I made these except I used aluminin foil inside the tea cup so that when the candle burns down the tea cup is easily cleaned and ready to use! Another idea by using foil anything can become a candle holder. I also bought the foil muffin pans from the dollar store and made candles then cut them apart and use them in all kinds of things for candles!

Very Cute and lovely! I do that candles with perfum testers =) http://mydarlingpencilskirt.blogspot.com/2012/08/perfumed-teacup-lights.html

We have mentioned that tutorial in our last DIY post! There are other tutorials made with teacups, teapots and the like. Check it out! (in Spanish) :: http://www.monapartbarcelona.com/cosas/tan-facil-como-una-taza-de-te.html

These also look great as container for succulent plants.

I LOVE MAKING CANDLES. IT IS A LOT OF FUN. YOU ALL HAVE GIVEN ME SO MANY GREAT IDEAS HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Addorable gift idea! Actually made these for a "tea paerty" themed baby shower and they were a big hit.

This was a simple and lovely craft to make!

What timing! We actually hosted a nighttime ladies' tea party where we gave a teacup candle away to the parlor game winner. Feel free to take a look at all our decorations and food for your own party:

http://www.merrimentdesign.com/upper-crust-social-club-ladies-late-night...

As the photo shows, you could also decorate and label your own matches to go with the candles.

pami, A nested pan is two pans used to work as a double boiler so that the heat does not touch the pan with the wax directly.

I'm new to this craft, so bare with me. What is a nested pan?

Yes, most teacups are able to stand the heat. The only ones that you need to be careful with are the ones that are super thin at the rim - like Noritake or other fine bone china.

I usually buy old tea cups at flea markets and Goodwill for less than a dollar, and fill them with candles. They make wonderful gifts. I'm hosting a bridal shower in a couple of days, and I will give them as prizes.

Love this idea. Does anyone know if the teacup is able to withstand the heat of candle without being damaged?

This is a wonderful idea for spring table decor.

this would be a great baby shower favor for a garden/tea party theme!

I just love this!!! I use to collect teacups! Now I can use them as gifts! This is a "Good thing"!

These are not a new idea but something to build on. Years ago I glued saucer to cup, filled with reused wax and string wicking, glued a pretty old spoon to saucer, wrapped in pastel tulle gathered at top, held with and ribbon.and tiny Victorian nosegay. Sweet, dainty, and shabby!

I really like this idea! There are so many saucerless cups at flea markets and garage sales; these make for a wonderful, imaginative, and inexpensive spur-of-the-moment gift.

A tea cup is design to hold liquids that are just under boiling. The wax is only supposed to be 185. I have seen this idea in mismatched glasses as well.

This is a great way to use old candles; but, I make china teacup candles with soy wax which burns without getting hot and doesn't smoke. Of course, warming the cup before adding the warm wax is a good idea.

This is a great way to use old candles; but, I make china teacup candles with soy wax which burns without getting hot and doesn't smoke. Of course, warming the cup before adding the warm wax is a good idea.

Janicesmith - Generally they hold the hot water from tea without cracking, but if you are worried you could set up all your wicks, take everything out of the cups, fill the cups with really hot water to warm them up, then empty and dry them out and put the wick set up back in...

Great directions! I plan to make these with a group of high school girls as "I appreciate you" tokens to give to others. Thanks for the step by step photographs!

can china cups sustain the heat without cracking, as a candleholder? this safefy concern keeps me from wanting to do this craft.

so done, by so many folks. so many times. another dust collector.

any idea what you can add for scented candles, as all candles are not scented, I don't know if you can buy something @ a craft store or not when I go to purchase the wicks.

if you're really into greening this, wouldn't a piece of aluminum foil or pop can work just as well stapled to the end of the wick as a sustainer?

if you're really into greening this, wouldn't a piece of aluminum foil or pop can work just as well stapled to the end of the wick as a sustainer?

My husband and myself made one as part of a Christmas hamper for my mother. Turned out great. Reused everything from the wax and the wick (couldn't burn it further because it was in a topiary and to close to the green) and the wick holder. Bought the cup and saucer at a thrift shop. Looks so cute!

What a great way to Reduce, Reuse

so pretty!!!!

This would be perfect for a wedding shower. People could take them home as party favors.

so cute and easy to make it

i have a china teapot with a chipped spout that i use for melting wax. i put the whole thing in a large pot with water half way up the side. it is the ideal double boiler, easy to grip, easy to pour. i just add more wax when i need to. and a crayon for color.

You can also use broken crayons and melt. You would follow the rule of melting the same.

Opps, I forgot to say that I also used bought tea lights and round ball candles.

I did something like this for my daughter's wedding, only I used pretty wine glasses. I had so much fun going around junking at yard sales, thrift shopes etc. finding pretty cut glass with many designs. The theme of the wedding was grapes/wine and the glasses looking so pretty setting around on all of the tables. They sparkled with the light shining through them showing off the designs. Very pretty!!!

This is lovely- and I like the idea of recycling candles that have gotten dinged up or have burned funny. I personally like the idea of permanently attaching the saucer to the teacup with some heavy-duty silicone glue. Sweet! -Jenny at CraftTestDummies

You don't have to put a wick in the candle if you use the candle warmer.

Maybe we should use the old ones with saucers ! so the local firemen are not included in our craft !

What a beautiful way to use pretty little teacups! I have been wondering what to do with mine!

When my votive broke it burned through a double thick knitted throw and still had enough heat to scorch the Lane chest it was sitting on, I was not watching it when it burned out and was lucky nothing went up in flames.

Be cautious since not everyone will use the same china so while enjoying the craft protect yourselves, your home and families, and your furniture.

A safety caution: My factory-made heavy votive holder split in two when the tea light burned out

I have made these many times. I like to use them in the bathroom especially when I am having company. I have a Haviland China one there and it has burned completely out and never broke. I believe they are all okay because the lip is wide enough to not allow the heat to build up and break the cup. They can be refilled over and over.

If you are afraid of using china or you want the same affect and are scared of doing this project you can always put a tealight or a votive in... same affect and it is so pretty. My mom has been doing that for years cuz she never got into doing candles but liked the looks of it. You can pick up teacups at any Goodwill store - for less than $1.00!!!

As a collector of vintage glass and china - I would be wary of using quality fine china for htis idea - however, I think it would be a good presentation for the slightly more sturdy pretty cups that can be picked up from thrift shops. A nice way to use up the ends of candles too.

Super idea, and I can't wait to try it. However, wicking comes in different sizes so be aware of this when selecting your wick. Make sure the wick diameter is at least 1/4 inch smaller than the smallest part of the teacup diameter, otherwise the heat from the flame could crack or shatter the teacup.

I've enjoyed doing this kind of project before and everyone enjoys getting one. You can also use dried flower petals in your wax for an even more victorian look about it or seashells for a beachy look. You could even arrange several of them on a platter in different hights for a center piece on a table. Or even use a teapot and sugar bowl on a plater with several cups . So many cute ways to use them. DLP1947

Martha, the tea cups you used are very elegant and pretty. If someone gave me a tea-cup candle similar to the ones you made, I would cherish it. I am going to search for or maybe even by some tea-cups just to make some tea cup candles. Thanks for such a lovely idea.

Great idea especially for a bridal luncheon!

I love this idea! I'm always looking for ways to use old items around the house for decor. I hope Martha keeps these types of crafts coming!

What a great gift and a nice way to use those teacups that don't have "mates" and also those you find at yard sales.

I'm wondering if there is a danger of the teacups breaking from the heat of the candle,especially if it gets close to the bottom of the cup.

If you have lovely teacups why wreck them this way? There are just as many orphaned saucers as there are teacups at tag sales maybe even more. Why not shop for old saucers to mix with your old cups?

I made these for Mother's Day last year, they were a total hit, my Mother In Law and Mother loved them! You can get wax and oul to scent them at Michael's, (including the wicks). It was in expensive, and thoughtful. Making candles is also addictive, just wait. I saved my baby food jars, and used those, too.!

that's true - if you have really lovely teacups they can stand by themselves - BUT i haven't seen too many really lovely teacups at garage sales, or thrift stores - so maybe a little pretty silk ribbon or lace on a rather unattractive teacup would be just the thing to make that little cup pretty..just a thought.

I think if you have a beautiful teacup you do not need any other adornments.

I agree, sschwedes48;' these look unfinished, and rather blah. The instructions are pretty good though.

This is a great idea! Easy and fun! Thanks again Martha!!!

i would love to see some pretty ribbon or lace tied around the handle...what do ya think?

birthmothers never forget

This is such a neat idea, I think I will make some for mother's day!

You don't need to ruin your own fine china. I have found pretty china cups at flea markets and second hand shops. There are lots of different patterns that look very nice as candles and make lovely homemade presents as well.

I really like this idea but am unsure about ruinning the teacups has anyone found a way to protect the china

If you get wax in your pot, place it in the freezer until it hardens and it pops right out. This also works great for getting the old wax out of votives for this project!

This is a great gift idea. My sister and I added a teaspoon of dried lavendar to each teacup before pouring in the wax.

This is one that I will be trying! I love the idea of picking up lone cups at yard sales!

What a nice gift idea, I will be cruising yard sales for orphan tea cups with this idea in mind for inexpensive gifts for almost anyone.

This is great idea especially to put new life into old china and left over wax! =D

I think these would make really nice "heirloom" gifts. Let's say, each/all of your children like your "special "china, but obviously you can't give it to "all",so... This would be a nice way to give "each" one a piece of it and make everyone happy! Also, you don't have to stop at just teacups. Small bowls,maybe...

these are so pretty

Hi- I made these about 5 years ago. I can't tell you how much essential oil to add I just added until I liked the smell. Also the cups( I bought from thrift stores and estate sales held the heat just fine. Enjoy! This is a really fun craft and great gift. - corsagemaker0026

Hi -
I would think that the tea cups would be fine as they previously held hot beverages. I don't think wax would be any hotter - right? Jeanne

Great idea for old candles...what is the answer to the qusetion about using the candles...I am unable to pick up on the comment made..Thanks for the great idea....Mary

This might sound like a dumb question. Can you use the candles in the cups?
I was wondering if the cup might break. I made some in baby food jars and
some of the jars broke when they were lit.

Hi- Has anyone added any essential oils to the candles, if so - how much? Thanks!!

I used a coffee can, pinched into a lip on one side, then used the large bottom of my double boiler. Also added candle scents to some. A great way to use up old candles! I also tried the idea in gel wax, with some ideas for interesting embeds, berries, lemon slices, etc.

Oops! To clarify, the cans held the wax, but we still used simmering water in another pan in which to set the cans. Also, it seemed no matter what, we got wax in the pan that held the boiling water, so you might not want to use your best pan.

When we made candles, we used spaghetti sauce cans to melt wax. They seemed to be the perfect size, plus you can squeeze them a little so that they pour out very well.