My son started collecting record albums a few months ago thanks to his awesome teacher who also collects albums and brought them in to share with the class. That, combined with his discovery of my old albums in the basement (Elvis, baby!) spurred on a lust for LP's.
We were doing a search on the internet last week to find out how albums were made and came across a site flilled with images of art created using old albums - sculptures, clocks, lamps, statues - but what really intrigued me was the bowl made from an album. Kind of artsy yet completely utilitarian, we decided to give it a go. The results were fantastic.
Here's how you and your kids can turn old albums into one-of-a-kind art, and have one less thing going to the landfill.
Items Needed:
- vinyl record album
- two oven safe bowls
- baking sheet
- oven mitts
- an oven
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Clean the album and making sure it's free of dust and dirt.
Step 2: Place an oven safe bowl upside down on the baking sheet and balance the album on top. Place in oven.
Step 3: Heat the album for two to three minutes - time will vary depending on your oven but when the album is floppy, it's ready to be taken out.
Step 4: This is where you have to work fast as the vinyl starts to harden as soon as soon as it begins to cool so have the second bowl on the counter waiting. Using the oven mitts, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Place the soft, floppy album into the bowl and start molding it into the shape you want. Be as creative as you'd like - there's no right or wrong.
This is a kid-friendly project depending on the kid. My older son had no problem molding his bowls but younger kiddo needed help as he felt the album was too hot to touch. Remember to work fast.
Note: If the album hardens before you're finished, you can put it back into the oven to soften it up a bit. Just be sure to always use an oven safe bowl.
Voila! You are now the proud owner of a unique hand crafted bowl.
My boys both have two bowls in each of their rooms filled with crayons, art supplies and as a place to keep the odds and ends that always ended up all over their dressers and drove me absolutely insane.
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