Pretty Cups And Saucers

Old China Crafts

Old Zara china

Make a simple cake stand with superglue and old china

Make a simple candle for a romantic bedroom

We all have those odd pretty cups and saucers lurking in a cupboard which are seldom used and so here are a few suggestions for what you can do with them. You can of course use them for tea ...

Afternoon tea table

There is a trend at weddings and big gatherings to serve tea in individual cups and saucers (often a trio) and this provides for wonderful photos such as this one.


You could also make a simple cup and saucer candle ...

Simple candle with charity shop china

To make this you will need a teacup and saucer, soy wax, eco wicks, scented oils, two pencils, double boiler and a thermometer.   (Some types of wax flakes can be melted in a microwave)

Fill teacup with water and weigh it. This is the quantity of soy wax you will need.
Put the wax in a double saucepan (or bowl on top of pan with boiling water or in the microwave).
Add scented fragrance - around ten-percent of total and mix well.
Place the wick in the centre of the cup - it will come with a flat disc to hold it upright.

Melted wax with wick in place

Pour the melted wax gentle around the wick. 
You may need to lay the pencils across the cup to keep the wick centred and upright.
There should be a little wax left over for a second pouring.
Let the wax cool - it will shrink a little and develop holes and cracks.
Re-heat remaining wax until very hot and top up until smooth on the surface.
Cool totally and then trim wick to around half an inch.
You now have a pretty candle - makes a perfect gift for a tea-lover.

All materials available at www.devonscents.co.uk

Booths 'Real Old Willow' cakestand
Use superglue and old china

A closer look

Antique Chinese cup and saucer

'Havilland Limoges' cup and saucer

These pretty pieces are ...

The cake stand made from a dinner plate, a tea plate, a fruit dish, a coffee can, a coffee cup and a tea cup all from Booths 'Real Old Willow'. We have inherited hundreds of pieces of this beautiful china but it is rarely used.

The Chinese cup was bought from an antiques fair and has no distinguishing marks. I have had it for many years and it is very delicate and beautiful and would make a wonderful candle gift for someone special.

The 'Havilland Limoges' cup and saucer are on display on a mantlepiece and could look so much better on a bedside table with a fragrant candle in it.

Why don't you have a go?