Sometimes I wish I was a girly girl with a cupboard filled with pretty teacups. Alas, I am a devout coffee drinker and I like my mugs big.
Even though teacups don’t hold enough beverage for my liking, they do tout a certain aesthetic charm that coffee cups just can’t hold a candle to {pun intended}.
Teacups scream femininity with their dainty handles, pretty floral designs and accessorized saucers. Check out these lovelies I found at a local thrift store for a mere $3. It’s a happy pattern of white and turquoise daisies called “Holyoke” by Oxford (Lenox).
I also scored this set of “Twilight Rose” mugs by Royal Domino for the same price. They aren’t officially teacups, but I thought they would make cute candles nonetheless.
Let’s spark new life into these vintage teacups by turning them into handcrafted candles!
These teacup candles are beautiful on display and make delightful gifts for any occasion. I think they’d be especially lovely paired with a bright bouquet of spring flowers for Mother’s Day. {My mommy friends, please act surprised when you receive your gifts this year!} So try your hand at candle making and let your light shine! — v.
DIY TEACUP CANDLES
{Tutorial}
Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own teacup candles.
- vintage teacups
- parrafin wax blocks or soy flakes
- melting container
- candle wicks with tabs
- fragrance oil scents and coloring {optional}
- wooden skewers
- tape and scissors
{step 1} Place wicks into cups by centering the metal tabs on the bottom. Secure wicks with two skewers taped on each end like a vise.
Since the mugs are deeper, I applied a glob of hot glue to the bottoms of the metal tabs to ensure proper placement. I also used longer wicks, which were held in place by the same skewer method.
{step 2} Bring a pot of water to boil. Place wax in a melting container (I used a pasta sauce glass jar} and set the container in the pot of boiling water to melt. You’ll need to melt enough wax to fill the teacup on the first pour and to level the wax on a second pour.
The wax will melt clear. Add fragrance and coloring at this point and stir with a wooden skewer to combine. I used pieces of crayon to color my candles — a little goes a long way and the color lightens once dry.
Safety Note: I did not use a thermometer to monitor the melting process. I did, however, attend the stove the entire time, adding more water to the pot when necessary and removing the wax promptly after it was fully melted. Please be cautious when handling the container and pouring the wax.
{step 3} Carefully pour melted wax into teacups. If you scented and/or colored the wax, be sure to reserve the remainder in order to level the candle during a second pour. Keep the skewers in place while the wax dries.
{step 4} Once the first pour is dry, remelt leftover wax using the double boiler method mentioned in step 2. Fill sink holes and level candles.
I let my first pour dry overnight and leveled them the next morning.
{step 5} Once the second pour is dry, snip the wicks above the skewers and remove skewers. Light {or gift} and enjoy!
Don’t want to DIY it? You can buy several handmade candles in the Shop!
I received this type of candle bought from a store my 1st mothers day in a really tiny tea cup. I like the idea of trying to make it and customizing it myself. Thank you for the clear directions. :)