Create a beautiful place to keep your engagement ring, wedding band, or favorite jewelry with this easy DIY marbled ring dish. Inspired by the swirling blues and soft seafoam hues of the ocean, this beginner-friendly project transforms an inexpensive terracotta saucer into a stylish catchall that's perfect for your bedside table, getting-ready suite, or bathroom vanity.
Whether you're looking for a thoughtful bridesmaid gift, a handmade bridal shower present, or a special ring dish for your own beach wedding day details, this simple nail polish marbling technique creates a one-of-a-kind finish every time, making it a beautiful addition to a coastal wedding, seaside home, or anyone who simply loves calming blue hues. Affordable, customizable, and surprisingly easy to make, it's a DIY you'll enjoy long after the wedding is over!
✎ Updated for 2026: Refreshed with relevant supplies and helpful tips.
Easy Terracotta & Nail Polish Marbled Ring Dish DIY
Skill Level: Beginner
Color Inspiration: Ocean blues, sage green, and ivory
Materials for Ocean-Inspired Nail Polish Marbling
• 4" terracotta saucers (or you can find them at your local home improvement store)
• Large bucket
• Water (at room temperature)
• Nail polish in complementary colors (we used navy blue, sage green, and pinkish ivory)
• Disposable chopsticks or wooden skewers
• Nail polish remover
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Marble Terracotta Saucers
1. Fill your bucket with plenty of water; it should be deep enough to submerge your dish. Be mindful of your water's temperature because this will affect your marbled look on your dish. It would be a good idea to have some trial runs on other objects before creating your official gift-worthy trinket dishes!
FOR THE SEAFOAM LOOK: You will want to have somewhat lukewarm water. The temperature reacts with the nail polish and causes the little "popped bubbles" and neat foamy texture.
FOR THE SMOOTH WAVES LOOK: You will want completely room temperature water. The polish will sit more on the surface and provide a smooth marble appearance on your dish.
2. Once your water is at the temperature you want, pour the navy blue (or darkest color) nail polish first into your bucket then pour your second color (sage green) immediately after.
3. Using your chopstick or skewer, lightly drag through the surface of the water. This will help blend your colors together to make that pretty marble design!
4. Dip your ring dish into the "polished" water and drag the dish allows the nail polish to cling to the dish. Try not to take too long as this will create unnecessary clumps.
5. Before making more ring dishes, take your chopstick and drag through the water. This will collect the remaining nail polish and clean up the water for your next dish.
6. Repeat the above steps to create the rest of your gorgeous ring dishes!
Ways to Use Your DIY Ring Dish
A handmade ring dish isn't just a pretty craft! It's one of those everyday pieces that is practical in many ways after the wedding, too. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use it:
- Keep your engagement ring safe. Place it by the kitchen sink, bathroom vanity, or bedside table whenever you need to remove your ring.
- Style your wedding details. A handcrafted ring dish creates a beautiful backdrop for your engagement ring and wedding bands in getting-ready flat lay photos.
- Create thoughtful bridesmaid gifts. Personalize each dish with your wedding colors and gift one to every member of your wedding party as a keepsake they'll actually use.
- Organize everyday jewelry. It's the perfect catchall for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings, helping keep your favorite pieces easy to find.
- Add a handmade touch to your home. Display it on a dresser, entryway table, or vanity for a subtle pop of color inspired by the sea.
WRITTEN BY
Chelsea Barton
Founder & Wedding DIY Expert
A former wedding photographer, the founder of Tidewater and Tulle, and author of Cricut Weddings, Chelsea Barton has been helping couples bring their dream weddings to life through creative, approachable ideas since 2009. Her insight and work have been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Southern Living, and other top publications around the world. She combines editorial expertise and real-world insight to inspire meaningful celebrations.
TUTORIAL CREDITS
Photography, Tutorial, and Styling: Chelsea Barton | Nail Polish: Courtesy of Sally Hansen and Essie
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