How to Make a Teacup Candle

By Trisha Sprouse

A vintage teacup candle is sure to delight any tea lover. Mix and match the cup and saucer for a bit of flea market style, customize the color and fragrance according to the recipient's personality or add a tea-inspired scent like green tea and cucumber to up the charm factor.

Choose a tea-inspired scent like green tea and cucumber. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Tip

• For the double boiler, avoid using a glass bowl like you would normally use for food. Use a large mason jar instead. It is inexpensive and can be reused to make candles in the future.

Gather your candlemaking supplies. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Things You'll Need

• Teacup and saucer
• Wick
• Hot glue gun and hot glue
• Pencil or drinking straw
• Candle wax, 5 to 8 ounces (paraffin, soy or beeswax) 
• Large chef knife (optional)

• Double boiler
• Wooden spoon
• Liquid dye (optional)
• Essential oil (optional)
• Scissors

Step 1:

Dab some hot glue on the bottom of the wick and glue it inside the bottom center of the teacup. Straighten the wick, roll the excess length around a pencil or straw and balance the pencil or straw on the rim of the cup.

Glue the wick to the bottom of the teacup and wrap the excess length around a pencil or drinking straw. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Step 2:

Cut up your block of wax (if necessary) so that it will fit inside the large mason jar. Some wax comes in chips or flakes, in which case you will just need to measure the amount needed. You'll need between 5 to 8 ounces of wax, depending on the size of your teacup.

Cut the wax up if necessary to fit inside the jar. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Step 3:

Fill a saucepan with an inch of water and bring it to a boil. Place the large mason jar in the boiling water and place the wax inside the jar. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the wax is completely melted, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.

Melt wax in a double boiler. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Step 4:

Take the wax off the heat, add a few drops of liquid dye and stir. Continue adding liquid dye a few drops at a time until the wax is your desired color. If you’d like to add a fragrance to the candle, add several drops of essential oil to the melted wax and stir.

Add liquid dye and essential oil to the melted wax. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Step 5:

Pour the melted wax into the teacup, leaving about 1/4 inch of room at the top.

Pour the melted wax into the teacup. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Leave 1/4 inch of room at the top of the cup. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Step 6:

Allow the wax to cool for at least 30 to 40 minutes.

Let the wax cool for about 40 minutes. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Step 7:

Unravel the wick from the pencil or straw and trim it to 1/2 inch.

Trim the wick to 1/2 inch. (Image: Trisha Sprouse)

Place the finished teacup candle on the saucer and give it as a gift it to any of your tea-loving friends or family. You could secure the cup and saucer together with ribbon, or place them upright in a large see-through bag tied with ribbon.

Watch the Full Video Tutorial Here