Duct tape: The must-have back-to-school item not on your list
By Aimee Heckel
Ask 10-year-old Jocelyn Sauceda what she wanted for her recent birthday, and she’ll tell you duct tape. What kind of folders she wants for the new school year? Folders covered in duct tape. A pencil box? Duct taped. The Colorado kid even puts duct tape on her duct tape (“accent pieces,” she explains).
Indeed, duct tape is no longer the ugly silver tape your dad fixed your bike with that socially mortified you as a kid.
Duct tape is a fashion trend, at least for some kids.
You might not traditionally put Ace Hardware on your back-to-school shopping list, but for modern students, Jocelyn says it’s a must-have. Here are some of our favorite creative duct tape products, projects (er, “duckivities”) and how to save money on this quirky trend.
Endless patterns
This is “Duck Tape” with mustaches printed on it.
The shelves at Ace Hardware are lined with every pattern of duct tape imaginable: pink and green zig-zags, Hello Kitty, argyle, flowers, penguins, pink animal print, black and white checkered — even mustache print. Each roll will total you $3.
Save money
Save money by buying them online and using some of the 40-plus Ace Hardware coupons. Save the most money by combining the coupons with 3 percent Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com.
The details
They call it “tapeffiti.” That’s like graffiti with tape. You can find tape of all sizes, colors and patterns in special kits, like this Tapeffiti handbag design kit on sale for $15 at Justice. Or pick up a 30-pack of skinny duct tape accent pieces at Justice on sale for $14.40. If you don’t know why a kid would need accent duct tape, read on.
The crafts
Turns out, you can make pretty much anything, short of a working car, with duct tape. From duct tape bangles (instead of pre-made bracelets from the store), flip-flops, cell phone cases — oh man, the list never stops.
A duct tape pencil case.
For back-to-school, you can find YouTube videos on how to make a duct tape folder. Read up on how to make a pencil case, a refurbished three-ring binder, a backpack and personalized pencils.
Some students even make duct-tape prom dresses.
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