Duct tape, once a stock item of the mulleted ’80s television hero MacGyver, has become a material for the modern-day crafter. If you think that these crafters—edgy, hip, even a little punk—are a marginal group in the grand scheme of all things crafty, think again. Duct tape crafters are part of a whole movement of alternative design that has changed the face of crafting. More traditional crafting groups (knitting circles, for instance), once comprised of Mid-Western grandmothers and church ladies, are now populated by young inner city singles of varying incomes and interests.
While the skill sets of the crafter remain the same, the materials and designs are what define this new breed. The majority of materials they use are found objects, recycled material, and everyday as well as household items. The designs are not too precious, a bit cheeky, sometimes political, sometimes cerebral, but always clever.
Endless Possibilities
To get a sense of duct tape’s possibilities, take a quick look on etsy.com and see the work of a few dozen duct tape crafters. You’ll find handmade wallets, bags, pillows, and flowers, all fashioned out of duct tape. The following examples are some of the inventive items being made from duct tape:
Fish scale bag by Rena, a.k.a spluloacle, on etsy.com. This bag is made from 100 percent duct tape with a magnetic closure.
Red rose barrette by VonDoom on etsy.com. Flower measures three inches in diameter and is made from red duct tape.
Wallets by hilarycs on etsy.com. Printed digital canvas held together with duct tape.
Pillow by CraftyRichela, a.k.a Richela Fabian Morgan—aka ME!—on etsy.com. Up-and-over woven duct tape with cotton lining. Stuffed with Poly-Fil.
Why Use the Duct?
Okay, confession time: I am a duct tape crafter—or a crafter that primarily uses duct tape as a material. I’m absolutely crazy about duct tape. It’s cheap, accessible, and just so darn easy to work with.
As a crafting material, duct tape is a welcome fit. It is accessible and available almost everywhere: hardware stores, dollar or discount stores, and even grocery stores. So for those who don’t live near an arts-n-craft supply shop (or dare walk in one), getting their hands on a roll of duct tape is fairly easy. It’s obviously durable and pliable, since its main function is to cover ducts and pipes. It can be easily cut into whatever shape you desire, whether with a stencil or freehand. And when used as a fabric, it doesn’t require sewing.
