Things you'll need:
1. Popsicle Sticks (bought a box of 1000 from Walmart for only $6)
2. Fake Nails (bought a bag of 500 tips from Amazon for $3)
3. Glue gun (Walmart under $10. Had one laying around)
4. Glue sticks (Walmart under $3. Had a bag with my glue gun)
5. Sharpie Fine Tip Marker (Walmart under $3)
6. Nail polish, nail polish, nail polish (you decided what to spend)
7. Something for storage
8. Patience
I had one of those toilet paper roll storage containers sitting around that I had received for free a few years ago. It was one of those hideous orange and white containers. No one ever refilled it except for me so I decided to make use of it. I had a can of Chalkboard Paint sitting around when I painted an old picture frame to use as a prop (yes, I'm a photog) for my photography sessions. I painted that hideous orange container with the Chalkboard Paint and fell in love with the look of it! I mean, it's CHALKBOARD PAINT! You can draw all over it with chalk!
While I allowed the now "Swatch holder" to dry, I began fitting and gluing nails onto the Popsicle sticks. You should make sure to order the larger nails (size 0 was the best to work with). I tried using Elmer's Glue and nail glue but neither of them worked. The fastest and most securing way was to use my hot glue gun! It didn't melt the nails. The nails were ready to work with as soon as the glue had cooled which was only a couple of minutes. Be sure to add more glue than you would normally use to secure something. I made sure to not only add glue onto the nail itself but after pressing the Popsicle stick into the nail I applied extra glue to the top of the stick and the sides.
I ended up recruiting the boyfriend into helping me because I had ordered nails that came in 0-4 sizes which caused the sticks to be too big. I had him "trim" the sticks for the smaller ones. After three days of gluing nails to sticks I was finally ready to start painting them! Take note, do it in small sections to allow the proper dry time for each polish! Storing them before they are dry will cause them to stick to each other. And if you don't apply enough glue, you will find a couple here and there at the bottom of your container.
I found it was easier to paint my sticks in groups of ten. Before I would paint each stick, I would write the name of the brand, name of the polish, and I would leave room at the end to add how many coats it took to make it opaque with the exception of glitters and textured polishes. As I would write them on the sticks, I would also add them to a piece of paper so that I could tally the number of coats used. After a VERY long week "swatching" I found that when I stood my container upright, my sticks wouldn't stand up the right way. I figured out a quick and easy fix for that.
I taped each circle to one another and taped a few of the outside pieces to the container. Doing this allowed me to please my OCD and separate my swatch sticks by color or brand.
I can fully confess that I am now happy with my swatch sticks and container and didn't have to spend $10 or more on real ones that only come with 50 or less. I spent less than $15 since I already had a glue gun and sticks just laying around from other crafts.
Now, it's time to make another batch of sticks and up-cycle another container for my ever growing collection. I hope that this has given you a cheaper way to swatch without paying for those expensive plastic ones. It may take longer but I can assure you that it is well worth it.
Side note: I also use an app on my phone called Nail Polish Rack. I have an android phone and know that this is only for android. I have yet to find an app that I like using my iPad but I will continue to try new ones until I find one that is fitting for my needs.
Follow me at:
Twitter: @Addicted2Polish
Instagram: @Addicted_2_Polish
I try to follow everyone who follows me, but it does take me some time to catch up, please be patient!
Have a wonderful night, everyone!
