I have been wanting to build my own camera for a long time. Not a pinhole camera, but a large wet plate camera. I don't want to make it in the old style and follow the beautifully designed cameras of yesteryear. I want to make my wet plate camera out of garbage.
Trash.
Detritus.
Scraps of junk.

I found a Czech photographer who has been doing this since the late 50's. Miroslav Tichy's cameras are made of cardboard tubes, wire and wooden spools. They are working works of art and look like something from Mad Max.
Somehow I don't think he has used any of the complicated mathematical equations to determine focal length, image coverage circle and f-stops...which makes for a totally un-nerdy nerd camera, just what I am wanting to build.
Now all I have to do is collect doodads, cardboard, wire, leather and go at 'er.

I also LOVE pinhole cameras made from old books.
I made one for pinhole camera day in 2007. It needed a little work as the film got all bunched up but it would work perfect for dry plate tintypes as the thin metal would be so much easier to secure than a roll of film.
Erin Paysse, a Seattle based artist makes some very stylish objects d'art that she sells on her Etsy page.