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://www.leslierojas.com Leslie

    next on my shopping list!
    Thanks Emily :) PS they look great you should really come out with your own home goods line.

    http://www.leslierojas.com/

  • Gildete Lima

    Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://pier39prep.blogspot.com/ Pier 39 Prep

    Ahhh this is so clever! A great way to use teacups too beautiful to sip beverages!

  • http://www.pinkpeppercornandpaprika.blogspot.com Pink Peppercorn and Paprika

    This is such a great idea! They would be perfect favors for bridal/baby showers. Especially tea-time themed ones. I love that you added Bergamot- they are Earl Grey candles :)

  • http://www.chevrontochiffon.com Ellie

    My mom and I made these as christmas gifts last year, everyone loved them!

    http://www.chevrontochiffon.com :)

  • http://www.fiftyfive18.wordpress.com Ashleigh

    I love this idea! We almost did something like this as shower hostess gifts but it didn’t pan out. Now I’ll just make them for myself!

  • http://Www.untilnexttime.blogspot.com Vanessa

    This is literally the best DIY ever! I’m definitely trying this one!

  • http://enchantingbutterfly.blogspot.com/ Luli

    I had no idea candles were so easy and fun to make. I’m going to try this. Thank you for the idea. Your blog is full of wonderful ideas and inspiration.

  • http://whileuwerenapping.blogspot.com britt

    i love these!! such a great and personal gift.

  • http://sartorialstateofmind.blogspot.com Stephanie

    such a cute idea! Dainty and delicate :)

    http://sartorialstateofmind.blogspot.com

  • http://www.katiesbliss.com Katie @ Katie’s Bliss

    Wow they turned out great! Such a creative idea :)

    http://www.katiesbliss.com

  • http://www.stormsisters.com Christina S

    Such a wonderful idea!

    http://www.stormsisters.com

  • http://kristinadoestheinternets.blogspot.com Kristina

    Oh wow these are so cute! I definitely have to give this a try!!

    kristinadoestheinternets.blogspot.com

  • http://bloggingrunner.com Blogging Runner

    What a great idea! I need to keep these in mind for my next wedding shower!

  • http://jojowerk.blogspot.com Jodie

    such a great idea!! love this!

  • Hannah

    What a fun DIY! Love it!
    http://www.fashionwrapup.com

  • http://livelikeadreamer.blogspot.com adele
  • http://moonrivertravels.blogspot.com Maki | Moon River Travels

    Awesome DIY! Shall try as a gift sometime!
    xo
    Maki
    moonrivertravels.blogspot.com

  • http://www.winksmilestyle.com Josie

    These are SUCH a great gift idea! And they’re so pretty to boot. Love it!
    xo Josie
    http://www.winksmilestyle.com

  • http://Www.stylegod7.blogspot.com Mariely
  • http://violetcatstyle.blogspot.com Irina

    Absolutely amazing! Wow! You’re a genius with taste!
    http://violetcatstyle.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.lornalove.co.nz LornaLove

    What a FABulous gift idea! Thanks ;o)

  • http://aonecentlife.blogspot.com Vaishnavi

    I made these a while ago..they are really the best to gift!!!

  • http://wearmint.blogspot.com/ Carmen

    I got some teacups at a garage sale a while back and I’ve been wanting to do this! Thanks for letting me know about that kit! I’ve been not wanting to go purchase everything separately, so this is perfect!

    -Carmen
    http://www.wearmint.com/

  • http://ladylikeness.blogspot.com rachael

    definitely going to try this.

  • http://www.stylingmylife.com Alison

    I love this idea! Such a great use of teacups :)

    xoxo Alison
    http://www.stylingmylife.com

  • http://i-should-coco.blogspot.com/ Bridget

    These make such a lovely gift! I had a go at making my own a while back, it’s actually far easier than you would assume. I love giving gifts with a handmade personal touch!

    x

  • http://unasrandomfashion.blogspot.com/ Una B

    WOW,it looks absolutely amazing,i love,love,love it!

    http://unasrandomfashion.blogspot.com/

  • Kelly Anne

    Such a brilliant idea…perfect for parties!

  • Val
  • http://www.excurlythoughts.com just me
  • http://www.thecardigantales.com Tara

    I have seen these around a little bit lately and they are simply the most gorgeous idea.. I hadn’t considered making my own!

  • http://rebeccalowgren.myshowroom.se rebecca

    Oh this is a great idea, i love scented candles, oh thanks!!

  • Elisabetta

    Idea originalissima! Ottimo spunto per regali ad amici e parenti! Grazie;-)

    Very original idea! Great for friends and relatives’ gifts! Thank you so much;-)

  • http://elblogdemon.com monrix

    I love this idea!
    http://elblogdemon.com

  • http://terrycosta.com/Bridal-Salon/ Terry Costa

    These candles are amazing and would look so great anywhere!

  • http://hijaabistreasurebox.blogspot.com Diamonds&Pearls

    Sweetest lil things!

  • http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/ Andrea

    I love that you blogged about this! I did this several years ago as party favors at our annual Holiday party. They were Christmas tea cups with red cinnamon candles! So personal!
    http://akstylemyway.blogspot.com/

  • margaret

    I love making candles- they always go over so well as gifts- where do you get your oils? That’s my biggest challenge is finding some that are nice, but not too expensive :)

  • http://strawberryporcelain.blogspot.com Zimasa Qolohle

    My goodness this blog is addictive!! Amazing idea Emily- simply stunning*

  • http://thisishinna.blogspot.co.uk/ Hinna

    This is brilliant! I love it.

    Peace and Love,
    Hinna xoxo

  • http://whiteorchid77.blogspot.com Laura

    Hi Emily
    I read your Blog for a long Time and i find it’s very great! This Idea with the teacup-candles is awesomw and so cute!
    Thanks and hugs from Switzerland
    Laura (White Orchid)

  • http://www.janetashton.blogspot.co.uk Evangalene

    Unbelievably cute, definitly going to be trying this out!

  • ariel

    Oh my gosh, I totally had this same project about 6 years ago for my wedding! It was something I’d seen on del.icio.us… (Remember that website??) Unfortunately, I had a bit of a problem finding enough vintage teacups… (I wanted them all to be different!) so I just kept them for personal use… Yours look so perfect!!!! I still have one of mine sitting on top of my kitchen windowsill. Thanks for the re-inspiration!! I’m ready to whip out the double boiler again!

  • Alice

    I am sorry, but i find easier to just purchase as it is instead of the whole process of making these teacup candles.

  • Betty
  • http://light-andsweet.blogspot.com/ Filiz

    This is a fantastic idea! So cute and they would make great gifts. How many candles do you think the kit could make?

    http://light-andsweet.blogspot.com/

  • http://effortlesscool.wordpress.com sahra

    this is absolutely AMAZING! next time I go to the thrift store I’m going to pick up some cheap china and try this out!!

    XO Sahra
    EffortlessCool

  • http://nickiesniche.blogspot.com/ Darrylon Evans

    Amazing!!!!

  • http://nickiesniche.blogspot.com/ Darrylon Evans

    and cute!