Duck Tape Creations Lindsey Meeks
A lot of designers create objects that are also meant to be useful. You’re in a unique position: the raw material that you use is a symbol for bare-bones utility, but you transform it into unique functional items. Let’s talk a little about the intersection between art and utility… The way I look at it, who said duct tape could only be used to fix things, and who said art has to hang on a wall? I love to be different and am always thinking outside the box. With other materials, options are limited as far as what you can create, in addition to functionality. With duct tape, I can make anything (accessories, purses, wallets, hair items, home decorations, flowers, etc.) and it will not only look great, but also be fully functional. There are endless options which allow my creativity to run wild. Everything is 100 percent customizable.
What’s the difference between duct tape and duck tape? Duck Brand is the company that makes the first type of tape that I worked with, which is why I call my company Duck Tape Creations. different brands now, but it’s all duct tape!
I also use
What inspired you to start working with duct tape? I went to the store one day looking for something to buy with my “store cash” when I came across the duct tape section and fell in love. I had no idea that it came in so many colors, and I immediately wanted to do something with it. I came home, watched a few tutorials on how to do the basics. Over time I experimented until I found my own style and technique that didn’t look like anyone else’s. I started making things that I wanted, but couldn’t find. Once complete, I posted the finished products on Facebook to show my friends. Everyone went crazy and begged me to sell them. So in a way, my Facebook friends are the ones to thank for all of this!
Your preferred medium is certainly unusual – what are the benefits? I love the freedom of it. Duct tape can be whatever you want it to be. After you get used to the stickiness, it’s just like working with fabric, only easier, because there’s no sewing involved. I like that it’s okay if you mess up because unlike other materials, you don’t have to start over… just stick on another piece of tape and you’re back on track!
Do you work from patterns or design from intuition? Do you see the finished product in your mind? It really all depends on the item. Sometimes I know exactly what I want to do, and can sit down and make it just as I envisioned. Other times, the creation happens by accident, and ends up being a best seller. Then I have to go back and figure out how I did it originally! On average, each item takes about 2-4 hours to complete, but depending on the design, it can sometimes take a couple days.
What’s the most unusual and/or interesting piece that you’ve ever created? I’m working on a corset now, but due to other orders, I haven’t been able to work on it that much. I’m always looking at items in daily life and thinking to myself, I can make that out of tape! I have a never ending list of things that I want to try when I finally have some time.
Are duct tape items actually durable? Very. My personal purse, wallet, and business card holder are all made of duct tape and I’ve had no problems at all. I utilize my sewing background when creating each piece so they last as long as possible. My biggest pet peeve is purchasing something and two weeks later, it’s already trash. I like my work to last as close to forever as possible – or at least until you’re ready to move on. I mean after all, it is duct tape!
20 | Pulse Magazine SWFL
Your motivation for creating is very personal. Please tell readers how your mother inspires your art. My mother, Patty Ziton, is the reason I’m doing this – she recently passed away from a rare form of breast cancer on 11/24/10. She was the most amazing artist, and had the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known. When everyone started asking me to sell my duct tape creations, I figured that since my mother gave me artistic talent and always wanted me to do something with it, I would use it now to honor her. I want to make her proud, so I take extra time and put extra love into every piece because it represents her. It’s not my name I want people to remember, it’s hers.
I understand that you had a goal to purchase a memorial bench in her honor... how is that project going? Yes, I’m using ALL of the proceeds to purchase a Memorial Bench by the beach in her honor. She loved the beach and loved the moon, so it will be an awesome place for her to be remembered. I started fundraising about three months ago and have collected almost $1,000. Business has been so amazing lately that I was able to move my goal for her bench up a few months – from her birthday on February 22nd to her one year anniversary on November 24th. Then, the city lowered the price of buying a bench in somebody’s honor, which means I DID IT! She will have the memorial she deserves. The bench will be located at the south end of the pond in Lowdermilk Park. We hope to have it installed by her one year anniversary. Erin Maloney with WINK News will be doing a follow up story once the bench is in place.
Is there anything else that you’d like to add? I would just like to thank Pulse Magazine SWFL and everyone else who has supported me and my mom along this journey. If all goes as planned with Duck Tape Creations (DTC), now that I’ve got my mother’s bench I want to start a foundation to help lower income cancer patients. If business keeps up, and I can keep up with business, I’m confident that I can do it. I would also like to use my talents to start an art program for local children, teaching that anything can be used to create art with imagination and a little guidance. Even though they are young, children can still make a difference. Along with half the proceeds from DTC, items made in the program will be auctioned off to help fund both the program and the foundation, in my mother’s honor, of course. I know that I have big dreams, but there’s no reason why we all can’t lend a hand to make a difference.
If people want to know more, where can they go? Right now Facebook is my website -
Facebook.com/DuckTapeCreations. Or interested readers can email
DuckTape.Creations@
yahoo.com.
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