Recycle those cute little metal votive candle cup holders once the candle is used. The process to remove the excess wax is very simple. From there, crafts such as magnets, picture frames and jewelry holders are just a few of the many uses.
Clean the excess wax from the metal votive candle cup by soaking it in hot water with a few drops of dish soap. Use a cereal bowl and add two to three drops of dish soap. Fill the bowl to within ½-inch of the top with hot water. Add the metal votive candle cup holder and allow it to soak for five minutes. Remove the votive from the hot water. Place the tip of a plastic knife, fort or spoon along the edge of the votive. Slide the plastic silverware under the remaining wax and pop it from the votive. Metal silverware works just as well but a wax coating is placed on the prying end.
Glue a piece of ribbon around the outside edge of the metal votive candle cup. Add a small bow and/or miniature flowers. Use the completed craft item to hold pierced earrings, rings, or a necklace. This makes a great addition to a jewelry box to keep individual pieces of jewelry separated.
Select a photograph with a picture small enough to display inside the votive. Center the votive over the picture and trace around the outside edge. Remove the votive cup and cut around the picture. Use white glue and glue the picture in the bottom of the votive. Hot glue a magnet to the back for easy hanging on any metal surface. Decorate the outside with ribbon, paint or rickrack.
Reuse the metal votive cups for new candles. Melt broken or small pieces of crayons, old birthday candles or the bottoms of used candles. Tie a piece of candle wicking onto a small paper clip. Tie the other end of the wicking around a pencil. Place the empty votive cup in a glass bowl. Suspend the pencil across the bowl making sure to position the paper clip on the inside bottom of the votive cup. Pour the melted wax into the votive. Allow the wax to cool 30 minutes before moving. Cut the wick ¼-inch above the surface of the candle.