Use Nail Polish To Transform Old Glass Jars Into Colorful Lanterns

When cleaning out bathroom drawers, how many of us have discovered a stash of nail polish that practically exploded over time. There are probably a handful of beautiful colors that you bought for a special occasion, but the rest of the bottle has gone unused since that event. You might also have some unusual colors that intrigued you at the store, but once you swiped them on, they didn't complement your style. If you're trying to pare down your collection, you can use the extra nail polish to upcycle glass jars into unique dazzling lanterns with a simple marbling technique.

On social media, you might have already seen marbling with nail polish as a form of wearable self-expression. With this method, nail polish is drizzled into a container of water and then swirled to create a design. When a fingernail is dipped into the water, the polish adheres to the nail for a stunning effect. DIYers are applying that same technique to create art on everything from watercolor paper to mini pumpkins, jewelry dishes, and glass jars. By adding a little handle and a battery-operated candle, you can make your marble glass jar into a whimsical lantern, a vintage-cool way to light your home.

You'll need a clean glass jar, tape, a bowl, water, nail polish, and wire or yarn. Begin the project by carefully taping over the mouth of the jar to make sure polish stays only on the outside. If you want to, you can also tape off the bottom of the jar, which makes it easier to add yarn later for a soft barrier against hard surfaces. Repurpose an old bowl or single-use container for quick and easy clean-up, and fill it with warm water — a temperature that keeps the nail polish from instantly hardening.

Although you may want to use up your old polish, newer products seem to work best for this technique. If you're getting rid of older bottles, there's a proper way to dispose of nail polish. Thoroughly shake and open all of the nail polish bottles beforehand, then gently drizzle the nail polish into the bowl of water, one color after the other. The polish will float on the surface, then you can move a toothpick or cotton swab through the colors, creating swirls, lines, and other patterns. Work quickly before the liquid solidifies in the water.

Once you're satisfied, carefully roll the glass jar along the surface of the water. The polish will instantly transfer to the glass. You can also dip the jar partially into the water, either halfway or at an angle. Another option is to take a cotton swap dipped in nail polish remover to "erase" a design into the marbling. Set the jar aside to dry.

For a simple metal handle, wrap a piece of crafting wire under the lip of the jar, then shape another into a handle that hooks onto that ring. For a more cutesy yarn-style handle, measure out a piece of yarn that arches over the top of the jar, and then cut 12 more strands of the same length. Take more yarn (still attached to the skein) and tie it around the bundle of 12 strands together, about an inch from one end. Tightly wind the yarn around the length of the bundle, tying off about an inch from the other end, forming a rope-like piece with fringes on each end. Wrap and glue more yarn around the mouth of the jar, then glue both ends of the rope to either side of the jar.