One ring to rule the ball

The ball races freely around a loop, contained solidly within the single twisting wire.
 
1.2 w x 0.4 d x 1.2 h in cm |
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If M.C. Escher had owned fidget toys, he would have worn "One ring to rule the ball" as a pendant. A single, continuous line contains a small ball that makes orbit after mesmerizing orbit but cannot escape, always held down in four directions. Available in solid, durable stainless steel with optional antique bronze and gold plated finishes to fit any context, "One ring to rule the ball" now also includes a rubber necklace so that you can confuse your mind any time the fancy strikes you (necklace and shipping free worldwide)! One customer echoes many others in saying, "I couldn't put it down. This thing is just too fun!"

Purchases by those gracious customers have now paid for the design time on this piece so it is available on a pay-what-you-want basis. Ordering from this page contributes 5$ towards continuing work such as the new, even more impossible "One ring to pwn the ball" (just released October 18th!) which can be found at http://www.shapeways.com/model/145172/one_ring_to_pwn_the_ball.html and the open-source "Ultimate Desk Toy" at http://www.shapeways.com/model/109166/ultimate_desk_toy.html . To download the original 3d file for your own use under a CC-BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ca ) click "Download" at top right . To learn more about this design or other work from Terra Cotta, visit our website at http://www.terracottapf.com

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Comments  6

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This can be printed in Silver? I thought Silver doesn't allow moveable parts?
Thank you, janiscortese -- you were the first to order it in glossy bronze (my own in that material has not yet arrived), so you are the only one to have seen "one ring" in that look worldwide! Pretty cool, hey?
Delightful thing, lovely in glossy bronze, pleased to hang it off my viola case. :-)
@semer I have added some photos to the forums at http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=2851 -- I hope they can give you a better idea of the design!
Any chance of posting a picture of this "in action" worn as a pendant? I'm having a hard time with scale... yes, I know, the measurements are there... :) Anyhow very cool!
Thank you, purchaser number 4! Model price reduced to $12.50, or two for $25
Only one more order and my first hour of design work on this piece will have been paid for--when that happens I will reduce the price to $12.50 (cost is $9.80). @pwnlrk I have new design out that I think you would like. Check it out at http://www.shapeways.com/model/109166/ultimate_desk_toy.html
WOW, a double möbius skeleton. I love this piece! Well done!!
Very nice and creative! Hope to see more soon ...
Wow that is mind boggling ! Wonderful design !
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