questions.

Naming a company was a bit of an anxiety inducing experience, so I decided to name it after my favourite bird. They, like our trash, were super useful until we decided they weren't anymore.

made by pigeons was started in early 2023. After a bit of figuring out the printing of recycled bottles, the first lampshade was printed in February 2023

In Cape Town and currently don't have any physical store fronts, but keep an eye out on instagram for any news about popups or markets.

Unless the product page says otherwise, any E27 socket LED bulb works well, including smart bulbs. A warm E27 bulb is included with each lamp.

Each lamp is wired with a braided fabric cord and a 2-prong SA plug. Cord length is listed on the product page.

To clean your lamp, simply use a slightly damp microfibre cloth to wipe away dust. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials. Before cleaning, make sure the lamp is unplugged.

Please reach out to hello@madebypigeons.co.za or use the contact page. I'll sort it out! And if it was broken on arrival, please specify as that's definitely not on you! Recycling in South Africa isn't always easily accessible, but a broken made by pigeons lampshade can be recycled :)

I'd love to hear your ideas, please reach out by a DM on instagram or via the contact page

Since each lamp is made to order to limit waste, the lead time is 3 weeks. If its been more than that without an update, please reach out to hello@madebypigeons.co.za or via the contact page

Currently shipping is anywhere in South Africa, if you live outside of SA and desperately want a lamp; firstly I'm flattered thank you! And secondly, email at hello@madebypigeons.co.za or via the contact page and we can try to make a plan..

Returns are accepted within 14 days of receiving your order. Check the returns policy page for more details. To process a return, email hello@madebypigeons.co.za.

3D printing is a process of creating three-dimensional objects layer by layer out of a plastic filament. Filament is fed into an extruder, heated, and deposited in precise paths based on sliced layers. Cooling solidifies each layer, forming the object.

100% recycled plastics, collected and processed into filament, all in-house. No hiding new plastic under 'from recycled sources' labels.

The filament for the lamps start with collecting PET bottles. This is currently done pretty ad-hoc, including even picking up trash on the beach on some mornings. The bottles are then cleaned, the labels removed using Acetone and then they are inflated and heated to smooth out any ridges. The prepped bottles are then sliced into a strip, between 5-10mm wide depending on the thickness of the bottle. Finally that strip is loaded into a pulltrusion machine, which forms it into a C shape tube by pulling it through a heated nozzle. This is finally ready for the printer! PLA and other non-PET scrap go through a different line. Failed prints, offcuts and clean post-consumer plastic are sorted by polymer, since mixing incompatible plastics ruins the extrusion, then shredded into flakes, dried thoroughly, and fed through a filament extruder that pulls a consistent-diameter strand ready to spool.

It ranges based on size, but anywhere from 30-50g. These then need to be spliced together to make a continuous filament for printing.

Yes! Depending on what its for, the plastic either needs to be dried to ensure the print is clear and prints without defects or moisture is added back to get the opacity needed for the diffusers.

All plastic lampshades are made from 100% recycled plastics, either PET from bottles or PLA from collected 3D printer waste. The wooden components are either scrap Sapele or pine. There are various other plastic parts (lamp holder, switch, plug, fabric cord covering) that currently have to be bought, made from ABS or nylon.

Currently a modified BIQU B1-SE Plus, along with a few modified Ender bedslingers.

For all of the jigs required for making the base, and general component design, I use OnShape. For the lampshades, I use a python package that directly generates the g-code. That skips the slicer and its artifacts, and provides way greater freedom in generating the models.

PET can be printed very much like PETG, just a little hotter and slower. The print profile started with the standard PrusaSlicer PETG profile, but the temperature was increased to 260C. Be careful doing this, make sure your printer can handle the higher temperatures! Recycled PLA prints close to new PLA but a little cooler, around 190-200C with a 60C bed.