Record Bowls

26Have you been wondering how to make Vinyl Record Bowls? Here’s a tutorial for making bowls from Vinyl Records.

The DIY vinyl record bowl is a definite oldie-but-goodie craft project. I made some for Erin’s 80’s Prom Night Birthday Party so I thought why not share the details in case you hadn’t heard. These make great inexpensive party decor, take like 10 minutes to make, and cost 10 cents each, or the price of an old record.
Learn how to make a record bowl after the jump…
How to Make Record Bowls

1. Gather some old records you never want to listen to again, or stopping by the thrift store is always a good choice. It doesn’t matter if they have scratches. Place one record on top of an oven-safe bowl. A ceramic or metal bowl will do.

2. Put it in the oven at about 350 degrees.

Let it sit there for about five minutes or as much as 8-10 minutes. You’ll see it starting to wilt/melt.

Make sure you are working in a well ventilated area  or use a fan to avoid fumes.

3. Take it out of the oven and push the record into the bowl then adjust it till you like the way it’s folding.

Oddly enough, the record won’t really be too hot, I was able to adjust my record folds inside of the bowl with my bare hands (of course, i recommend being logical and wearing an oven mitt):

Let it cool on a oven rack. Take it out. Done. Here’s the final product!

Fill with treats!

Fill with treats! Bubblegum is especially cute! Or they make cool decorative bowls for your coffee table.

More cute ways to use a vinyl record bowl

1. Assemble a gift of concert tickets and band merch in a bowl and wrap with cellophane and a bow.

2. Centerpieces for an 70s or 80s themed birthday party.

3. Use one as a gift basket for a music themed raffle donation.

4. Give a beloved scratched record a second life as home decor.

Need more ideas for your 1980’s themed party?

Make a boombox cake and maybe some smurf cupcakes.

Scatter candy from the 80s like jolly rancher sticks, Swedish fish, and bubble gum.

Set out Vinyl record bowls filled with jelly bracelets for guests to wear and Rubik’s cubes to play with.

Scatter Lisa Frank Stickers and don’t forget tones of Neon, Flamingos and Palm Tree decor.

Ask everyone to dress in 80’s fashion such as harem pants, shoulder Pads, big hair, painter’s caps, Jelly shoes, crop tops, stirrup pants, tube tops, knickers, Swatch watches, lLace gloves, ripped sweatshirts, tights, tracksuits, leg warmers, and tons of color!

Project video from jet 1980’w TV shows like Cheers, The Golden Girls, The A-Team, Knight Rider, Who’s the Boss?, Alf, Miami Vice, Family Ties, MAcGyver, Night Court, The Wonder Years, Different Strokes, Hill street Blues, Married with Children, Growing Pains, Dallas, Full House, The Dukes of Hazard, Safved by the Bell, Three’s Company, M*A*S*H, Happy Days, Remington Steele and Moonighting.

Incorporate posters of 80’s pop-stars like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Wham, New Edition, The Bangles, Run DMC, The Beastie Boys, Tiffany, Whitney Houston, Duran Duran, U2, Cindy Lauper, Culture Club, The Eurythmics, Pet shop boys, The Police, Tears for Fears, The Cure, Bryan Adams, Depeche Mode, R.E.M., The Smiths, A-ha, Olivia Newton John, Bananarama, INXS, Annie Lennox, Journey, Dire Straights, Def Leopard, and the Cars.

Incorporate Posters of 1980’s movies like The Outsiders, The Lost boys, Fatal Attraction, Beetlejuice, Risky Business, The Breakfast Club, Dead Poets Society, Better Off Dead, Flashdance, Revenge of the Nerds, St. Elmo’s Fire, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Porky’s, and Caddyshack.

Looking for additional inexpensive and easy DIY party decorations?

Refresh a boring vase with a gorgeous scrap of fabric https://www.prettyprudent.com/mod-podge-vase-2/

Whip up some ice cream cone balloons with our printable template. https://www.prettyprudent.com/ice-cream-sunday-the-perfect-ice-cream-social-party/

Use our printable template to create Lego Batman cupcake or straw toppers. https://www.prettyprudent.com/the-lego-batman-movie-party-straw-toppers/

Make everything you need for a Unicorn Princess Party. https://www.prettyprudent.com/unicorn-birthday-party/

Originally posted 2010, updated 10/22

by Jaime