The other day I posted the cork coasters that my daughter and her friend made (so cute), but I didn’t post what my other daughter – Miss Chloë – was up to at the same time…
The project I did with her and her friends (aged 8, 9 and 11) was creating these beautiful marbled rock paperweights.
This is a simple project, but one I’d suggest for 7+ because a very gentle hand is needed to get the marbled effect.
First up, select some paperweight-sized rocks:
then you’ll want to add a coat of paint to them – I had spray paint, but dollar store craft paint in white or black works just as well.
While your rocks are drying, get an old margarine or yogurt container and fill it with warm water. The dish should be deep enough that you could completely submerge your rock under the water.
The next part of creating your marbled rock paperweights requires a bit of speed – the nail polish hardens pretty quickly even in water. Pour drips and dollops of different colours of polish into the water – don’t worry, it will float.
Then, very quickly after and with a delicate hand, drag a toothpick, nail or thumb tack through the nail polish – this is what will create the swoops and swirls. This isn’t stirring – it’s a very light drag.
Isn’t it gorgeous?!
Now you’ll want to hold the bottom of your painted rock and very carefully dip it into the nail polish swirls and ‘swoop’ it back out of the dish.
The air bubbles above are because my undercoat of paint wasn’t completely dry before I created my marbled rock paperweight (the above rock has a black base). Don’t worry if you get these – they pop, or you can leave them there for added interest.
So pretty!
The rocks with the white base coat are gorgeous too:
Chloë chose to create fewer swirls for her paperweight, where I went a bit crazy and created a lot.
These paperweights make a cute Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift for those parents with a desk full of papers. Keep one on your patio table to keep napkins from flying away in the breeze. Scatter a few (smaller ones) in your rock garden for a shot of colour. Use your marbled rock paperweights to weigh down a homemade balloon bouquet. Create bright “sinkers” for pool fun.
These beauties are for my patio so I can keep my magazines from flipping open and/or flying away.
Is it selfish to keep Chloe’s as my own? I guess I should ask in case she has other plans for her paperweight. lol
This kid’s craft takes only a few dollars in supplies and no more than 10 minutes to marble (not including the base coat of paint), and your kids will be so proud of themselves.
Have a great one!
