Aromatherapy with candles wouldn’t be complete without incense sticks and cones. These are a great DIY project at home or as an add-on to your candle business.
Incense sticks or cones are easy to make and sell well at craft shows. If you already make candles, you have 1 of the 3 ingredients needed. For making incense you need:
- Unscented Incense Sticks or cones
- Fragrance oil
- DPG Dipropylene Glycol
- Container for Soaking
- Drying Rack or Hanger
The recipe for the mixture is easy!
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Incense Stick Recipe
- Select a container for soaking your incense sticks or cones. I use a tall pasta jar with a lid. If you make several be sure to label them.
- Measure 1 part fragrance oil of your choice.
- Measure 2 parts DPG (or twice as much) and mix.
- Fill the soaking jar about half way with the fragrance oil / DPG mixture. The amount of solution you make depends on how many sticks you putting in and how large your container is. Be careful to not overfill the container when adding the sticks (stones).
- Place the unscented incense sticks coated side down in the mixture and let soak for 24 hours. If you are making incense cones add them to the mixture making sure all are completely covered.
- Remove the sticks or stones from the mixture and hang over the jar to drip dry for 24 hours or place them on a drying rack (placed over a tray). The cones will have to placed over a drying tray for 24 hours.
As an additive, if you are using a light-colored unscented incense stick, you can add a few drops of liquid candle dye to the mixture.
The solution can be stored in a glass container with an air-tight lid until the next time and reused. You can add more solution to the mixture as you use it.
The incense stick is made from bamboo sticks with absorbent sawdust glued to the stick. They are imported from India far cheaper than I can make them.
The DPG is added to keep the fragrance from smoking badly when burning. It is a must.
Incense cones come in 2 different styles. One type of incense cone burns from the top and is placed on a heat-safe surface.
Another type is called backflow cones. This incense cone has a hollow core and smolders from the inside. It is used in incense fountains.
A unique incense is a coil and this can set your business apart. This is not commonly found and people gravitate toward the unique.
Incense sticks require a holder to burn. This also makes a great add-on if you are selling candles at a craft show. Read more about selling candles as a side business –>here.
Packaging for Incense Sticks
Most incense sticks are 11 inches long and are packaged in clear resealable bags. Incense should be labeled with the same warning as candles and with your contact information. The packaging can be your opportunity to display your logo or to add to your product line in a gift set.
Packaging in poly bags helps to maintain the fragrance. Some paper or cardboard products may absorb the fragrance over time so keep this in mind. You could layer the packaging by putting the incense sticks in poly bags before you put them in a decorative box.
DIY Resin Incense Sticks Holder
