DIY Scented Teacup Candle

This post The Title DIY Scented Teacup Candle is sponsored by Martha Stewart Living in support of the March of Dimes imbornto campaign. All opinions are 100% my own.

It all starts with our Moms. I’ll be honest. I don’t think I realized that FULLY until I became one myself. When I had my daughter, my Mom flew three thousand miles to come and stay with me a week before my due date to be there for me through this amazing first time experience. It turned out that I went into labor the day she flew in. Perhaps it was instinct. When my daughter arrived there was so much to think about; from the health of my newborn baby to, breastfeeding, to vaccines. My Mom was there to encourage me and help give me piece of mind.

It’s reflections of special moments like this one that make me want to support causes I believe in like the March of Dimes imbornto campaign. For more than 75 years, the March of Dimes has helped babies be born strong and healthy through research, vaccines, education, and breakthroughs. You can support them as well by joining me and Martha Stewart for the #TH2XU movement. Here are a couple ways you can support the cause: 1) Upload a baby picture of your child, grandchild, or yourself with the hashtag #THX2U, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and Meredith Corporation will attribute $10 of a $350,000 donation to the imbornto campaign or 2) purchase one of the adorable Alex and Ani Special Delivery bangles and 20% of your purchase will be donated!

Check out my #THX2U photo below and join in on the fun!

In addition to supporting the imbornto campaign I’m also celebrating my Mom for Mother’s Day with a handmade gift. Inspired by her beauty and femininity I am making her a scented candle in this beautiful vintage teacup and saucer I found while on one of my treasure hunts.

Materials:

• Teacups and Saucer Sets
• Beeswax
• Essential Oils
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Newspaper
• Saucepan
• Glass Pyrex Measuring Cup
• Oven Mitt
• Kitchen Towel
• Chopsticks or Pencils or Pens (2 per teacup)
• Rubber bands (2 per teacup)
• Candle Wicks
• Scissors

Instructions:

Begin by protecting your work surface with newspaper. On your cutting board, carefully cut your beeswax block into small or thin pieces. I used about 7 ounces of beeswax to fill these three mini teacups. The amount of wax you need will depend on the size of your teacup.

Fill your saucepan halfway with water. Place your wax inside a Pyrex measuring cup and place the cup inside the water. It helps to hook your measuring cup handle onto the side of the saucepan because the measuring cup will move a little when the water starts to boil. Turn the heat on to high and allow the water to boil and the wax to melt. If you like, you can use a thermometer to keep track of the temperature. For beeswax, the temperature should remain in between 145 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

While you are waiting for your wax to melt, prepare your wick. Place the wick in between two chopsticks and secure with two small rubber bands on each end as shown. I find that small hair bands work well. Make sure the wick is centered.

Once the wax is melted, drop several drops of the essential oil of your choice to scent the candle.  Beeswax is the most difficult wax to hold scent, however essential oils work nicely. Use your oven mitt to grab the handle and carefully pour in the wax into the teacup.

Pictured here are two teacups I had just poured, while the third cup has already been cooling for about ten minutes. As you can see it hardens fairly quickly.

Allow the wax to cool for a minimum of 6 hours. Trim the candle wick and remove the chopsticks.

Here are a few after photos. I think they turned out beautifully and I know my mother will love and appreciate them!

Tip: To remove the left over wax from your Pyrex measuring cup, pour to boiling water into the cup and fill it. Set it aside to cool. Once cooled, you will be able to lift all the left over wax in one swipe! Check out my more detailed tips for how to remove wax from glass as well.