Undergraduate / Making something with the usage of a duct tape; interests, talent, identity essay [3]

How does this sound after some editing and stuff? (Also thanks so much for the help!!!)

Favorite pastime? Mine is duct tape. From starting out with roses to wallets to purses to now making costumes and outfits. Every color and pattern that comes out, I'm the first in line to get it to add to my collection.

One of my favorite crafters experimented crafting with different materials and made a tutorial on duct tape roses. I instantaneously went to my mother inquiring about duct tape. Unfortunately, we didn't have any, so we went to go purchase some, neon pink and leopard print being the first colors and patterns in my collection. I made one rose which turned into a dozen. Valentine's Day rolled around; I made them for everyone in my class. The boys got camo while the girls got pink. It turned out another student in my class had the same interest as I, so we bonded over that. This began my journey on making friends, which was something I had a hard time doing.

As the year progressed, we learned about trading, so we had to bring in items and trade with everyone. I made bookmarks and more roses for my classmates, and they loved the idea of the duct tape items. From there, I learned how to make wallets from tutorials Duck Brand had online. My brother liked what I did, so I taught him all that I knew. As I advanced in my skills, I made more items like purses and pillows.

After doing this hobby for a year and searching ways to expand my knowledge online, I found out about a festival in the Duck Tape capital of the world, Avon, Ohio, about thirty miles away from Cleveland. Every year, they host it on Father's Day weekend. In sixth grade, I had told my parents about it, and they surprised me by taking me, pretending we were traveling to a friend.

After I attended the annual festival for a couple of years, they introduced their first annual fashion show where one can display their duct tape clothing and accessories/creations. Unfortunately, that year I was ill prepared, but my brother helped me modify my everyday clothing with all sorts of colors of duct tape, going for a space theme. I got to go on stage to show off our last minute creation.

In 2015, I decided to go prepared, making something a week before the festival. That year's theme was Hawaiian, so I made a Duck floaty and a hula skirt made up of different colors and patterns of duct tape. For the floaty, I made straps and constructed the base of the floaty with a pool noodle and a Styrofoam ball. The hula skirt was constructed of a waistband made of duct tape and long strips of duct tape in a variety of colors attached to the waist. This was the year I met a few other duct tapers, which to today, we share what creations we've made. They also gave me advice on how I can improve for the following year.

The theme for 2016 was America, but I decided to go with my own theme. I made a costume of Japanese virtual pop star (a humanoid persona voiced by a singing synthesizer) named Hatsune Miku. I worked really hard, staying up on the nights the week of the festival until I completed something I was proud of with the short time I had. For the 2017 Festival, I made a skirt and shirt inspired from 50's and ladybugs. The skirt was inspired by 50's poodle skirts while the shirt had ladybug wings attached to the bottom, adding black spots. I also created a mask to complete the look giving off a superhero vibe. Every year, all the duct taper friends I've made over the years all get together excited to show off our costumes for that year.

From making roses to now duct tape costumes and outfits, I can say I learned quite a lot about the sticky adhesive fabric. Plus, anyone can pick up a roll of tape and start creating. Not only has it shows a way of being creative, it's a great way of making new friends. Anything one can imagine, they can duct tape it.