Check out this upcycled nail polish bottle idea: make a DIY ring holder! Click through to see other ideas as well.
I had a huge bin of dried out nail polishes, but I had trouble parting with the bottles – so I made a DIY Ring Holder! This is an awesome craft to use up odds and ends in your house – I found I had a stack of planter dishes, and gold spray paint.
For the center, you can use nail bottle bottles (with skinny tops) or any other small items that are tall and narrow. The concept is pretty self-explanatory – but there are a few tips you should know before you get started.
Upcycled nail polish bottle idea
Look through your empty polish bottles and choose ones that have a tall skinny top.
This is crucial because you want for your rings to be able to slide over them. Also – who says the bottles have to be empty? HEYYYY!!! Now that I think of it, maybe you could use an adhesive tab to secure it to the base and use a full bottle of polish.
Then replace the bottle of polish when it runs out. That way your ring holder will be functional beyond just storing your jewelry, right?
Supplies:
Unwanted nail polish bottles
Small tray or plant saucer
Gold spray paint
Extra-strength adhesive.
Spray varnish.
Directions:
Wash the bottle, you can leave it as is or completely empty it out.
How to clean a nail polish bottle
What you’ll need:
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Acetone or nail polish remover (100% acetone works best)
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Cotton swabs or paper towels
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Small funnel or dropper (optional)
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Tweezers or pliers
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Warm water and dish soap
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Patience and a little elbow grease 😄
Empty out any leftover polish
Pour out as much old polish as you can. You can use a paper towel to wipe the inside edge of the bottle opening.
Remove the brush from the cap
Hold the cap tightly and gently pull out the brush. Most brushes are just snapped into the lid and can be tugged out with a firm pull. If it’s stuck, use pliers to gently wiggle and pull. Once it’s out, you can either clean it separately or discard it.
Add acetone to the bottle
Pour a little acetone or nail polish remover into the bottle—about a third full. Swirl it around to loosen the polish, then let it sit for 10–15 minutes. You can also shake it (with the lid on tightly!) to speed things up.
Scrub the inside
Use a cotton swab or small brush (like a baby bottle brush or pipe cleaner) to clean out any gunk inside. Repeat with more acetone if needed.
Rinse and wash
Once the polish is mostly gone, rinse the bottle with warm soapy water to remove any acetone residue. Let it air dry completely—especially if you’re going to fill it with water-based materials.
Bonus tip:
If the label won’t peel off easily, soak the bottle in warm water for 20 minutes, then scrub it off with a sponge or use a bit of Goo Gone.
Use strength adhesive to bond the two pieces together.
Apply to the bottom of the bottle and set in place, let dry for an hour or so – longer if you live in a humid climate. You want the glue to be completely cured!
Once it’s dry, then you’ll want to go outside and hit it with some spray paint.
Give it a coat, then let it dry and then give it another coat. If you don’t want it to be all one color, then you can use bright colors too!
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And let it dry for a while, I added some jewels on top, but you can further embellish how ever you want!
Other ideas for nail polish bottles:
Mini fairy potion bottles (kids project)
After cleaning, fill empty nail polish bottles with colored water, glitter, and a few drops of glycerin or glue for shimmer. Add labels like “Confidence Elixir” or “Dream Drops” and tie a ribbon or charm around the neck. Pure magic for imaginative play.
Nail polish bottle bud vases
Once cleaned, the bottles make charming bud vases. Insert a small flower or dried stem, then decorate the outside with metallic paint, gold leaf, or even decoupage for a luxe, artsy vibe.
DIY glitter glue bottles (kids project)
Mix white glue with glitter and a drop of food coloring right inside the clean bottle. Shake it up and let kids use the nail polish brush to paint their sparkly glue designs on paper, cards, or crafts.
Message in a bottle art
Write an empowering affirmation or intention on a tiny scroll of paper, roll it up, and insert it into the cleaned bottle. Decorate the outside with charms, washi tape, or rhinestones. A heartfelt keepsake or gift for someone special.
Nail polish bottle oil diffuser
Fill the cleaned bottle with a mix of essential oils and carrier oil. Add thin reed sticks or cut bamboo skewers. The small size makes this a perfect desk or bedside aromatherapy diffuser.
Crafty charm display bottles
Glue a small clay sculpture, bead, or charm to the inside of the cap. When you screw the lid back on, the object is suspended inside like a tiny art installation. Display upside down like a mini cloche.
Nail polish crafts:
Nail polish marbled coasters
Turn leftover nail polish into beautiful marbled ceramic coasters. Drop polish into a bowl of water, swirl it with a toothpick, and dip in plain white tiles. Let them dry and seal with clear spray varnish. Each one is a unique piece of art.
Abstract nail polish pendants
Repurpose polish by dripping it onto small glass cabochons or acrylic rounds. Swirl colors together for an artsy effect, then glue the pieces into pendant settings. A great way to make wearable mini paintings.
Painted pressed flower art
Take dried flowers and give them new life by painting the petals and leaves with shimmery or colorful nail polish. Mount them on thick watercolor paper and frame the finished artwork for a delicate mixed media look.
Nail polish galaxy rocks
Drip and swirl black, purple, blue, and metallic polish onto smooth river rocks. Add white dots with a toothpick for stars. The result looks like a dreamy galaxy—perfect as desk decor, paperweights, or intention stones.
What do you think? What ideas do you have to make ring holders? I was thinking for Father’s Day it would be cool to use nuts and bolts to build up the ring holder portion in the center. Or small toys too! Maybe army men or something…
Such a great way to use empty nail polish bottles!!!