Design your own products with Ponoko

This intricate bowl is based on the lovely design of a type of tiny algae called diatoms. These phytoplankton come in all sorts of incredible shapes, with silicate cell walls (called frustules) that show nearly ornate patterns of pores under a high-powered microscope.

The first edition of this bowl is currently on display at the Phylogenetic Museum at the University of Jena, Germany as part of a Diatom-focused exhibition.

To make this bowl, the pattern of one form of diatom was hand drawn, then laser cut from white acrylic. The shape is then heat formed into a bowl with a depth of approximately 2" and measuring around 7.5" diagonally. Attractive and modern enough to stand on its own, it is also sized perfectly to hold things like business cards, keys, or candy.

Want another color? Just let me know your preference and I'll set it up- this can be made in any of the 3mm acrylics that Ponoko carries!

This will be cut when you order and shipped to me for forming, so please allow 2-4 weeks minimum. Thanks!