Brooklyn based Vinylux fashions tableware from old records. Artist Jeff Davis started hand?making these symmetrical, stepped bowls from non-playable LPs as part of his graduate thesis project. The product has taken off in such a big way that Vinylux has blossomed into a full-scale sustainable design business. His fabrication process keeps the original label intact by protecting it with a clear seal. Vinylux is a recent recipient of an International Design Resource Award for excellence in eco-friendly, sustainable design. The company should win an award for fair pricing as well, as these LP bowls are only $14 from Vivavi. That’s less than you would likely pay for a playable LP!
For those DIY types out there (and I know there are lots of you) ? you can make your own record bowl in your own oven, if you so desire. Just make sure to use an old Billy Joel LP rather than the Beatle’s Butcher Cover album. And don’t expect it to turn out as pristine and symmetrical as the Vinylux version. Apparently there is a lot of shrinkage in process. Readymade Magazine has a detailed description on how to make a bowl out of your old LP:
1. Choose an LP with a colorful label ? preferably one you don’t ever want to hear again.
2. Clean the LP with soap and water; dry well.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
4. Lightly oil one side of the LP (peanut oil is preferable, but any oil will do).
5. Place the LP oiled-side-down on the cookie sheet.
6. Set timer for 1 minute and 35 seconds.
7. Put the cookie sheet into the oven and start the timer.
8. After 45 seconds, flip the LP over so it heats evenly.
9. When the time is up, take the LP off of the cookie sheet and begin molding, turning up the sides to create a wavy bowl shape. The bowl should not be too hot; if it is, wearing gloves does the trick. (Caution: Do not wear plastic gloves.) You have only 20 to 30 seconds of playtime to shape the bowl, so be nimble.
10. If your bowl looks funky, put it back in the oven for another 10 to 15 seconds. That will give you more playtime.
11. If your bowl is still lopsided, put the LP back in the oven until it wilts into its original flat form and start again.
The finished product will be smaller than you might expect. In-house research has shown that three bananas, one large apple, or four heads of garlic will fit into the average bowl.
Sounds like shrinky-dinks! I can’t wait to try this.
fun reuse of a toxic material that would otherwise end up incinerated (making its way all the way to the poles), or in our groundwater under landfills…
This is so fun I love it, but how does one make a stepped bowl?
This is not a good idea to use for very many things. It’s even noted in another post—toxic material—these discs will emit hydrochloric acid, moreso if you expose it to ANY light or heat it up when you melt it. Do you really want to eat or store anything in this?
[...] one, you can make kitschy bowls. Following some simple instructions, one can pop an unwanted LP into the oven for a few moments and [...]