Crafts/DIY: Repurposing Tea Tins

I fancy tea tin cans that are pretty. My very first tea tin was by Harney & Sons; I bought it at Williams-Sonoma.

It's their iced tea variety in black currant flavor. I highly recommend it for those who like their tea cold and fruity.

Instead of throwing away these pretty things (or if you're like me, just displaying them because they are so pretty to throw away), here are a few things you can do with them.

{1} DIY Tea Tin Herbs
via House and Home

Image via House and Home

I've always wanted to have an herb garden, so when I cook, I can just snip fresh herbs in the kitchen. Doesn't this look great?

What you will need:
* tea tins
* herbs/seeds
* plastic wrap
* paper towel
* small stones (for drainage)
* potting soil

How to do it:
{a} Collect your tea tins.
{b} Prepare your herbs or seeds. Choose those that grow well indoors. According to House and Home, herbs need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight.
{c} Line the bottom of the tin cans with plastic to prevent leaking. Then place small stones for drainage. Position your herbs, then finally top with extra potting soil.


{2} DIY Tea Tin Candles
via Country Living
Orginally from Country Living Homemade Candles book

Image via Country Living

What you'll need:
* Four 6-inch-length wire-core wicks, primed
* 4 wick holders
* 4 tin cans, approximately 4 inches deep and 2 inches wide
* 2.5 ounces stearin
* 1 disk wax dye, if desired
* 1.5 pounds paraffin wax

How to do it:
{a} Insert a length of primed wick into each wick holder and place a wick in the center of each tin.
{b} In the top of a double boiler over medium heat, melt the stearin and wax dye, if using.
{c} Add the wax. Melt and mix thoroughly. Heat to 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
{d} Anchor the wicks in the tins by pouring enough wax into each tin to cover about 1/2 inch of each wick. Allow the wax to cool for about 30 minutes.
{e} Wrap the end of the wicks around tie rods and rest the rods on the tops of the containers. Take up any slack in the wicks and center them within the tins. Be careful not to dislodge the anchors.
{f} Reheat the wax to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and fill the tins to within 1/2 inch of the top. Allow to cool for one hour.
{g} If the wax settles, reheat the remaining wax to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and top off the candles as necessary.
{h} Cool for several hours or overnight. Remove the tie rods, trim the wicks to 1/4 inch, and the candles are ready to light.


{3} Magnetic Tea Tins
via Martha Stewart

Image via Martha Stewart

This one is so creative, and soooo simple to do! If your tea tin is magnetic, all you have to do is put a small, powerful magnet inside the tin to "stick" the tea tin on the fridge. If not, glue the magnet outside the container.