An espresso cup specially designed with fins, to ensure the successful deployment of your rocket fuel. All systems are go! Paraboloid bowl holds approximately 1.5 fl oz. or 45 mL. (Note that I previously claimed the cup held 60 mL. While my 3D modelling software still reports that as the internal volume, some combination of the printing process and glazing is robbing me of internal volume. Contact me if you'd be interested in a larger, more expensive 60 mL cup.)
After receiving feedback from Shapeways, I've created a slightly revised model for the cup. I'm told that this model will be easier to print and glaze, leading to a more reliable product. The changes are minor -- it's a little wider, a little heavier, and has more rounding on edges that were previously sharp (a 3D rendering shows the differences above).
Update (April 13th, 2013): The cup has had a great run on Shapeways, and I deeply appreciate the attention and positive feedback it has received. The bad news is that I've got to stop offering it for sale here. The good news is that the cup is now available commercially! It's being manufactured by Fred and Friends, sold under the name "Blast Off! Espresso Cup Set". It's already available for purchase online (perpetualkid.com, thinkgeek.com), and I'm sure you'll be able to find it in your favourite housewares store soon.
Is inside out? Or is it not? Perhaps both?
This is an Amphora from another space-time.
An ancient object which we knew had to exist.
And after years of excavation in other dimensions we finally found it!
A very exotic vase with a unique near-impossible shape, suitable for use with dry flowers and striking enough to stand alone.
Theoretically it can also hold water in the toroidal bottom part, read practical details below.
Very suitable as a wedding gift to symbolize love and infinity.
The number eight (or sideways infinity) plays an important role in this piece,
both in the number of arms and the cross-section of this model.
Notes:
To improve print quality and after some deliberation with production, this model has been slightly updated on August 24th 2012; The arms have been thickened and the holes enlarged to improve strength and glazing.
Still I recommend not to put a lot of stress on the handles.
Refer to rendered images for the latest version. I will update photo's asap.
The bottom it stands on, is unglazed, which is invisible during normal display.
All clearly visible parts will be fully glazed, but there is a chance some parts on in the inside might not, which may compromise it's ability to hold water.
While production does their absolute best and all recent prints turned out perfectly glazed and hold water, due to the complexities involved, there is no 100% guarantee for to be absolutely watertight.
