As part of this month’s craft blog hop, I’m sharing two DIY ideas that incorporate a vintage teacup — or two.
First, is a fun project to embellish a planter or garden. The second, is a quaint way to decorate a chandelier. It’s also great for displaying a vintage teacup collection. Or, as party decor for a tea or Alice in Wonderland Theme Party, as I did.
Both are simple to do, and are more assembly than crafts which require special skills, materials or tools.
In all, I’ve included a total of nine different garden, home and party decor ideas. Each incorporates, or is inspired by, a vintage teacup.
Any of these crafts could also make a lovely birthday, holiday or Mother’s Day gift. Perhaps you even have some pieces of grandmother’s or a great aunt’s china, or vintage teacup collection? Maybe some are chipped, cracked, stained, or missing a matching saucer? Consider repurposing them into a gift for daughters, nieces or other family members and friends!
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Hanging Teacups for the Garden
Welcome to those hopping over from Birdz of a Feather! Sara created a great tutorial for recovering lampshades; something I need to do with several of mine.
For the Alfresco Alice in Wonderland Party, I wanted to extend the theme and decor into large flower urns at both the front door and on the back porch.
Vintage teacup and saucer pairs hung from garden stakes above flowering plants in shades of purple, blue and yellow.
How to Make a Vintage Teacup Garden Stake
The hanging teacup idea was inspired by others I had seen and collected on a Pinterest board.
However, most of those projects involved drilling a hole for drainage through the bottom of the teacup and saucer. Back to that in a minute.
Step 1: Gather Supplies
All you need is a teacup and saucer, strong glue (E6000 or Gorilla Glue ), 5 1/2 inch plate hanger, cording, and a garden stake with a hanger hook.
The teacup and saucer don’t have to match, or be vintage. Choose from something you already have, found thrifting, or purchased specifically because you liked the pattern. I used English Garden teacups and saucers. Predominately white, the pattern features blue flowers and platinum bands.
Step 2: Glue Teacup to Saucer
Before assembling, an option is to drill holes through the bottom of both the cup and saucer. If you plan to place a small plant in the teacup this is necessary. But, I’m not sure how practical it is to support a living plant in the small teacup? And, since I put them together at the very last minute, I didn’t have the time or go to the expense of purchasing a speciality drill bit.
Instead, I simply applied a liberal amount of glue to the saucer and pressed the teacup in place until it set. Then, I added more glue all the way around the base of the teacup. Let dry overnight.
Step 3: Attach Plate Hanger & Cording
The plate hanger is spring-loaded, and will stretch across the underside of the saucer. Coated hardware keeps from scratching the china. Be sure to equally space the four corners of the hardware across the saucer.
Next, tie and knot cording at each corner of the hanger — on the underside.
I used nylon cording that is somewhat waterproof. To insure the knots wouldn’t slip free, I applied glue at their base.
Step 4: Fill Teacup With Flowers or Plant
Flip the now secured teacup and saucer over. If you’ve drilled drainage holes, now’s the time to fill with dirt and a live plant .
For mine, I glued a foam insert inside each teacup. Then, using leftover faux floral odds and ends, I created mini arrangements to compliment the real flowers in each urn.
Step 5: Insert & Hang from Garden Stake
Now, simply insert the garden stake into planter or garden soil. Hang the vintage teacup and saucer combo from the hook where the four pieces of cording come together for balance.
White, 36-inch garden stakes are used to hang each set on my porch. That way, the hardware blends in with the white railing. For the pair flanking the front door, black stakes blend in against the dark brick exterior.
Here’s one vintage teacup garden stake on the porch. See the stone head planter at the base? That’s Apollo. You might remember him as part of the centerpiece in, Greek Tablescape & Olympic Torch Napkin Fold.
About mid-June through July 4th, I replace the vintage teacup sets with metal firecracker stakes. Check out my old-fashion style in, Independence Day Decorations, Banner Yet Wave, and Give Me Liberty Blue Tablescape Celebrates July 4th.
Transition to Butterfly Puddler
For the rest of the summer, I move the vintage teacup garden stakes into our landscape. They are set among herb plants on the side of the house.
I don’t say herb “garden,” because last summer (after a really bad winter) I had hoped the herbs would recover and bounce back. They did not. So, this summer is a rebuilding year for the herb garden, as the lavender, rosemary, sage and several others didn’t survive.
Before moving the hanging teacups to the garden, I remove the floral inserts. The first year, I filled the teacups with water and sprinkled bird seed on the saucer rims. But, that only led to a full-on assault by squirrels, lol! The birds also tended to make a mesh of things.
Now, I just replenish water from time to time, with the intent of attracting butterflies among the bee balm, chamomile and other herbs.
Water feeders aren’t necessary, because butterflies get the liquid they need from nectar. However, they do need places to “puddle,” to produce critical minerals. My butterfly is an added graphic, but I often do see butterflies when tending the herbs. They prefer the shallow water on the saucer, rather than inside the teacup.
Decorate a Chandelier
Hanging a variety of vintage teacup china patterns from the arms of a chandelier is a fun way to show off a collection or to decorate.
My design started with the Bee Decorated Chandelier Compliments HapBEE Birthday Table. 
It includes wrapping faux floral and greenery garlands around the light fixture first.
Use any flexible garlands and ribbon to decorate the chandelier. You might want to use flowers to coordinate with a color scheme or a centerpiece.
I frequently decorate chandeliers to accompany seasonal, holiday and special occasion table settings.
Because this was an Absolutely Mad, Summer Tea Party Table, my ribbon choice was a black and white checkerboard pattern that matched the table runner.
All I did was double-knot the ribbon to the handle of each teacup, creating loops to hang on the chandelier. Since there were six arms on the chandelier, I used a different vintage teacup pattern for each.
Teacups with decorations on the inside work particularly well when hung for a light fixture.
All six styles were leftover from about three dozen others used as teacup decor and Wonderland Party Favor Ideas & Crafts. I tended to use teacups with small chips, or lacking a matching saucer.
Using an old Sizzix machine and dye, I also cut out 12 teapot silhouette shapes in a variety of cardstock papers. Then, I glued pairs together so they’d be pretty on both sides. Just remember to reverse the direction of the dye for half of the cuts.
Here’s what it looked like hanging over an Alice in Wonderland Table.
More Vintage Teacup Crafting Ideas
Since it was a Wonderland party, I went a little “mad” crafting decorations that incorporated a vintage teacup. For detailed DIY tutorials, with photographs and tips, just click on any image or highlighted link below.
Wreaths
Wreaths made of both mesh/ribbon and grapevine had a vintage teacup as the central embellishment. Both were attached to the wreath using a smaller version of the plate hanger used for the teacup garden stake.
For the Queen of Hearts Roses and Teacup Grapevine Wreath, I used an antique demitasse cup.
I believe the small vintage teacup in the Fanciful Wonderland Theme Wreath, came from a children’s tea set.
Floating Vintage Teacup Centerpiece
Teacups appear to “magically” float above this floral arrangement. Wouldn’t they make a lovely gift for a teacup lover?
See how to create the illusion in, How to Make a Floating Teacup Centerpiece.
Vintage Tiered Server
This simple server is perfect for Finger Sandwiches and Scones & Desserts at a tea, shower or wedding reception.
I made two servers from antique china pieces found at Goodwill.
Each took one dinner and luncheon size plate, two crystal glasses, and one vintage teacup and saucer.
I purposely chose to mix up the patterns.
See how easy and inexpensive it is to assemble your own at, DIY Vintage China Tier Server Stand for Tea Party.
Other Vintage Teacup Inspired Projects
Other projects inspired by the idea of an over-the-top tea party, includes this fascinator crafted to mimic a teacup and saucer.
For all the details, see How to Make Whimsical Teacup Fascinators.
Lastly, if you’re going to have tea, you need a teapot right? Teacup and teapot-shaped cutouts strung on ribbon make a cute party banner.
In one of the boxes of antique china I thrifted, was this matching teapot. It became the base of the DIY Wonderland Cards and Teapot Centerpiece.
Do you have a vintage teacup or two to incorporate into a craft project?
Related Post Picks
Time to Craft Hop
Time to head next to Rachelle’s handmade wood riser at My Hubbard Home. Check out the diverse craft ideas from all 18 talented bloggers participating in this month’s hop:
Celebrate and Decorate ♥ Design Morsels ♥ My Thrift Store Addition ♥ Home is Where the Boat Is ♥ Purple Hues and Me ♥ Sustain My Craft Habit ♥ Chas’ Crazy Creations ♥ Bluesky At Home ♥ Raggedy Bits ♥ Decorate & More with Tip ♥ B4s and Afters ♥ The Painted Apron ♥ Birdz of a Feather ♥ Debbees Buzz ♥ My Hubbard Home ♥ Zucchini Sisters ♥ White Arrows Home
What are you up to this summer? Making anything? Right now, I’m busy crafting a few Christmas gifts, and relearning how to crochet. See the results at; Wine Cork Wreath DIY Tutorial and Adorable Crochet Zebra Makes Sweet Homemade Gift.
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I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Turn About Tuesday, Centerpiece Wednesday, Whimsical Home Projects, In Link Party, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
I can’t possibly use all my cups for tea so this is great inspiration! I love your garden stake.
Thanks Sara! I like to think of all the history in the vintage teacups and that their original owners might be happy to know they are still treasured and valued by others.
Oh I love teacups, and you have shared some great ideas!
Cecilia, it was so much fun searching out the roughly 3 dozen teacups I need for party decorations and favors. Boy have I missed thrifting! Hoping to get out again soon and make new finds.
So many wonderful ways to use teacups in your décor and garden Debbee! I’ve hung some over a table for Mad Tea Party too. 🙂 I’m happy to be hopping with you again, missed you on Monday! ♥
Thanks so much Mary! I like the idea of getting old teacups out of boxes and cupboards to enjoy. But, most of the ones shown in the post were given as gifts or sold in my Etsy shop. Can’t wait to get out there and make new finds! Nice of you to notice my absence Monday. Since it will just be the two of us, I just couldn’t get the creative inspiration going for a new spin on my patriotic tableware.
Adorable Debbee!! It looks great on your patio, what a fun DIY! Love the chandy full of teacups too, cute cute!
Both projects were so simple too. Sometime, I want to get that special drill bit and try making other garden art out of vintage tableware.
So many wonderful ideas and inspirations for using teacups, Debbie! I think I love the chandelier idea the best! It’s a lovely way to show off your beautiful teacups!
And, so fast and simple to do and undo too! Love finding ways to repurpose and creatively display treasured old things.
Deb, I just love what you did with your tea cup and saucers. All are so adorable the way you styled them. Love the waterfall one the best.
Thank you Terrie. The waterfall, or floating teacups are the most “difficult” of the crafts to do. A bit challenging, but worth it. Since the party, I’ve had requests and made several dozens for wedding reception table centerpieces.
Wow you created some amazing pieces. I have many tea cups from my mom and grandmothers. I am often thinking of what I can do with them. You shared great ideas. Using them outside I wouldn’t risk in NJ with the chance of heavy rains in summer. Love the tiered tray idea. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks so much Cindy. Lucky you to have tea cups from loved ones! The only ones I have are white Haviland from my husband’s great grandmother, which are very plain and an uninteresting shape. Hope you find some neat ways to use, display yours. I understand about outdoors. Mine hold no monetary or sentimental value.
I love doing things with tea cups too – and these are awesome! Thanks for sharing and lovely crafting with you!
Thankyou Chas! I never was into vintage tea cups until I held my mad Unbirthday Party. Partly because I don’t have any ones passed down in the family. But, now I love ’em and can’t wait until to get thrifting again to make new discoveries. Where I’ll store them I haven’t a clue since I have so much tableware lol!
Debbee, I often look for unique tea cups when thrifting, but usually use them in tablescapes. You’ve given me some great ideas to upcycle them for home and gifts! Hugs, Rachelle
I didn’t even search them out until the year of planning and crafting for the Unbirthday Party. Now, I’m addicted! Plus lots of gals want me to make them as wedding reception centerpieces. Great hopping with you Rachelle!
I can’t wait to share this with my friend Barbara who collects teacups. Glad you added that about the squirrels. When I saw this I thought it would be such a cute bird feeder, but maybe not. Thanks for participating in the hop.
Such a nice compliment to share my post with a friend — thanks Andrea! Yeah, it was a full-on assault. Dumb me! FYI, birds were even a problem for the urns on the deck and front porch. They tended to tip the tea cup and spill the seed into the planters. Then they’d make a mess of the flowers and leave poop everywhere. But, birds using the water in the tea cup are much more dainty and it attracts little ones to observe.
This is the cutest project! I love it!
What a lot of ideas to reuse teacups! I think I like the first idea best. I have some teacups and saucers on stakes that fill with water when it rains. I like your teacups in flower beds : )
Yes, I did go a little theme “mad” with my wonderland tea party decorating Liberty! Birds of a feather with our teacups in the garden!
Teacups are each a piece of art on their own. Love all the creative ways to display them, especially using them a little planters in the garden.
You are so right Sonja! I especially like ones that are also decorated inside the teacup.
Wow cute ideas! Love the teacup hanging with the planter and the chandelier! That was a creative way to hold the saucer with the teacup!
Thanks Liz! I always like the whimsical ways you decorate your landscaping and planters — and so many beautiful flowers too!
Debbee, so clever and so cute. Great instructions. Love the versatility.
Thank you Carol. Like that both ideas are so quick and easy to assemble.
I loved all of your ideas. I have used several cups/saucers with chips to make a tiny fairy garden; I lay the cup on its side and glue it to the saucer. Make a lawn of thin moss and add tiny plastic/silk flowers and a character or 2. Once I glued a round mirror to the bottom of the cup to “extend the vistas.” I did one in a Blue Willow cup with an Oriental figurine about 1.5″ tall. Great way to use “wounded” pieces.
I love your idea creating fairy gardens Kathy! It would be a nice activity to do with young children or grands too. A good reason to save even those chipped or stained teacups.
Debbee, I don’t know which of your sweet little ideas I like the best! I am a sucker for parties and hats so maybe that little teacup and saucer fascinator! You always entertain with all of your creative ideas! Thanks for hopping with us once again!
Your hanging teacup looks so pretty hanging from the garden stake! Making your teacup multi purpose is an excellent bonus. The chandelier decorated for Alice in Wonderland is amazing!
Thank you Allyson! Both items were fast and easy to do, especially the decorated chandelier.
Love the teacup garden, so pretty!
Thanks Amber! In this 90 degree plus heat wave we’re having with no rain, I’m struggling to keep up with watering potted plants and flowers.
So many pretty teacup ideas here. After seeing this, I’ve decided my garden needs an adorable teacup planter. LOL You are one of my features this week at the Snickerdoodle party!
Sorry for the delay Marie, we just had family for the weekend — the first since last Thanksgiving (other than our sons). My sister-in-law so enjoyed the teacup garden stakes in the herb garden, I sent her home with one. Appreciate the feature and you hosting the linkup party.
So much inspiration!My favorite is your first idea — pinned! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen
Hi Kathleen! If I ever get back to thrift shops, I’m hoping to score some more vintage cups and saucers to mix and match — and try drilling holes with the special bit.
I got here from Marie; Interior Frugalista site. I just had to come over here to check out your teacup projects. Great Inspiration and what fun projects. Will be signing up for your newsletter just as soon as my comment is posted.
Welcome Colleen, delighted to have you follow along! Look forward to hearing more from you. Hope all is well for you in Texas.
Oh, Deb this is such a cute post. I may make a few of these hangers—for sprinkling across the garden! So sweet for early SPRING, and totally love the other ideas, too.!
It’s still a little early here in Pittsburgh to pull them out yet. I wait until planting annuals in my urns. Let me know if you make a few Sandra — so easy!