Development of Handicraft from Nipa Palm Leaf

Abstract

The objectives for development of artificial flowers from nipa palm leaves were to analyze physical properties of nipa palm leaves; to study wisdom, demand and direction for artificial flower development; and to transfer knowledge of artificial flower development to members of the community enterprise at Phra Samut Chedi District in Samut Prakan Province. The developed artificial flowers made from nipa palm leaves included cactuses, heliconias, proteas, hydrangeas, plum blossoms and leaves. The samples were a villagers leader, an agricultural philosopher of Ban Klong Yai Lee, a staff from the Department of Agricultural Extension and a member from the community enterprise. The analysis of physical properties of the leaves demonstrated that the leaves could averagely bear tension up to 88.864 Newtons, with average maximum elongation of 2.334 millimeters. Thus, nipa palm leaves had enough strength to be bent, curved and extended without being torn. The study of demand and direction for development of artificial flowers showed that members from the community enterprise interested in development of artificial flowers from nipa palm leaves in their community. Regarding the study of appropriateness of nipa palm leaf artificial flower design, it was found that experts gave a high overall score level when commenting on nipa palm leaf artificial flower prototypes. The study of participants’ satisfaction with the transfer of knowledge about development of artificial flowers revealed an overall high satisfaction level.