Looking for a simple, stylish, and handmade way to display your incense? This DIY air-dry clay incense holder is the perfect weekend project.
With minimal materials and no baking required, it’s a great way to get creative while crafting something functional and pretty for your space.
Why This Plan Works
- No baking required – air-dry clay makes this beginner-friendly and low-effort.
- Customizable design – shape, color, and decoration can all be personalized.
- Affordable supplies – made with easy-to-find household tools and clay.
- Compact and practical – a beautiful accent piece that also serves a purpose.
- Creative expression – lets us add our own touch with flowers and colors.
What You Will Need
- Green, yellow, and white air-dry clay
- Incense stick
- Newspaper or parchment (for workspace)
- Cup and bowl (for shaping)
- Measuring tape and ruler
- Optional: Mod Podge, glue (if clay doesn’t stick), circular object (instead of bowl)
Tip: Any brand or color of air-dry clay will work. You can substitute or simplify tools based on what’s already in your home.
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Form the Base
Start by covering your working area with newspaper or parchment for easy cleanup. Take a generous portion of green air-dry clay and flatten it to about ½ inch thick. You can eyeball the thickness or use a rolling pin substitute (like a glass bottle).
Using a bowl or any circular object, cut a neat clay circle. Remove the extra clay around the edges. Roll these leftover scraps into a long snake shape, then flatten it into a rectangle about 1 inch wide and long enough to wrap around the circle’s edge.
Use a ruler or measuring tape if you want to be precise about the length—this rectangle will form the incense holder’s outer wall.
Step 2: Connect the Base and Create the Holder Center
Join the circle base and the flattened outer strip to form a shallow bowl. If your clay isn’t naturally sticky, use a little glue to secure the strip around the base’s edge.
Next, using a smaller circular stencil or freehand, cut out a second clay circle to go at the center of your base. Feel free to shape this one more creatively—we turned ours into a lilypad shape for a nature-inspired touch.
Attach this smaller piece to the center of your base, but be sure not to glue the middle, as we need space to insert the incense stick.
Now, take an incense stick and gently push it into the center of this lilypad piece to create a hole. Leave it in place for a few minutes so the clay holds the shape and size.
Step 3: Decorate with Clay Flowers
Take your white and yellow clay and create four decorative flowers. Start by rolling four small white clay balls and flattening each one with a cup or flat surface to form petals.
Then, make smaller yellow clay balls—half the size of the white ones—and press one into the center of each petal base to mimic the flower’s core. Flatten gently to secure.
Place the finished flowers around the bowl area of your incense holder. Press gently to make sure they stay in place.
Step 4: Apply Finishing Touches
This final step is optional but makes a big difference. Once your piece is dry, apply Mod Podge for a clean, sealed look and a slight sheen.
Check for any cracks or gaps in the clay after drying. If you see any, use leftover clay to fill them in, smoothing them over carefully before they dry completely.
Let your incense holder dry completely according to the instructions on your clay packaging—typically 24–72 hours. Avoid handling it during this time to prevent warping.
Other Details Display
- Workspace setup: Cover table with newspaper
- Clay color palette: Green (base), white and yellow (flowers)
- Tools used: Bowl, cup, ruler, tape, and incense stick
- Shape style: Flat round base with rim and central lilypad
- Decor elements: Four handmade clay flowers
- Optional finish: Glossy Mod Podge seal
- Center hole function: Holds one incense stick upright
Summary
This DIY air-dry clay incense holder combines creativity and function in one easy project.
Using simple materials and step-by-step techniques, we’ve created something both decorative and practical. Whether you’re crafting for yourself or giving it as a gift, this air-dry clay incense holder is a fun and rewarding creation.
This plan is a contribution by [Tom]. Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here.