Easy DIY marbled nail polish mugs make the perfect homemade gift! A simple craft done in a few minutes that looks like it took hours of work!
“Rebecca, isn’t this a food blog?” Yes! Yes it is! But I have a fun last-minute DIY I think you will love! As you know I always take about my DIY gifts I give my immediate family every year. I started this tradition (with myself) a few years ago, from yarn wreaths, memory jars, and last year’s cinnamon ornaments, I love this time of year to get a little crafty with things other than food. I’m always on the lookout all year long for the best (easy) DIY that I can find and do with no fuss. I just happened to be doing my HIIT cardio session on the bike one morning while I had Home and Family on the Hallmark channel playing on the TV.
Low and behold, good old Home and Family had a great DIY gift segment for the holidays. A simple craft with mugs, nail polish, and a bowl of water (that’s it!). I knew I had to try this one out! I’ve made sharpie mugs before, but other the years, the marker rubs off. The nail polish seemed like it maybe something more lasting if taken care of. Even if my family just uses them decoratively to store pens and pencils, these are a pretty great gift to give. (I am hoping my family doesn’t choose today’s post to be reading my blog…). I always get super excited about the gifts I give my family. It’s one of my favorite parts of Christmas morning! I also write sappy letters to them and usually just leave the room when they all open them or hide my face in my lap. Regardless of my embarrassment, it’s still my favorite part and I think my family is pretty content with the gifts as well 😉
Now, here’s what you need to do this super fast DIY. I’m telling you, it takes about 5 minutes, then you just need to let everything dry. It can take longer if you want to fix you design, but we can discuss that later, once you see what you’re getting into. One caveat, whatever bowl you use for the water, you will be pouring some nail polish in and no matter, the nail polish stains the bowl. I used an old plastic cookie container and…well…let’s just say it looks like a pretty piece of unintentional artwork (that I hide from my mom so she would get made I ruined it).
DIY Marbled Nail Polish Mugs
+ Ceramic Dishwasher-Safe Mugs
+ Various Colored Nail Polish (dark colors are better)
+ A Large Bowl or Container
+ Water
+ Nail Polish Remover (if you want to redo)
+ Paper Towel (to dry mugs on)
1. Fill your bowl with enough water so that it’s almost full, but enough room so there will be no overflowing when you dunk the mugs.
2. Pour in a few drops of nail polish in your color of choice into the water. You can pour right in the middle or in a swirl motion, whatever you desire.
3. Quickly, take one mug, holding the lip/rim with you hand and dunk right into the bowl of water. You can dunk one side, straight in the middle, just the handle, etc. Just leave the lip area clean. When you pull it out, there will be a marbled pattern of color. Repeat this process with another color if desired or more of the same. Play around with your design as you don’t have much say it how it will look once you pull it out!
4. If you hate how it looks, or one spot gets mussed up. Simply use some paper towel of a Q-Tip with some nail polish remover and wipe off when you don’t like. Wash the mug off before redoing it!
5. Once you’re satisfied, let the mugs dry on a paper towel upside down. Make sure they are totally dry before picking them up again!
I did an all pink one, a green and orange one, and a dark purple with some blue one. It was rather fun and much easier than I had originally though before I actually did it! I was even going to try and make a video for this DIY, but that would have been messy. I already got nail polish on myself and the table…of course that container too. Okay, and made even some pink stained the sink when I tried furiously to clean the container. That wore off…except for one little pink spot I still see on the metal rack in the sink (oops!)
Isn’t it pretty! I love how they turned out! I was going to make ornaments again this year, different than the cinnamon ones, but I’m glad I went with these pretty mugs! For some reason I always just do enough for my family and forget to throw an extra one in for myself. I need to go buy another mug so I can make one for me! Haha! So if you’re in need of an easy DIY or last minute gift, that isn’t food, these mugs are perfect! They look fancy and like you bought them this way, but you made them yourself!
So tell me:
+ Did you DIY any gifts (or will you) this year?
+ What’s your most favorite gift you ever gave someone? The Build-A-Bear Penguin I made for my mom when I was a lot younger! I thought it was the BEST gift since she loves penguins. It was the Penguin from Happy Feet I believe. Always my favorite gift though.
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Malisha Mishel says
October 17, 2018 at 7:04 pmHow sweet! I have fallen in love with it!!! I’m an avid DIYer and always try to be busy with some new projects. Was searching for a unique idea to start. The Nail Polish Mug made me stop and crazy to make it asap! In a hurry to start. Wish me good luck, Rebecca! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
October 18, 2018 at 7:21 amThese are fantastic! My mom still uses hers, haha!
Sheryl says
January 6, 2016 at 5:56 pmMy grandchildren (ages 14 to 8) and I made Christmas ornaments like this for them to give as presents to their parent and other grandparents this year. You should have seen the 3 boys trying very hard not to get nail polish on their finger nails. It was hilarious and we spent the whole time laughing. It was a great Christmas memory. The ornaments turned out amazing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
January 6, 2016 at 5:58 pmOrnaments?
Sheryl says
January 6, 2016 at 6:06 pmYes, we used clear glass ornamets and used the same method you used on the coffe mugs. The ornaments turned out to be gorgeous. They had the two colors that were chosen for each put were still somewhat transparent allowing the tree lights to glow through them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
January 6, 2016 at 6:26 pmWell now that sounds awesome!
Sheryl says
January 6, 2016 at 6:33 pmWill I see that blog post next Christmas? It would be a good follow up!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
January 6, 2016 at 8:17 pmMaybe!
Elaine says
January 5, 2016 at 8:05 pmWhat a cute project for a gift! They are adorable yet practical! Thanks for sharing…Pinned!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
January 5, 2016 at 8:06 pmThanks!
Kristen @ The Endless Meal says
December 27, 2015 at 3:00 pmThis is such a great idea! I have so much nail polish and, honestly, I hardly ever wear it so this is perfect. I’m so doing this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 27, 2015 at 3:12 pmYes! My family loved them too, so go at it!
Nicole says
December 27, 2015 at 1:16 amThese are seriously cool! What a great and simple idea. LOVE!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 27, 2015 at 4:05 amThank you! They are SO easy and fun!
Alex says
May 21, 2016 at 5:39 pmThey turned out quite lovely! Great idea for those who have more nail polish than who knows what to do with it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
May 21, 2016 at 5:47 pmFantastic! I would love to see them!
Katie says
December 25, 2015 at 3:06 pmWhat a cool idea AND fun way to jazz up some plain white mugs! Can’t tell you how many bottles of old nail polish I have lying around that will be unused. Thanks for sharing this, pinned!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 25, 2015 at 3:20 pmWell now you have your solution!! Thanks Katie!
Jennifer Abel says
December 20, 2015 at 7:26 pmSuch a brilliant idea , I love it so much I really need to be doing this. I must admit I have a draw full of nail polish that is going to waste, but no more!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 20, 2015 at 7:37 pmHaha never!!! We can always find a good use for everything when we get creative 😉
Sarah says
December 20, 2015 at 8:42 amI love this idea! Totally going to make some mugs for my family for Christmas! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 20, 2015 at 9:16 amAwesome!! I want to see pictures 😉
Amberjane says
December 20, 2015 at 6:37 amQuick and easy present – might have to make some !
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 20, 2015 at 7:47 amYou should!
Valerie says
December 20, 2015 at 2:22 amMy girls would love doing this! They love nail polish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 20, 2015 at 4:09 amFantastic!
Donna says
December 19, 2015 at 11:52 pmSo pretty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 20, 2015 at 4:07 amThanks!
kimmythevegan says
December 19, 2015 at 5:32 pmLove DIY gifts – so much better than store bought things. These are super cute – your family will love them =)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 19, 2015 at 5:45 pmAgreed! Thank you so much Kimmy! I hope so 😉
Akaleistar says
December 19, 2015 at 3:55 pmThose mugs look so cool! What a great project!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 19, 2015 at 4:57 pmThank you!
Tanya says
December 19, 2015 at 9:44 amI love these mugs! I’ve never seen anything like them! I wonder if I still have time to make some for Christmas presents. Just tweeted, pinned and shared on FB
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 19, 2015 at 11:28 amYes you to!!! They take only a few minutes to make!!! Thank you dear 🙂
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
December 18, 2015 at 10:38 pmWow those are beautiful! What a fun DIY.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 19, 2015 at 3:07 amThanks!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
December 17, 2015 at 11:33 pmI love love LOVE these mugs, Rebecca! I have a serious DIY wish list that’s constantly growing in my head but I’ve been neglecting it big time. These mugs are being added to it and WILL be happening!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 18, 2015 at 12:12 amYes they will!!!! They are so quick to do, there are no excuses! Haha!
Pen says
December 17, 2015 at 4:58 pmOoooh, this is such a great idea. I have a load of white mugs in the cupboard that I no longer use and a large bag of different coloured nail polishes. thanks for the idea. I will let you know how they turn out.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 17, 2015 at 5:02 pmAwesome!!! Time to make those plain mugs fun and festive!
Jess @hellotofit says
December 17, 2015 at 12:55 pmWhat a cool idea!! I would’ve never thought to use nail polish for anything other than painting my nails, hehe. Looks awesome!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 17, 2015 at 1:15 pmSometimes the “unintended use” is even better 😉
Johanna says
December 17, 2015 at 12:55 pmLove this!! I am making mine today!!! I have the perfect mug!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 17, 2015 at 1:15 pmO! I want to see it when you’re done!! Tag me on social media somewhere!
Michelle says
December 17, 2015 at 12:42 pmThese are gorgeous! I’m in love!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 17, 2015 at 12:43 pmThank you Michelle!
Emily says
December 17, 2015 at 8:15 amThese look soo cool! Sharing. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 17, 2015 at 9:19 amThank you sweetie!
Gabriela says
December 17, 2015 at 3:20 amThis is so cool! I have recently started using only “natural” nail polish (formaldehyde-free, etc) but I still have quite the collection of regular polish that is simply going to waste – until now! Thanks for the great idea! I love making homemade gifts for Christmas. I think my favorite was making my then boyfriend, now husband, beard oil and moisturizer. I put them in an old cigar box and added a homemade lip balm too. He absolutely loved it and I’ve been making him refills of them ever since. 😉 I really love putting together little gift boxes like that. It let’s me be creative and the more items in the box the greater the chance that they will really like something right? lol. Shopping for gifts kind of freaks me out! Haha!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 17, 2015 at 9:19 amPerfect way!! I have way too many old bottles of polish that I would never wear (I rarely wear any polish…maybe once or twice a year just on my toes!)
Woh, haha! That is one killer DIY 😉 I still need to try making my own beauty and hygiene products!
Yes! I love putting everything together, card and all and then placing the gifts under the tree. It makes me feel all cozy 😉
Carly @ FitLiving blog says
December 16, 2015 at 4:57 pmThese are super cute and such a great idea! I love how easy it seems to be to make and the pop of color 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 16, 2015 at 4:58 pmThey are easy! Right when I saw them, I knew I could do it! And then when I actually did, wow! So quick!
Gin says
December 16, 2015 at 4:50 pmThese are awesome! I had no idea you’re crafty. My mom will love a set of these, she’s the biggest polish fiend in the world. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 16, 2015 at 4:53 pmHaha! Sometimes the artsy bug bites me hard 😉 Thanks Gin! xoxo
Mary-the boondocks blog says
December 16, 2015 at 3:02 pmHow absolutely adorable and simple. This is a must try! Pinning and giving it to my crafty daughter.. maybe I can get her to do it for me…. And now she can finally use all the nail polish she never wears!! Always the practical mom! Thanks for sharing with us.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 16, 2015 at 3:12 pmIt’s a great way to use all those nail polishes! Haha! I used ones I’ve never even looked at in years 😉
Carol Cassara says
December 16, 2015 at 8:48 amFinally, a craft I can do! I am going to give it a try. Pinning.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 16, 2015 at 11:35 amYes! They are so easy!
Katrin@KreativK.net says
December 16, 2015 at 8:31 amI LOVE how these look! What a fantastic idea! I wanna try, I had no idea! I just use my nailpolish for my nails. ha, but this is real cool!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 16, 2015 at 11:34 amNail polish shall now be called mug polish 😉
Amanda @ The Fundamental Home says
December 16, 2015 at 7:50 amA great, simple idea. I am going to show my daughter. I think she will enjoy making these. The only DIY gifts we have made so far are jams and other preserves. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 16, 2015 at 7:59 amAh, well now it’s time to take those DIYs to the non-edible 😉 But still a vessel for edible things…like hot chocolate!
sherry says
December 15, 2015 at 8:09 pmThese are great. A perfect gift for my kids to give to the grandparents.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 8:18 pmThat they are!!
Kat says
December 15, 2015 at 4:31 pmWhat an incredibly cute DIY gift!! Not going to lie, I personally like this idea for my coffee bar. I was going to go all sharpie crazy on some mugs to display for my coffee bar, but these ones would probably look way cuter!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 4:33 pmYea, sharpie is so 2014 😉 Nail polish is where it’s at!!!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
December 15, 2015 at 4:16 pmSo cute! Until your cat gets their hair into the water and or tries to drink it… that would be Zoe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 4:33 pmBahahahaha, o god! The hair could leave a neat design, but the drinking…bad…very bad 😛
Eryn says
December 15, 2015 at 4:00 pmWhat a great idea!! I love this!! Definitely going to do this winter!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 4:31 pmAwesome! You’ll have fun!
Julia says
December 15, 2015 at 2:41 pmThese are gorgeous! Instead of going out to the store and buying similar ones I can now make some myself! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 2:45 pmExactly!! Thanks dear!
Melanie says
December 15, 2015 at 2:18 pmThose are so pretty! I actually just bought a couple of plain white mugs and was wondering how I should decorate them, and now I know! Crafting and I don’t always do great together, so hopefully it’s not an epic fail! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 2:43 pmNo way! This is SOOO easy!!! Totally try it out! And like I said, if you hate the design, you can rub it off with remover and do it again! But I literally did these in 5 minutes! Haha!
Tianna says
December 15, 2015 at 2:07 pmsuper cute mugs! I will have to try this one 🙂 I made almost everyone on my list a mug this year and it was tons of fun. I mostly did quotes and stuff 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 2:09 pmSharpie mugs?
Miss Polkadot says
December 15, 2015 at 1:57 pmThese are adorable! I never knew about your crafty side but don’t hesitate to share other non-food DIYs on the blog. I’m not super talented in that area myself but want to explore my options in the months to come – this season isn’t the only for gift-giving after all. Actually, the largest part of my Christmas gifts this year will be homemade.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 2:05 pmHomemade gifts are just where it’s at! I’d much prefer one myself…except no one in my family would ever make anything (but me), hahaha!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
December 15, 2015 at 1:21 pmLove these!!! You could totally sell them on etsy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 2:02 pmBahahaha 😉 Cook now crafter!
Leah M @ love me, feed me says
December 15, 2015 at 1:03 pmI made these last year for some family! Soooo cute!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 2:02 pmAren’t they fun!?
Long Ladies says
December 15, 2015 at 12:37 pmI hadn’t thought of mixing the colors! I found this project on another blog a couple of weeks back and decided to mix it with another sharpie mug project for specific women in my life.
I’ll have to experiment with mixing colors.
~Haley
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 2:01 pmGo crazy with colors!!!
Kristen says
December 15, 2015 at 12:34 pmThese are so pretty! And I think mugs are the best gift ever. Who doesn’t need another coffee mug?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 2:01 pmI know, right! They always have more uses than just drinking too!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
December 15, 2015 at 12:08 pmYou are getting all DIY Pinterest crafty on me and I love it! I actually love this kinda stuff, but rarely do it. And abstract, easy, dip it in water and don’t actually have to have much skill projects like this are perfect for me, low fail rate 🙂 Although my sister and I do have a DIY gift planned for my mom this year so we’ll see how that goes. I can’t decide which color is my favorite, I love the two toned green and orange, but purple is my second favorite color, and the pink is so especially bright, all gorgeous! And just one stain in the sink, that’s like practically a tidiness record, could be much much worse (like if I had been there, I’m a mess) 🙂 Very, very fun <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 12:12 pmHahaha! I love these kinda things to, but always end up just doing them this time of year! But I always feel all good about myself afterwards (if they work out!)
I also like just giving DIY stuff since I don’t have to BUY something expensive (don’t have a job and….that’s just harder). Making something I feel is much more loving where the immediate family is concerned!
XOXO
Linda @ Veganosity says
December 15, 2015 at 10:54 amHow fun! It’s like painting Easter eggs. Thanks for sharing this, Rebecca. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 11:32 amHaha, yes! Except vegan 😉
Linda @ Veganosity says
December 15, 2015 at 7:06 pmOf course! I think I was so excited to see this because I don’t partake in that tradition any longer.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 7:09 pmMe either 😉 But I didn’t even relate the 2 until you said it!
Emma says
December 15, 2015 at 10:48 amYour mugs look so good. I love the pink one. Think I’ll have to give this a good, thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 11:32 amThey are super fun to make!
Farrah says
December 15, 2015 at 9:09 amI love this idea! I have lots of random nail polish hanging out on my shelf–this would be awesome to make! They’re so pretty! :]
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 10:19 amYea! I don’t usually wear nail polish, so this is a great way to use it up 😉
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
December 15, 2015 at 7:16 amThese are adorable! I think I’m done with Christmas gifts (minus some trays of baked goods!), but these would make excellent birthday gifts, too. I’ve found that college students love mugs, so this is perfect and so easy! Thanks for a great idea 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 7:17 amI know! I have have WAY too many mugs in the house and only use about 2 of them 😛 But I do love them!
Kierston says
December 15, 2015 at 6:30 amWhat a neat idea!!! I’m going to try this.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
December 15, 2015 at 6:50 amIt’s so much fun!!!