Making a DIY incense holder is a fun and easy craft project for the summer! Use incense outdoors to keep bugs at bay and make your yard smell like a dreamy vacation oasis.

I’ve never been a huge fan of incense indoors. The scent becomes a little too overpowering for me in an enclosed space.

But incense outdoors? Brilliant! Especially when you burn citronella or other scents that help keep bugs away. And this DIY incense holder is the perfect functional, pretty project to help dress up your yard.

Using Incense in the Yard

While I personally enjoy burning incense in the yard every so often, I do want to encourage you to proceed with caution! I never would have burned it when my kids were younger and tempted to mischievously get into things that they shouldn’t.

And these days, I don’t burn it when we have guests over who might not be used to it or who have little kids.

So when you’re planning your DIY incense holder, make sure that you’re also thinking of your personal circumstances and creating a plan to stay safe if you’re burning incense.

Why Make a DIY Incense Holder?

I love this DIY incense holder project for so many reasons!

It’s a DIY that is highly rewarding and functional, for low effort. You don’t have to have experience with clay or sculpting to create something that works perfectly! And I always love DIY projects that serve a purpose and function.

The project is also incredibly affordable! With just a couple of materials you can turn out a whole batch of DIY incense holders. Use them in different areas of your yard, or they would make really great gifts too.

Finally, I love that this is a project that allows for plenty of customization. The sky is the limit with color, shape, design, and lots of other little decisions that you can choose as you work.

My Favorite Incense to Burn Outside

I feel like when it comes to incense, everybody has a memory of the overly-strong, earthy patchouli that somebody was burning at a house party in high school. Anybody?

There’s definitely a connotation surrounding incense that can be cheesy or dated.

But! There are so many more really lovely scents that work beautifully outside and won’t make you feel like an awkward teenager again. Here are a few of my favorites.

Citronella. This one is actually perfect for outdoors, as citronella helps keep pesky bugs away.

Gardenia. Gardenia or other floral scents are nice for burning outdoors, as they accentuate scents that would naturally occur in a garden.

Orange Blossom. I love orange blossom for the sweet floral scent with a touch of soapy freshness.

Try It With These Outdoor Ideas

Entertaining outdoors is a perfect excuse to use your DIY incense holders! Try some of our other outdoor ideas in your yard or patio.

Materials You’ll Need to Make Incense HOlders

As you check your craft supplies for the materials to make these DIY incense holders, keep in mind that there are lots of substitutions you can use for various supplies!

Check out the list below for supply links and substitution ideas.

Oven Bake Clay. You can also use air dry clay, but keep in mind that the drying and curing time will be significantly longer than oven bake clay.

Clay Tools. If you don’t have specific clay tools, there are lots of substitutions you can make here! A regular steak knife or an X-acto knife are great for cutting. You can also use popsicle sticks for pressing designs into your clay. And cookie cutters or water glasses are great for cutting out shapes.

Roller. Clay rollers are often made of clear acrylic to make your creations extra smooth, but a water glass works well also!

Paintbrushes. To create the look you see here, you’ll need a variety of small sized paintbrushes.

Craft Paint. Acrylic craft paint is great. However, this is optional if you don’t want the speckled look.

Gilding Paint. This is optional as well, but gives your project an extra bit of shine that takes it up a notch.

Clay Glaze. Glaze is optional as well. If you use a glaze, your DIY incense holders will have a glossy look like the ones you see here. If not, you’ll have a pretty matte finish.

How to Make a DIY Incense Holder

Let’s make your DIY incense holders!

Start by working your clay until it’s soft, and then rolling it until it’s smooth and about 1/4″ thick. Then cut out the shapes that you would like for your incense holders.
Use your tools, cookie cutters, or popsicle sticks to press designs into your clay.
Use a stick of incense to create a hole in the center of your holder. Press the stick in vertically and then twist it a bit to make a hole with enough space (but not so much space that your incense will go slack and fall out).
Bake your clay according to the directions on the packaging.
Once your clay is out of the oven and cooled, start decorating with paint. To create the speckled look we used, dip a stiff paintbrush into paint, hold the brush over your project, and briskly pull your thumb backward over the bristles so that the paint showers down onto the clay.
If using gilding paint, use a small, thin paintbrush to paint gold designs onto your incense holders. I painted in the areas where I used a popsicle stick to press designs into the clay.
Allow all paint to dry. If you’re planning on glazing your pieces, paint the glaze on according to the instructions on your packaging. Allow to dry and cure for 48 hours.

Deck Out Your Backyard To Go With Your DIY Incense HOlders

Now place your DIY incense holder in your yard, place an incense stick in the center, and go for it!

To light incense, apply flame until the stick lights. Then blow out the flame and the stick will continue to smolder, sending a lovely sent into your yard.

Try some of these other DIY backyard home improvement ideas while you’re at it! And if you try our incense DIY, be sure to rate it below. Have fun! xoxo