DIY Teacup/Mug Candles

Here's a simple, quick and easy way to make the perfect personal gift when youre a bit strapped for cash! (and it's fun to do too!!)

You will need:

Teacups, mugs, egg cups or whatever else you fancy!

Old candle ends (or a cheap set of candle sticks from a discount store)

Saucepan

Empty tin can or metal jug

Cooker

Stirring utensil (a wooden lolly pop stick would be perfect)

Newspaper or old magazines to cover the work surfaces

If using old candle ends make sure you have a fair amount to make sure you fill the teacup.

Chop off the bottom end (keep this to melt) and simply pull out the wick from the bottom. 

If there is a long enough length, use this for your new candle. If not you will have to buy a wick from a craft shop or from the internet.

If using shop-bought unused candles, cut off the bottom (keep this) and pull out the long wick.

Cut down to the required length using the height of the teacup as a guage.

Chop the wick-less candle into small chunks.

Fill the saucepan with water and bring to a steady heat/simmer.

Fill the tin can with the lumps of wax.

Place the tin can into the hot water and keep there until all the wax has melted. 

Make sure you stir the wax every now and again while it's melting.

 Dip the bottom end of the wick in the melted wax and press down into the base of the teacup to keep it in place. 

Use some tape to keep the wick upright and in place while the rest of the wax is poured on. 

Gently and slowly pour the melted wax into the teacup until it reaches about 1cm from the top of the wick.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL! THE WAX WILL BE EXTREMELY HOT (AS WELL AS THE WATER IN THE SAUCEPAN) SO KEEP AWAY FROM SKIN AND EYES. YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO WEAR RUBBER GLOVES WHILST DOING THIS.

Let the wax is dry for approx 3 hours. You will begin to see the wax returning to its original colour once it starts to set. Keep in a cool, dry place whilst setting.

If you find you dont have enough wax to fill the cup, simply melt some more candle and top it up!

Finished! Here I have decorated mine with shells as I live by the sea but you can use glitter, perminant markers, cabochons, all sorts! Or just tie a pretty ribbon and gift tag around it ready to be given to that special friend.

Or you could do what I did and keep them all for yourself! ;)