Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 On Jan 16, 2008, at 2:25 PM, Janita wrote: > Incense making is a wonderful art and soul inspiring..... there are > a few here in the group who have really gone into depth with > this ..... I hope they will pop their heads up and say hello... I've got makko recipes that are working well. I like makko because it adds no scent of its own. Pine and cedar and other woods all have a scent when burned, a scent which tends to dominate to my nose. I've heard talk of laha and dar, but I've got makko working for me, so unless I hear there are more eco-friendly options, I'm sticking with it. My trouble is I want to make cones (not sticks) and hand rolling cones is becoming a pain. I tried once to make a cone mold as Carl Neal explains in his book Incense; it didn't work very well. I will try again, but I've been racking my brain to see if I might be able to conceive of a more workable cone mold. My father, an architect, has been contemplating this matter too (he has a vested interest as he likes my whole-herb incense); neither one of us has some up with anything better than Neal's method. With that method, the make-or- break step is cutting the slit down the side of the finished mold. It's much easier said than done, to get a clean and steady cut. Any tips? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Adam Gottschalk <adam@...> wrote: On Jan 16, 2008, at 2:25 PM, Janita wrote: > Incense making is a wonderful art and soul inspiring..... I've got makko recipes that are working well. I like makko because it adds no scent of its own. Pine and cedar and other woods all have a scent when burned, a scent which tends to dominate to my nose. I've heard talk of laha and dar, but I've got makko working for me, so unless I hear there are more eco-friendly options, I'm sticking with it. >> so Adam is this the Makko Powder that you use? So do you add other incense materials with this? From what I understand you combine with other powders and make into a paste then form, then dry for 24 hours? My trouble is I want to make cones (not sticks) and hand rolling cones is becoming a pain. I tried once to make a cone mold as Carl Neal explains in his book Incense; it didn't work very well. I will try again, but I've been racking my brain to see if I might be able to conceive of a more workable cone mold. >>>> From what I understand you combine Makko with other powders and make into a paste then form. Does it crumble then? I am particularly fascinated by the incense shaped in a coil... apparently they can burn for an extended period... from hours to days. They seem to hang down from the ceilings of temples etc. My father, an architect, has been contemplating this matter too (he has a vested interest as he likes my whole-herb incense); neither one of us has some up with anything better than Neal's method. With that method, the make-or- break step is cutting the slit down the side of the finished mold. It's much easier said than done, to get a clean and steady cut. Any tips? >>>> are you making small cones? Would it be any easier to do if you made the cone slightly larger? Just a thought or paste wetter? You may have already tried this ... I am interested about your experience in making these cones... has anyone else tried? That could give Adam some info that they might have found? Slowly dried seems to pop up. Some of the wet type Kyphi has smoke issues from ingredients..... Every good wish, Janita Janita Haan Natural Perfume Flowers of Myddfai project http://www.tiny.cc/flowers817 Janita's Attar http://www.janitasattars.blogspot.com --------------------------------- Sent from & #45; a smarter inbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Adam Gottschalk wrote: On Jan 16, 2008, at 2:25 PM, With that method, the make-or- break step is cutting the slit down the side of the finished mold. It's much easier said than done, to get a clean and steady cut. Any tips? Adam >>My only thought is have you tried it when wet before drying? when Dry? Does that make any difference? what happens? What type of instrument do you use to cut? janita --------------------------------- Sent from & #45; a smarter inbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 > My trouble is I want to make cones (not sticks) and hand rolling > cones is becoming a pain. I tried once to make a cone mold as Carl > Neal explains in his book Incense; it didn't work very well. I will > try again, but I've been racking my brain to see if I might be able > to conceive of a more workable cone mold. My father, an architect, > has been contemplating this matter too (he has a vested interest as > he likes my whole-herb incense); neither one of us has some up with > anything better than Neal's method. With that method, the make-or- > break step is cutting the slit down the side of the finished mold. > It's much easier said than done, to get a clean and steady cut. Any > tips? > Adam, I've started to make incense with makko too. The first time I tried to make incense, I had the idea to made paper molds by rolling parchment paper into cones (sort of like a pastry cone) and then cutting them down small and stuffing the incense dough into the tip. However, when I blended the incense, the texture was manageable for me to form into cones with my fingers, so I didn't attempt to use the parchment molds, so I don't even know if that method would work ... -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 19, 2008 Report Share Posted January 19, 2008 >>>> are you making small cones? Would it be any easier to do if you made the cone slightly larger? Just a thought or paste wetter? You may have already tried this ... I am interested about your experience in making these cones... has anyone else tried? That could give Adam some info that they might have found? Slowly dried seems to pop up. Hi Adam and ita , I make incense with Makko and Laha in a slightly different form from cones or sticks, it is a flattened triangle. Picture a cone sliced vertically in a thin layer. I use a hand press that flattens the dough and then I hand cut the pieces. This enables me to produce large batches uniformly and they burn really well. It is a rather lengthy process to describe here. Creating incense with these binders is much like natural perfume in that it is very tricky to get a fine well balanced blend.....that burns. You will find many recipes but must try them for yourself as ingredients vary. Too much resin and it will not burn, too little and its like there is no " base note " , some herbs burn aromatically well and some not, too much water and it curls. I use a basic ratio of 2 parts makko (or laha), 4 parts aromatics (spices , precious woods, herbs) and 1 part resin with EO to taste. But you still need to get a feel for it, to know when the consistency of the dough is just right. We all are searching for the perfect way to create cones and sticks without investing in a hydrolic press. I have tried all types of two piece molds (from hardwood to plexiglas) but the nature of the material is that is usually sticks. Let us know if you come up with something! Katlyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2008 Report Share Posted January 20, 2008 Katlyn Breene <mermade@...> wrote: Hi Adam and ita , I make incense with Makko and Laha in a slightly different form from cones or sticks, it is a flattened triangle. Picture a cone sliced vertically in a thin layer. I use a hand press that flattens the dough and then I hand cut the pieces. This enables me to produce large batches uniformly and they burn really well. It is a rather lengthy process to describe here. Creating incense with these binders is much like natural perfume in that it is very tricky to get a fine well balanced blend.....that burns. You will find many recipes but must try them for yourself as ingredients vary. Too much resin and it will not burn, too little and its like there is no " base note " , some herbs burn aromatically well and some not, too much water and it curls. I use a basic ratio of 2 parts makko (or laha), 4 parts aromatics (spices , precious woods, herbs) and 1 part resin with EO to taste. But you still need to get a feel for it, to know when the consistency of the dough is just right. Let us know if you come up with something! Katlyn Katlyn Fabulous! This is helpful and wonderful information that you have just imparted. Would it be possible, please if you could upload it to the files? If you have diifficulty one of the mods will help you. I'm not very good at stuff like that and usually have to enlist the help of DH for that process lol altho I am learning. Do you have photos of the process. That would be awesome.!...they could go into the photos section too ... if you have a mind too? You have obviously found a way that suits and you have also worked through some of the various aromatic problems that can occur and also not having to use a machine to create your shapes. This sort of information is so helpful to the group here if anyone wanted to have a go... Fascinating reading . Thanks so much for sharing with Adam m'self and the others..... Katlyn, much appreciated. Every good wish, Janita Janita Haan Natural Perfume Flowers of Myddfai project http://www.tiny.cc/flowers817 Janita's Attar http://www.janitasattars.blogspot.com --------------------------------- Sent from & #45; a smarter inbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 > Katlyn Breene <mermade@...> wrote: > > > Hi Adam and ita , > > I make incense with Makko and Laha in a slightly different form from > cones or sticks, it is a flattened triangle. Picture a cone sliced > vertically in a thin layer. I use a hand press that flattens the > dough and then I hand cut the pieces. This enables me to produce > large batches uniformly and they burn really well. It is a rather > lengthy process to describe here. Creating incense with these binders > is much like natural perfume in that it is very tricky to get a fine > well balanced blend.....that burns. You will find many recipes but > must try them for yourself as ingredients vary. Hi Katlyn. Please explain your cone process more. If the shape is like a slice of a cone, how does it stand up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2008 Report Share Posted January 23, 2008 >Hi Katlyn. Please explain your cone process more. If the shape is like a slice of a cone, how does it stand up? " Hi Adam, You have sand or ash in the censer and place one point into in. I'll send you picture off list. Katlyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 Hi ita and all, I have posted pictures of my workshop (incense and NP) and tools to the list. The incense press is a modified tortilla maker! The " perfume bar " is my makeshift organ in a converted bar . The fan booth is real necessity for making alot incense, the grinding of resins ,woods, herbs and spices can create alot of dust which one does not want to breath in everyday. This area was created for me by Stadler (who also makes the great distiller shown) who wanted me to stay healthy. It pulls the dust (and the fragrance) out of the booth with a strong suction fan. This allows me to work longer, too much aromatherapy can be a bad thing. Also posted pics of the " Triangle " incense I make for Mermade, you can see the ways it can be burned. I have never uploaded a word file before, what do you recommend I post there? I'll see what I can do. A good place to start for learning about hand-rolled and natural incense is Carl Neal's book " Incense: Crafting & Use of Magickal Scents " , there is a section on laha and makko. This incense form is a very satisfying art and uses the perfumers skills to a different effect. Katlyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Katlyn Breene <mermade@...> wrote: Hi ita and all, I have posted pictures of my workshop (incense and NP) and tools to the list. The incense press is a modified tortilla maker! The Katlyn These photos are just magical!!! Everyone do take a moment and click on the new photos... there are absolutlely faboo photos of Katlyns place... I love the picture of the distiller in the window with your garden in the background. The press for your incense is extraordinary and the place for fanning out dust .... wonderful... Amazing and wonderful.... Thanks for sharing Katlyn. and alchemical room of wonder. Every good wish, Janita Janita Haan Natural Perfume Flowers of Myddfai project http://www.tiny.cc/flowers817 Janita's Attar http://www.janitasattars.blogspot.com --------------------------------- Support the World Aids Awareness campaign this month with for Good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 Janita, (sorry for the mispelling in last post!) Thanks for the kind comments, happy to be apart this fragrant company. I will let you know when Mermade re-opens. Write me off list and I'll send you some samples. Glad to share what I know about incense. If anyone would like to be on my new mailing list just drop me a line. mermade@... blessings, Katlyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.