Katrina Rosales
Incense burners are a great way to fill your home with natural, earthy scents and clear out old musky smells. You can make your own incense burner at home using clay. This can be done using a variety of methods and types of clay, such as oven-baked clay, air-dry clay, or polymer clay. You can create different shapes, such as a house, a bowl, or a swirl, and decorate it with splatter paint or a marbled effect.
Characteristics and Values Table for Making a Clay Incense Burner
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Clay type | Oven-bake clay, air-dry clay, polymer clay |
| Tools | Scissors, rolling pin, template, butter knife, ruler, square dowel, copper pipe, toothpick, needle, scalpel, skewer, glue, paintbrush, varnish |
| Shapes | House, bowl, ball, swirl, pinch pot, rose-marbled, triangle, leaf, block, mushroom |
| Scents | Sandalwood, frankincense, cedarwood, Nag Champa, lavender, chamomile, vetiver, rosemary, citrus, lemongrass, ylang-ylang |
| Benefits | Relaxation, increased motivation, creativity, focus, clarity, meditation, drowsiness |
| Safety | Avoid open flames, blow out incense before placing inside, do not leave unattended |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right clay
When choosing the right clay for your incense burner, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, decide on the type of clay you want to use. Air-dry clay is a great option if you don't have access to a kiln, as it's easy to work with and dries naturally over time. However, it may not be as durable as other types of clay. Polymer clay, on the other hand, offers vibrant colours and is more durable, but it needs to be baked in an oven. If you're an advanced crafter, you might want to consider kiln-fired clay, which creates long-lasting, high-quality pieces but requires firing at high temperatures.
Another factor to consider is the colour and texture of the clay. If you want a more natural, earthy look for your incense burner, go for a clay colour that is close to its natural state. You can also add stamps, carving tools, or even household items like lace to create textures and patterns on the surface of your burner. Keep in mind that polymer clay offers a wider range of colours to choose from if you're looking for something more vibrant or unusual.
The design of your incense burner will also play a role in choosing the right clay. If you're going for a simple design, like a plate or cone shape, almost any type of clay will work. However, if you're creating a more complex design, such as a house or a figurine, you'll need a clay that is soft and pliable enough to work with intricate details. In this case, air-dry clay or polymer clay would be a better choice than kiln-fired clay.
Lastly, consider the functionality of your incense burner. Different types of clay have varying levels of heat resistance. For example, polymer clay should not be placed directly over a flame, as it may scorch or burn. If your incense burner will be holding incense sticks or cones, most types of clay should be fine as long as the hot coal doesn't touch or come too close to the clay. Test your clay by holding it over a flame to see if it can withstand the heat.
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Shaping the burner
Shaping a clay incense burner is a fun and creative process that can be done in several ways, depending on the desired shape and level of detail. Here is a step-by-step guide to shaping your burner:
Planning and Preparation:
Before shaping your burner, decide on the design and gather the necessary tools and materials. Choose a flat work surface and ensure you have enough space to roll out and cut the clay. Gather tools like a rolling pin, square and round dowels, a butter knife, a ruler, and a template (if you're following a specific design).
Rolling and Cutting:
Start by rolling out the clay on a flat surface to achieve an even layer. You can use square dowels on both sides of the clay to ensure an even thickness. Then, decide on the shape of your burner. If you're using a template, place it on top of the rolled-out clay and lightly score around the edges with a butter knife. Carefully cut out each piece using a ruler or a scalpel, depending on the required precision. Cut out all the necessary pieces, including the walls, roof, and base.
Adding Details:
Once you have the basic structure cut out, it's time to add details to your burner. Use a square dowel to create imprints for features like doors and windows. For a rounded door frame, press a copper pipe about half an inch from the bottom of the structure and cut out the sides with a ruler or knife. Create a chimney by pressing the copper pipe into one side and removing any excess clay from the pipe. Score the connecting edges of the walls using a toothpick, needle, or skewer. Smooth out the edges and seams with a small amount of watered-down clay.
Assembly:
Now, it's time to assemble your burner. Start by creating an imprint in the centre of the base to hold the incense. Lightly press a round dowel into the clay to form this imprint. Then, construct the four walls and the roof, leaving the base separate. Use a small amount of watered-down clay to smooth out any seams or imperfections. Ensure your burner has enough ventilation for the incense smoke to escape.
Drying and Firing:
Once you're happy with the shape and assembly of your burner, it's time to dry and fire it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for air-drying the clay, or prepare it for oven-baking if you're using oven-bake clay. Ensure your creation is thoroughly dry before attempting to fire or bake it.
Remember, when working with clay, it's important to be patient and gentle. Clay can be fragile, especially when wet, so take your time and enjoy the creative process of shaping your unique incense burner.
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Adding details
Once you have the basic shape of your incense burner ready, you can add details to it to make it more intricate and personalised. If you are making a house-shaped incense burner, you can create details on the front of the house, such as a door and windows, by lightly pressing down a square dowel to make an imprint. To create a rounded top door frame, press a copper pipe in the centre of the front of the house, about half an inch from the bottom. Then, use a ruler or knife to cut out two parallel sides to finish the door. For the chimney, press the copper pipe into one side. Keep the pipe in the clay, but remove any clay left in the pipe.
If you are making a marbled incense holder, you can add details by choosing two or more contrasting colours, such as rose pink and white, to create a marbled look. You can also use a poking tool to carefully create a hole in the centre of your clay circle to ensure the incense stick fits securely.
If you are making a simple bowl-shaped incense holder, you can add details by splattering black acrylic paint on it. This can be done by dipping a paintbrush in the paint and flinging it downwards. You can then add a couple of coats of varnish to protect the paint work and give it a gloss shine.
You can also add details by using embellishments and pigments. Additionally, you can add extra shine and protection by applying a coat of varnish suitable for polymer clay after baking.
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Drying and baking
Once you have shaped your incense burner, you will need to let it dry. The drying process will depend on the type of clay you are using. If you are using air-dry clay, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying times. Some clays may need to be dried overnight. If you are using oven-bake clay, you will need to bake your burner in the oven.
For oven-bake clay, place your shaped burner onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Check the instructions on your clay packaging for the correct temperature and baking time. As a guide, one source recommends baking at 200°F for 6 minutes. Your burner is ready to use once it has cooled.
If you are using polymer clay, you should be aware that it should not come into direct contact with an open flame. Polymer clay should be kept away from direct heat. To avoid this, you can place a small glass or ceramic bowl inside your burner for the incense to sit on.
You can add extra shine and protection to your burner by applying a coat of varnish suitable for use on polymer clay. You can also paint your burner with acrylic paint and add a coat of varnish to protect the paintwork and add shine.
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Painting and sealing
Once you've shaped your incense burner, it's time to paint and seal it. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:
Painting:
Before you begin painting, make sure your clay is completely dry. You can use acrylic paint, which you can find at any craft store. Choose a colour that complements your décor and captures your unique style. If you're creating a marbled effect, choose two or more contrasting colours and roll them together before shaping your burner.
To create a splatter-painted effect, dip a paintbrush in black acrylic paint and fling it downwards over the burner. For smaller splatter drops, use less paint on your brush and splatter from a higher distance. This technique is messy, so be sure to do it outdoors or in an area where you don't mind getting paint.
Sealing:
After painting, you'll need to seal your burner to protect your artwork and add shine. You can use a varnish suitable for polymer clay. Apply a couple of coats to your burner, following the manufacturer's instructions. This will give your burner a gloss finish and ensure the paint doesn't get sticky over time.
If you're using oven-baked clay, you can also consider using a ceramic paint that can be baked to harden. Follow the instructions on your specific clay packaging for baking temperatures and timings.
Remember to keep your work area well-ventilated when painting and sealing your incense burner.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need clay, a blade, a rod, a needle or stick of incense, and a baking sheet. You can also use molds, embellishments, and pigments to decorate your burner.
First, roll out your clay into a swirl or any other desired shape. Then, use a rod to flatten a ball of scrap clay. After that, use your hand to flatten the ball. Finally, use a needle or a stick of incense to make a hole in the clay.
You can air dry your clay incense burner or bake it in the oven. If you are air-drying your burner, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are baking it in the oven, place your creation on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake it according to the instructions on your clay packaging.
