DIY Project: Vinyl Record Bookends

via treetrunkwise.blogspot.com
I was searching online looking for creative bookends and came upon recycled vinyl records. I found this how-to tutorial and thought I'd share it w/ you!

I'm gonna try making some this weekend:)

Supplies:
-Flat rectangular cake pan (wide enough to hold the width of the vinyl record)
-Boiling water in a kettle or saucepan for easy pouring.
-Flat, sturdy tool (this will vary a bit, but I found the PERFECT tool in a little 8"x8" bamboo cutting board. you want your tool to be wide enough to flatten the bottom of your bookend out and sturdy enough to apply some weight.)



1. Choose a record you don't mind never listening to again- actually you'll need two if you are making a set. For this tutorial I'll be using Sting: Dream of the Blue Turtles. Do not use a Sting album unless you have a duplicate (as I did), or unless it is scratched beyond playing. I just can't condone that kind of irresponsible wastefulness. I love Sting, what.


2. Decide which side of the record label you'd like to display on the outside of your bookend (favorite songs, cool artwork, etc)
3. Set the cake pan on a flat, sturdy surface like the kitchen counter or a dining table, and leave some room to one side to use as a clean work space.
4. Hold the record upright in the cake pan. Make sure the side of the record you want to be on the outside of the bookend is facing away from your tool. *If you are going to hold the record in your left hand while working with a tool in the right hand, the label should be to your left- facing away from the tool. Also, check to make sure the words or picture on the label are at the correct angle- Just because the label you're looking at on the front side of the record is right-side up, doesn't mean that's the case with the label on the other side!



5. While holding the record upright, slowly begin pouring boiling water over the bottom half of the record, filling the pan an inch or so. (Make sure the water is boiling.)


6. The record should begin to soften almost immediately. Gently press the record downward into the pan until the point where you'd like the crease to be- usually just below the label is enough. This way you have plenty underneath for holding books, but your whole label can show on the outside of the bookend.


7. When the bottom (wet side) of the record is very soft and floppy, immediately place it on your counter workspace, still holding the top part upright with the bottom part bent at a right angle on the table. Use your tool like a squeegee to flatten and smooth the bottom of the record and the crease to a good right angle with a flat surface. Work quickly, as the record will begin to harden again as soon as it's out of the boiling water.



8. Once the record has cooled, towel dry it completely and test it out with some books. If the angle or flatness needs correcting, repeat the process.