At first glance, they just look like sculpted flowers and sweets, but they are actually scented "stones" molded from fragrance-infused plaster. Simply placing one in the entrance or living room of your home can help give it a pleasing scent, not to mention how lovely they look.
Scented stones, called "aroma stones" in Japan, also come in bisque porcelain. The pale colors and soft fragrances make for excellent gifts for any occasion, and you can design them on your own using plaster, according to Sayako Yoshizawa, who teaches the technique at a workshop in Tokyo to students ranging from beginners to those seeking qualifications.
"If you can get the hang of making them, you can make any shape or add any scent you want," she said.
Here are the basic steps to making scented stones, as shown in the photos:
1. Add a few drops of your preferred aroma oil to water.
2. Add plaster and mix it with the water using a spatula. Make sure to mix consistently in the same direction. "If air gets into the plaster, the final product could be flawed," Yoshizawa said.
3. After mixing, pour the plaster into a mold. You can use molds designed specifically for scented stones or those meant for making sweets. If you want to add color, mix in watercolor with the plaster. In this case, however, be aware the plaster dries quickly. After pouring half of the plaster into the mold, gently knock it against a hard surface to force out any air bubbles in the mixture.
4. For molds that are quite detailed, use a toothpick to ensure the plaster gets into every area.
5. The plaster will harden about 20 minutes after being poured into the mold. The plaster may crack when being taken out of the mold, so please separate the two slowly once the plaster has hardened.
Wear an apron when making scented stones because once the plaster hardens, it's hard to get out of clothing.
The scent should last about a month. When it begins to fade, you can simply add a few more drops of aroma oil to the stone to enjoy the scent again.
"The stones can get mold if they retain moisture," Yoshizawa said. "So please be sure to leave them in a bowl or other open vessel and don't put them in a bag."
At her workshop, Yoshizawa showed scented stones in the shape of macarons, stacked cakes and cupcakes. Stacking these stones can create quite an effect. For expecting or new mothers, she also has little booties and rocking horses available. There are also elegant flowers that look particularly refined on a silver platter.
"Scented stones are great for anyone, regardless of age," Yoshizawa said. "Children can also make them, so why not try coming up with an original work as a family?"
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
