Teacup Lights

Antique teacups that have lost their saucers still make sweet gifts when fitted with candles.

gt02decmsl_teacupcandles_xl

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Nested pans
  • Partially burned candles
  • Candy or candle thermometer
  • Tongs
  • New wicking
  • Teacups
  • Wick sustainers

Instructions

  1. In a small pan set over a larger pan of simmering water, melt down old candles; clip the thermometer to the upper pot, and keep temperature at about 185 degrees. Remove old wicks with tongs.

  2. Cut a piece of wicking to the cup's height plus 2 inches. Clamp one end to a wick sustainer; tie the other end around a skewer. Dip wicking and sustainer into melted wax to coat them. Remove and stick sustainer to cup's bottom.

  3. Pour in the wax, stopping 1/2 inch below the cup's rim. Allow wax to set, about 1 hour. The candle will harden with a well in the center. To even it out, use another skewer to prick a circle of holes about 1/16 inch deep around the wick. Pour in melted wax until surface is 1/4 inch below rim. Cut wick.

Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART LIVING, DECEMBER 2002
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