Cupcakes and Cashmere

Teacup Candles

August 7th, 2012

I’m a bit of a hoarder when it comes to candles and anytime I’m home for more than a couple of hours, I have one burning. They’re so indulgent and I love having my entire house filled with beautiful scents (I even rotate the fragrances I choose depending on the time of year). I’d been wanting to try my hand at making my own for a while and decided to make an afternoon of it, using mismatched vintage teacups I picked up at a thrift store. Not only do they look adorable, but they’d also make an ideal gift since after the candle’s been used up (with some soaking in some boiling soapy water), the recipient would have a cute set of vintage teacups. Here are the simple steps!

I could have tracked down all of the individual candle-making components separately (wax, wicks, thermometer, pour pot, etc.), but I decided to buy this kit that included everything I’d need.


1. Fill a pitcher with wax and heat in a double boiler until the temperature reaches 180° F.


2. Pick out teacups (or anything else you have lying around i.e. vases, tins, jars, etc.).


3. Add a scent. I used a combination of grapefruit and bergamot essential oils for a light and refreshing fragrance.


4. Fill teacups to the very top.


5. Wait five minutes.

6. Insert wicks into the middle of the teacup.


7. Rest a stick/pencil/chopstick across the edge of the teacup to ensure the wick stays centered and straight. Make sure to remove after a few minutes so it doesn’t create a dent. Do not touch until completely solid, roughly 1-2 hours.


9. Trim the wick so that it’s 1/4″-1/2″.


10. Light candle and enjoy.

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  • http://adrenalinastyle.com/ Alina

    I want to try! Amazing!!!!! Kisses, Alina

    http://adrenalinastyle.com

  • http://styleminx.com erica

    I love this idea. I have a huge rosemary bush outside my house and I’ve been wanting to make rosemary scented candles out of it. Thanks!

    http://styleminx.com

  • http://www.mochaandmoccasins.blogspot.ca Monica

    I’ve made a candle in a teacup before! It’s so pretty, I don’t think I’m ever going to burn it. I’d love to go to a thrift shop and get some more tea cups and make more candles. They are adorable.

  • http://chocolatecurvesandcocktaildresses.blogspot.com/ Shayne

    What a great idea! Very cute. Would be perfect for a girly bedroom.

  • Rachel L

    Absolutely love this idea! I can finally tag along with my hipster friends to the thrift store to snag some cute, vintage tea cups :)

  • http://agirlastyle.com/ A Girl, A Style

    I’ve seen this in various places and have been wanting to try it for ages, so thank you for finally encouraging me to do so! I suspect everyone is getting a teacup candle for Christmas…

    Briony xx

  • http://cwfrosting.com caroline @ c.w.frosting

    Beautiful! You did everything all proper… I was lazy and did this by melting old candles in the microwave =) xo

  • http://lestyleengineer.blogspot.com/ M
  • http://www.morepleaserecipes.com Tina Ferris

    I really love this idea. The coffee cups are so dainty; having a bunch of them all lit up reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. Great, now I have another DIY project to tackle. Thanks though, it’s a good one!

  • Yumii

    OMG! i just love your photography. Where you guyx are from? :D i hope your canadians :D

  • http://kristenmonique.blogspot.com Kristen

    I absolutely love this idea.

  • Marlyn

    Love the idea and off to get ready with Xmas presents. Tell me though please – what is a double boiler? Is there an alternative?

    Cheers
    Marlyn

  • Kitty

    Love it! I love candles and tend to spend quite abit of money on my favourite smelly ones as they can be a bit too smelly if they a bit cheap. But I’ll just make them myself now with my choice of scent!! Thanks, love the site! Kitty xxx
    PS I love the panda biscuits – they are delicious

  • http://www.maisonstyle.wordpress.com rachel

    great idea! did these for a friend’s birthday present but had one question, how much oil do you put in to scent? a couple drops for the whole thing? mine are pretty potent and are pretty sure i used way too much.

  • http://beallara.com Lara Lewis

    I love this DIY! I’m also interested in making tea cup pendant lights.. :)

  • http://Tesoribelle.com Deana

    I love this! The teacups look so feminine and just such a beautiful way to burn a candle.

  • http://dagnybjorg.blogspot.com dagny bjorg from FEEL INSPIRED

    Very clever – defiantly something I’ll be doing for christmas this year!

  • Barbara

    I’m thinking about all those Holiday mugs I have accumulated over the years. They would be great to fill with a Holiday scent like pine or other oils they put out for the holidays and of course wax, red, white or green. The hobby stores have coloring waxes to color your wax chips.

    Then, wrap the cups in great green, red and/or clear cellophane with a beautiful sprig of sparkles or fun and give to anyone, office mate, doorman, hair-person, friend, etc, etc. If more is expected in your tribe, add money in a money card tucked into the wrapping or take out for brunch for friends and colleagues

  • http://www.lookslikewhite.com/ lookslikewhite

    That looks so great! Going to try it!!

  • http://postagious.blogspot.com Ellie

    I ordered the same candle making kit and will be making these this week! I’m so excited they are so cute!

  • Luisa do Valle

    That is a lovely idea! I kept the link of this post for months in my inbox and today I’m doing this candles in tiny bathtubs to present my mother-in-law. Let you know if she likes it! Thank you for inspiring this idea!

  • Viviana

    Holy genius! I love this and will definitely give it a try as a side gift to my mom :)

  • Rachel

    Love this idea and going to be working on it this week using vintage tea tins! How many drops of each oil did you put in the pitcher?? Thanks for the great idea!
    Hugs from Austin!

  • Camisha

    This is the cutest DIY craft I’ve ever heard of :) Thank you Emily!

  • http://twitter.com/KellyAnnNYC Kelly Ann

    So pretty, what a great DIY!

    xx
    Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

  • roseann

    Great idea! I love your blog.I invite to me http://www.rosseann.blogspot.com :)

    greetings :)