Duct tape crafts have moved beyond basic wallets and the legendary duct tape prom dresses-this inexpensive craft material can be used to make everything from surprisingly realistic bonsai to braided belts and intricate artwork. Davis, a visual artist who began working with duct tape as a teen, provides an overview of basic techniques including tips for folding, cutting, and making sheets that can be used in larger pieces. The projects are divided into five basic categories (flowers; wallets, purses, bags, and more; jewelry and other accessories; sculptures; and tableaux) and each section features a number of selections of Davis's work. The subtitle gives a hint to the book's greatest flaw. There may be 101 ideas within this book, but only seven projects with step-by-step directions. While the pictures are inspiring, the lack of instructions make for a book that says "look what I did" more than "look what you can do." VERDICT Though experienced duct tape crafters may be able to reverse-engineer Davis's projects, beginners would be better aided by a wider variety of projects with instructions, such as those found in books by Patti Wallenfang (Go Crazy with Duct Tape) or Richela Fabian Morgan (Tape It & Make It). © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

For some time now, duct tape has been glorified as a foundation material for every possible two- and three-dimensional article, from wallets and prom dresses to tuxedos. No surprise, then, that this applied art today is achieving the status of a true craft, which, thanks to teacher Davis, has been illustrated, explained, and photographed. The title says it all; along the way, Walker photographs the step-by-step niceties of fashioning point petal roses, a basic wallet, and wire-frame earrings, among others. Most of the projects are featured in finished form, sans directions; yet Davis ensures the reader has the requisite skills to copy and vary. Especially admirable are water lilies, a round purse, a hummingbird sculpture, and a toucan mask. With just a few tools cutting board, hole punch, scissors, craft knife, and wire cutters and by carefully building the skills of folding and tearing, anyone can ascend to duct-tape mastery.--Jacobs, Barbara Copyright 2016 Booklist