Tea Bag Holder Tutorial

Why a tea bag holder? Because … why not? Tea bag holders are a fun way to send a little, cost-effective gift to a friend who likes tea. The problem with most tea bag holders {if you’ve ever seen one}, however, is they’re cutesy. You know I love crafts, but cutesy crafts aren’t my thing. So: I set out to make tea bag holders that are a little funky, a little chic, and a little ironic!

First, I began by printing out a teacup template that I created. You can download it here, but be warned that I made it hastily, so it’s not perfectly rendered clipart. It should still work great, have no fear!

Next, I cut out my template. You can use your scissors or a hobby knife to cut out the handle; I used scissors.

Your template will end up looking like this:

Next, you’ll want to choose a front and a back for your holder. My mom gave me a lot of 1950’s art magazines last summer, and I love the cover of this one depicting Abe Lincoln! For the back, I used some card stock I had left over from a wedding invitation suite project.

Now, put your template on the back of the paper you wish to use for the front of your tea bag holder. You can put it on the front, too; but I prefer to put it on the back so the finished project doesn’t have trace lines. If you do flip over your paper, be sure and flip over your template, too, so the handle is facing the opposite way of how you want it to in your finished project.

FYI: I knew exactly where to position my template {on Abe’s face} by holding the paper up to a bright window. The light shone through, showing me where Abe’s face was on the other side.

Trace around your template; I used a Sharpie, but if you have thinner paper, use a gel pen or pencil so the ink doesn’t bleed.

Now, you’ll cut out your template.

Once you have got your template, it’s time to choose your tea bag. I have this lovely purple rooibos blend by The Good Earth.

Turn your teacup over and position the tea bag in the middle.

Trace loosely around your tea bag. You’re making these guidelines so you know where to glue {or, rather, where not to glue}!

You can use regular glue, a glue stick, whatever adhesive whose application you can control with accuracy. I have chosen to use regular glue, which I put on the teacup like so initially:

Then I brushed it out to prevent unsightly bumps and pockets.

Once Abe was thoroughly coated, I stuck the glued side of the teacup against my card stock and applied smoothing pressure with my fingers.

Then, I let him chill for a couple of minutes.

{If he has to be honest, he’s not thrilled about being made into a teacup.}

Once Abe had some time to dry out, I cut the teacup out of the card stock.

This was the result:

You can keep or cut out the space between the tea cup holder and the tea cup; I ultimately decided to get rid of it, but think it would have been fine had I kept it!

You can finish here or continue. I thought it would be a little bit funny to surround such a stoic face with my beloved henna design motif … who thinks about henna when they think about Abe Lincoln?! So: I added some henna flowers and swirls in black and white with a touch of gold and silver.

Finally, I opened the tea bag holder pocket…

… and slipped my tea bag inside:

I think this would make a fun little “I’m thinking of you” to send to friends via snail mail, to hand out as wedding favors, or to give to coworkers. Just find a wonderful bagged tea, and you’re all set!

Now that you’ve read the tutorial, if this isn’t you’re first time here, you’ll notice that the TPK look has changed a bit. Hernán has completely re-done the site, from blog to homepage and everything in between. If you have any feedback {positive or negative; both are appreciated!}, please let me know in the comments, or email me at [email protected]. Thanks so much for stopping by!