Seamus Hammond
Incense burners are a great way to add a cosy and relaxing vibe to your home. You can make your own incense burner using clay or by repurposing a glass bottle. If you're using clay, the best type to use is natural clay, as it is the only type that is safe to use in direct contact with the hot embers of incense. Polymer clay is also an option, but you will need to ensure that hot coals do not come into direct contact with the clay. One way to create an incense burner using clay is to use the Japanese method of Kurinuki, which involves carving a pot from a single block of clay. If you're using a glass bottle, you will need to drill a hole to allow airflow and use a pair of alligator clips to hold the incense.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Clay, bottles, diamond chip dremel bits, dust mask, eye protection, alligator clips, weights |
| Clay types | Polymer clay, epoxy clay, natural clay, earthen clay, pottery clay, ceramic clay, air dry clay |
| Clay preparation | Clay should be wedged and firm for carving |
| Techniques | Kurinuki (carving from a single block of clay), drilling |
| Shapes | Dome, volcano, tray |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right clay
When choosing the right clay for your incense burner, it's important to consider the type of incense you plan to use and the level of heat exposure the clay will experience. The most suitable clay for direct contact with hot embers or coals is natural clay, such as earthen clay, pottery clay, or ceramic clay. This type of clay can be simply dried or fired for added durability. However, it's important to avoid placing any clay directly over a flame, as the intense heat can burn, scorch, or discolour the clay, potentially creating soot marks.
If you're using stick or cone incense, you can consider using other types of clay, such as polymer clay, as long as you ensure that the hot coals don't come into direct contact with the clay. Polymer clay is commonly used to create incense holders, but it's important to design them in a way that minimises the exposure of the clay to heat. For example, you can angle the incense so that the coals or ash fall away from the clay, ensuring that they are no longer hot by the time they come into contact with the clay.
Air-dry clay is another option for making incense burners, but it may be more fragile and susceptible to breakage, especially for intricate designs. You can strengthen air-dry clay by sealing it with permanent paint or a clear finish, and using several coats of ceramic paint or epoxy resin can enhance its durability. However, keep in mind that air-dry clay cannot be baked or fired for additional hardening.
When choosing a clay, consider the level of heat exposure, the type of incense, and the desired durability of your burner. Natural clay is ideal for direct contact with hot embers, while other types of clay can be used with careful design considerations to minimise heat exposure. Strengthening agents, such as paints and resins, can enhance the durability of certain clays, but always follow the specific instructions and recommendations for the chosen clay type.
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Carving a volcano shape
To build an incense burner in the shape of a volcano, you will need clay, a wire, a square loop tool, a large Polyfilla tool or spatula, and a tool to bore holes.
First, prepare your clay by wedging and firming it up. The clay should be similar in consistency to modelling clay. Mould the clay into a dome shape, which will be easier to carve when it is on the softer side. Leave the clay to dry and firm up a little before carving.
Once the clay has firmed up, start carving by cutting the top off the dome using a wire, leaving a disk of clay about 2cm thick to form the base. This is where the incense cone will sit when it is burning. Use a square loop tool to carve away the edge of the disk to get it as round as possible.
Now, hollow out the dome that was cut off at the beginning by removing clay from the inside, giving it a dome shape. Place the dome on top of the base to ensure a snug fit. If it doesn't fit properly, remove more clay from the inside of the dome, but make sure that the walls don’t get too thin—aim to keep them about 2cm thick. You can also trim the outside of the base so that the dome fits well over the top.
Leave the clay to dry and firm up a little more until it is leather-hard. Then, use a large Polyfilla tool or spatula to make facets on the outside so that the smoke dome resembles a rocky mountain. Finally, make holes so that the mountain becomes a volcano when you burn incense inside and the smoke escapes through the holes. You can use a tool to bore holes in the top, or if you don't have one, a straw will work just as well.
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Using a wine bottle
To make an incense burner from a wine bottle, you will need to carefully drill a hole in the bottle to allow airflow. It is important to wear a dust mask and eye protection when drilling into glass, as there is a risk of inhaling silica. You can use diamond chip dremel bits or a glass drill bit to slowly carve a hole in the bottle. Choose a bottle that you would like to use as an incense burner and tape off the area where you want the hole to be with painter's tape or packing tape. Begin drilling at an angle, starting with a small bit and gradually increasing the size until you have a hole that is about half an inch wide or just slightly larger than a dime.
Once you have drilled the hole, you can decorate your bottle if you wish. You can use paint that works on glass and bake it in the oven according to the paint's instructions. Some people also like to add twine or other decorative elements. To use your new incense burner, light an incense stick and insert it into the bottle, with the lit end near the hole you drilled. You can also use alligator clips or a key ring with string to hold the incense stick in place.
It is important to note that drilling into glass can be dangerous, and it is recommended to ask for help if you are not comfortable doing it yourself. Be sure to choose a bottle with thick glass to avoid cracking or shattering. Place a sponge near the drilling area to keep the dust from entering the air and always wear protective gear.
Now you can enjoy your unique, handmade wine bottle incense burner!
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Adding decorations
Once you have chosen the type of incense burner you want to make, you can start thinking about decorations. If you are creating a kurinuki volcano incense burner, you can use a large Polyfilla tool or spatula to create facets on the outside of the burner so that the smoke dome looks like a rocky mountain. You can then make holes in the top so that the smoke escapes through them, resembling a volcano.
If you are making a bottle incense burner, you can choose a decorative bottle that you would like to turn into a burner. You can pick a bottle with a nice design or colour, or you can decorate a plain bottle with paint or other materials. You can also decorate the bottle with stickers, glitter, or other adhesive decorations.
If you are making a clay incense burner, you can decorate it by carving designs into the clay before it dries. You can use a square loop tool to carve away the edges of the disk to get it as round as possible, or you can use a wire to cut the top off the dome. You can also use stamps or moulds to create designs or textures on the clay before it dries.
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Drying and strengthening
First, ensure your clay is firm enough for carving. It's recommended to shape the clay into your desired form before it completely hardens. For a volcano-shaped incense burner, mould the clay into a dome. Leave it to dry and firm up slightly, and then use a wire to cut the top off the dome, creating a disk that will serve as the base for the incense cone. The disk should be approximately 2 cm thick.
Next, use a square loop tool to refine the shape of the disk, working to get it as round as possible. This step will help ensure a stable base for your incense burner. Allow the base to dry further until it reaches a leather-hard consistency.
Now, it's time to work on the lid or the mountain-like top of your volcano burner. Take the dome you previously cut off and hollow it out by removing clay from the inside. Be careful not to make the walls too thin; aim for a thickness of around 2 cm. The lid should fit snugly onto the base. If it doesn't fit properly, you can carefully remove more clay from the inside of the dome.
At this point, you can further shape the outside of the lid to resemble a rocky mountain. Use a large Polyfilla tool or a spatula to create facets or textured surfaces. Remember to leave the clay to dry and firm up between shaping and carving to ensure it holds its shape.
Finally, create holes in the lid to allow smoke to escape when you burn incense inside. You can use a dedicated tool for this purpose, or a metal straw will also do the trick. Your incense burner is now ready for the finishing touches, such as painting or glazing, if desired.
Remember, when working with clay, it's important to follow the specific instructions and recommendations provided by the manufacturer for drying and curing times, as these can vary depending on the type of clay you're using.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use natural clay, polymer clay, or even a glass bottle.
You can use the Kurinuki method, which involves carving a single block of clay into your desired shape. For example, you can shape the clay into a dome, cut off the top, and carve the base to fit the dome.
You can use a Dremel tool with diamond chip bits to drill a hole in the bottle to allow airflow. Make sure to wear protective gear, such as a dust mask and eye protection, when drilling.
