Thin petals are strung onto a beautiful garland of cloth that looks like one that's freshly-made, but lasts longer.
Administration Vocational Training Center in 2001. At that time, I learned about handicrafts in general; but I had a special interest in making flowers from yai bua cloth, as I feel the colors of these kinds of artificial flowers look almost real. Moreover, these artificial flowers are very beautiful and last for a long time. Seeing my potential, the teacher advised me to continue my studies for one year at Nai Wang Ying College in the field of fresh flower arrangement and bai-si making.
"During my studies there, I was entrusted by my teacher to arrange flowers on important occasions and when we welcomed guests. We found that when an event lasted long, or guests did not arrive on time, the flowers would wither. Although fresh flowers are fine, they don't last long. So I was thinking how to keep them fresh for a longer period of time and came up with the idea of using yai boa cloth to produce various parts of flowers to make garlands. I found the yai bua flowers were as beautiful and delicate as fresh ones."
To make a yai boa garland requires many tools and materials, such as wire, yai bua cloth in various colors, needles and thread, petroleum jelly, pincers for cutting the wire, thread to tie yai bua cloth, green flora paper, white sa paper, red, pink, violet, and yellow dyes, scissors, plastic crown flowers, glue, stiff paper, and PVC piping of varying sizes.
The process is in two parts: The first step, which is time-consuming, is spent preparing various parts of the garland to include such flowers as Siamese boxwood (dok phut), crown flowers (dok rak), and jasmine (dok mail), petals, and ribbons.
The next stage involves threading various parts into a garland according to the set pattern and designs. A floral tassel is made, ensuring it is not disproportionate in size to the garland. The tassel is tied to the garland and petals strung into a small bunch to cover the join between the garland and the tassel. Both steps can be completed within a day.
Khun Pornnapa's yai bua garlands achieved three-star product status in the field of crafts and souvenirs under the 'One Tambon, One Product' program in Bangkok for the year 2004. They have since become very popular with customers. as they can be kept for a long time and are suitable for giving away as gifts or souvenirs on different occasions. She has also created other handicrafts such as brooches, hangers, vases, and bunches of flowers. Apart from being beautiful and attractive they also help preserve Thai craftsmanship for future generations.