Leftover Hippies 100% All-Natural Hand-Rolled Incense
Welcome to Leftover Hippies All-Natural Incense, your source for the best 100% All-Natural Hand-Rolled Incense Sticks & Cones. Using only herbs, barks, gums (and other parts of plants - ie roots, flowers), I have created a line of incense that is 100% Natural with absolutely no chemicals or synthetic ingredients whatsoever! Each scent is an original creation and I personally make each stick or cone.
I did not begin my journey in life ever thinking I would end up an incense-maker, I actually have my training in performing and visual arts. After having my daughter however, I wanted to find a more stable way to support her while still feeding my creative spirit. I started making hippie clothing and actually began incense as a “quick and easy” side project; a way to support my clothing-making.
I am sad to say, I did not do enough research at that time, and actually started by making “hand-dipped” incense. It didn’t take me long to realize that this kind of incense is not real. The process involves buying unscented sticks, soaking them in harsh chemical fragrance oils and then drying them. I didn’t feel good selling that kind of stuff to people while marketing it as good quality incense, considering that I, myself, was breaking out in rashes from working with the oils! So I researched harder and got back to basics.
I began to gather some favourite natural ingredients, (cinnamon, vanilla beans, sage etc.) and try out different combinations. (I try to buy locally whenever possible but when not, I buy fair-trade from Nepal.) From these real ingredients, I created my recipes. Bark is added to the mixture to keep it burning (this avoids using charcoal, which contains saltpeter, a toxin). Then, I create an almost play-dough-like substance by adding some water and tree gum or resin. From this dough, I roll my sticks and cones.
It is incredibly time-consuming compared to “hand-dipped” incense, but it is something I am proud to make and feel I can stand behind. Working with these natural products is also incredibly relaxing just due to their natural properties. When compared to the stress I had felt making clothing, there was no contest, I happily traded in my sewing machine for a mortar and pestle!
I am always experimenting with different combinations, so my current list of 8 scents is ever-growing. Sometimes happy mistakes make the best mixes! Cinnamon Sage , for instance, is the result of the two jars falling off a shelf and breaking on my office floor. I thought it was going to smell weird, but instead, it smelt amazing, so, off I went and created a recipe. I hope you will enjoy these unique scent recipes, they were made with peace, love and happiness!
When I'm not hand-rolling incense, I'm hunting for unique vintage finds! Check out my second shop for curated thrifted treasures: HazelWouldThrift.
