Today I’m showing how I took my Grandmother’s teacup collection and turned them into teacup candles to display – instead of tucking them away in a cabinet to be forgotten.
I have my Grandmother’s fine bone china teacup collection.
They are beautiful and the fact that my Grandpa bought one for her whenever he could makes them even more special. Problem is that they sit tucked away in a cupboard. They don’t “go” with anything in my house, my Dad and brother don’t want them, and they are too small for my morning tea (I like a big mug).
I wanted to come up with a way to use or display them, so that instead of a giant collection tucked in a cupboard or bin, one or two could be on display and bring to mind happy memories.
Pinterest had a few great ideas (of course) and I decided to make teacup candles out of a few to give as gifts to those that knew, and loved, my Grandma.
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I put a small dot of glue on the bottom of the candle wicks and then stuck them to the bottom of each teacup. To keep the wick vertical while the wax set, I used an elastic band and wrapped it around the cup twice and tucked the with through the middle.
Using a pure, organic beeswax as well as a white beeswax, you’ll see two different colours of wax in the teacup candles. The white went nicely with the cups, but the yellow is just so buttery smooth.
I poured about a cup and a half of the beeswax in a glass jar and then microwaved it for 2 minutes at a time – stirring between heatings – until the wax was completely melted.
I did try the double-boiler method, but the microwave was much faster.
Once the wax was liquid, I added in the essential oil to scent my teacup candles.
I found some of the florals too strong for my taste, so I stuck with cherry blossom, a splash of gardenia or straight lavender.
Stir the oil in the melted wax thoroughly and then pour into your teacups.
You’ll want to fill your teacups almost to the brim; I found that when making my teacup candles, the wax shrunk as it hardened.
I also learned not to add extra drops of essential oils after the wax was poured – it doesn’t get mixed in with the wax and will cause caverns like below.
Aren’t they pretty?
These teacups are fine bone china, so there is a chance someone might want them as a collectible.
Not to worry, when the candle has melted, you can wash out the teacup with boiling water and the remaining wax will melt right out.
I used hot glue to adhere the cup to the saucer, but that seal is fairly easily broken as well and the hot glue will scrape off pretty easily.
Nothing should be permanently damaged in making candles out of teacups.
The lit teacup candle below is one I’m keeping for myself. As the wax melts, the image of a violet will start to show and my Grandmother passed away in February (when I was 9, so long ago).
The others will go to friends and family so they can have a small memento too.
I made more than a few, so I may keep a second for myself to set on my nightstand – the lavender would be a treat in the evening.
Please don’t fall asleep with a candle burning. Seems obvious, but there are people that put Gorilla Glue in their hair, so you never know when a disclaimer is needed.
I came up with another idea for my Grandmother’s teacups, so come back again and check out the teacup pin cushions!
Have a great one!