YALS TEEN PROGRAMMING IDEAS PROGRAM TITLE: Duct Tape Crafts BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Let your imagination run wild as you make anything from coasters to clothing using only duct tape. MATERIALS NEEDED: Duct tape, patterns for craft projects (optional), scissors (non stick scissors work best but are quite expensive, $14 and up, I buy them with discount coupons from craft stores and have acquired a few more pairs each year as my programs grow. I have been told that if you use regular scissors, have baby oil handy to wipe off the glue as they get sticky). COST: Duct tape, $3.50 per roll. Amount needed depends on craft chosen. PROGRAM PROCEDURE: *Duct tape comes in many colors, purchase tape as needed for project chosen. Not all duct tape is created equal, some is very sticky and hard to unroll or very flimsy and stretchy. I usually use “duck tape” brand. *I like to have one roll of tape and one pair of scissors for every two participants. Kids can work in pairs to measure and cut duct tape. Kids can trade colors with other people as needed. The first year I bought a few giant rolls of duct tape because it is cheaper to buy big quantities. The logjam of people waiting to use it was a nightmare, as is the case if you don’t have many pairs of scissors and there is a bottleneck of people waiting to cut their tape. *Patterns for projects can be found online or in books. You can specify a specific project or projects for everyone to do and go through the process step by step or, if you like a bit of chaos, you can do what I do and demonstrate the basic procedure for constructing with duct tape and let them make whatever they want. *The basic starting point for many projects is to make a “sheet” by cutting strips of tape to the size needed and slightly overlapping them sticky side up until you have a sheet the size needed. Repeat the process with tape sticky side down and you have a durable piece of material that can be cut to any size and shape without fraying. Use other colors to make appliqués to decorate projects. Tape can be folded or rolled to make narrow handles, jewelry, pockets… Attach folded sheet, multiple sheets, handles, pockets etc. using more duct tape. The possibilities are endless USEFUL PLANNING RESOURCES FOR LIBRARIANS: Got Tape?:Roll Out the Fun With Duct Tape! By Ellie Schiedermayer (the very best book I have found on the subject, recommended) RELATED MATERIALS FOR DISPLAY /RESOURCE LIST FOR TEENS: I use this program to highlight craft and decorating books of interest to teens. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: My program lasts 1 ½ hours but can be any length depending on project chosen. Another program idea is “Duct Tape Halloween Costumes”. There are great costume ideas online and in the book The Original Duct Tape Halloween Book by Jim Berg and Tim Nyberg. CONTACT INFORMATION OF LIBRARIAN SUBMITTING PROGRAM: Amy Friedman, Hills Memorial Library 18 Library St. Hudson, NH 03051 afriedman@hillsml.lib.nh.us (603) 8866030 ext. 26