DIY Incense stick holder using Homemade Clay (Gift Idea)

Growing up, I often watched my mom immersed in her daily worship rituals, with incense sticks casting fragrant tendrils of spirituality.

But one day, I noticed something amiss i.e. she lacked a proper incense stick holder.

Witnessing her makeshift solutions without a word of complaint this situation ignited my DIY spirit.

Determined to craft something special, I was on a mission to create a custom incense stick holder.

The joy on my mom’s face when she saw the final product was priceless.

Without any further ado, come along with me as I show you how I used everyday stuff to make something super special and meaningful.

Things I’ve used to make DIY Incense Stick Holder

Don’t judge it with the results, they look amazing and may seem difficult to make, however, I’ve made the DIY incense sticks holders in the easiest possible way.

Here is the list of things I’ve used to make these colorful items.

• Homemade Clay: The clay I’ve used to craft the incense sticks holder is a DIY homemade clay.
• Small Steel Glass: I have used a small steel glass to shape the incense sticks holder’s structures.
• Acrylic Color and Paintbrush: To offer colorful shades to the item I’ve used Acrylic colors.

Step 1: Molding the Shape

To achieve the perfect shape, I opted for a small steel glass as my mold.

Before diving in, I kneaded the clay to gauge its softness and durability.

Once satisfied, I molded it into a cylindrical form and carefully inserted it into the glass.

Here’s a pro tip: Grease the interior of the glass with coconut or cooking oil, or even moisturizer, prior to pressing in the clay. This little trick ensures an easy release of the shape later on.

With gentle pressure from my fingers, I meticulously shaped the clay within the glass, striving for that flawless outcome.

Step 2: Get the shape out

Next up, I turned the glass upside down to release the molded shapes.

Gently tapping the glass from behind, I encouraged the clay to emerge in its desired form.

This process was repeated to craft several more shapes as seen in image 2.4 above.

It was crucial not to apply pressure or handle the clay too forcefully, as it remained soft and malleable. Each delicate touch ensured the preservation of their pristine shapes until they could fully set and solidify.

Step 3: Punching Holes for incense sticks

With precision, I began punching holes (large enough) to accommodate the incense sticks.

Utilizing a pencil, I enlarged the central hole to accommodate larger sticks.

It was crucial to handle the clay shapes delicately throughout this process.

Moving on, I punched at least four additional holes around the mold for regular-sized sticks.

This step was repeated across the other items I was crafting.

Once complete, the clay shapes were ready for drying.

While putting them under the sunlight made the drying process faster, letting them air-dry in a shady spot was also a way of drying them, but it also means it would take longer drying time.

Step 4: Applying the Base Coat

Before painting the clay shapes, I applied a base coat of Fevicryl.

This base coat quickly dried over the surfaces, intensifying the brightness of the colors.

Then, I let it dry for some time before moving on to paint them with different colors.

Step 5: Applying colorful shades

With the base coat dry, it was time to apply the desired colors to the clay shapes.

So, I opted for a palette comprising yellow, red, and chocolate brown.

Working methodically, I painted each shape individually, allowing sufficient drying time between intervals.

First, I painted the bottom half of each shape and let it dry completely. Then, I proceeded to paint the top half.

While one of the clay shapes received a solid color, I chose to blend red and yellow for the other two, creating a unique combination.

Step 6: Golden and Silver Shades

To infuse a touch of elegance, I brushed golden hues onto the brown holder, resulting in a mesmerizing visual appeal.

Subsequently, I adorned the other two shapes with a blend of silver and gold shades, enhancing their allure.

Additionally, I crafted round clay bases to serve as the foundation for the incense stick holders, which were then painted in shimmering silver tones, as seen in image 6.2 above.

Step 7: The final Outcome

Once they had dried completely, the clay creations radiated beauty.

When I presented them to my mother, her face lit up with sheer delight.

It was as if one of her heartfelt desires had been fulfilled, bringing joy to both of us.

As she arranged a variety of incense sticks in the holders, they fit snugly, adding to her satisfaction.

Now, every time she lights incense for worship, her happiness is palpable, knowing she has something crafted with love for her sacred rituals.

And here’s a cool idea: If your mom or any family members embrace the spiritual side of life, this DIY incense stick holder makes for an exceptional gift idea.

Video Walkthrough of DIY Incense stick holder using Homemade Clay

Final Thoughts

Don’t be limited by store-bought options! Explore making your own clay with common household ingredients like cornstarch.

Remember, DIY allows you to personalize and express yourself through the crafting process. So unleash your creativity and have fun making one-of-a-kind incense holders that spark joy!

Bonus Tip:  For those who prefer visual learning, a complete video walkthrough of this specific DIY clay incense holder project can be found above.

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