Lorie recently wrote me a email “pitching” me her Rock and Roll Coasters, hand made from old 45 rpm records. I liked the look of these and asked if she could send me sample. She did. It came yesterday: Hey, These are Very Cool — I Like! Click on through for Lorie’s story and how she makes these lovely up-cycled coasters. –>
Lorie wrote:
I would like to submit our handmade 45 rpm drink coasters for your consideration. They are re-purposed, recycled, worn and very cool.
I sold used records for 8 years and 45’s were my specialty. Unfortunately I was sending 100’s of them to the recyclers since they were no longer playable. Wishing there was something I could do with them, I suddenly had the idea that they would be so cool as coasters. After a year or so of trial and error I finally got the finished product I wanted.
The coasters are made from re-purposed 45 rpm vinyl records, cut from a 7 inch record into a 4 x 4 inch square. I include the original iconic yellow adapters in the center. I embed them in thick acrylic epoxy (I don’t use molds) and back them with high quality cork.
Quite a few of the original artists have purchased them from us like Christopher Cross, Bertie Higgins (Key Largo), Jay Ferguson (Thunder Island), Lou Christie, The Association, Pat Boone …
Here is some of our feedback from our shop on Etsy.
“Great product and design. Thanks so much love them all!!!!!”
“Love the coasters…they bring back old memories!!”
“Most awesome coasters ever. seriously. definitely thought about keeping these for myself even though they were a gift.”I’d love for you to check out my shop when you have the time. I think my story and products would be a good fit for your audience.
Sincerely,
Lorie Beshara
Thank you, Lorie. These are so cute. Hey, I could see doing a whole wall — treating them like tiles, they are the perfect size. It would be pricey for me but hey, not for a rocker. Maybe Bruce aka The Boss will read this and order up. Tell him I sent you, and after, I can go to his house to do the story.
I received Peggy Lee singing Winfield Scott’s “Sweetheart.” Did you choose that special for me? Thank you!
Folks, these would make nifty Valentine’s Day presents… You can buy the coasters either individually, and there are also some boxed sets.
Chelsea says
super cool!
Lee says
I loved these. I bought four this morning for a Birthday gift! I put together a Rat Pack set…
kathy martin says
I think the coasters are great. I love them.
Daniel miles says
its kinda sad that the record are being cut up because i would still buy those and pay them on my turntable.
pam kueber says
Daniel — like Lorie said, there are so many, they were going to recycling!
Touble aka Shane says
Not only that, but she mentioned that these are too scratched to play well. I collect 45s from the golden age od Doo Wop, and I try to keep all that I can regardless of condition. There’s nothing on her site that is rare at all, so playable copies can be easily found.
Nina462 says
As a hint for a future project – I have seen albums molded into bowls, as well.
Jeanne says
I have one of those that a friend of mine made me for Christmas last year. She used one of those big taco salad bowl shell molds, so it’s wavy. I really like it.
Those coasters are nice! If I didn’t already have some flamingo ones, I would order some. 🙂
ryan says
These are awesome. Thanks so featuring them!!
Wendy M says
What a fun product (and a great way to re-purpose!) I like that there is such a variety of artists and eras available. I’m tempted to buy some that fit the era of my home…
Touble aka Shane says
These are actually really kool – prob one of the neatest ideas for “repurposing” I have seen. I have 6 coasters on order now!
pam kueber says
Yay, Trouble!
Jill says
Cool! Nicely recrafted. When I’m feeling flush I might get some.
I am bemoaning the loss of the last “record” store my teenage daughter could ride her bike to.
Sure she has an ipod…but there is nothing like the happy hours spent flipping through cover art…even if it it is only CD sized.
pam kueber says
Alas, yes, another experience our kids won’t have. I have never been that much into music, but even i LOVED going to the record store to mill around and flip through all the albums. Album art!
Janice says
How very clever. I can see buying quite a few of these for stocking stuffers and other gifts. Thanks for the tip Pam and nice work Lorie.
pam kueber says
Yes! A Perfect stocking stuffer!