How to Make a Stick Incense Kit

Incense stick kits make a personal and thoughtful gift.

People have use incense for thousands of years in meditation rituals, religious ceremonies, and as a natural air freshener. If you have someone in your life that enjoys burning incense sticks, they will love a customized incense stick kit that you create yourself. An incense stick kit will contain incense sticks that you hand-dip using essential oils, a hand-painted box of matches and an incense holder for burning the incense.

Things You'll Need

• 12 incense blanks
• Essential oil, 16 oz.
• Jelly roll tray
• Rubber band
• Basket
• Raffia
• Matches in a box
• Tempera paint
• Paintbrush
• Incense holder

Instructions

1. 

   Use 100 percent essential oil.

   Place a jelly roll tray onto a flat surface, such as a countertop or table. Fill the jelly roll tray 1/4 way up with an essential oil or fragrance oil you prefer. Wrap the ends of 12 or more incense stick blanks with a rubber band. Soak the incense stick blanks in the oil for around five minutes, then hook the rubber band onto a tree branch to allow the incense to drain and dry sufficiently. Once dry, remove the rubber band and tie a bow around the group of incense with a piece of raffia.

2. Fill the bottom of a basket with raffia, and place the incense inside the basket. Arrange the incense in the corner so that the scented tips are sticking upward. This will allow the fragrance to be apparent.

3. Remove the inside of a matchbox and set the interior box aside. Paint the outside of the matchbox with a non-flammable paint, such as tempera paint. Use a small paintbrush so you can paint the matchbox in an intricate pattern. Allow the outside of the matchbox to dry completely, then insert the inside back into the box. Place the painted matchbox with its matches into the raffia-filled basket.

4. 

   Include an incense holder for burning the incense.

   Purchase an incense holder, and place it inside the raffia-filled basket. An incense holder will hold the incense sticks while they burn to prevent causing a fire hazard. You can find incense holders online or at any candle supply company. Tie a piece of raffia in a bow around the entire basket.

References

• Soy Wax Candles: Hand-Dipping Incense
• Making Incense: History and Methods of Incense Making