Skip to main content

<< MCD@Home

Marbled Bottles

Sponsored by
Green and white swirled paint

RECOMMENDED AGE LEVEL

Recommended for ages 12 and up.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Bring beautiful new life to old recycled bottles. Plus, thin out your nail polish supply as a part of the quarantine clutter purge!

MATERIALS

Recycled bottles

Nail polish (avoid glitter polish)

Warm water

Disposable chopsticks (or similar)

Disposable (or art project designated) medium/large container for water. 

Surface protector

Well ventilated work area

Paper towels 

Optional:

Acetone + cotton swabs

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Place the surface protector in a well-ventilated area. Place the container on it.
  • Fill container ¾ of the way full of pretty warm water (but not hot).
  • Shake nail polish and remove the lid/brush. Set lid aside and keep polish bottles beside the container.
  • When ready, drizzle 1-3 colors of polish onto the surface of the water. You will want to move quickly so the paint does not set.
    NOTE: Adding black or white to your palette gives a satisfying contrast.
  • Lightly swirl the colors together with a chopstick, or similar.
  • Holding it by the neck, dip the bottle at an angle into one side of the paint swirl, and turn the bottle through the swirl, toward the other side of the container. Try not to let the bottle touch the bottom or sides of the container.
  • Lift the bottle and re-dip into the remaining swirl.
    NOTE: By this point, your swirl will have pretty much set– if you have any blank spots in your bottle design, you can place the blank area directly onto the swirl in order to pick it up.
  • Set the bottle upside down on a flat, sturdy surface to dry.
    To dip another bottle, use a disposable utensil to clear out any leftover paint swirl. It should lift right out of the water. Any paint on the bottom of the container can remain there.
  • Add extra warm water as needed, and repeat!
  • OPTIONAL:
    • Try layering in single colors, allowing each layer to dry in between colors.
    • Set your design with a lacquer
    • Play with dipping other materials

CONNECT SOCIALLY AND LEARN MORE

Share your project! Post and tag #MCDatHome

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mobile MakeArt: Tenderloin SPark

April 23 @ 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Mobile MakeArt: CREATE!

April 25 @ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Stay up to date on all things MCD!