After my post a few weeks ago on empty printer cartridges that a clever artist used as art, I got to wondering about what other things used ink cartridges might be made into. A quick search on Etsy turned up these bizarre lamps, made by seller Lowell & Louise, which I find oddly mesmerizing.

The popular term for recycling old materials into something entirely new like this is “repurposing.” These ink cartridge lamps have been completely disassembled and reassembled with suitable bulbs inside, custom-cut aluminum rods to hold the multi-cartridge variety together, and a basic two-pronged power plug. Available as Chandeliers, Hanging Lamps, or basic Lamps, their prices range from $30 up to $120.

They’re definitely creative, but I can’t imagine actually hanging one of these in my home. I mean, I have some Brother printer toner cartridges laying around just like everybody else. But a certain level of “bohemian chic” would be necessary to pull it off, and I’m way too old fashioned. I see them more in the loft of some artsy architectural student in New York or Chicago. But then again, that type of person would probably just make their own recycled furniture and accessories, so I suppose the market for these would sway more towards “bohemian chic wannabe.” I.E., those of us too lazy to recycle our own junk, but well-off enough to pay for somebody else’s.

Lowell & Louise claims that the art nouveau/geometric look of the lamps was inspired by the hanging pendant lamps designed by Charles Mackintosh and used at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. I’ve included a picture of Mackintosh’s lamps below for comparison.

Charles Mackintosh's original lamps from the Glasgow School of Art

You can get this lamp for only €40 or alternatively you can also get the ‘shade’ for only €35.

First up, we have the Beingz Mood Lamp. It looks like a mushroom in a weird sort of way and has LEDs to give you your own personal light show. I doubt that the lights will be bright enough to allow you to read at night but it does look cool. But you know what the really cool thing is? The mushroom top is touch sensitive. Touch it, stroke it, or tap it and you will get various flashes of light. The fun doesn’t end there – the lamp has an internal microphone that can pick up the music that you’re listening to, giving you a separate visualizer. And if you are like me, visualizers in action can calm you down like anything!

Next on the list is the Beingz Alarm Clock. It is also touch sensitive; in fact, it only shows you the time if you touch the surface or if the alarm goes off. Oh, and this baby can tal to the lamp!This is because the clock is more than a clock it is actually an FM radio as well. So when the clock plays music, the lamp picks the signal up and does its own thing.

Pretty cool huh? The lamp goes for $37.34 while the clock goes for $36.99, both over at Amazon.