Design & Lifestyle...

Not to sound like a broken record, but cool new items can always be made from old junk, even from a recycled record. Crafty people have long been making bowls by melting platters, and directions can be found here.

If you're not the crafting type, Uncommon Goods (which has a history of carrying recycled crafty products) sells an LP snack tray, record bowls, record coasters, a record cuff bracelet, a clock made from a 45, and a photo frame made from an LP. Although for what they charge for some of these, I'd be inclined to hit a garage sale, get some Ray Conniff albums, and attempt to make my own.

Naturally, you shouldn't throw out the sleeve the vinyl rested in all those years. Maybe the sleeve is a work of art, or just sentimental: You can make it into a bag or hang it in a record frame on the wall. Ready-made record-sleeve bags can be bought here, or this site has suggestions for making your own.

On the ready-made front, Uncommon Goods sells a popular wallet made from old record covers. And Steve Jerman transforms record covers into super cool journals--I am loving the one made from Herb Alpert's ubiquitous Whipped Cream and Other Delights [pictured--unfortunately on the rear view, check the site to see the front]. At $14 a pop, the journals might be the best deal of the crafts listed here.

That's just the tip of the iceberg...Google around for more ideas on reusing and upcycling this abundant resource.