Living in Ohio has it perks, but gray winter skies can really put a damper on a normal cheery day.  If this is the case for you, have I a simple DIY to help brighten your day and put a smile on your lips!  Literally.  Marbled watercolor mugs offers a burst of color to counter the dreary skies and bland morning cup of joe.

What you will need:

  • White Ceramic Mug
  • Old or Disposable Bowl/Container
  • Nail Polish
  • Nail Polish Remover (just in case)

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Keep in mind:

You will need a decent quality of nail polish.  Notice later on in the images that the green polish did not make it very far.  I ended up using a couple OPI colors I hadn’t used on myself lately.

How to make it:

  1. Fill your bowl with warm water.
  2. Start off by adding a drop of nail polish and allow it to spread out. ( it is very similar to food coloring in water)
  3. You can change it up as many times as your heart desires, multiple drops of polish, even use a toothpick or some sort of small pointed utensil (i.e. end of a paint brush)  Once you have the desired swirls, dip your mug into the water.
  4. The water will have a film on the top from the nail polish, just keep in mind that this is normal.
  5. Once you have dipped the mug, feel free to clean up unwanted paint with the nail polish remover or completely change it.  (I changed my mind more times than I could count)  You can even layer and add more colors for different effects!
  6. Carefully pat the mug dry with a paper towel.
  7. Be sure to allow the mug to sit for at least 2 hours after you have completed marbling.

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I would recommend hand-washing these mugs. I personally do not have a dishwasher in my apartment to test the durability, but keep in mind that the quality of the nail polish you use echoes the overall integrity of the adhered paint – just as it would on your nails.  I let mine sit for about 5 hours before I scrubbed them. If you run into problems, try coating the outside with a clear coat of nail polish or a non-toxic finishing spray.

5Last but not least — ENJOY a hot cup of coffee, tea, even wine…whatever you might fancy!

PS. Here is my little helper for the evening– Indie Jones!
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