Recycled CD-Clocks From Acorn Studios

The cracked effect can also be produced by placing a CD in a microwave oven for about 2-3 seconds. (Any longer than that and it won't get any more crackly, just a lot more stinky)

Google for "microwave cd" or something similar for other descriptions of this phenomenon.
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TreeHugger recommends NOT doing this at home. There is a risk of damage to the microwave from reflected energy, release of hazardous vapors, and possibly fire.

Depending on the difficulty of inserting the clock I and a monkey could make 300 of these a day. I like the idea that someone is finally making more then wind chimes out of microwaved cd's but the description is rediculous

The microwave thing is exactly what they're doing. My brother had a set of coasters like this 15 years ago.
Neat, but I'd be embarassed to sell these. Anyone can do this - they could even recycle the movement from an ugly old clock and make it 100% recycled, instead of only half.

Ahahahahaha. "Created by hand using three discs, each clock undergoes a heating and cooling process to create the unique iridescent cracked effect on the surface." God, market speak alarm activated!

I like them - and at that price it is hardly worth making my own, and risking the microwave. Even if they are easy to make - and I am not convinced they are, but hey what do I know? Nice to see a use for these CD's that AOL seem to think we need every week.

I have already placed my order.

I think these are great and I've personally got better things to do in my life than heat up, cool and repeat! I've dealt with Acorn Studies in the past and will use them again. And as for the marketing speak, why not - you need to sell your goods!!

ooh. i love these almost as much as the circuitboard clock!!

I agree with the person above. I would rather just buy the cds than make them and risk the microwave. Although you could paint your own design on them and attach a clock kit!

There are millions of things that "I and a monkey could make" but do we have the time, or the inclination. Thank goodness for people like Acorn coz they use things we just chuck away. I love the circuit board clock too.

How do we know these CDs are actually "being rescued from a life in the landfill" and not being bought in 100-packs from Amazon? I'm not convinced of the merit of this product.

Congrats Treehugger for featuring www.acornstudios.ca

Jared if you have questions about the integrity of her products, send her an email and ask her.

Jared, I have been following the success of Acorn Studios from its conception and there's no way the company ethics would allow the Cds to be "bought in 100 packs from Amazon" And anyway, why bother, when there are so many free CDs given out that are going to waste these days? At least someone is making use of them to create beautiful designs.

I happen to know the maker of these clocks and can tell you that in no way would they ever consider buying new CD’s when there are thousands being discarded everyday. Coming from a background of Waste Management they are passionate about recycling.

I personally think the clocks are great.

I thought it was important to questions these green statements rather than take them on face value. I did email the company after posting and received a response that seemed satisfactory enough for me to believe they are indeed coming from recycled sources. None of that actually addresses the issue of whether or not buying these clocks somehow reduces waste, but I'm not on a mission to badmouth this product. The blue one actually looks rather nice in a Make Magazine sort of way.

i love you abbi