New story: "Intentional Inhalations: Why Natural, Handmade Incense Stands Apart"
Incense has been around for millennia, and is relatively simple to make. It can be purchased at any gift shop for a few dollars, so why spring for the handmade, whole-plant version?
Dear Friends,
In a number of civilizations— from ancient Mesopotamia and Babylon to Egypt, China, India, and more—the use of incense hasn’t much changed for some 6,000 years. Used in ceremonies and religious rites, or just as an aromatic, incense has always been a relatively simple product to make. And it’s so ubiquitous that you can purchase a stick or two of factory-made incense at most any corner store for mere pocket change. So, why would anyone spend more—or spend the time to make this stuff by hand?
This week, we veer briefly from our Winter issue theme, “The New Stone Age,” to profile Mike Paré, one of the few traditional incense-makers in the U.S. selling the good stuff: handmade, “whole-plant” incense. I hope you’ll enjoy learning more about his long known but little understood craft in our latest Field Notes story, “Intentional Inhalations: Why Natural, Handmade Incense Stands Apart,” written by Jeff Greenwald.
Each Friday throughout the Winter issue, we’ll be releasing a feature story, short article, mini-documentary, photo essay, or podcast — a mix of offerings that relate to our mission to “create a world built to last.” Along with stories that are connected to our current theme, we’ll also have works on other topics, so that there is always something for everyone. So please, stay tuned.
In the meantime, I hope you'll always find something intriguing to read, watch, or listen to within our pages. We welcome your thoughts via email, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Thank you for reading and sharing our stories, for donating to our cause when you can, and for being such a loyal part of the Craftsmanship community.
Be well,
Todd Oppenheimer
Editor & Publisher, Craftsmanship Quarterly
Winter 2023: The New Stone Age
When humans first embarked on their incessant quest for innovations, they began tinkering with little more than the rocks and stones at their feet. The Stone Age endured for more than 2 million years, and the stonework remains of ancient civilizations — from the Megalithic Temples of Malta to Stonehenge to the Great Pyramids — continue to awe and fascinate us today. Throughout the world, stone is still quarried for use in grand monuments, memorials, and much more. In this issue, along with other topics, we highlight some modern-day devotees of this timeless, prehistoric material.