Scent Rituals: A Hands-On Incense Workshop
Escape the city for a slower, sensory afternoon inspired by the beginning of autumn.
In this 2-hour hands-on workshop, you’ll make your own natural cone incense using a pre-mixed seasonal incense dough inspired by White Dew (Báilù / 白露) — one of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms.
White Dew marks the moment when summer begins to fade and early autumn arrives. The days may still feel warm, but evenings become cooler, morning dew begins to appear, and the season slowly turns inward.
Our seasonal incense dough is blended with natural aromatic ingredients and flowers connected to this time of year, including chrysanthemum, osmanthus, and other botanicals. You’ll learn about the ingredients, their seasonal meaning, and how scent has traditionally been used as part of everyday rituals in Chinese culture.
The incense dough is already prepared, so there is no complicated mixing or messy kneading. You’ll focus on working with your hands, shaping each cone slowly, experimenting with natural decorative materials, and enjoying the scent as it develops.
No previous incense-making experience is needed.
🍂 About White Dew / 白露
White Dew is one of the first clear signs that autumn has arrived.
Summer heat begins to retreat, nights become cooler, and dew gathers on grass and leaves in the morning. In traditional Chinese seasonal philosophy, this period represents a gradual transition from the outward energy of summer toward a quieter, more reflective season.
Early chrysanthemums are closely associated with this time of year — delicate, cooling, and resilient as the weather begins to change.
For this workshop, White Dew becomes both our seasonal scent inspiration and a small invitation to slow down.
As you shape your incense, you might consider:
What would you like to carry with you into autumn, and what are you ready to leave behind?
What We’ll Do
0:00–0:20 | Welcome & Material Introduction — 20 min
We’ll begin with a short introduction to the history of incense and the Chinese solar terms.
You’ll also smell and explore some of the natural ingredients used in the seasonal incense dough and learn why these particular botanicals are connected to early autumn.
0:20–1:15 | Shape Your Incense Cones — 55 min
Work with your pre-kneaded incense dough and learn how to hand-roll it into traditional cone shapes.
You can keep your incense simple or add your own decorative touches using dried flowers, spices, or natural colored powders.
Take your time — this part of the workshop is designed to feel tactile, meditative, and unhurried.
1:15–1:40 | Initial Drying & Packaging — 25 min
Let your finished cones rest briefly on drying racks.
You’ll record your blend and additions on your personal scent recipe card, then carefully package your incense to continue drying at home.
1:40–2:00 | Burning Demo, Care Tips & Q&A — 20 min
Learn how to finish drying your incense, how to store it properly, and how to burn cone incense safely at home.
We’ll finish with a short burning demonstration and time for questions.
✨ What You’ll Take Home
10–15 handmade cone incense pieces
A personal scent recipe card
A simple guide to drying, storing, and safely burning your incense
Your packaged handmade incense to finish drying at home
A new understanding of seasonal incense and the Chinese solar calendar
A quiet, creative ritual to bring into your autumn days
Your incense cones will need approximately several days to one week to fully dry before burning. We’ll show you exactly how to care for them at home.
Your Ticket Includes
All incense-making materials
Pre-mixed seasonal incense dough
Natural flowers, spices, and decorative powders
All tools and drying materials
Packaging for your finished incense
Personal recipe card and care guide
Step-by-step instruction throughout the workshop
Good to Know
Beginner-friendly — no previous incense-making experience is required.
All materials and tools are provided.
The incense dough is pre-mixed and ready to use, so no messy kneading is required.
Please wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting slightly dusty.
Natural aromatic materials and fine botanical powders will be used during the workshop.
If you are sensitive to strong scents or powders, you are welcome to bring a mask.
Your incense will not be ready to burn immediately and must finish drying at home.
Come alone or bring a friend. This workshop is designed as a small pause from New York’s pace — two hours to work with your hands, notice the changing season, and leave with something fragrant and personal that you made yourself.
About Scented Stranger 香间旅人
Scented Stranger brings traditional Chinese scent culture into contemporary life through incense, aromatic beads, herbal jewelry, essential oils, and botanical materials.
Their work explores the meeting point between Chinese scent traditions, sensory wellbeing, and modern daily rituals.
About ObliqueTable
ObliqueTable creates intimate experiences in New York City around craft, culture, natural materials, and the senses.
This workshop is part of our September series:
A Month of Scent & Memory
Tracing the Places We’ve Been
Throughout September, we’ll explore scent through Chinese traditions, botanical materials, memory, and sensory experiences — with more workshops and gatherings throughout the month.