Quick Crafts with Metal Tape

Ever see a craft online that you just HAVE to try right now?

That was the case when my friend Renee sent me this video on using metal tape for mixed media scrapbooking art:

[video link] 

And in case you can't watch that where you are, here's Rachel's finished product:

SO COOL.

The best part is all you really need is metal tape, something to put it on, and a little craft paint - so you might already have everything you need in the garage, like I did:

I decided to test this out on a little cardboard gift box, since I'm not really into scrapbooking or paper art. I had a set of plastic clock numbers left over from... something... so I grabbed a couple of those to give my box lid that fun embossed look:

THE ANSWER.  :)

I also added a few squares of that drywall seam tape to the corners, since John had a roll on hand. In retrospect, though, I don't think I would have used it - or at least not symmetrically. (I reeeeally struggle with making things look random. Symmetry is a cruel mistress, you guys.)

Of course, you can put all kinds of things under the metal tape for the embossed look: papercraft silhouettes, letters, thin metal gears or charms, or heck, you could even write out some words using hot glue for a messy, hand-written look. SO MANY FUN OPTIONS.

I started by covering my numbers with a large square of metal tape, and then used my fingers and a plastic clay tool to help push the tape down:

If you use a tool, be careful not to scratch the tape with the tool's plastic seams. (Heed my voice of experience on that one...)

Next it was just a matter of covering the whole box with squares and random strips:

This tape is actually pretty durable, but I pressed a little too hard between the numbers and ripped a small hole. OOPS. Not to worry, though: the paint will cover that later.

Now the fun part: adding "rivets":

I used that plastic tool to press the points in, but a toothpick or pencil point would work just as well.

When you're done adding all the texture you want, brush on a layer of flat black craft paint, making sure to get in all the cracks and rivet holes:

... then immediately wipe the paint off again with a dry paper towel. (If the paint sticks or starts to dry too fast, use a little water. It also helps to work in small sections.)

Here's a comparison of the finished lid to the un-painted bottom:

Pretty cool, right?

And now, the finished box!

To make my numbers really stand out, I stippled more black paint around the edges with a stiff brush.

Here's the finished side:

I love that this looks like metal... because it IS metal. Can't wait to do more projects with it!

(The tape is so thin my box lid still fits fine, btw, and it doesn't scratch the bottom half.)

At this point you could add some rust-orange paint in spots, or use the Rub n' Buff stuff Rachel did in her video, but I kinda like it just grungy silver:

Oh! And here's what my friend Renee did:

She cut the letters using her Cricut machine. Brilliant.

I especially love her sides, though; those riveted strips really sell the whole look.

Keep in mind this metal tape is extremely easy to scratch, scar, and bend, so if you want to use it to cover boxes or books or other items, make sure they're decorative things that aren't handled much. (I'm currently eying everything in my house, trying to decide what I'll cover next. Ha!)

You can also help camouflage future dents and dings by really beating up your tape before painting it: the more blackened texture there is, the less likely you are to notice new scratches.

I hope this inspires some of you! Happy crafting!

(And if you try this, be sure to share a pic on the Epbot FB page, so the rest of us can see!)


Update: The metal tape I'm using here is also called metal repair/aluminum foil tape, and I found some at Wal-Mart for only $7.50 a roll. Hope that helps!

*****

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