Ok so I'm on a wild tangent here. I want to make a dinner fork into a weapon but I got advice on using programs to manage the DDS file. Now I'm working on making armor different colors. Wild tangent I know.

Anyway, once I've changed armor and saved it as a DDS file.. how do I get it into creation kit so I can upload it to steam? This online video showed a way to make skyrim use the changed armor when he created a folder which was named similar to the armor path /armor/dragonskin/boots.dds (or something similar, u get the idea). How do I import something like that into the creation kit?

Ultimately, I want to make a stand alone armor set (we'll just say Dragon plate) but call it something different so it doesn't change the original. I feel like i'm a pain in the ass now haha.

Try http://tesalliance.org/forums/index.php?/topic/4692-graphic-artistry-lesson-1/ for making replacement textures, and http://tesalliance.org/forums/index.php?/topic/4693-graphic-artistry-lesson-2/ for making standalone sets. It includes what to do in the CK as well as file and folder naming conventions.