Nail polish isn’t the first thing I would think to use when it comes to household crafts, but this super easy DIY way to make colorful, marbled looking mugs uses nail polish front and center! I had some mugs I picked up from a thrift store to upcycle into herb gardens, so this was the perfect thing to use! It is so simple and easy, the whole craft took under 20 minutes to complete.

You’ll Need:

Mugs, pots or anything else you want to upcycle!

Colors of nail polish

A large plastic Tupperware or tray. Use one you don’t love-it will probably get nail polish all over it!

Hot water

A sheet of wax paper

Decide what colors you’ll want to paint your mugs. Open them and get them ready because the process happens really quickly.

Prepare your mugs on a sheet of wax paper

Fill the large dish with hot tap water. The hotter from the tap the better, it’s easier to react with the nail polish.

Drizzle the first desired color of nail polish into the dish of hot water. Hold the container close to the water so you are aiming to get the color on the surface of the water. It will start to diffuse quickly.

Once you’ve dropped nail polish onto the water, place the mug in the water and roll it around so it gets color all over it.

Let the mug dry on the wax sheet of paper.

If you want more than one color, let it dry each time in between. Otherwise the colors will run.

Repeat for each desired color.

Let dry and then it’s ready for your garden! I wouldn’t recommend using these as mugs anymore since you’ll be ingesting nail polish.

Have you ever designed your own garden planters?

 

Photos: Elizabeth Adan

 

By Elizabeth Adan

Elizabeth Adan is a Freelance Writer, Publicist and Brand Ambassador. Her blog Aquaberry Bliss is a unique outdoor lifestyle blog dedicated to expanding your world and inspiring your creativity. When Elizabeth isn’t traveling, you’ll find her writing, hiking or gardening. Find Elizabeth on Twitter @stillaporcupine and on LinkedIn.