How to Make Water Lily Handicrafts

Since the creek at the back of our house was cleared of water lily last February, it is still pretty much clear and without growth. I wonder what did they do? A salute to the Pasig city government for having done so and I believe they’re using the water lilies as raw materials for livelihood projects.

I’m also glad because probably it’s one of the reasons why we’ve not been bugged by mosquitoes for a couple of months now.  I’m not saying that our place is mosquito free but they’re not keeping me awake at 2 am just to hunt for them in our bedroom.

I also hope that since the creek is not clogged, it would also somehow help our streets and our houses flood free this rainy season.

Since I made that post about Making Handicrafts from Water Lily, I’ve had regular visitors coming to this blog through that post. It made me take a second look at the post to see if I’ve provided good enough information about making water lily handicrafts.

I, too, had an interest in how to make those water lily handicrafts. Apparently, the Philippines is not the genius behind this idea because it originated from other Asian countries. Thailand and Cambodia have been doing these type of products before the Philippines did.

I embedded some videos here about how to make water lily or water hyacinth (what these plants are usually called in other countries) handicrafts. The first video shows how it is done from harvesting, cutting and drying to different ways by which it is made or woven into handicrafts.


The second video showcases some nice products made from the water lily. These Thailand villagers are really good at weaving baskets. The finished products are so beautiful.



And this last video is from Thailand which shows how they use water lily to make furniture. It’s a very fascinating how automated they are in making furniture and how they were able to incorporate the indigenous touch of adding water lily into this craftsmanship. I wonder if this is also done in the Philippines now.



What other products can you think of that can be made from water lily?  I think it could also be used for making handmade paper. Do you think it’s possible to use it in making clothes as well?

Post a Comment

34 Comments

Louise | Mommy Practicality said…
Could these be dried and made very thin as paper? If so, they could be paper bags, especially now that we’re moving into the paper product movement to save our Mother Earth right?
Chin chin said…
That could be and if so that might help lessen the need for cutting trees.
aldwin said…
we have done that… water lily paper bags, cards, envelopes, etc.
Eliz said…
It is impressive to see how many things can be made form that precious plant. I also hope they didn’t kills the entire plant gowning in the creek near you.
Chin chin said…
As I mentioned there are advantages to not having the water lilies there – less mosquitoes and no clogging of the creek. Besides, it would be very easy to grow these plants if they are really needed.
Farida said…
Probably they could ingeniously find ways to transform this into something wearable too
eLLa said…
So who said water lilies are water pest? Dapat ganyan ginawa sa Davao (?) nung nainfest ng water lilies yung river nila.
aby said…
why not.. i first heard this on las pinas.. hehehe very nice livelihood program
Glenda said…
I wonder if that could be used in “Barong” making as well.
Allan said…
I think there are many things we can produce out of water lily. this can be a good raw materials for fabrics too.
Melgie said…
this is great use for water lily, the product is amazingly beautiful..:)
Reese said…
there’s a lot of products i knew that are made from water lilies – i already heard textile made from water lilies
great that Pasig City is clearing out creeks, sana ma-clear na rin ang Laguna de Bay and others
Mommy Maye said…
I hope people also here in Sta Maria Bulacan can make a project like this because there are so many water lilies in one of its river. You can see it overflowing everytime there’s a heavy rain. Nakikita ko lang na naddry na and then ganun na lang. They can turn it out to something like bags right.
Chin chin said…
Yes, Mommy Maye. There are many making water lily handicrafts already. But I haven’t heard any using them to make furniture here in the Philippines.
Maan said…
Hala these are nice! Water lilies grow fast, don’t they? Instead of seeing them as infestation, aba pwede pagkakitaan!
Marie said…
Oh, ang galing naman. It would be a good livelihood program too
Tet said…
I’ve heard about water lily made as handicrafts on TV before and I believe that with proper budget and skill, we can turn those into a living.
Max said…
i’ve heard a lot of the products from water lilies, sana nga maximize ito for livelihood
JanzCrystalz said…
It’s great that Pasig was able to clean water lily infested river. Even though were not the first to have the idea at least the idea from other countries will also help us out. I hope the government will continue the project.
Lady Anne said…
This is great! I never thought water lilies can turn into handicrafts! Thanks for the info.
Vanessa said…
I remember when I was still living in Cainta Rizal near Floodway, I would always see the river full of water hyacinths. Glad that they found a way to make something out of those. Atleast, aside from it, may bonus pang livelihood. Nice one!
Mich said…
Paano ang process ng paggawa ng shoes,baskets,bags and other handicrafts made from water lily stalks? We’re conducting a feasibility study about this business.Can we get response to those who know the operation?An advance thanks to you. God bless
Chin chin said…
Hi Mich. Maybe you can go to one of the makers of water lily handicrafts. Where do you live? Taguig City has a Water Lily Livelihood Program. You can check their Facebook page and contact them. They have their number watermarked on almost all the photos. Or maybe you can contact your local government and find out if such livelihood program exists.
Dante S. Chichioco said…
I plan to bring our Forestry students from Benguet State University to visit a processing site for water lily products but Pasig, Taguig and Villar Foundation are too far. do you know of any other sites nearer to Benguet, at least in Central Luzon or Region 1 (Pangasinan or La Union)?
Chin chin said…
Hi. I’m not sure where you can take your students nearer BSU. If you’re near Tarlac, perhaps you can check with Paniqui WaterLily Women’s Development Association – 0999.359.3685. Also, you can inquire from Villar Foundation because they do workshops and trainings as far as Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija; ask about their Pilot Centers near your area. You can also ask your local government, maybe they already have a program in place. I hope this info helps.
Dennis Tubo said…
Can you help us where we can attend hand bag making, and other products from water lily? We are starting our cooperative and we want to start our venture with this project. Our community lies beside laguna lake and there are plenty of water lilies here.
salamat for your assistance.
Chin chin said…
Hi Dennis, you can contact the Villar Foundation: Tel number 632) 872-8540 / (632) 872-5488 or email villarfoundationinc@gmail.com. I know they’ve been doing water lily livelihood workshops from town to town. Perhaps you can request that they come to your place. If you’re forming a cooperative, you might also like to inquire from DOLE, DTI and DOST on how they can assist you in creating a water lily livelihood project. Read this post about how the 3 helped a cooperative in Taguig engaged in waterlily handicraft-making. Hope this helps.
Unknown said…
Hi, I'd like to ask if diyan sa Pinagbuhatan ba is meron paring mga water lilies na nagrogrow? and is it possible that you know of Ms. Adelia Jamco who produces bayong out of water lily? According to an article I've read, she's based there in Pinagbuhatan, too. Does she still sell water lily products even up till now in there?
I'm currently having a documentary /thesis paper regarding the water lily industry. This information would be helpful. Thank you.
Chin chin said…
Hi anjel. I don't know Ms. Adelia Jamco. But I do know someone who knows about the barangay's project of making water lily bayong. I am just not sure how much she knows or if they have data about the entire water lily industry. Maybe the Villar Foundation have more information . I read somewhere that they've been around the country doing workshops. Anyway, if you want to get in touch with the person I know, just send me a message via the contact page.
Unknown said…
Hi. Pde po ba makakuha ng contact information kung saan pde bumili ng dried water lily stems. Salamat po
Chin chin said…
Hi Joannah. Taga-Pasig ka ba? If you are, I can ask kung saan pwede makakuha ng dried water lily stems dito. Actually, sa likod ng bahay namin may sapa at maraming waterlily. If you don't mind my asking, para saan ninyo ba gagamitin?
Jennet said…
This is great! I never thought water lilies can turn into handicrafts! Thanks for the info. Handyman In Miami Florida
Laura Bush said…
I generally check this kind of article and I found your article which is related to my interest. Genuinely it is good and instructive information. Thankful to you for sharing an article like this. NYP Corp
PR Design said…
Thanks for sharing the best information and suggestions, If you are looking for the best drawstring bags bulk, then visit PR Design. Highly energetic blog, I’d love to find out some additional information.