We get our inspiration for duct tape purses from quite a few places, but the best sources of ideas come from two email subscriptions.  Fab.com sends us a daily email with photos of things on sale in their store, and there is an eclectic mix of anything and everything you might love — plates, t-shirts, lamps, furniture and … purses. Myhabit.com focuses on fashion, so we see a lot of clothing and accessories from them.

One we really liked is this one: Ladies First Office Bag Taupe by Hester van Eeghen | All leather | Buy it here if you’re rich!  We made our own prototype to see how it might look in duct tape, and loved the result.

When it comes to purses and wallets, we’re still seeing a lot of color blocking but we’re also seeing a big shift from large, baggy purses to a cleaner, straighter look. Everything looks very precise and almost robotic, only with lots of color. If you’d like to see the other purses, you can sign up through our link: http://fab.com/3dl1as

We looked around for some fun and we found this adorable duck made by Instructable’s sheparticular. She punched a hole in it and attached it to the bath plug with a chain, and it floats! DUCT TAPE TUB STOPPER

We’ve been seeing a lot of duct tape art lately — recreating famous art pieces or coming up with originals. Mark Khaisman has learned how to layer the clear duct tape so that it turns into art when light turns on behind it. Amazing…. DUCT TAPE ART BY MARK KHAISMAN

If you love to teach other kids how to do what you do with duct tape, chances are that your local library might be interested in letting you give a class on it. Here’s a story about one kid who happened to be in the right place at the right time. DUCT TAPE WORKSHOP AT THE LIBRARY

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We always like to promote the hard work of duct tape lovers, especially those among us who go the extra mile and set up shop, so here’s another website shoutout.

This is a new site from DT Crafts — a girl who loves everything to do with duct tape. She’s still working on uploading pics, but until she does, we have two samples of her work to show off — a luggage tag and a wallet.

She can make anything; just let her know what you’d like and in which colors. Some of her suggestions are:

Folders, Bracelets, Headbands, Shoelaces, Pencil Pouches, Clutches, Roses/Flowers, Wallets, Pencil Cup, Tote Bag.

Here’s her price list. Her prices are extremely affordable. Visit her website here.

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It’s time to make your duct tape Easter egg basket! We found a few links to help you along.

With coat hangers and duct tape

With plastic pail, fabric and duct tape (Couldn’t get a pic of this one, but click on the link to see it.)

With a balloon and duct tape

Just duct tape

 Have fun!

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By Connie Hilton, Duct Tape Artist and Instructor of BTC Duct Tape Escape

I first learned about making things out of duct tape about a year ago. One of my best friends posted on her Facebook page that she was making a Hello Kitty duct tape purse. I had never heard of such a thing and asked her about it. She told me that duct tape came in many different colors and that people were making all sorts of things out of it. She told me to go to YouTube and look it up. I did and I was instantly hooked (or if you prefer, stuck) on it.

Duct Tape Artistry has become my passion. I create many of my own designs and have even begun teaching duct tape artistry classes in a number of different locations near my home. Most of my projects and the projects I teach have been limited to making different kinds of purses, flowers, and wallets but I am always looking for new things to try.

One of the things that I have wanted to try is decorating a room with duct tape. I wanted to do it so that the duct tape was there but the non-duct-tape artist wouldn’t be able to tell that the room was decorated with duct-tape-covered things. I have been collecting my ideas for a while now and I wanted to share them with you.

The Problem: Need to update the décor in your room but don’t have a lot of money.

The Solution: A couple rolls of duct tape and items from your local thrift store to create a whole new look that adds color and style to your room.

The first thing that you want to do is make a plan. Take a look around your room. What things do you want to replace? What do you want to keep? Is there anything you need?  Based on these questions make a list, then select a couple of duct tape colors that you think will fit in with your room and the items you are keeping. I chose black, zebra stripe, and pink zebra stripe for my colors.

Now the fun begins. Go to your local thrift store. Look for the items that will fit your needs based on finding items that could easily be covered with duct tape. I chose items that have smooth surfaces and/or sharp corners that would be easiest to cover.  As I looked through the house wares and furniture sections, I also made sure to keep an open mind. I tried to look for new ways to use items that I found. I also didn’t dismiss an item because it was ugly, scratched, or the wrong color. After all, once the duct tape was in place you wouldn’t be able to tell what the original item looked like anyway.

I went to a couple of different stores looking for the items on my list. I didn’t get discouraged when I didn’t find exactly what I wanted. This is mostly because I knew that I could just try to make items that I couldn’t find. I also wasn’t discouraged because the more I shopped the more ideas I got.

I used approximately 4 rolls of duct tape to complete the entire list of projects. It took me about 8 hours. Here are the ideas that I had and the cost I paid for each item at the thrift store.

Throw Pillow: $1.00

I covered the throw pillow with Pink Zebra Stripe on one side and Zebra Stripe on the other.

Stationary Set Box: 60¢

I covered this stationary box to hold my Kindle. On the back I made a tab with duct tape and Velcro dots to hold the power cord.

Mail Holder: $1.00

I just covered it. It could be used for mail but I am going to use it to store my cell phone, MP3 player, and their power cords. It will be attached to the wall near a power source to use as a charging station.

Tissue Box Cover: $1.00

Covered.

Wine Bottle Gift Box: 60¢

I covered this wine bottle gift box to use as a place to store my brush, combs, and curling iron on my dresser.

Drinking Glass (Vase): 30¢

I just added a little black border at the top and the bottom of the glass and filled it with flowers that I made.

Memory Board: $0.00

I took two pieces from a cardboard box and taped them together one on top of the other. Then I covered the whole thing in pink and white zebra stripe squares.  I then made the duct tape “ribbons” by taping two pieces of tape together and cutting it in half. It is finished off with a black border.

Double Decker Jewelry Tree: $0.00

I used a 3 paper towel tubes, a toilet paper tube, an empty duct tape roll, and hot glue to create jewelry tree for all my bracelets and necklaces.  Necklaces go on the top and bracelets on the bottom. It could also be used for hair bands. Note: I added a bottom to the duct tape roll and filled it with decorative rocks to add weight so it wouldn’t tip over when I put jewelry on it.

Other Supplies I Had On Hand
Decorative Rocks
Straws
Pipe Cleaners
Jeweled Brads

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We were sent a link to this video which made us laugh, and we always love to spread a laugh. Enjoy!

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