Teacup Candles

Antique teacups that have lost their saucers still make sweet gifts when fitted with candles.
Tools and Materials
Nested pans
Partially burned candles
Candy or candle thermometer
Tongs
New wicking
Teacups
Wick sustainers
Wooden skewers
Teacup Lights How-To
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.

Decorate Clear Glass Ornaments

Step 1: Fill with Ribbons and Tinsel

Remove the cap of the ornament; set aside. Roll ribbon pieces, a stamped plastic circle or foam stickers around a pencil; slip inside the ornament. Add artificial snow if desired; replace cap. You can also fill ornaments with artificial greens, pieces of glitter garland or any other Christmas decorations.

Step 2: Decorate with Glitter and Paint

Remove the cap of the ornament; set aside. Pour craft varnish inside the ornament, rotating it until the-entire in side is coated. Pour the excess varnish back into the container; stand the ornament upside down in a small disposable cup until no more varnish comes out.
Pour one or more colors of fine glitter or acrylic paint inside the ornament. Cover the opening with your finger; shake (for glitter) or rotate (for paint) until the inside is completely covered. Shake out excess glitter. Stand ornament upside down until dry. Replace cap. If desired, decorate outside of ornaments with sequins or stickers.

Step 3: Wrap with Tissue Paper

Tear tissue paper into small pieces. With a sponge brush, apply glue to a small area on the ornament; place a piece of the tissue paper over it. Continue adding the glue and tissue paper, overlapping pieces slightly, until the entire ornament is covered. Let dry.

Paper Star and Christmas tree