We hope you enjoy the products we recommend. Just so you know, burlap+blue receives a commission from products purchased from this site. Oh, and one more thing, prices are accurate and items are in stock at time of publication.
Nail polish mugs are an easy and quick craft project! Make them for yourself and your own home, or make a batch to give as gifts!
As the weather gets cooler, a great cup of coffee is my fairly constant companion throughout the day. It warms me, energizes me, and helps me tackle my to-do list. In short, it helps me live a Life Well-Crafted.
Another essential aspect of a Well-Crafted Life, for me, is crafting! Looking through my collection of cute, but non-coordinating mugs, I decided an easy mug craft needed to move to the top of my to-do list, so I tried my hand at the DIY mug trend…with nail polish! Nail polish crafts are so trendy these days, so I was excited to try one myself.
I’ve seen nail polish marbling done before, and I’ve always loved the organic and free form feel of the end result.
Before we get to the how-to, though, let me re-introduce you to my favorite thing to put inside of one of these marbled cuties…
I recently switched up my morning routine, subbing in NESCAFÉ® Taster’s Choice® for my usual cup of coffee, and I honestly am so happy with the result. I’ve been crushing on the Hazelnut blend, and adding a bit of whipped cream, ground cinnamon, and a cinnamon stick for a bit of decadence and fall flavor.
NESCAFÉ® Taster’s Choice® knows all about the importance of a good cup of coffee to a Well-Crafted Life. They use only responsibly-sourced beans, then they roast, brew, and flash-freeze their coffee to lock in freshness. Simply add hot water for a well-crafted cup of coffee made simple. You can choose between a glass jar and stick packs (my preference), as well as six flavors (I LOVE the Hazelnut!) and roasts to get the perfect cup each time.
NESCAFÉ® Taster’s Choice® recently upgraded its 7oz containers from plastic to glass jars. The glass jars not only lock in freshness better but also showcase the instant coffee granules inside. Now it looks as good as it tastes!
Want to learn to make your own nail polish mugs? Let’s get started…
Materials:
- Nail Polish
- Plain White Mugs (Washed and Dried)
- Disposable Tub
- Skewer or Toothpick
- Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge (optional)
- Parchment Paper
The best tips I can give you for marbling with nail polish is 1) use hot water, and, 2) work quickly. The nail polish is going to want to harden pretty quickly upon hitting the surface of the water, and hot water will delay this process a bit.
Fill your tub (use one that you don’t mind throwing away afterwards) with hot water, and carefully drip your nail polish onto the surface of the water. Pour as close to the surface as you can, as this will keep the nail polish from sinking down into your water.
If desired, use your toothpick or skewer to swirl the polish around so that it covers the surface of the water. Immediately dip your mug into the water, and let it sit for a second or two to help the polish adhere to the mug. Remove mug, and place upside down on parchment paper to dry.
Switch out water between mugs, and repeat!
Once you begin, you’ll be amazed at how quickly the process goes. I marbled all five of these mugs in less than 10 minutes.
If desired, you can seal with a couple of coats of Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge. I’m not sure if I’d necessarily stick them in the dishwasher, but it’ll give them a bit more protection from day-to-day hand washing.
Quick note: You will want to be careful not to get any nail polish near the top of the mugs (where your mouth would touch). As I said above, I’d recommend hand washing only.
Want more coffee inspiration? These “but first, coffee” printables are perfect to add to your kitchen or coffee bar.
Thanks for reading all about my marbled nail polish mugs! Have a crafty day!
Coco in the Kitchen says
November 8, 2016 at 12:04 pmThose are beautiful and so easy!
burlap+blue says
November 9, 2016 at 1:51 pmThank you so much!
Jacqueline says
July 1, 2018 at 1:45 pmDefinitely am going to do this! Cups from boring to colorful!!!
Anonymous says
September 28, 2018 at 3:17 pmSo great!
Deb Wright says
November 9, 2016 at 1:25 pmthese would make a great Christmas Gift. Paint the persons name in the middle with the nail polish, fill with candies and there you go! A beautiful had crafted cup.
burlap+blue says
November 9, 2016 at 1:51 pmThanks, Deb! Filling with candy is a great idea!
Jina says
November 9, 2016 at 1:28 pmSuch a cute idea for a handmade Christmas gift. My family always s exchanges hand made inexpensive items as part of our Christmas Eve gatherings. Thanks for the how to!
burlap+blue says
November 9, 2016 at 1:51 pmYou’re welcome, Jina!!
Isbl LT says
November 9, 2016 at 1:44 pmIt is mart and very creative idea I will do it, but I like hot coffee and tea. Would them damage the painting?
burlap+blue says
November 9, 2016 at 1:52 pmI have had coffee out of mine, without damaging it:) Just be sure to handwash afterwards.
Deb Knaff says
November 9, 2016 at 1:52 pmIt is a wonderful gift to receive knowing that someone made it especially for you, in your favorite colors, with possibly words of inspiration, name or special date, etc & functional. And it brings great satisfaction to the person giving it.
Diana says
November 9, 2016 at 2:11 pmI would love to try the Vanilla Blend! Love the cups. So pretty!
Nanell Clark says
November 9, 2016 at 2:31 pmThese are beautiful. I would love to try the hazelnut and vanilla flavors.
Alison Osborne says
November 9, 2016 at 3:16 pmThank you for posting this idea. Money is running low this year and these will enable me to give gifts to everyone that doesn’t look cheap. They can be personalized to each person’s favorite color scheme and filled with favorite candy, coffee samples or just little odds and ends!
Penny Durkin says
November 9, 2016 at 3:44 pmTHIS IS A TITALLY AWESOME AND CUTE IDEA FOR THE XMAS SEASON!!!
Tera says
November 9, 2016 at 4:46 pmThe mugs look awesome!! I love to collect coffee mugs so I am definitely going to have to try this. Thanks!!
Veronica Palacios says
November 9, 2016 at 5:17 pmDef gonna mafe mugs to match my kitchen. Want to try french roast
Iva Lou Spell says
November 9, 2016 at 6:23 pmFinally a great way to “dress up” those old plain coffee mugs!!! GREAT idea. I’ve got to try it!
Linda L Richter says
November 9, 2016 at 7:40 pmWhat a cute idea and they would also make nice gifts. I will be trying this. A great cup of Hazelnut coffee would be awesome as well.
Mary Anne says
November 9, 2016 at 10:20 pmWhat a great craft – fun and useful!!
Mary Buckles says
November 9, 2016 at 10:43 pmI’d love to try the Hazelnut & vanilla flavors. I love tye-dye, & that’s just what this looks like. I do tye-dye tees, & used to do tye-dye nails yrs ago; this made me think of it. Really nice idea; Love it! Great gift idea.
Darlene says
November 9, 2016 at 10:46 pmThis is s great idea, thank you for your inspiration
Helen White says
November 9, 2016 at 11:30 pmI already use the sricks, don’t even use my K coffee pot, only for company. Can only seem to get the Classic here in Littleton, CO at the Family Dollar ,so I will ordered every flavor in the boxes. Was just telling a friend yesterday, I need to get the glass jar and have more on hand . And want to try the Café Con Leche. Yum.
Tasana says
November 10, 2016 at 12:31 amI’m making some this weekend!! I can’t wait!!! Such a great idea!!! Beautiful!!! Thanks! Great gift idea!
Claire says
November 10, 2016 at 6:48 amI absoloutley LOVE this idea , so simple but so easy to personalise to your own taste and style. I’m going to make everyone in their family personalised hot chocolate mugs for Christmas Day and may try this on wine glasses!
Jess says
November 10, 2016 at 3:26 pmLove these I’m going to make Christmas ones red and green. Love think thank you for sharing your ideas.
Betsy K says
November 10, 2016 at 4:06 pmso cute
Peggy says
November 12, 2016 at 2:12 amI just got the dishes to do this for 3 grandkids getting married this next year, I’m matching their wedding colors. I fell in love with this the first time I saw it, thanks for the tips. I’m so excited about it!
Lori Doo says
November 13, 2016 at 11:40 pmWonder if this will work on wine glasses too…can’t see why not…?? Definitely would need to use the mod podge on them… thoughts?
Bea Kuchta says
November 14, 2016 at 8:56 amHi and thank you for the clever way to make such pretty coffee mugs. My husband has been drinking Nescafe Taster’s Choice for a very long time. I never knew that there were flavored versions. In Pittsburgh it is sometimes a two or three day search to find Nescafe Decaf for him. Now that I know there are flavors, I’m joining the group of coffee drinkers. I would really enjoy having vanilla flavored coffee. But. . . will they make it available here. Please let me know. Thank you.
barb macaskill says
November 14, 2016 at 10:21 amLove these mugs! Hubby tells me I am picky because I won’t drink my coffee out of a plain mug. I look for pretty ones and once I find a favorite I am very possessive of it. NOBODY is allowed to use MY mug under threat of death (maybe just a kick in the butt). These mugs would certainly dress up some plain mugs that we have so that they can be used too! Thanks for the inspiration! I am going to go and enjoy a cup of Nescafe Taster’s Choice French Roast coffee now!
HS says
November 14, 2016 at 12:40 pmGreat idea of coloring mugs. I would like to try 100% Colombian.
Stephanie Phelps says
November 14, 2016 at 8:58 pmThis is the best tasting giveaway. I would love to try the NESCAFÉ Taster’s Choice French Roast.
Ellie Wright says
November 14, 2016 at 9:04 pmI’d like to try the NESCAFÉ Taster’s Choice Hazelnut Single Serve Packets.
Melissa boyd says
November 19, 2016 at 7:05 am❤️❤️❤️❤️This idea for ????????????!
Sydney Morgan says
November 23, 2016 at 1:40 pmGORGEOUS! Have you tried 2 colors at the same time?
burlap+blue says
November 30, 2016 at 6:23 pmHI Sydney! Yes! I have tried multiple colors. Just add both colors to the same bowl of hot water (remembering to work quickly!) Let me know if you try it and how it turns out!
Karie says
November 26, 2016 at 7:35 amThanks! This looks like clean-up would be quite easier than the same process which is done with spray paint. (That is a messy project and can go wrong with bubbles between glass and paint.) I’m going to try this with my daughter, she will love it!
Bobbie says
November 30, 2016 at 2:16 pmI was curious if this would work on a glass mug.
burlap+blue says
November 30, 2016 at 6:22 pmHi Bobbie! I would think so, but I’ve never tried it. If you do try it, let us know if it works! 🙂
Tricia G. says
November 30, 2016 at 3:02 pmLove this idea! Making some for gifts and some for myself! Thank you!
Lori says
December 4, 2016 at 8:38 amColombian
Sheila says
December 8, 2016 at 8:33 amCan you apply a topcoat of something to make them dishwasher safe?
Andra says
December 10, 2016 at 3:00 pmWhat a fresh and simple craft idea! I’ve got to try this!
Kimberly Johnson says
December 10, 2016 at 5:39 pmWill be trying this project on some wine bottles…love this idea thanks…
Kelly Carbray-Falk says
December 10, 2016 at 10:56 pmOh how clever! I’m going to try this with my kids next week. We’re always looking for fun & easy project to make for friends & family! I figure we’ll add spoons with ribbons, coffee & peppermint sticks to make this an awesome homemade gift!
Helen White says
December 15, 2016 at 6:40 amMy grandson and I will be making these mugs this weekend. They are so coll. Thanks for sharing this.
Hugs and Merry Christmas!!!!.
Dawn Onuffer says
December 27, 2016 at 11:05 amVery cute. Does te polish chip off?
Amanda says
December 27, 2016 at 5:12 pmThis is a cool idea!!! I would love to try the pumpkin favor!!!
Roberta McLean says
October 4, 2017 at 10:36 amI am thinking of trying this with the children I do crafts with in the summer at my church. It’s something different that I’m sure they’ll like.
Mary Epps says
October 4, 2017 at 1:06 pmThis is so pretty, I am going to do this today, great job , thanks
Debbie Schnackenberg says
October 4, 2017 at 2:44 pmWow! these are so easy to do and can be made either elegant or whimsy. Would make a beautiful gift for a tea, coffee or cocoa drinker. thanks for sharing. Looking for gifting ideas.
Lu says
October 4, 2017 at 9:46 pmCan’t wait to try this!
Jenny Leiter says
October 8, 2017 at 5:58 pmLove this idea! Def going to give this a try, just beautiful !
Barbara says
June 22, 2018 at 5:19 pmLooks like a new idea for Christmas gifts for the Seniors at church.
Just wondering if you could use a ceramic sealer on it.
Thank you
Barbara Gensale says
June 24, 2018 at 10:37 pmBeautiful will have to try this as a craft project for my grandkids
Metha Conley says
July 1, 2018 at 12:28 pmWonderful idea and it would make a great project for a child to do for a parent.
Donna Jenkins says
July 1, 2018 at 12:34 pmLove these!!! I tried this and it turned out great. Thank you so much for the craft ideal.
Vickii Nicolulis says
July 1, 2018 at 12:37 pmYour text thru messenger is the first thing I see every morning thanks
burlap+blue says
July 10, 2018 at 11:32 amI’m so glad, Vickii! 🙂
Vickii Nicolulis says
July 1, 2018 at 12:39 pmMy husband on IV 16 hours a day your text projects starts my day. Thank you
Christina Wallbrown says
July 1, 2018 at 1:12 pmThis is a beautiful idea! Fill them with candy & they would make a great gift!!
Mel says
July 1, 2018 at 2:26 pmCan’t wait to try this!
VelindaDawn says
July 1, 2018 at 4:51 pmGreat way to dress up garage sale or thrift store finds. I like the idea of different mugs with the marbelizing to tie the together. Thanks for the inspiration!
Virginia Gray says
July 1, 2018 at 5:04 pmI was looking for a craft for vacation bible school this is will be a cool ideal I am on it
Joyce Finch says
July 1, 2018 at 5:39 pmExcited to try this with my Grandbaby
Andi Sanders says
July 1, 2018 at 7:52 pmHow cool! I see a mug craft day in the near future with my grandkids!
Mary Rosenbaum says
July 2, 2018 at 12:35 amBrilliant idea! You can match your tableware to your decor.
Kelli says
September 28, 2018 at 10:56 amOhhh! I love this idea! Thank you for solving my boring mug problem and being a coffee lover like I am!
Claire Vericker says
September 28, 2018 at 5:03 pmLovely and easy and inexpensive! What more could you ask for? I like to put air plants in pretty cups o dishes. They grow slowly and are easy and look great, like this project! 😊
Viola Hayes says
October 5, 2018 at 8:49 amI’m so impressed with this project! The first thing I’m going to do is surprise my sister with my new talent.
C.D. McDougall says
October 6, 2018 at 8:57 pmGreat idea! I would like to try it with the base of wine glasses. It will be a great way to tell the glasses apart through color! Thank you for the idea.
Bonnie Layne says
December 24, 2019 at 2:03 pmFANTASTIC IDEA!! I can’t wait to do this!!