Flagler County Public Library
Young Adult Department
Palm Coast, FL
sfiske@flaglercounty.org
ATC Workshop
(Artist Trading Card)
Duct Tape Workshop For Teens,
Tweens & Adults
Imagination is a great stepping
stone to many of life’s adventures.
Why Creative Art Is
Important For Teens
1. It is an outlet for self-expression.
Connect with their inner self - this is who I am and how I
feel.
2. It provides the freedom to problem-solve.
To figure out things, make their own mistakes and
decisions.
3. It helps teens to feel more connected to their peers.
Gives them a sense of independence – can do things
on their own.
4. Can also provide an opportunity to mentor their peers.
Be a workshop leader.
Reference source: http://www.suite101.com/parentingteens
Artist Trading Cards
For Teens, Tweens (11+) & Adults
What are Artist Trading Cards?
Artist Trading Cards or ATCs are miniature works of art about the
size of a playing or baseball card – 2 ½” x 3 ½” inches.
They developed out of the mail art movement and has its origins
in Switzerland. The cards are traded rather than sold.
What is mail art? It is a worldwide cultural movement that began in
the early 1960s and involves sending visual art (but also music,
sound art, poetry, etc.) through the international postal system.
Mail Art is also known as Postal Art or Correspondence Art.
Cards are created using various forms of art medium – pencils,
pens, markers, watercolor, acrylic paints. This also includes paper
cutouts from magazines and wrapping paper, even feathers, glitter,
and any tiny object - whatever the card creator artistically
visualizes. There is no limit to one‘s imagination.
EXPRESS YOURSELF!
CREATE A HOLDER FOR YOUR CARDS
THE HOLDERS SHOWN BELOW ARE MADE FROM RECYCLED HARDCOVER
BOOKS. THE BEST PLACE TO FIND ONE IS AT YOUR FRIENDS BOOK SALE!
Apply acrylic paint to cover
using a foam brush
Let dry and decorate!
Fold pages into
pockets or cut recycled
envelopes to hold cards.
MAKE POCKETS FOR THE INSIDE OF
YOUR FOLDER TO HOLD CARDS
#1
#2
Fold book pages to form
a triangle pocket (1),
sealing the bottom with
glue.
You can also create one
out of a recycled
envelope (2) and gluing
or stitching it to the
page.
HAVING FUN WITH DUCT TAPE!
THE ORIGIN OF DUCT TAPE
According to www.duckbrand.com, the official website for the product
duct tape, it all began during World War WWII. “There was a need for a
strong, flexible, durable, waterproof tape that could seal canisters, repair
cracked windows, repair trucks and help the war effort in general.
Permacell, a division of the Johnson and Johnson Company, stepped up
to this challenge.
Using medical tape as a base, they applied two new technologies.
Polycoat adhesives gave the tape its unshakable stick and polyethylene
coating allowed them to laminate the tape to a cloth backing, making it
extremely strong and flexible. The resulting tape was nicknamed ‘Duck
Tape’ for its ability to repel water, while ripping easily into strips for fast
convenient use. After the war the tape was put to more civilian use of
holding ducts together. So the product changed from a nameless army
green tape to the familiar gray duct tape.”
More than 50 years later, the brand now offers over twenty different
colors and patterns, and teens and adults have found creative ways to
make use of the product such as prom outfits. The company sponsors an
annual “Stuck at the Prom” contest for high school couples with a cash
scholarship of $5,000 for first prize.
HOW TO MAKE A
DUCT TAPE BEACH BAG
Materials:
Duct Tape
Scissors
Trash bag
Masking Tape
Patience
Optional: Duck tape sheets to make designs, letters, etc.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Slit the bottom and one side of a large garbage bag. (White bags work best.)
Tape smoothly down on a table, using the masking tape.
Measure a rectangle 30’ x 17” on the garbage bag. (A sharpie pen works best.)
Apply duct tape strips one at a time (sticky side down) overlapping the
rectangle.
5. When finished, untape the bag from the table and flip over to see rectangle
outline.
6. Cut rectangle.
7. Fold the top edges about ½” and put a strip of tape across.
8. Seal each side by folding a strip of duct tape all the way up to the edge.
9. For handle – cut one piece of tape and fold in half. Cut another strip
and attach to the folded tape.
10. Tape handle to the inside of the bag.
HOW TO MAKE A BRAIDED BRACELET
Materials:
Duct Tape
Scissors
Self-adhesive Velcro strips
Patience
1. Measure around your wrist to determine the size of bracelet you need. The
braided duct tape bracelet can fit like a cuff or be as loose as you wish.
2. Cut or tear off a strip of tape in the desired length. Lay it sticky side up on the
table. Tear or cut another piece of tape and place the sticky side on top of the
first piece. (Sticky side to sticky side.)
3. Cut the double-sided tape into three lengthwise ½ inch strips.
4. Cut a 1 ½ inch section of duct tape and lay it sticky side up. Place the three
strips side by side with the tips touching half of the duct tape. Fold over the
remaining half to create an edge for the bracelet.
5. Braid the three strips almost to the end. Take the right strip and cross it over
the middle strip sot it become the middle strip. Now take the left strip and cross
it over the middle strip, so it becomes the new middle strip. Repeat this
alternating strip crossing down the length of the loose tapes, weaving them into
a braid.
6. Leave about a 1 inch section at the end so you can make another edge.
7. Cut a piece of self-adhesive Velcro to fit the width of the bracelet ends and
attach one side to each edge.
Flagler County Public Library
Children’s Department
Palm Coast, FL
towen@flaglercounty.org
Lego Club
American Girl Club
Lego
LEGO IN THE LIBRARY?
PLAY = LEARNING
“There is a strong connection between playing
with Lego and reading. Play contributes to literacy
development by increasing attention span, language
and vocabulary skills and also lays the foundation for
mathematical thinking and problem solving.”
http://www.ala.org/alsc/alscconnectonline/alsconnectonline/alscconarcha/june2010
• Attracts boys to the library who have
outgrown storytime
“Nothing attracts boys like a Lego Club”
July 2009 issue of School Library Journal
cites studies and gives links to Lego resources
www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6666669.html
• Provides girls with an opportunity to “tinker”
and acquire the spatial skills that are
necessary for entering STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/11/11/11damour.h
29.html?tkn=ZMVCglLBjuxMc3wl84paC26kHR5S92w47uh4
http://www.aauw.org/learn/research/upload/whysofew.pdf
• Offers a great multigenerational activity.
Children and adults work creatively together.
Program Parameters
• Age of participants
– Small Lego bricks are a choking hazard for young
children. If program is open to little ones, give
them Duplo blocks and ensure that small bricks
are kept out of reach.
• Theme based or exercise in creativity
Where to get Lego?
• Ask for donations from patrons – they may
have Lego blocks that their children or
grandchildren have outgrown.
• Goodwill or other resale shops
• Stores such as Ross and T. J. Maxx
• Target/Toys R Us with discount coupons
Program Presentation
• Spread Lego blocks on tables to create an
inviting atmosphere.
• Display Lego idea books or books that go
with theme.
American Girl®
Why is the program popular?
Girls love dolls
 Dolls provide an additional element to
hands-on learning. (play = learning)
Program is flexible based on different ages
and learning styles.
Girl time
Extreme fun!
“Engaging stories about girls living at important times in the past–and
dolls standing as tangible symbols of these characters–could breathe life into
history, turning it into something real and personal, something today’s girls
could hold in their hands.” Pleasant T. Rowland, Creator
Benefits
 Increase in literacy skills
 Stronger interest in
reading
 All the girls are strong
role models.
 Camaraderie with other
girls within the group
 Confidence in one’s self
How does our
program work?
At the monthly meeting,
we explore the American
Girl® and her historical
background through:
Food
Games
Readers Theatre
Crafts
and other activities
Does it have to be just history?
Of course not!
Examples
Literacy
Math
Science
Social Skills
And so many more.
In Marie-Grace and Cecile,
learn to read music and some
French.
Felicity or with any of the girls,
friendship
Molly, Gardening, plants,
nutrition
Addy, measure fabric (to make
clothes for your doll)
"If you fill your heart with hate, there's no room for love." Addy’s Momma
What do you need for a successful Club?
Dedicated instructor
And things you probably already have
(books, meeting place, craft items)
Program Presentation
Tables and chairs set up with plates, cups, napkins
and snacks on platters, i.e. red origami heart
napkins on red plates
Music that corresponds to the time period or
function
Books spread out on a table along with
“touchables,” i.e. maps, Chinese fans, recycled art
Most importantly.
if you have fun,
they will too!