Duct Tape Flowers

Isn’t tape for sticking things to…things? Why not stick it to itself too?! Use duct tape for this artistic project to create a beautiful flower!

Tools the artist will need:

Duct Tape (or electrical tape like in the picture)

A Ruler

Scissors

A Pen

And of course, an artist to create this beautiful flower!

Step 1: Creating the Stem.

• Measure the pen with the ruler. Remember this measurement!

• Use the scissors to cut a piece of tape using this measurement.

• Wrap the piece of tape around the pen so that the whole body of the pen is covered. You’ve created the stem!

Step 2: Making the Petals. (About 20-40)

• First, unroll some duct tape sticky side up, so it doesn’t get stuck to your workplace.

• Use a ruler to measure a square based on the width of the tape (a smidge less than 2 inches for duct tape). Just as long as the dimensions are close to equal, it will work perfectly! Mark the measured spot with the pen stem.

• Cut off a square of tape according to your marked spot. Step ‘A’ in the picture.

• Next, fold the top right corner toward the bottom left corner leaving a fingertip’s worth of sticky tape available for future folds. There should be about ½ an inch of sticky left over on the left side and the bottom of this (almost) triangle. This is step ‘B’ in the picture.

• Finally, fold the top left corner toward the bottom right corner leaving the bottom ½ inch strip of sticky still sticky (this is what will attach the petal to the base)! Step ‘C’ in the picture.

Step 3: Attach the petals and watch your flower grow!

• Find your stem!

• Hold the petal as if you’re presenting the flower to your audience, with the sticky side (the base) closest to the floor and the pointy side closest to the ceiling.

• Now, find the top of your stem and wrap the base of the petal around the stem.

• Finally, continue attaching one petal at a time making sure it only slightly overlaps the petal right before. Eventually the petals will overlap, but not for awhile!

Side notes:

If you don’t have duct tape, try another kind of tape! Your flower may be a different size and a little flimsier, but all flowers are different so it is A-OK!

Depending on which way the ink part of the pen is pointing, the pointy part can either be the stamen, or used to write! Oh, in case you were wondering (or didn’t already know)…the ‘stamen’ is the part of the flower that produces pollen!

Change it up!

For a change of scenery, try different patterned tape, or tapes. For a change in size, try adding more petals. These changes allow for an exciting variety of colors and shapes making your flower wondrously wild! Enjoy!