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    Home » DIY Projects

    DIY Teacup Candles - Scented for Holiday Gift Giving

    by Patti Estep · Oct 23, 2019

    Jump to How-to Card

    These DIY teacup candles are scented, affordable and easy to create. They make wonderful gifts during the holidays or any time of year for everyone in your life. 

    DIY teacup candles - blue, pink floral and rose

    It's that time of year again when I start creating special handmade gifts for the holidays. Today it's all about making scented candles from vintage teacups.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there's no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. )i.e as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Vintage teacup and thrift store mugs

    DIY Teacup Candles

    Below is a list of the supplies that I used to make my teacup candles. I ended up filling 12 cups and had enough leftover to fill two small (8 oz.) mason jars.

    Obviously the teacups themselves were different shapes and sizes. And, depending on how high you fill them the amount of wax will vary. This is why I always have an extra mason jar or two around for the overflow.

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    If you are unsure how much to purchase you can find a ton of great information on the Candle Science Website.

    Supplies

    • Vintage teacups, mugs, coffee cups, etc.
    • 5 pounds Soy wax
    • 8 oz Fragrance oil
    • Tabbed wicks
    • Glue gun and glue sticks
    • Straws or clothespins to hold the wicks in place
    • Old pot
    • Wax pouring pitcher
    • Wood skewer or spoon for stirring

     

    wick and glue gun

    How to Make Teacup Candles

    After you have washed and dried your cups start by placing a little hot glue on the bottom of the metal wick tab. 

    Then press it into the center of the teacup.

    Melt the soy wax flakes in the wax pitcher that you have sitting in an old pot of simmering water. Stirring occasionally.

    Once the wax has completely melted remove it from the heat and stir in the fragrance oil.

    teacup candles drying

    Pour the wax carefully into the teacups and use a straw or a long clothespin to hold the wick in place. I like to cut a slit in the straw for the wick to rest in.

    Sometimes it works and other times the wicks pop out of the straw. No worries. Just wait 20 minutes or so when the wax begins to harden and then move it into place.

    vintage teacup candles

    When the wax has fully hardened, a few hours or overnight, cut the wicks to about 1/2 inch.

    mug scented candles

    Though most of the candles are made from old teacups I also bought these mugs without saucers from Goodwill.

    I especially like the one on the right as the scent I chose for this project is called Christmas Hearth and the plain white cup is nice and deep for a beautiful holiday candle.

    diy teacup candles

    I plan to give these out during the holidays, however, I could certainly see them for party favors. Bridal showers, baby showers even small wedding favors. 

    After all, who doesn't like a good scented candle?

    Patti signature


    P.S. You can find many candle ideas on my DIY Projects Page. One of the most popular is this DIY Holiday Oil Candle. Another good holiday candle is this Bayberry Candle with a good luck folklore quote.

     

    Click Here to Save to Pinterest!

    Stack of teacup with floral scented teacup candle in front

    teacup candles
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    DIY Teacup Candles - Scented for Holiday Gift Giving

    Learn how to make scented candles from vintage teacups. These make thoughtful gifts and they are so easy to make.
    Prep Time20 minutes mins
    Active Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 12
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $60

    Equipment

    • Hot glue gun

    Materials

    • Vintage teacups
    • 5 pounds Soy wax
    • 8 oz Fragrance oil
    • Tabbed wicks
    • Straws or clothespins
    • Old pot
    • Wax pouring pitcher
    • Wood skewer

    Instructions

    • Wash and dry your teacups.
    • Place a little hot glue on the bottom of the metal wick tab.  
    • Press it into the center of the teacup.
    • Melt the soy wax flakes in a pitcher placed in a pot of simmering water.
    • Stir occasionally.
    • Once the wax has melted remove it from the heat.
    • Stir in the fragrance oil.
    • Pour the wax carefully into the teacups.
    • Use a straw or a long clothespin to hold the wick in place. 
    • Wait 20 minutes for the wax to harden and then move the wick into place.
    • Let harden overnight.
    • Cut the wicks to about 1/2 inch.
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ann Milson

      November 13, 2019 at 9:33 am

      whats a good way to clean the tea cups after use so you can use them?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 13, 2019 at 10:20 am

        Ann, you can gently heat the cup by setting it in a pot of hot water or using a long lighter to melt any residual wax and then wipe it away with a paper towel. Then if it's not too delicate place it on the top rack of a dishwasher, or hand wash. Sometimes freezing works well when there is just a small amount of wax left. Again, it will depend on the fragility of the teacup.

        Reply
    2. Melissa

      October 23, 2019 at 6:18 pm

      I simply love this DIY. I've been collecting vintage tea cups just for this, but then fall in love with the T-cups! I think I'll finally get around to doing them. Thanks Patti!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 24, 2019 at 8:53 am

        Great to hear Melissa. I think you will love them!

        Reply
    3. Carole West

      October 23, 2019 at 7:35 am

      Great gift idea and I'm going to guess that candle making is a relaxing activity... They would look neat on a dinner table for a garden party. Or wait, do some Christmas themed for the dinner table.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 23, 2019 at 7:41 am

        Thanks Carole. They are pretty easy to make. Love your ideas. I mixed it up and went with floral themed cups and a Christmas scented wax.

        Reply
    4. Lara Wilson

      October 23, 2019 at 7:14 am

      Hi Patti

      Can you tell me what oils you are using? I have tried using essential oils but the smell doesnt project when the candle burns.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 23, 2019 at 7:25 am

        Lara, I used a fragrance oil from Candle Science. There's a link in the post. The scent was Christmas Hearth. I think their fragrance oils are pretty strong and the site will give you a good idea of how much to use on their facts page. I believe that 10% of oil per pound of wax is what they recommend. 

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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