Oak Park boy designs in duct tape
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers STICKY FINGERS- Brookside Elementary School student Nathaniel Driggs models personal accessories made from duct tape.

Duct tape isn't just for home repair. The sturdy adhesive tape is known for its ability to fix just about anything, but one Oak Park boy uses the hardy tape to create an endless array of items from party favors and accessories to shoes and backpacks.

Nathaniel Driggs, 10, was inspired to make duct tape products after seeing a friend's sleek wallet creation. "I wanted to make it," he said. "I found out I was good at it."

Besides a wallet, Nathaniel has made visors, shoes, "cootie catcher" puzzles, thank you notes, ties, belts, pencil boxes, basketball hoops, trash cans and an array of games. Many projects were found in the book "Got Tape?: Roll Out the Fun with Duct Tape!" by Ellie Schiedermayer, but Nathaniel took the craze further and designed more wallets and a functional backpack.

"He was just ripping tape," said Nathaniel's mother, Shawna Driggs. "I didn't know what he was doing. He made these big squares and then it turned into a backpack." He even fashioned a mock cellphone to fit into a pocket, she said. Nathaniel uses the backpack on half-day Wednesdays when he carries a lighter load of books and school supplies.

"I don't want it to rip," he said of his frugal use of the shiny gray backpack. Duct tape may have the reputation for strength, but Nathaniel doesn't want to take any chances since the project took him many hours to complete, including the time to design the pattern.

Nathaniel has moved from the classroom to the boardroom with his duct tape projects. He made his father a tie and belt, which he has actually worn to work, and plans to make his 2yearold sister Rachel a bib for Christmas.

Driggs said her son insisted on making party favors for his entire class of 30 children. He made basketball hoops, tic-tac-toe games, and a cup and ball game for his classmates, presenting them on his birthday.

"He worked so hard," Driggs said. "The kids loved it."

While duct tape is inexpensive for typical home repair projects, Nathaniel can rip through a large wheel of tape pretty quickly. At about $8 per roll, he is expected to earn money to maintain his stock.

Driggs said her children are expected to contribute to regular family chores without pay, but they can earn money if they tackle bigger jobs, including cleaning the windows and baseboards, or organizing the bookshelves. Nathaniel bankrolls his hobby by recycling water bottles and soda cans.

As Nathaniel's tape projects became more sophisticated, the need for tape increased. To meet the demand, he upped his recycling income by collecting bottles in his classroom, where his teacher, Cindy Hicks, agreed to allow him to place a recycling bag. Nathaniel collects bottles each week and redeems them at the recycling center. Since his sister Camille helps, Nathaniel splits his profits with her. Driggs said each trip yields about a $10 profit for her children.

"He can earn more recycling than he can with me," Driggs said.

Duct tape comes in a variety of colors and Nathaniel uses them all- green, red, yellow, brown, blue, black and the standard gray variety. He decorates his creations with permanent markers.

As to the complexity level of duct tape projects, Nathaniel said "it's a lot easier than it looks. The hardest thing is, it takes a while to make. You have to be patient."

Nathaniel sees more intricate duct tape projects in his future. He dreams of his high school prom and said he hopes to be decked out in a duct tape tuxedo. Apparently duct tape aficionados conduct a yearly design competition for prom garb.

Nathaniel's favorite page in "Got Tape" features the 2001 prom design winners. The young woman looks fetching in her yellow and black duct tape gown, while her date sports a snazzy tuxedo with striping, a top hat, even his shoes are made from tape.

Before he prepares for the prom, Nathaniel might pursue other projects. "I haven't made a hula skirt" yet, he said.