How to Recycle Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Teacups

Sometimes a broken, chipped, cracked, or mismatched teacup can be repaired or a match can be found for it, but many people do not realize that something can be done with the ones that are not fixable as well. Try some of these ideas for reusing them.

Teacup Night Light - I have seen beautiful night lights made from old teacups. The teacups must be cut in half and one half placed over a night light as a cover. The teacup will glow beautifully, especially if it is made from bone china.

Candle - An old teacup makes a beautiful candleholder or candle. If the teacup has a saucer, use super glue to glue the bottom of the teacup to it. Place a tea lite inside the cup or you can pour melted candle wax into the cup and insert a cotton wick. The teacup candle can be refilled and used again and again.

Mosaic - Broken pieces of teacups can be used as mosaic tiles. Because the pieces are a little curved, they may need to be broken up fairly small in some cases to be of any use. If you cannot use the mosaic pieces, it is very easy to find someone who can on Ebay, Craigslist, or Freecycle.

Jewelry - Broken teacup mosaic pieces can also be made into lovely jewelry pieces. If you are not a jewelry maker, you may still be able to sell them to someone else who can use them. Break the pieces up and find some with a nice pattern on them. Use soldering tools to solder around the edge with lead-free solder and be sure to solder at least one jump ring onto each piece so that it can be attached to jewelry. Smaller, flatter pieces work best. For instructions on how to do this, see my article on how to make soldered jewelry HERE.

Gift - Mismatched teacups or teacups with missing saucers can be made into wonderful gifts. Put together a gift basket that includes a few types of flavored or gourmet tea and use the teacup as the centerpiece.

Pin Cushion - To make a pin cushion from a pretty teacup, fill it with stuffing and lay a piece of cloth over the top. Push the edges of the cloth into the cup around the stuffing. Use hot glue or other permanent glue to glue down around the inside edge of the teacup. The pins can be pushed into the cushion on top. This also makes a lovely gift for someone who sews. For an extra pretty effect, you can cover chips with a silk flower or ribbon, or fill the cushion with potpourri.

Flower Arrangements - Old teacups make a pretty vase for a handful of freshly picked wildflowers and they look lovely on a windowsill or breakfast table. For something more permanent, fill the cup with homemade salt clay, florist's foam or Styrofoam and poke fake silk flowers or dried flowers into it.