Use Nail Polish to Create Marbled Votives

Materials Needed

clear glass votive cups
nail polish
container with water
toothpicks
nail polish remover
cotton balls
clear spray sealant (optional)

Prep the Water

Fill a container half full with water. The marbling will work best with water that’s just slightly warmer than room temperature.

Mix Your Colors

This part needs to happen quickly, so that the nail polish doesn’t have time to dry. Beginning with your first color, let a few drops of polish fall onto the water. Tip: Apply them near the water’s surface; if you let them fall from too high they’ll sink to the bottom. The polish will start spreading once it hits the water. After you have a few drops of the first color, add a second and it will spread a bit as well.

Swirl It

Quickly and gently drag a toothpick across the surface of the water to swirl the colors and create a marbled effect. These last two steps shouldn’t take much more than a minute or so.

Dip Votive

With the votive held sideways, gently dip and roll the surface across the nail polish on the water. The polish will pull off of the water and stick to the votive. Roll the votive until all sides are covered. If you’d like marbling on the bottom as well, dip the bottom into the water to pick up more nail polish. Set the votive upside down to dry.

Let It Cure

The nail polish will dry quickly, but allow at least an hour before you handle them so that the nail polish has time to cure. Use the nail polish remover and a cotton ball to remove any smudges.

If desired, take to a well-ventilated area and spray with a clear sealant to protect the marbling.

Just Add Candles

Fill your marbled candleholders with candles and enjoy!