This guest post was written by Stephanie Gerber of Henry Happened.
You know what’s fun to play with? Oven bake clay. I know, you’re probably thinking, not more clay! But you’re only saying that if you haven’t tried it. The rest of us are addicted. Yep, just call me the crazy clay lady. And what’s even more fun? Clay and nail polish. That’s a match made in DIY heaven.
I was thinking of giving these colorful bowls to friends for Mother’s Day gifts. But they are looking so pretty on my new office desk. Maybe I’ll just call it a gift to myself?
To make your own nail polish dipped clay bowls you will need:
- Oven bake clay.
- Lots of pretty nail polish colors.
- A disposable cup or bowl to dip in.
- A toothpick to swirl the colors.
- Masking tape.
Instructions: 1. First you need to make a clay bowl. To do that, start by rolling out the clay between sheets of wax paper until the clay is a uniform thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use an oven safe bowl, like small Pyrex one, to shape the clay. Flip the bowl over and mold the clay to the bottom. Trim the clay to the height you want and smooth the edges. Really short bowls are excellent ring bowls while taller ones are good for corralling change or paper clips.
2. Bake the clay and let it cool. Ease it off of the bowl base and tape off the area that you don’t want to dip. This is where it’s fun to experiment. Dip one side, just the bottom, or even the inside. Or do the whole thing!
3. Fill a cup or bowl with room temperature water. Then drip in nail polish. The first couple of drops should spread across the top of the water. If it doesn’t, check the temperature of your water and try again. It’s fun to mix 2-3 colors and swirl them around with a toothpick.
4. Then dip! Straight down into the polish works best. But you can roll it around in the water too if you want to cover more of the bowl.
5. Let the polish dry, remove the tape and fill with the jewelry you’ll be getting for Mother’s Day. Now is definitely a good time to start dropping hints!
Stephanie Gerber spends her days chasing 3 little kiddos in Nashville, TN, and her nights blogging about DIY and style. Check out more handmade chic ideas to look your best and style your nest on her blog Henry Happened.
For more craft projects like this one, visit the DIY projects page here.
33 comments | Click here to reply
Good question. Air dry clay would work too. As long as the clay has had time to dry (at least 24 hours) before marbling, I don’t see why not.
BrittniHi,
I was wondering … does the clay have to be oven bake clay or can it be air dry clay?
Thank you
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How to own a piece of stunning Marbled Dish / Gold Dish | PartyMaketsy MuseHi,
Ameliai was wondering were you bought your bake clay from? Such a great idea but I’m having trouble finding it.
Thanks xx Amelia
WOw these are gorgeous and very unique. I’ve never seen this technique used on this medium. Excellent!
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Diy marble jewellery dish. | south by northThese look awesome :))))))
Definitely going to make some for my jewelry or paperclips!
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8 (Holiday Gift) DIYs to Try this Weekend | Paper & StitchYour bowl is so cute and original! I’ll try to do it! Thank you!
LoryLory from www.lunadeicreativi.com
wow it’s really original, i love your idea! Now I know how I’m going to surprise my mum for her b-day!
LuciaCan anyone tell me how do I bake the clay at home?
I saw this on Pinterest a few days ago and thought I’d try it today. I haven’t gotten to the color swirl part because I had a problem taking them off the glass bowls. I made 4 and only 1 came off the bowls without breaking completely. I glued the others back together and I’m going to try the color dip in the morning. Did you have trouble getting the clay off the glass bowls? All of mine cracked, some more than others. They weren’t 100% cool, still slightly warm to the touch, but I wouldn’t think it would make that much difference. This is a great idea. I just wonder what I did wrong. :-/
Angie MayI saw this on Pinterest a few days ago and thought I’d try it today. I haven’t gotten to the color swirl part because I had a problem taking them off the glass bowls. I made 4 and only 1 came off the bowls without breaking completely. I glued the others back together and I’m going to try the color dip in the morning. Did you have trouble getting the clay off the glass bowls? All of mine cracked, some more than others. They weren’t 100% cool, still slightly warm to the touch, but I wouldn’t think it would make that much difference. This is a great idea. I just wonder what I did wrong. :-/
Angie MaySo pretty and useful!
VivienAwesome!!
Creative MindI can’t wait to try this! Adding to my “to do” list! http://t.co/nIMgEpsli1
@tyeager914I can’t wait to try this!!!!! Looks so simple and fun!
Tawny @ Tawny's Tid Bitswow!!! it’s amazing idea, thanks!
MagdaMagda:*
RT @henryhappened: Check out my marbled mini clay bowls on @papernstitch http://t.co/Hm3XZusMF4
Brittni Mehlhoff (@papernstitch)So cute! (I really liked your photos) I am excited to try this, looks like such fun!!
– Dusty.
- Dusty.How fun. I love little bowls.
Seriously Sassy MamaI don’t think you’d mess it up McKenna. It’s easier than it looks- you can do it. 🙂
papernstitchCute!! they look so complicated though. I swear I would mess this up completely. xx. McKenna Lou
McKenna Ryanwww.lynnandlou.com
These are incredible, Stephanie! RT @henryhappened: Check out my marbled mini clay bowls on @papernstitch http://t.co/vnVX7Ma7D2
@SmartNSnazzyCheck out my marbled mini clay bowls on @papernstitch http://t.co/Hm3XZusMF4
Stephanie Gerber (@henryhappened)Awesome Theresa. Let us know how it turns out.
papernstitchWhat a great idea! I can’t wait to try this. My mom, sister and I used to use filo dough all the time when we were younger and it was so fun, so I know I’d love making these…a few for me, and a few as gifts 🙂
TheresaA dozen, huh? That’s awesome Laura. I bet your friends and family will love ’em.
papernstitchWhat an amazing idea! I’m so glad you shared this. 🙂
Laura - RelativelyOffbeatI’m definitely going to try to make a dozen of these for friends, family, and myself!! They are amazing!
wow, love it!
Frances