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.
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!
Supplies:
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.
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.
Now trim the leaf so that it is shaped like a deflated balloon with a neck.
Using 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.
Using your cardstock as a base, Begin gluing the leaves in layers. The first layer should consist of 9 leaves.
This is what the first completed layer will look like.
Continue with the second layer of 7 leaves. You may need to bend the leaf a little so curves away from the bottom layer.
Add your 5-leaf layer and then 3-leaf layer.
For the last leaf, glue the two sides together so that it forms a tube.
Attach the tube to the center.
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.
Make 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.
As you can see in this picture, the petals stand up straighter than the previous light green succulent.
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.
I 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?
35 Comments
TwoPlusCute
May 19, 2015 at 12:44 pmAmazing.
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? 🙂
Ash
May 19, 2015 at 1:08 pmThank 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. 🙂
CoCo - the crowned goat
May 19, 2015 at 4:56 pmAsh, 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
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:26 pmThank you so much! They’re very easy to make!
Christine
May 19, 2015 at 6:30 pmHi Ash, these look absolutely amazing, and SO real! A true work of art! Thank you for sharing at #OhMyHeartsieGirlWW!
Christine@CherishingaSweetLife
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:27 pmAw..thank you Christine!
Karen @ a house full of sunshine
May 19, 2015 at 7:10 pmWow – AMAZING!! I am in love with these and I can’t believe you made them using crepe paper!!
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:27 pmThanks so much Karen! I really love working with crepe paper!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
May 19, 2015 at 8:22 pmWow! This is just AMAZING and they look SO real!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:27 pmThanks so much Carrie!
Evija
May 20, 2015 at 1:48 amThank you for joining our Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday Link Party, these look so cool! Have a great day, co-host Evija @Fromevijawithlove
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:32 pmThanks Evija!
Carmia @ Clementine Creative
May 20, 2015 at 3:11 amWhat a cute idea! They look so realistic and pretty. Pinning this now 🙂
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:32 pmThank you so much Carmia!
Shellie Bowdoin
May 20, 2015 at 5:27 amYou have such a unique talent with paper! Thanks for lending your craftiness to Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday!
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:33 pmThanks so much Shellie! I really love working with paper!
Katie
May 20, 2015 at 8:09 amThis 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 🙂
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:34 pmThank you so, so much Katie! You’re so kind!
Cucicucicoo: Ecological Living
May 20, 2015 at 9:04 amOh my goodness, those are so cute and the folded ends really do give the impression of thick leaves! Nice job! 🙂 Lisa
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:34 pmThank you so much, Lisa!
Karren Haller
May 20, 2015 at 9:55 amAsh, 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
Ash
May 21, 2015 at 1:36 pmThanks so much Karren!
Emily
May 22, 2015 at 8:36 amWow 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! 🙂
Erlene
May 23, 2015 at 9:58 amThis is amazing! Who would have thought to make succulents from crepe paper. Would be a great gift for brown thumbs…lol.
Ash
May 29, 2015 at 6:36 pmThank you Erlene! I definitely am a brown thumb!
Lou Lou Girls
May 24, 2015 at 8:59 amHello 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
Ash
May 29, 2015 at 6:36 pmThanks so much girls!
Lou Lou Girls
May 25, 2015 at 10:48 amHello 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
Ash
May 29, 2015 at 6:37 pmThat’s so awesome! Thanks so much for featuring my post!
Cheryl @ Artzzle
August 21, 2015 at 11:55 amHey lady . . . this is right up my alley. Economical, Easy and Excellent results. VERY NICE. (Found you on Hometalk by the way)
Nickle
January 8, 2016 at 10:31 amThis 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. 😀
Mia
September 28, 2016 at 6:34 pmWow you are such a good crafter
Anna
April 22, 2017 at 4:12 amGreat tutorial and beautifully crafted! What kind of crepe paper did you use (grams) and what color? Thanks
Amanda
February 1, 2018 at 5:53 amOMG! I loved It! I’m Brazilian and I never have found a so perfect idea for do Succulents with a paper!!! Very well!!!
Zoltan
May 3, 2018 at 2:01 pmAmazing tutorial!