It is hard to believe that this little venture started four years ago. Coincidentally, I happened to make my 500th lamp more or less around the anniversary date. My first lamp was constructed from an artificial leg that belonged to my father-in-law and had been stored in the attic since well before his death in 1994. It wasn’t my finest work, but it did put “the lamp bug” in me. My 500th lamp (see photo below) is a tribute to that first step.
Leg Lamp Two 
For those who haven’t already heard it from me in person, I describe making these lamps as three kinds of fun. It’s fun scouring yard sales, antique marts and the like and buying stuff I would never have a reason to buy. It’s fun putting an object on the workbench and figuring out how to turn it into a lamp. And the third fun (more of a surprise) is actually selling the lamps and meeting the buyers.
This past year I have been particularly fortunate to have had the staff of the State Theatre of Ithaca invite me to display my lamps in the Box Office windows. Their support and kindness have been a joy, and steady sale of lamps is keeping me busy! In return, 25% of every sale goes to that nonprofit.
I get a real kick from the looks of delight on people’s faces when they see my lamps, and in hearing the stories about why they bought one. The other day a guy stopped me (“hey Lamp Man!”) and told me he makes it a point to walk by the State Theatre Box Office windows just to see what new lamps are there.
So many people have donated items as parts and objects to be converted. Too many to list here, but you know who you are. I am fortunate to be a magnet for people’s generosity. I try to pay that back indirectly by donating lamps for charity fundraisers and gifting lamps to those who have given me so much.
Anyway, it’s time to start another lamp… Jon Jensen
Upcycled Lamps by Jon Jensen 