Photo by L.G. Patterson

Fifteen years ago, Tim Flanner, Inside Columbia magazine’s Art Director, started collecting bottlecaps to one day create a bottle cap bar top or coffee table. Now, his collection consists of hundreds of caps from all over the United States. “I actually like trying new beers, so it’s been easy to have a variety,” he says. “I try to get good local breweries’ caps when I travel.” Over the years, the collection has blossomed with the help of a friend in Kansas City.

“I met a bartender who has collected very unique caps for me, and she will send them my way.”

Whether it’s the vibrant colors or intricate designs, there’s something captivating about these tiny treasures, especially for a graphic designer.

The passion for collecting isn’t just about the caps themselves; it’s about the joy of discovering something new and the memories each cap holds.