Origami Tea Packet Favors

Looking for party favor ideas?  This simple origami tea packet folds up quick and is inexpensive to make.   And if you're not into tea, you could place a candy or photo inside them instead. What's also nice about this project is you can change the style and feel of the favor depending on what paper you use.

Even though this project is quick and easy to make, I do recommend some knowledge or origami before getting started.

Supplies:
Origami Paper 6 x 6 - I purchased the flower print paper at Daiso.
Tea Packets -  no more than 3" in height.  I did have to bend back part of the package to make the tea bags fit.  I used Good Earth teabags for this project.

Click on above image for a larger view.

Starting with the blank side up, fold paper for directions 1 - 7.  For step 8 I've created some photos to make it a little easier to see how I got to step 9.

Grab paper at the center crease and fold towards center.

 Continue to fold each side towards the center.  The paper should naturally form into its shape from the previous folds you made.

Your finished piece should look something like the picture above.  Now all you have to do is tuck a tea packet under the four corners and it will stay in place with no glue.

On the back, add a printed sticker label with the details of your event.  

Craft: Wine Cork Vase

Today I've got a quick craft tutorial for you, wine cork vases. They're easy to make and only require a few supplies.

I can imagine these miniature vases adorning a table for a wedding. Sometimes I wish I had a wedding to plan simply for the crafting/decorating part of it. Maybe I missed my calling, party planner. But then again, I'm way too greedy with my weekends. I want them all for myself and family.

Supplies:
Wine cork
X-Acto knife
Small plastic vial - I used a plastic vile from a bubble container. The kind you find in the wedding section of the craft store.
Small craft saw

1. Soak wine cork in water overnight. This will prevent the cork from falling apart when you carve it.

2. Hollow out a hole in the center of the cork with an X-Acto knife. This takes a little time and patience. It took me about 10 minutes to carve out the hole.

3. With your craft saw, cut plastic vile to fit in cork.

*Don't have a bubble container on hand? Look around your house to see what else you could use. The plastic containers seed beads are packaged in would work just as well. Another idea would be caps from skinny markers. Check the junk drawer and get creative, you're bound to find something. Where there's a craft will there's a way.

4. Place plastic vial in wine cork, fill with water, and add a flower.

*Because the vases are so light, I recommend placing a removable glue dot on the base to prevent them from falling over.

Craft Project: Cupcake Pedestal

S'more Cupcake on Small Pedestal

The idea occurred to me that I've never seen a cupcake pedestal. Sure I've seen dessert pedestals in various sizes but never one scaled for a cupcake. I was curious if any product existed. After a quick search, I discovered that their were in fact cupcake pedestals. But the ones I found were tall and made of plastic. I wanted something a little more formal and so the cupcake pedestal was created (picture above). It took just a few minutes to make and the supplies cost under $2 minus the glue. These would make lovely eco-friendly wedding favors. Simple directions below.

Supplies:
One small plate
Glass candle holder or shot glass
E6000 Glue

I purchased this small plate and candle holder at the thrift store. You'll want the plate to be smaller than an average size teacup plate. The plate I found happened to be a child size teacup plate measuring about 2 3/4" inches in diameter. If you decide to purchase your items at the thrift store, test out your plate on the selection of small candle holders. I turned the candle holders upside down and began placing the plate on the candle holders to find the perfect base. When searching for both items keep in mind the proportions of cake pedestal since you're trying to create a mini version of it.

Turn the candle holder upside down, and place the glue on the top of it. Center the bottom of the plate on top of it. Let the pedestal set up overnight. Done.