Green Macgyver Ecofriendly Crafts – Vinyl Record Album Bowl, Planter and Wall Art
Normally our Green Macgyver series focuses on crafts for younger kids. This time we bring you an ecofriendly craft for big kids (read adults) who have old vinyl albums kicking around the house that have no value to them (sentimental or otherwise). This vinyl album project puts those records to good use in and around your house plus they also make cool gifts for the music lovers in your life. It’s so versatile and yet so simple but do take care when handling as it does get hot.
What you’ll need:
- An old vinyl record
- A heat proof metal bowl
- Oven mitts
- An oven
Instructions:
Step 1: Set Up Your Mould
Place the heat proof metal bowl upside down in the oven. The rim of the bowl should be face down on the oven rack. Carefully place your vinyl record on top of the bowl so it’s centered.
Step 2: Shape your album
Once your vinyl record is centered on the heat proof metal bowl and in the oven, turn the oven to a temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Set a timer for five minutes and let the record warm in the oven. Check on it after 5 minutes as it may need another minute or two. When the record starts to droop down around the bowl, put on your oven mitts to protect your hands and remove the bowl and album. QUICKLY place the softened vinyl record inside the bowl. Using your hands, shape the softened record to conform to the shape of the bowl. You’ll have less than a minute to do this before the record hardens, so work fast but don’t worry if you miss the mark – you can always place the record back in the oven to soften it again for reshaping.
Step 3: Allow your Album to Cool
Once your vinyl record bowl cools, remove it from the bowl and it’s ready to use. You can use it to hold keys, potpourri, make-up or you can place a doily in the bottom and use it for candy or snacks. It also makes a great planter as it already has a built in hole for drainage. Or you can always just proudly display it on a shelf or hang it on a wall. It’s sure to draw compliments from music lovers!
There you have it. An ecofriendly craft that puts past treasures back in demand and diverts items that might otherwise have wound up in a landfill.
Thanks to ehow.com for this great simple craft.
As an avid junkie, this seems goofy but I do understand the craft of it. However, one suggestion. Those who try this as a means to make it a bowl for candy or peanuts should clean the record with rubbing alcohol (91% is best, although you may bet carded since apparently some use 91% to make meth). If you rinse it with water, I guess that’s fine too, but if a record is bought used from a yard sale or thrift store/charity shop, you don’t know what kind of grit or soot may be in those grooves.
With summer around the corner, also consider putting it in a random hubcap in your yard (for those who may have a yard).