Repurpose Old VHS Tapes

VHS tapes––if you know what they are, it's possible you've got quite a few stashed somewhere at the bottom of a cupboard, awaiting tossing or… something! If you're the crafty type, there are some really cool things you can do with these archaic icons.

Steps

Bookends

Turn VHS tapes into bookends to satisfy the geek in you.

  1. Design a retro-looking set of bookends using VHS cassette tapes and old CDs or DVDs. This is a fun way to showcase your favorite VHS and DVD movies.
  2. Select two VHS cassettes and two DVDs or CDs. Make sure they're all ones you'll no longer want to use for their original purpose again.
  3. Place a small dab of glue on the edge of the CD/DVD. Have the title face upward for full effect.
  4. Glue the top of the CD/DVD to the base of the VHS tape. Leave enough room for the VHS to rest comfortably on the edge of the DVD/CD, so that it can slide underneath a set of books.
  5. Place a small weight on top of the VHS/DVD so that the glue bonds the two pieces of technology together.
  6. Slide the VHS cover over the cassette for a finished look. This way you can display your favorite VHS while at the same time having it be functional.
  7. Perform the same process on the second VHS/DVD. You could also create multiple bookends or design these bookends to be used as holiday gifts for friends.

Packaging

  1. Create bows and package wrapping from VHS tapes. Who needs to purchase bows and strings from the card shop when you can just yank out a strand of tape from and old VHS tape and use that? This is especially cool when giving gifts to movie buffs, geeks or people who love to see anything being repurposed.
  2. Tie packages up neatly with tape. Use the VHS tape the same way as you would a ball of twine or ribbon purchased from a craft store.
  3. Create a bubble bow with the tape. Depending on the bow size, grasp one end of the tape and wind into a long, loose circular rope.
    • Use a piece of clear tape and secure the ends together. Pinch the tape in the middle of the circle so that you have two circular ends.
    • Pull each layer of tape outward and then upward on each side.
    • Pull and arrange the tape until your creation looks like a bubble bow. Affix on a package either using staples or tape.

Jewelry

  1. Design jewelry using VHS tape. Essentially you can use VHS tape the same way as you would any other crafting string or twine. Braid or try macramé with the tape for a fashionable look.
  2. Use a small amount of tape to create a funky, chunky bracelet. Consider weaving charms or other interesting pieces into your VHS bracelet.
  3. Design a necklace or a fashionable choker.
    • Braid multiple pieces of VHS tape together by securing the ends with either a hot glue gun or even duct tape depending on the style you desire.
    • Use the tape as your actual necklace and then hang an interesting charm or piece on the end.

Wall art

  1. Make wall art from VHS trash. The endless miles of tape inside VHS cassettes can be turned into cool wall art.
  2. Choose a design. The tape inside the VHS can be manipulated into all sorts of fun designs. For example, huge wall flowers can be made using miles of jet black VHS cassette tape and colorful accessories. Or, consider such designs as bows, animal shapes, cut-out scenery,
  3. Obtain any other materials you might need to create the design, such as string, duct tape, colorful yard or a hot glue gun.
  4. Open the VHS bottom and grasp the tape. Begin pulling the tape until you can no longer pull anymore and use scissors to cut remove from the cassette. This part is fun!
  5. Do this with several VHS cassettes until you have enough tape to make your creation.
  6. Make your wall art. Work with the tape the same way you might work with any other stringy type material. For example, if you want to make a large black heart, begin by rolling the tape between your hands until it forms into more of a rope shape. Then lay the tape on a flat surface and “sketch out” the base of your heart with the tape. Consider using duct tape or another adhesive substance to join ends together. Build upon that base with subsequent pieces of VHS tape that’s been rolled into a rope until you have a 3-D black heart.
  7. Decorate to accentuate your home and hang your completed wall art up using a small picture hanging kit.

Scarecrow

  1. Make a scarecrow. Cut out the tape and hang from tree branches, walls, sticks, poles, etc. to scare off birds trying to come into your garden.[1] Make sure the tape is tied on securely so that it can't fly away and be accidentally ingested by wildlife. Dispose of properly (in a garbage can) when it becomes tatty, as it cannot be composted or simply left to rot outdoors.

Funky wig[2]

  1. Remove the reels of tape. Cut to the desired length for one strand.
  2. Twist both ends in opposite directions to create a cool spiral effect. However, feel free to come up with your own style if you like.
  3. Use clear tape to attach both ends from coming loose of the desired design.
  4. Find a du-rag, nylon cap, or a simple hair band. Sew VHS strands around it with a needle & thread.
    • Optional: Top with a stylish hat and/or other accessories.

Tips

  • Recycle pieces of discarded VHS pieces instead of just tossing in the garbage.
  • Consider donating VHS tapes to a local school or non profit organization that still uses a VHS.
  • Some people knit, crochet, weave, etc. using the tape. However, see the health warning below.
  • Whenever gluing something onto VHS tapes, make sure that the surface is clean––glue is only as strong as the surface it adheres to.
  • Recover any precious memories from home videos by having them converted to digital before proceeding. If you can't find any VHS tapes, many a charity store has been inflicted with more than their fair share, so take a few off their hands.

Warnings

  • Before you craft with your VHS tapes, be sure to transfer valuable information to a DVD so you don’t lose valuable material!
  • Items made from VHS materials may be highly flammable. Keep this in mind when storing or if selling them to others; you may wish to include a warning against keeping the repurposed items near heat if giving or selling to others.
  • It is claimed that handling the video tape for long periods could be injurious to your health due to the "black dust" from the layers of metal (including cobalt) added to the plastic polymer that forms the tape.[3] At the very least, it is recommended that you wear gloves if attempting to knit, weave, crochet, braid, etc. using the tape and you may wish to consider wearing a respiratory mask as an added precaution.

Things You'll Need

  • Video tapes
  • Items to help accomplish individual projects as outlined above

Related Articles

  • Convert Video Tapes to DVDs
  • Store Video Tapes and Cassettes

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/audio-music/recycle-reuse-vhs-tapes4.htm
  2. ↑ http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2014/070/1/5/cyborgella_by_grindglossy-d79vf1r.jpg
  3. ↑ http://www.flickr.com/groups/plastic/discuss/72157624120579841/

You may like

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Repurpose_Old_VHS_Tapes&oldid=314502"