At db clay, our focus has shifted from hand-making duct tape wallets. After 35,000 wallets made, we are expanding out of the hand-made realm. But on our way out we might as well show people what the best duct tape wallets in the world look like. Enjoy.
I made this video to show people how to make different designs on duct tape wallets, to coincide with our re-launch of ductbills.com and myductbills.com.
The summer of 2003 is one that will go down in my mind as one of the greatest I have participated in. It was the summer I started working for db clay, the summer I met the ‘db clay crew’, the summer I drank my face off and BBQ’d every night for 4 months. Whenever I hear ‘the dog days of summer’, an image from 2003 automatically pops into my head. Every day was cuttin tape in Garett and Benjamin’s sweltering front room cooled only by a $40 air conditioner held in place by duct tape (big surprise). Around 4 or 5 o’clock we would start winding down work and someone would go to the store to pick up beer and food. We would start up the grill in the twilight, leisurely cook dinner and eat (while drinking copious amounts of alcohol) then play games, watch movies, have people over, etc. Let me paint you a picture of my memories.
“As I walk through the sliding glass door the drooping sun hits my eyes, spotting my vision as I move into the backyard. Squinting, I see Garett take a long draft off his beer before opening the grill to a billow of smoke and prodding the steaks hungrily. Tyler emerges behind me followed closely by Benjamin and Johnny, all with renewed beers and a laugh in their lungs. It’s a story Tyler is telling about a college experience peppered with Benjamin’s commentary on the story, Johnny’s actions, and whatever suits him. I take a drink of the ice cold bud light I forgot I was holding, wander over to watch Garett grill, and think to myself- this is what summers were made for.â€?
This is a common moment we had throughout the course of the summer. Few nights still stand out almost four years later because they were all great. But among the fond memories there were a few gems that would become the parlance of the season. Yes, one was definitely crying with laughter as Tyler threw each beer can he finished directly at the back of Johnny’s head as we watched a movie. Another was the games of analogies we would all play as we cut tape in the front room. But two nights in particular stand above the rest as the nights that defined the summer. They were known as ‘white trash wedding’ and ‘punk v. posh’. It would only do them justice to write stand-alone stories…
When I’m selling duct tape wallets down at the Saturday Market, I see a lot of things. Things common at the market there are both illegal and disgusting. But, occasionally I see something that warms my heart. I have two regulars that come to the market (separately) every weekend and have THE SAME REACTION to the wallets every time. One regular is a man, one is a woman, and both are awesome. The man is in a wheelchair and will roll past, looking over at the wallets when he’s right in front of the booth. When he sees the wallets he gets this astonished look on his face like he can’t believe what he’s seeing. Then he’ll make eye contact with me and his expression will turn into one of pure joy and wonder. I’ll be grinning like an idiot every time I see him, and this just intensifies his facial ecstasy. The woman is an older lady who always comes down by herself and tours the market. She’ll come up and browse through the wallets, and then say something along the following lines: “…my roommate needs a wallet, but he wants a leather one. I would get him one of these, but he wouldn’t use it. I really really like them though.â€? She’ll give me the most genuine and glowing smile and wander away at this point. I usually dislike it when people give me some excuse for not buying a wallet (I just bought one, I wouldn’t have anything to put in it, I’m just looking today- I’ve heard them all), but I cherish her reasons. The market is a very interesting place and has taught me a lot about patience, poverty, the human spirit, urine, etc. I haven’t always enjoyed being there but feel I’ve gotten a lot out of the experience. When I leave I’ll miss both my regulars, they brighten my day.
I create hand made duct tape wallets as part of my job with db clay. This wallet has become one of my favorites. I usually just make random wallets, but since we put some of the duct tape wallets back on the website, I’ve started making small batches of similar wallets to sell. There are more designs, but who doesn’t want to have god in there pocket? If you like it enough to buy it you can here. Also we have a duct tape wallet kit available here, so you can make your own!
In this life, we can't control much. But control isn't what this life is about. My life isn't about the destination- it's about the journey. With that said, this site is a reflection of the happenings of my life.
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