Steampunk-style Lamps from Plumbing Parts

There's gold in them thar recycle bins! And style, it seems.

ZAL Creations of Chicago joined Etsy earlier this year with some pretty terrific -- and creative -- lamps and other fixtures made from assorted plumbing parts and beer bottles. We figure the beer bottles are recycled, although we're not too sure about the other fittings. Still, they've got us thinking about our bin of scrap in the back shop in a whole new way.

This desk lamp is made from 3/4" galvanized plumbing fittings and three 12 oz beer bottles, with 12 feet of grounded power cable. We think the rotary faucet handle for the on-off switch is a particularly cool touch. It did occur to us, however, that some rubber stoppers of some sort on the feet might be a good idea, but that's a minor detail - and easy add.

And check out the wall lamp. Wow, that would look good on the side of our building. Running the wiring through the pipe is a great idea.

There are even more examples of their work at their Etsy site: towel racks made with wine bottles, vanity lights, even chandeliers. Quite inspiring.

And made with actual previously used pipes and fittings, we're imagining a sort of grunge meets steampunk effect - but in a good way. The possibilities seem endless. Could get us all much more excited about changing out all that older dysfunctional plumbing!