I’ve been trying to work more experimentation-for-experimentations-sake into my craft.
So I made this big cone.
You can watch it burn here.
While I appreciate cones, working with this shape has made me further appreciate the humble joss stick.
Cones need to burn hotter to stay lit, and subtle scents can get lost in the extra heat and smoke. Making joss sticks is not without its difficulties, but it’s definitely my preferred playground.
My Black Storax and Clove blend burns hot enough to stay lit as a cone, but the size and shape of this particular experiment caused a lot of its complexity to be lost. This cone was equivalent to what usually makes up half a box of my incense. And speaking to what’s lost: while the experience of burning it was much smokier – it was not equally stronger.
I’ve made smaller cones with this blend before as a custom request, so I do know I can work with this shape, to a point.
Still, even smaller versions are a touch smokey for my personal preferences. Each to their own, of course – we’re in highly subjective territory here.
Smoke is symbolically important for many —myself included, but creating the opportunity to get swept up in the scent itself is the primary drive for me.
The way delicate smoke can almost smell clean, and changes as the stick burns down, is one of the most fascinating elements of formulating. This is where my creative desires lie.
If you’d like to learn more about my botanical incense blends, head over to the shop, or explore the FAQ page x