I learned everything electrical from my dad who was a master electrician and in the Electrical Union for 70 years. He passed away in January 2021. He was 89 years old.
Hanging out in the shop
Cigar box light - The Flor Fina Box is the perfect size and looks like a treasure chest.
Design of Sarah and Philip's chandelier - Let's design something together!
Large Edison bulb pendants over island and chandelier over kitchen table. Make your space stand out with a custom design.
olive oil can light fixture - repurposing items like this beautiful olive oil tin can make this coffee station stand out.
gas pipe parts are like legos. It's fun to come up with new combinations.
Welding gauges are great additions to steampunk lamps. I used one on the sax lamp and another lamp you will see in this gallery.
The 3/8 telegraph insulator accent lamp. There are some design modifications on these like 4 way cross at the top and brass accents. You can buy one of these now made to order. Check out the shop.
I integrate my logo where I can. This is the outlet part of the sax lamp. The sax lamp is now home to a professional Sax player in Pittsburgh.
The Sexy Sax Lamp
My telegraph insulator supplier gave me this one. I used it for a light above my wine fridge. You have to see your wine!
This is a lamp I made for Arloa Sutter, Executive Director of Breakthrough Urban Ministries. She's on the front lines addressing homelessness in Chicago. She sent me this pic of her lamp in her home.
This was one of the first lamps I made. I have made a lot of improvements since then. Humble beginnings :)
I own this lamp, but have made dozens like this. You can add any candelabra sized bulb.
I made this rocket lamp for a partner called Nexum. This light now lives on top of their beer fridge at 190 S. LaSalle. If you visit Nexum's lounge, you will see this lamp.
Another lamp with copper accents. It's at one of my kid's homes.
Beginning of the sexy sax lamp. I bought this sax without any valves and figured out what I wanted to do with it.
I made this floor lamp some time ago. A couple was looking for something unique and ended up with this in their home.
Designed this lamp for Helen and installed it in her kitchen.
Made this lamp for Sarah. The red electrical box is made for Fire alarms - I just left it as is.
Repurposed Mission style lamp. This light was on a hallway ceiling where you couldn't see it. I replaced that light with something functional and created this lamp for my daughter.
Another repurpose from my daughter's house. This lamp was taking up too much space in a kitchen. I replaced it and created this floor lamp with an integrated outlet and tree slice maple table.
This lamp was created for Josh Caterer, lead singer of the Smoking Popes. It needed to be funky and rock like. I think he likes it.
This one was made for Ed Walton, CEO of StepCG. It lives in his basement bar in Ohio today,
Steampunk Christmas tree. I bring it out every year. Here it is pictured with my absolute favorite ceramic Christmas tree made by my Mom, Dina Recker.
The steampunk Christmas tree has a dimmer with memory. It looks a lot like a menorah. When I posted this, someone asked if I could make a menorah. The answer is yes.
Unique lamp with built in charger outlet that was made for my niece in Texas.
Another view of the sexy sax lamp all lit up.
Only the LED strip inside the sax is lit up in this case - different lighting.
I made this lamp for my niece in Montana. This is the only other lamp that has a gauge built in besides the sax lamp. It also has an integrated outlet. It has a prominent place in my niece's home.
This is a 1/2 inch insulator lamp that used to sit in our kitchen. It has been replaced by the daintier 3/8 inch which are now available made to order
This is the first 3/8 inch lamp I made for my wife. It sits in our bedroom. She loves it because of the green insulator shade and the fact that it is dainty, yet machine age steampunk. Since then I have made approximately 90 of these and they are now made to order - see shop
I made this one with the faucet switch especially for my boss, Mark.
Mark's lamp lit up.
I made 9 of these for company sales awards. I can integrate your company logo into lamps as promo items or awards.
Mark loves his lamp!
Here is a group of lamps I made for my siblings at Christmas time. They are being staged in the laundry room of all places
This lamp was made entirely of red brass copper parts. It was sold to someone who lives in my neighborhood. The shade was a unique root beer colored telegraph insulator
A couple of steampunk lamps guarding my wine collection.
This one was made for our friends, the Dekkers. This one has the brass feet highlights.
This one was made for our friends, the Groens. They wanted silver and black with clear insulator. The made to order lamps can be customized to your style/color of your choice
This was fun to make. The oil stem happened to be 1/2 inch threaded making it easy to create a lamp without drilling one hole in the can. I have made 3 of these to date. If you use this olive oil, save the can!
This is Sarah and Philip's dining fixture being tested in the shop
I made this lamp for my business partner StepCG. They are a technology firm. Note all the USB ports to charge devices. This sits in their company break room and has a dimmer installed.
Maybe you want to start your own tradition of lighting the steampunk Christmas tree or menorah every year. Let me tell you, set up is a breeze. It stores nicely using the plastic from getting your shirts dry cleaned. The dimmer with memory dials in the LED bulbs where you need it.
I think this one went to Jane's cousin, Carol. She dug the gold cord.
This one went to my business partner, Source, Inc. in Kansas City, MO. It sits in the front next to all of their technology awards.
The Source lamp and a couple of other gift lamps.
I always use the LED bulbs that give you a soft, warm, light. It almost looks like a fireplace. Contrast the lamps with the cold white lite from the ceiling.
I believe this lamp went to my friend, Kip Blohm.
This was around Christmas. I surprised a few friends with these.
These lamps make a great gift. Keep them in mind. They are unique and no two of them are alike.
This was my staging area at Christmas time. One of these went to our friends, The Jennings. They were surprised.
Beginning stages of the chandelier for Sarah and Philip.
Another fixture for Sarah and Philip using the new LED big Edison bulb format.
Bathroom fixture being tested after a 3 Floyds Zombie Dust beer.
Chandelier being tested before install
Chandelier installed. This fixture has soul and character - don't buy generic fixtures. Get something to make your space unique. Lighting matters!
Bathroom fixture installed - piece of cake and a lot better than something from a big box store.
Testing pendant lighting
Pendant lighting installed. Sure beats something from Wayfair, right?
Express yourself through lighting.
Olive Oil Lamp
More Sarah & Philip lighting over their dining room. Their place is a showcase.
two switches control this fixture. My daughter now owns this one.
I made this one for a client. Copper and bronze tones with a hot outlet and USB charger make this one unique.
I have used this design on 4 more lamps for first responders.
Here are the 2 completed lamps - love the cages
I made a lot of additions to the sexy sax lamp after we moved to Geneva, IL.
During the pandemic, we began to award first responders and healthcare workers. This one went to Annie Horstman, an RN on the front lines
This one went to Dr. Jacob Flinkman, a physician on the front lines.
Dr. Jacob Flinkman's lamp
One of the many lamps that went to first responders and healthcare workers as an expression of thanks for keeping us safe.
This one went to someone going above and beyond taking care of their parents.
I made 4 of these that went to first responders and medical workers. One of them went to a key person at FDNY.
Front view
These went to people I love in Mississippi
Brother Darel all smiles after receiving his lamp.
This one is a re-do. I took it apart and rebuilt it for my daughter in law, Marissa who is an incredibly gifted artist.
Back view of Marissa's lamp with some Steampunk flair.
Copper and bronze tones in this first responder lamp.
Steampunk with a sunset - this one also went to my daughter in law, Marissa.
My Uncle George's lamp. He's an Oldsmobile guy and they gave me a flywheel and valve cover. They said build a lamp.
I looked at the parts for 6 months i my basement and did not have a clue where to start.
I finally took the flywheel out to the street and degreased it, then spray painted it black.
The base sits on 2 chunks of cedar. I used a piece of plastic with holes to get the circle gold pattern.
This is the finished lamp sitting at Uncle George's house. He really likes it. I've seen a lot of valve cover lamps, but I wanted something unique and different.
Here is picture of the red brass insulator lamp in the person's office that purchased it. That is a cool Pegasus Mobile gas station vintage sign. I love seeing these lamps in unique settings like this.
This is one of my first customers, Jason. He decided to surprise his father, Harry. Harry worked with gas pipe his whole life and that's why Jason wanted it for him. Jason also purchased the same lamp. He is a math teacher and has the lamp set up alongside his high tech remote zoom teaching set up.
Dimmable Christmas Tree. I duplicated one that I own. This one sold, but now you can order one for yourself in the shop
Copper and brass lamp inspired by a recent trip to Traverse City, MI. The metal coated bulbs and copper shades are some new materials I am using.
Both bulbs turn on with the plumbing rotary switch
Steampunk Menorah that is dimmable. This item is available for purchase. You can simply unscrew the LED bulbs and screw them in for each day of Hanukkah. This is made to order in the shop now.
Made this insulator lamp for insulator Joe's wife. The green in this insulator is more the color of a 7 up bottle. She happens to like these. Insulator Joe is a key supplier to me. He drills the 1/2 inch old in these telegraph insulators. Joe is the man.
Custom designed these lamps for someone. Gold bronze color with black and 3 way switch (3 levels of light with 3 way bulbs). It includes an outlet with USB plugs. These are matching fixtures for end tables.
Dimmable 3 bulb lamp is 28 inches high and about 10 inches deep. 2 insulators at a 45 degree angle. This lamp now lives at Step CG with a beautiful view of Cincinnati.
Custom fixture overlooking the Roebling Bridge on the KY side of the Ohio River looking out at the Ohio side of the river in Cincinnatti.
STEPCG displaying this lamp during a customer event at their beautiful headquarters in Covington, KY.
Re-design of first responder lamp. It includes an outlet with USB and dimmer with memory. This one is in copper and black highlights - note custom paint job on cover plate in the next pic. This lamp is now a made to order lamp
Note this custom paint job on cover plate. The dimmer controls all 3 bulbs and the outlet with USB stays hot when plugged in.
This cigar box is very popular. I like to add the spiral filament LED Edison bulbs on these.
The Acid Cigar box is very popular. The wood is thick and high quality. I usualy add a tube spiral filament LED to these.
Another example of the Drew Estate cigar box.
These went really fast. As you can see, some of the cigar boxes are really unique.
First multi tiered cigar box lamp. This was custom for my customer, Joe. Eyes stay lit on all the boxes when plugged in.
Another view of the multi-tier cigar box lamp custom made.
Back view of multi-tier custom cigar box lamp. My customer stores his switch blade collection in the boxes. You can store anything you want in the boxes :)
Customized antique trouble light for our vet. These are hard to find
This was a really great find. This lamp can be hung on something or displayed in a wide variety of ways. Braided vintage cord and spiral filament Edison bulb really make this vintage wood handled trouble light a statement piece.
This is our downstairs vanity light. I can customize your vanity light to really stand out.
Custom vanity lights can be made for you. This is another view of the one in our basement bathroom.
I chose the FEIT spiral filament LED Edison bulbs in brite white which is better suited in a bathroom.
Bathroom vanity fixture in our basement bathroom. It has a switchable nightlight built in. I can custom design a fixture like this for you. Note the matching steampunk towel holder.
This is our remodeled basement where I take pictures of the lamps. The floor lamp in the corner is attached to the wall. The scones and the floor lamp were designed by me for the room.
You can now order one of these 5G rocket lamps in the shop.
Here's a pair of fishing guy lamps that are now available made to order in the shop.
Close up of fishing guy lamp front controls
Here's the fishing guy in galvanized metal now available in the shop.
Sometimes, I make simple minimalistic fixtures like these.
This is a custom bourbon bottle lamp that now sits in the CMO's office at STEPCG in Cincinnati. You have to totally dig the Jordan painting!
Close up of New Riff Bourbon custom lamp
Back view of custom bourbon bottle lamp
Side view of custom bourbon bottle lamp. Bottom of bottle was cut off to make the lamp.
Another Cigar Box lamp - added a blue LED that stays lit when the blue box lamp is plugged in.
Someone requested a cigar box with a smaller footprint - this one fit the bill for that customer.
This is a custom telegraph insulator lamp with a built in outlet/USB charger. Charger outlet is hot when lamp is plugged in. Pull chain operates lamp.
Fore! A guy reached out to me to make a custom golf lamp for his client. Sure, why not? I photographed him on the golf course behind our house.
The custom golfing guy lamp on display after hitting the links.
I built this floor lamp for myself. Base is a heavy gear. Main bulb is large format LED Edison. Copper tubing is the shade. There is a dimmer, built in outlet/usb charger. Lamp is fastened to the wall so that it won't ever tip over.
5G Rocket lamps on display with my wild floor lamp in the background. Order a rocket in the shop today.
I like to use these coated LED bulbs with certain applications. The coating prevents the light from glare in your eyes and really highlights the box in this case.
Let's go fishing - order one in the shop!
Front view of fishing guy lamp
Another angle of the fishing guy lamps
Minimalist fixture made from a wood block designed to raise the height of your bed or couch - no kidding.
Minimilast lamps like this go quickly. I can custom make one for you,.
The Big Idea (Big Bulb) lamp is now a made to order lamp. Check it out in the shop. I love how the round base matches big round bulb. My daughter has one of these and it gets the most compliments from her guests.
Back view of the "Big Idea" lamp. Order one today!
My buddy, Phil's custom power meter lamp. It's in the background when he is on his teams calls for work.
I made this out of a power meter for my friend, Phil. The meter spins when the lamp is powered on. I can make one of these for you, but prefer not to ship this monster.
Back view of power meter lamp. Check out the copper tubing as the shade.
The controls and hot outlet on the power meter custom lamp - front view
Whenever I get one of these cigar boxes, I add LED eyes that stay lit when lamp is plugged in.
I've done a lot of Pappy Van Winkle Cigar box lamps - added a cage and very unique bulb on this one.
This is the front view of the repurposed 1950s heater lamp. I designed this one to look like a fan with 4 LED Edison bulbs. The copper dish tilts back for indirect lighting. It sits on a thick tree slice base.
Heater lamp tilted back for indirect lighting
Back view of a repurposed 1950s copper heater turned into steampunk lamp.
Details are important: Black metal coated bulb, black braided vintage cord, vintage socket, LED green indicator, and rotary switch on brass painted gas fitting legs.
Pappy Van Winkle Box - these never last long.
I always use components. that compliment the piece. This box has silver highlights.
I gutted this 1950s arvin heater and cleaned up the copper coils inside. Now amber LEDs inside the heater make it look like a warm glow is coming out of the heater. This is a one of a kind piece that is now owned by my friend, Ed Walton. It's in his basement bar.
Front of repurposed Arvin heater
A great example of a repurposed device. If you actually wanted to use this as a heater, it would be really inefficient and quite dangerous. As a steampunk lamp, it's super cool and makes a statement.
Another Leather Rose Cigar Box with LED eyeballs
Brass, black, and gold highlights on this one.
I like the older vintage cigar boxes. This one has a white LED light in front next to the rotary switch that stays lit when plugged in.
Did you know that this image of me in the 90s is now a viral meme that is all over the internet? Mention my meme when you order something from the shop and receive a 10% discount on your purchase
This vintage cigar box lamp is on display at StepCG's innovation lab in Covington, KY. A lot of my pieces are on display there. It's a cool place to visit and collaborate. They have their own bourbon bar too!
I made this pair of lamps using Saab 9-5 camshaft sprockets as a base. I have had bad experiences with Saab ever since GM took them over. I think their parts make better steampunk lamp components than Saab components.
This is my Saab story!
Front view of the 5G Rocket lamp. Yes, you can order one in the shop
Check out the filagree work on the dimmer switch cover of the 5G rocket ship lamp. Order one in the shop today.
This lamp sits on an antique table in our guest bedroom. When the grandkids are over, they can dim the lights very low for a nightlight. Our guests have a convenient outlet for charging their devices that is built in to the lamp.
You can now order this lamp in the shop
A recent build of the dimmable nightstand lamp. You can order one for yourself
Front controls of the dimmable nightstand lamp.
These are telegraph insulators I order from Joe in Tennessee. He supplies them with a 1/2 inch hole drilled through very thick glass. These are used in the telegraph insulator lamp and some pendant style lamps
This Pappy Van Winkle Cigar Box has a cage over a very unique LED bulb - same one that is used on the fishing guy lamp
You can order one of these galvanized steampunk menorahs with dimmer in the made to order shop. The one pictured here is now in Temple B'nai Synagogue in Aurora, IL. They take it out during Hanukkah and display the days of Hanukkah in the sanctuary.
The guy that bought this 5G Rocket Ship Lamp works for TMobile. I was able to find some dimmable "magenta" bulbs. He displays this at TMobile shows. It gets a lot of attention!
Made this telegraph insulator lamp in galvanized pipe and clear insulator. Somebody purchased it, but I don't remember who :)
I started making mini cigar box lamps - they can be made to order now. The difference is that they are smaller boxes, candelabra sized bulb, and rubber gripping feet instead of cast iron feet
Back view of mini cigar box lamps
These are custom made pull chain lamps mounted on a tree slice with copper highlights and copper tubing as the shade
Another angle of these custom pull chain lamps
A more recent example of a telegrah insulator pull chain lamp. I'm adding more copper and brass accents to these.
Telegraph Insulator Pull Chain Lamps make great Christmas gifts. The season is fast approaching. One year, a lady in my town bought one for all of her kids. Buy one in the shop today!
I display this Christmas tree with dimmer every season. I store it under a piece of dry cleaner plastic to keep it dust free. You can now order one of these for yourself.
I have not seen a box like this one since I made this. It was orange and black laquered wood. I used silver and black highlights on this one. Remember, I can supply a box or you can supply one,.
I sold this one a long time ago. It was a vintage cigar box with this glass Christmas tree over it. I included a green bulb and a clear bulb..
Here is the same box with the green bulb
Whenever I get a Flor Fina Cigar box, I add an LED to the front that stays lit and a rotary switch in back. It sells right away. It looks like a treasure chest and is the perfect size.
Another view of the Flor Fina box with different background. This is my favorite box to work with.
Flor Fina Cigar Box Lamp powered on.
Two works of art and one of my favorite spots in our kitchen. The painting above is from our daughter in law, Marissa. Check out Astuary Art. The telegraph insulator lamp is oriented to the side to accent the cabinet. You can orient these front to back or side to side like in the picture. This lamp uses all brass joints.
This unique box is in my friend, Kip's man cave. These lamps are perfect for man caves
Sometimes, I will use the 5G Rocket Lamp ship when I post about Inseego 5G products. This is a linked in post pic when I joined Inseego.
This is the best example of a custom collaboration project. My customer, Joe works on the railroad and they were going to throw this old fire alarm box out. I created this one of a kind piece for Joe while maintaining the integrity of the piece.
I added this Yellow LED in front that stays lit while the piece is plugged in. That little round glass used to say break glass in case of fire. There was a spring activated switch that activated the alarm once you broke the glass. That switch is now displayed on the outside of the fixture.
We found out later that just the fire alarm alone was selling for $500. Joe now has a one of a kind piece that is worth a lot more than 500. If you have something like this, we can collaborate together on a one of a kind lamp.
When we remodeled our basement, we wanted to highlight some areas with unique steampunk lighting. The floor lamp in the corner is dimmable and has USB charging ports built in. I decided to brace it to the wall so that it never tips over. The unique cracked telegraph insulator lamp sits over the wine fridge. I take all of the pictures of the lamps on the table against the wall.
Another view of the table where I display lamps. Note the sconces in the TV room behind the table. I can make these sconces for you. I'm showing of a 5G rocket ship here.
You can see the difference in lighting between the rooms. The natural light comes in the basement from the windows, but the entertainment area stays darker even in the middle of the day. The sconces in the entertainment room are on a dimmer and can be lit up without affecting your TV viewing.
Entertainment section with natural light openings on either side and dimmable sconce caged bulb lighting. I can make these sconces for you if you like them.
Product display picture during Christmas time. These are great gifts!
Close up view of Floor lamp. You can see where the pipe and flange connect to the wall on a 45 degree angle keeping the lamp secure and stable
The dimmer controls the lamp. I have 2 little tables to set your devices on when charging. I use this to charge my apple remote and other devices. Lamp does not have to be turned on to charge devices. I can custom build you a floor lamp like this, but prefer to do it locally. Shipping is next to impossible and this thing weighs a ton.
The base of the floor lamp is a repurposed gear. I needed to buy a plant dolly to move the floor lamp from my shop to where it is now.
My Father's Cigar brand boxes are very colorful and make great lamps
The black metal coated LED bulbs highlight this cigar box lamp and prevent the light from going in your eyes,.
Sometimes I will use toggle switches on these lamps and highlight the components with little decorative gears.