Woman Reuses Teacups For A Charming Way To Add Character To Her Windows

Tired of looking at the same window treatments day-in and day-out? Feel free to ditch curtains and try any of the alternative window treatment trends that are gaining popularity. However, if this feels like an expensive solution to a problem that may crop up every few months, there's a genius way to turn your old teacups into a home treasure. In a video posted by Hometalk, a woman created a hole in the bottom of one of her teacups and slid it halfway up a sheer curtain so it acts as a charming tieback.

This is a unique idea that will lend your windows some much-needed character. Plus, you can easily replace the cups when you get bored of looking at the same design over and over again. And unlike other ideas to refresh your windows, this idea won't cost you anything. You can simply repurpose whatever old cup(s) you have on hand. Just ensure there aren't too many dings and chips marring their surface (must have an intact handle too), they match or complement your curtains, and you can stand to look at them for a couple of days at the very least. And in case you don't have any or you'd rather not break out the fancy set you paid good cash for, you'll easily find teacups at thrift stores near you. And though this will require some sort of investment, the pocket pinch will still be minimal. Besides needing a cup (or more if you plan on upgrading more curtains), you'll also require an adhesive hook and a roll of ribbon (try using satin or grosgrain) to fashion fancy tiebacks. That being said, you'll require a few different tools to drill a hole in your cup's bottom.

To create a hole in your teacup, place it upside down in a large container (like a tub) filled with water. The level should be high enough to submerge at least 1 inch of your cup. This will ensure your ceramic doesn't shatter when you apply pressure and there's minimal dust. Bonus advantage: even if your cup breaks, the risk of you getting hurt by the broken pieces will be minimal. From here, you can go two ways: you can either use a nail and a hammer, or get your drill machine and outfit it with a diamond bit. Whichever way you go, don't forget to don your safety goggles to minimize accidents.

If you choose the first option, locate your cup's center and position your nail in the exact spot. Now, gently tap its head with a hammer to create a small hole. Remember this will take a few tries, so be patient and don't rush things. When you're through, take out your nail and position it next to the new hole, then repeat the process to widen it. Keep going until you have a large enough opening to easily fit in your curtain.

In case this seems slow-going, get your drill and tighten a diamond drill bit on top. Submerge your cup in water so it remains cool throughout, and start slowly drilling at an angle. To avoid the drill sliding about, mark the spot you want to open up with some painter's tape. You could even place the cup on an old towel or rag so it remains still. Continue drilling till you're satisfied with the size of the hole.

Whichever way you drill the hole, keep in mind that you'll have to sand the area to smooth out the jagged bits. Don't skip this step, or your curtain panels may snag on a rough edge. Once done, rinse your cup well and dry it completely. Afterward, bunch the curtain you'd like to upgrade and thread its ends through the hole in your teacup. Move it up its length slowly till you reach the ideal height for curtain tiebacks.

And you can step back and admire your handiwork. Feel like your cup is hanging about listlessly? Stick an adhesive hook next to your curtain to hang your cup's handle. This way, your curtain won't go limp and you won't have to worry about the cup sliding down. Plus, there'll be less chances of it banging against the side of the wall or window and shattering during inclement weather. But if you aren't too sure about the handle's strength or feel like this move makes your curtains seem too stiff, use some ribbon as a bridge between your teacup's handle and the hook.

In case you want a more dramatic finish, cut some floral moss to size and insert it along one side of your cup. Now, add artificial flowers and fillers in to turn your tieback into a statement decor piece unto itself. You can even experiment with a string of pearls glued to look like they're falling out of the cup or string some decorative beads on a fishing line to achieve a similar look.