Anisha Riggs
Incense holders are a great way to add a boho industrial vibe to your home. You can buy them online from places like Amazon or Etsy, or you can make your own at home. To make your own cement incense holder, you will need a mould, which can be made from a sauce cup, silicone, melamine wood, or cardboard. You will also need cement, water, paint, and a sealer. You can make the hole for the incense stick using a toothpick, and then personalise your holder with any colour paint you want.
Characteristics and Values Table for Shaping Incense Holders from Cement
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mould | Any kind of mould can be used for casting, such as silicone, melamine wood, plastic containers, or cardboard for small and simple objects. |
| Materials | Cement, water, paint, and sealer. |
| Hole for Incense Stick | A toothpick can be taped, oiled, and inserted into the centre of the cement, then removed after curing. Alternatively, a power drill can be used to create the hole. |
| Air Bubbles | Tap on all sides to release air bubbles. |
| Curing | Allow at least 24 hours for curing. |
| Demoulding | Loosen the edges with a knife before demoulding. |
| Sanding | Sand the piece and remove dust with a clean towel. |
| Personalisation | Paint the holder with any colour or leave it as is. |
| Finishing | Apply a water-based clear sealer. |
| Protection | Add bumpers or a cork sheet underneath to protect surfaces. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a mould
Silicone Moulds: Silicone moulds are a popular choice for incense holders due to their flexibility and reusability. They are available in various shapes and designs, such as lips, ugly faces, sail shapes, and daffodils. These moulds are typically non-stick, dishwasher-safe, and certified as food-grade, making them safe and easy to work with. You can find them online on websites like Boowan Nicole, which offers custom designs and free shipping.
Cardboard Moulds: If you're looking for a more affordable and customisable option, consider making your own cardboard mould. This method is ideal for small and simple objects. You can cut and shape cardboard to create the desired form and then use it as a mould for your cement mixture.
Kitchen Containers: For a readily available mould, look no further than your kitchen! A sauce cup or any plastic container can serve as a mould for your incense holder. You can also use melamine wood to create a unique shape.
Clay Moulding: If you're feeling creative, you can shape your own mould from air-dry clay. This method allows you to design a custom shape and size for your incense holder. Simply cut, mould, and smooth the clay to create your desired form, and then let it air dry before using it as a mould for your cement. You can even add a personalised touch by splatter-painting your clay mould before using it.
When choosing a mould, it's important to consider the size and complexity of your desired incense holder. For smaller, simpler shapes, cardboard and clay moulds are excellent options. For more intricate designs, silicone and store-bought moulds offer a wider range of possibilities. Remember to oil your mould before pouring in the cement to ensure easy demoulding.
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Preparing the cement mixture
To prepare the cement mixture for an incense holder, you will need to gather the following materials: cement, water, paint, and a sealer. You can also use a sauce cup or any other type of mould for casting. Silicone moulds are a popular option, as they are flexible, non-stick, and reusable.
Once you have your materials, follow these steps to prepare the cement mixture:
- Start by mixing the cement with water in a separate container. The ratio of cement to water will depend on the type of cement you are using, so be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency, ensuring that there are no lumps.
- If you plan to add paint to your mixture for colour, now is the time to do so. Add a small amount of paint and mix thoroughly until you achieve your desired colour.
- Before pouring the mixture into your mould, lightly oil the mould to ensure easy removal once it has dried.
- Pour the cement mixture into your mould, tapping on the sides to release any air bubbles. You can also use a toothpick to pop any bubbles that rise to the surface.
- Allow the cement to cure for at least 24 hours, or follow the specific instructions for your cement type.
- Once cured, remove the incense holder from the mould by loosening the edges with a knife.
From here, you can further customise your incense holder by sanding it, painting it, or sealing it with a clear coat. You can also add bumpers or a cork sheet to the base to protect surfaces.
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Creating a hole for the incense stick
Firstly, gather the necessary materials. You will need a toothpick, tape, oil, and a power drill. Optionally, you can use a skewer instead of a power drill. Begin by taping the toothpick to secure it and then apply oil to the toothpick. This will make it easier to remove the toothpick from the cement later. Insert the toothpick into the centre of the cement and ensure it is firmly in place.
Next, tap on all sides of the mould to release any air bubbles that may have formed. This step is important to ensure the strength and integrity of your incense holder. Allow the cement to cure for at least 24 hours. The curing process will give the cement enough time to harden and ensure that the toothpick can be removed without damaging the structure.
After the cement has cured, it's time to demould your incense holder. Use a knife to loosen up the edges and carefully remove the mould. Be gentle during this process to avoid any chipping or damage to the holder. Remove the toothpick as well. If the toothpick breaks during the removal process, don't worry. You can use a power drill to carefully drill out the remaining piece.
Now that the hole has been created, it's important to smooth out any rough surfaces. Use sandpaper to gently sand the entire piece, paying extra attention to the area around the hole. Remove any dust with a clean towel or cloth. Your incense holder is now ready for the final touches.
You can choose to personalise your holder by painting it with your favourite colour or leaving it in its natural cement colour. Once the paint has dried, apply a water-based clear sealer to protect the surface and enhance its durability. Finally, add bumpers or a cork sheet underneath your incense holder to protect the surface of the table or shelf where you will place it.
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Removing the mould
Preparing for Demoulding:
Before attempting to remove the mould, it is essential to allow sufficient curing time. The cement mixture needs to harden adequately, and rushing this step can lead to undesirable outcomes. Typically, it is recommended to let the cement cure for at least 24 hours. This duration may vary depending on the specific mixture and environmental conditions, so it is always good to monitor the curing process closely.
Loosening the Edges:
Once the curing time has passed, you can begin the demoulding process. Using a knife, carefully score along the edges of the mould. This step helps to loosen the grip of the mould on the cement and makes it easier to separate the two without causing damage. Be gentle during this process to avoid accidentally scratching or marking the surface of your cement incense holder.
Demoulding:
Now, it's time to remove your cement incense holder from the mould. Gently but firmly, pull the mould away from the cement. Since you have already oiled the mould, as previously mentioned, the demoulding process should be relatively straightforward, and the cement should release from the mould smoothly. If you encounter any resistance, take your time and work slowly to avoid breakage.
Removing the Toothpick:
If you have created a hole for the incense stick using a toothpick, as mentioned in the optional step, now is the time to remove it carefully. Gently pull out the toothpick from the centre of your cement incense holder. In case the toothpick breaks during this process, don't panic. You can use a power drill to create the hole again, ensuring it's centred and straight.
Sanding and Refining:
After successfully demoulding, you may notice some rough edges or minor imperfections on your cement incense holder. To address this, use sandpaper to gently sand the entire piece, smoothing out any uneven surfaces and refining the overall shape. Pay extra attention to the area where the toothpick was removed to ensure it is smooth and free of any residual cement. Once you're satisfied with the sanding, use a clean towel to remove the dust from the surface, ensuring it is ready for the next step.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully remove the mould from your cement incense holder, revealing your unique and personalised creation. Remember to take your time, work carefully, and always prioritise safety when working with tools and materials.
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Painting and sealing
Once you have shaped your incense holder out of cement and allowed it to cure, you can begin the painting and sealing process.
Painting
You can personalize the holder with any colour paint you want, or leave it as it is in its original cement colour. If you do want to add colour, you can use liquid cement colour or acrylic paint. However, when using acrylic paint, it is important to use as little as possible, as too much paint can affect the composition of the mixture.
Sealing
After painting, you should seal your incense holder with a water-based sealer. A polyacrylic sealer will give your holder a shiny finish. This step is important, as it will protect your holder from moisture and stains.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cement, water, paint, a sealer, and a mould.
You can use any kind of mould for casting. People have been seen to use silicone moulds, or make their own moulds out of melamine wood, plastic containers, or cardboard.
If you are casting a small and simple object, you can make a mould in the desired shape with cardboard.
You can tape a toothpick, oil it, and insert it into the centre of the cement. After the cement has cured, you can remove the toothpick. If it breaks, you can use a power drill to make the hole.
After sanding the piece and removing the dust with a clean towel, you can personalise the holder with any colour paint you want or leave it as it is. Finish with a water-based clear sealer. Finally, add bumpers or a cork sheet underneath to protect the surface where you will keep the holder.
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