Candy Cane Marbled Monogram Ornaments

**   If you like this tutorial I would love it if you voted for me in the Holiday Gifts Contest.  Banner to vote on top right. **

I recently saw a marbleized nail technique on Pinterest and was so inspired to try it.  After several attempts I finally got the nail technique down and decided to do something more unique with it. Taking the glass ornaments that I purchased from Michael's Craft Supply, I created a water marble ornament.  You can check out my video tutorials on  how to marbleize an ornament and how to water marble nails.





For more simple unique crafts please visit me at http://thecheesethief.com/

Step 1:

Materials:
1 glass ornament
2 bottles of nail polish
1 vase/cup (large enough to fit half the ornament, but not too big) filled half way with filtered tap water

I used Orly French White and OPI All Lacquered Up for these images.  These nail polish brands seem to work the best for this technique.  Do experiment with different nail polishes as all of them do not work the same for this.

1. Prepare your workspace.  Place a towel or newspaper underneath for easier cleanup.
2. First shake both bottles of nail polish so the nail polish is nicely mixed.  
3. Unscrew the tops of both bottles.  This will help you work fast.
4. Drip one color of the nail polish into the cup of water.
5. Drip the other color into the water and keep alternating.  (It is ok if the tip of the nail brush touches the water, but it is better if you can get a big glob to drip off the wand and drop onto the surface of the water.)
6. Working quickly alternate for 4-6 times.  If you are just starting off I would start with 4 -5 drips or rings.  When you get better you can do more.
7. Taking a toothpick start from the center of the nail polish and pull outwards to make a pattern.
8. It is easier to work from the inside out because the inside nail polish was just dripped so it is still wet.
Once you get the pattern you want dip your ornament in slowly for 10 seconds.  Remove and let dry ( i put it on top of a smaller cup).

Comments

[Klia Willow]

Jut wanted to tell you this is my next "kids" craft time christmas present for our family members. Every year my girls now 11 & 7 make a family gift for each member, me being a single mom it's always economical and everyone gets one, usually ornaments :) I LOVE this idea, both the marble & monogrammed, Thank you for posting!!

[kabturek]

as always - it's harder than it looks ;-)
the important thing is the nail polish type - you cant do this with most.

[Les Créateliers]

Love this tutorial!!!! I linked to it on my website:

http://www.lescreateliers.com/Les_Createliers/Idees_Ideas/Entries/2011/12/22_Boules_de_Noel_decoreesDecorated_ornaments.html

Hope you like it! Happy Holidays!!!

Marie-Eve

[Celine1107]

I tried doing this on my nails once and it didn't turn out to well, I tried for like an hour and it didn't work! I'm doing all the right things you are doing, I think I just can't get the pattern right.....oh by the way, I love the ornament! It's so pretty! Great instructible!

[tandemquadrant]

One of the best things to do is get a lot of nailpolish on the end of the brush so that it drips into the water instead of touching the brush itself to the water. When it drips, it spreads. And another tip is using the toothpick go from the inside out and doing opposite sides instead of adjacent sides will give you a bit more control :)

[Celine1107]

Thanks, those tips helped! I've figured out what I was doing wrong!

[HollyHarken]

To get an even nicer pattern go from the middle out with your toothpick, alternating in between the places where you pulled the toothpick in towards the middle.

Very nice job on both the nails and the ornaments. Reminds me of marbleing on paper. Pretty.

Great idea using the lip balm to protect your finger!!

[askjerry]

Nicely done... I had seen oil painting like this before... but the stencil idea is brilliant. I need to do this on some projects. We have a laser engraver... so we can cut a detailed pattern, then dip... can't wait to try it.

Thanks,
Jerry

[jjone538]

pretty
but where did u get the dotter tool

[jjone538]

awsome!!!!!

[T Everette B]

The thought occured to me, could you do this with light bulbs too? it would make for some interesting light displays

[hfuller]

Would the heat from the light bulb have any effect on the nail polish? It might make it bubble or melt.

[rchandsa]

Thanks for all your nice comments. If you like this tutorial I would love it if you voted for me in the Holiday Gifts Contest. Banner to vote on top right.

[alyaika26]

Good interesting article!

[ChrysN]

What a cool effect, it looks gorgeous!

[PaHalloweenFreak]

I have seen the nail technique before but never thought about using it for other things. Very creative! Great job on both the nails & the ornaments!

[sailormoon22491]

Wow that ornament is beautiful such a pretty effect!

[mikeasaurus]

oooh, so that's how it's done!

[l8nite]

really cool technique thank you for sharing

[Penolopy Bulnick]

I just love that effect the nail polish has when it is on the water! Makes such a beautiful ornament!