The Octopus Touch Lamp aka “Octotouchy”

A mini touch activated lamp in the shape of an Octopus that each arm will control a specific color led and act as the sensor and a switch(color changes rather than on/off). The model will be 3D printed in at least one color, the UV plastic for extra flare. Either the arms will have an individual touch sensor that has a set color when touched, or when you touch a specific arm the base that the model will sit atop will have a corresponding color underneath. The base would be laser cut from acrylic to fit the model’s form and would have a transparent top while the rest of the base will be a color.

Materials:

Arduino, USB Cable, 3D Printer, Model, Base/Arduino Housing, Neo-pixel ring, Jumper wires, 9v Battery, Battery clip, Capacitive touch sensor, Breadboard(med/small) Soldering iron, Solder, Wire cutters, Wire strippers, Tape, Conductive thread*

Some aspects of this proposal require different materials and will be sorted out once the model is completed, to see if I can “pipe” the arms of the octopus model for the wires connecting the switch and LED’s.

Pipe* See Image/Sketch

I was also thinking about adding a “Five Touch” feature on one or all the arms to turn it on or off. Touch one of the arms and get a color, touch a different arm get a different color, and so on. But if you touch the same one five times in a row, it turns off the lamp.

Questions:

Which option is more aesthetically pleasing? The individual strips that light up the arms, or a base with a color underneath?

Any ideas regarding the structure of the arduino base/housing that I should look into?