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Cool Craft Ideas from Dollar Store Finds

Reuse Tea Light Holders for Holiday Decorations

26 November 2008 4,826 views 3 Comments

by heather

Sister Diane posted this neat project that reuses those metal cups that come on tea light candles. She made them into cute collars for Christmas mini-lights by cutting and embellishing them.

This is timely because I just noticed that you can get a bag of 100 tea lights at JoAnn fabrics for about $5, which works out to about a nickel apiece. I knew there must be some cool projects out there using tea lights, but I didn't even think about the possibility of getting double-use out of them!

Project Estimate:

String of mini lights, on hand
Metal cups from used-up tea lights, free (or .05 each for initial purchase)
Permanent marker, on hand
Junky scissors, on hand
Paper hole punch, on hand
Glue (like E6000) on hand, or similar from dollar store, $1
Sequins, rhinestones, other shiny things, $1-5

Total cost: From $2 and up

Bonus related project: Punched "Tin" Light Shields from Gingerbread Snowflakes

3 Comments »

Jocelyne said:

What a great Idea, I have been throwing those things away like mad lately. I might take this idea and incorporate it into something more year round friendly, like a head dress, jewelry of some kind or a larger art piece. Thanks so much!

# 26 November 2008 at 4:28 pm

Sister Diane said:

Thanks for the shout-out! I’ve been collecting lots of tealight cups this year – hope to get time to make a wreath’s worth of metal stars, at least…

# 30 November 2008 at 8:55 am

Satsuki said:

What a cute craft! If you wanted to get double uses from the tea lights you can gently pull the wick out from the bottom, place it in a seashell, then melt down the wax to make seashell candles. Throw em in a bowl of sand and you’re all set for mood lighting at your next summer party.

Thanks for the feature too btw- much appreciated. ^^

# 30 November 2008 at 4:36 pm