The Sugar Bowl

Designed and produced as if it was ceramics, The Sugar Bowl is 10cm X 10cm and showcases the application possibilities of Beetware as a material. The main vessel is traditionally shaped and complete with a shallow foot rim. The lid follows the contour of the vessel with an inner lip for a secure closure at any rotation. The identity of the object is solidified by the spoon rest cavity in the lid, a staple feature of ceramic sugar bowls. Side handles are also a traditional feature, however they were purposefully excluded from this design. The slightly elongated body where the handles would be placed, in contrast to the delicate and petite handle on the lid are suggestive of an urn. Although subtle, it is intentional and in homage to the materials prior life. The waste is now memorialised as a functional object intended to aid and contain the product of its natural origin: sugar.

All of these details were captured in the material through 3D printed moulds which were created from original CAD renders of the design. The casting method was an adaptation of two industrial ceramic processes: jigger/jollying and sprig moulding. The results of this method gave insight to the materials behaviour which can be applied to other processes. There is reason to believe this material would be successful in ram pressing, sprig moulding and jigger/jollying if the mould is made from non absorbent materials, opening many opportunities for Beetware as a material.