If Plan A fails, there are still 25 more letters in the alphabet — that’s my attitude after my original idea for this month’s Trash to Treasure Tuesday didn’t turn out how I pictured.

I’d been spotting those boho-style, sculptural vases at places like Anthropologie and specialty boutiques, and thought, “I can definitely fake that look with a Sharpie paint pen and some old jars.” After a clumsy attempt that looked more like something my five-year-old would draw, I admitted the Sharpie route wasn’t for me. Stick people are my limit.

Back to the drawing board. I remembered a nail polish marbling technique I’d pinned months ago and decided to try it for a Halloween-themed foyer display. The idea was simple, inexpensive, and totally salvageable as Plan B.

Inspiration Source: Rue Mag

These particular jars started out as leftover potpourri containers that were set aside for recycling after I used the potpourri as bowl filler in our fall decor. They were too good to toss, so they became perfect candidates for an upcycle.

DIY Marbled Vases

Supplies Used:

Old glass jars or bottles
Flat black spray paint
4–5 nail polish colors (leftover polishes work great)
A bucket or large pot filled with room-temperature water
Rubber or latex gloves
Plastic drop cloth or trash bag

I only spent about $1.50 per vase since I already had jars and polish on hand — the only purchase was the spray paint. This technique is budget-friendly and perfect for making modern-looking accents from thrifted or recycled glass.

Step-by-step:

1. Clean the jars thoroughly and apply two even coats of flat black spray paint. Allow them to dry completely.

2. Once dry (I let mine sit overnight), set a large pot or bucket of room-temperature water on a drop cloth. This step can get messy, so protect your workspace.

3. Pour a few drops or thin streams of each nail polish color onto the water’s surface. The polish will spread and float on top, forming a thin color film.

4. Working quickly, dip a jar into the floating polish, rotating slightly to pick up the pattern. For taller jars, use a deeper bucket. Wear gloves — removing polish from skin requires acetone and scrubbing.

5. Place the jars on your drop cloth and allow them to dry for an hour or more. Scoop any remaining polish from the water with gloved hands and dispose of it properly so you don’t pour polish down the drain.

After drying, I styled the marbled jars on our foyer chest for a Halloween vignette. The marbled finish is subtle, modern, and adds instant texture and interest to simple glass containers.

I wanted a Halloween display that was playful but not terrifying — something family-friendly for our busy trick-or-treat street. I kept the look moody but approachable with green, willowy branches (50% off at Hobby Lobby) and a few vintage-inspired props.

I also pulled out an old edition of Edgar Allan Poe for atmosphere — a little literary creepiness never hurts — and used a glass skull and a faux antique phone from the Halloween aisle to finish the tabletop. The skull looks sinister when empty, and the phone has a sneaky sound effect that startled me during setup.

The final entryway is slightly spooky but still pretty — a balance that keeps little ones like Olivia from being scared and still feels festive for adult guests.

I can already see how marbling could become addictive — I found myself scanning the house for more items to marble once these were finished. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to refresh glassware, vases, or thrifted finds.

If you’d like to know the sources used in this vignette, here are most of them:

Creepy antique phone
Glass skull candy jar
Black branch wreath (I removed the orange and white balls to keep it plain.)
Marble-topped chest (Craigslist find)

See more Trash to Treasure transformations:

(Clockwise from top left): Artsy Chicks Rule | Prodigal Pieces | Girl in the Garage | Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer

For more budget-friendly DIY ideas and upcycle projects, you can browse all of my past Trash to Treasure transformations.