DIY’s don’t come any simpler than this – and rarely are they more gorgeous. We’re dying to burn our floral smudge sticks from 100 Layer Cake – cedar, sage, rose and lavender have us like “!”
This is our third summer tutorial from the styling geniuses over at 100 Layer Cake. Try these floral bundles first, then set-up shop at home for a sweet-smelling fete with their wall hangings too…
Continuing our obsession with dried flowers this summer, we came up with this simple project to infuse a bit of floral goodness into your home in an unexpected way. So you know about smudge sticks, yes? Those bundles of dried white sage that hippies like to burn? Well, what if you made your own using some extra fragrant herbs and flowers? Even if you don’t burn them (though you totally could), they’d make a beautiful hostess gift or favor for a bridal or baby shower this summer. They’re just so pretty as an object of appreciation in your home.
A starting note: You can buy the herbs already dried if you like, though they will be more difficult to wrap up together since the leaves will be pretty brittle. You can also find your pieces fresh, wrap them how you like and hang them up to dry for a few weeks.
Floral + Sage Smudge Sticks
Supplies:
white sage
cedar
lavender
roses or any other herb or flower that dries well.
cotton culinary twine
Directions:
The instructions are pretty basic here: Bundle together your herbs and flowers in a pleasing way. Wrap tightly with cotton twine and wait til dry.
Or if you’re working with dried ingredients already, disassemble an existing sage smudge stick (look for a high-quality one with large leaves still in tact, not one that looks crumbly already). The leaves will already have a shape to them so let their direction inform how you’re adding new bits and how you ultimately tie it all together. You can let the sage be the outside “wrapper,” since the leaves are the broadest of the bunch. Add springs of dried cedar, lavender, roses, rosemary or anything else you have on hand (maybe even some palo santo wood?) to the center of the bundle. Then carefully close the bundle together in your hand and wrap with cotton twine.
The leaves must be completely 100% dry to burn so it’s best to wait until you’re sure. Light one end and enjoy!
