumbs…lol.

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 29, 2015 at 6:36 pm

      Thank you Erlene! I definitely am a brown thumb!

  • Reply
    Lou Lou Girls
    May 24, 2015 at 8:59 am

    Hello beautiful! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you on Monday at 7pm because we love to party with you! Happy Memorial Day! Lou Lou Girls

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 29, 2015 at 6:36 pm

      Thanks so much girls!

  • Reply
    Lou Lou Girls
    May 25, 2015 at 10:48 am

    Hello sweet lady! I’m just stopping by to let you know that your paper succulents will be one of our features tonight at our party. Woo Hoo! I hope to see you there at 7! Happy Memorial Day! Lou Lou Girls

    • Reply
      Ash
      May 29, 2015 at 6:37 pm

      That’s so awesome! Thanks so much for featuring my post!

  • Reply
    Cheryl @ Artzzle
    August 21, 2015 at 11:55 am

    Hey lady . . . this is right up my alley. Economical, Easy and Excellent results. VERY NICE. (Found you on Hometalk by the way)

  • Reply
    Nickle
    January 8, 2016 at 10:31 am

    This is great! I’ve been wanting succulents, I had 1 before and it died. I have a new one but it looks like its dying. It’s pathetic. I’m so happy I found this tutorial and can’t wait to try it tomorrow. 😀

  • Reply
    Mia
    September 28, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    Wow you are such a good crafter

  • Reply
    Anna
    April 22, 2017 at 4:12 am

    Great tutorial and beautifully crafted! What kind of crepe paper did you use (grams) and what color? Thanks

  • Reply
    Amanda
    February 1, 2018 at 5:53 am

    OMG! I loved It! I’m Brazilian and I never have found a so perfect idea for do Succulents with a paper!!! Very well!!!

  • Reply
    Zoltan
    May 3, 2018 at 2:01 pm

    Amazing tutorial!

  • Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.