Myrtle No78 is a one-of-a-kind wooden robot sculpture handcrafted from Bay Laurel (Myrtle) that I harvested by hand. Standing approximately 15.5 inches tall without its base, this piece brings together wood, flowers, metal, and light—with a few surprises that only reveal themselves under the right conditions.
There is something different about making a piece from wood that I've found and harvested myself. A connection happens somewhere between finding the wood and seeing the finished piece that is difficult for me to describe. I've carried it off the beach, cut into it without knowing exactly what I'll find, worked with everything nature left behind, and slowly watched it become something entirely new. By the time a robot like Myrtle No78 is finished, that connection feels almost profound. It's one of my favorite parts of making these pieces.
At the center of its chest is a Shasta daisy that we grew ourselves, carefully dried in a way that captured the flower as though it were blowing in the wind. Suspended within the chest, that little moment of movement is preserved permanently inside the robot.
The eyes are made from shimmering Dichrolam with cross-cuts of real Protea flowers. As the viewing angle and light change, the Dichrolam shifts in color and depth behind the flowers, giving Myrtle No78 an expression that seems to change along with it.
But turn on a black light and something else happens.
The Protea flowers glow under UV light—and so does the Myrtle itself, revealing colors and details hidden within the materials under normal lighting.
Throughout the body are hand-set ebony inlays wrapped in brass. The deep black ebony creates a beautiful contrast against the warm Myrtle, while the thin brass borders catch the light and frame each inlay.
The head pivots on a magnetic ball joint, allowing its position and expression to be changed. The arms and legs are fully articulated and can be repositioned using the included Allen key.
Hand-harvested Bay Laurel (Myrtle) body
Approximately 15.5" tall without base
Homegrown Shasta daisy preserved in the chest
Dichrolam eyes
Cross-cut Protea flower eye details
UV-reactive Protea flowers
Naturally UV-reactive Myrtle
Ebony inlays wrapped in brass
Magnetic ball-joint head
Articulating arms and legs
Allen key included
One of a kind
The base will be made after purchase, allowing me to create a base specifically for Myrtle No78 before it heads to its new home.
As with all of my wooden robots, Myrtle No78 is made one at a time by hand. The natural grain, inclusions, textures, and imperfections in the wood aren't something I try to hide—they're part of what makes the piece what it is.
Care: Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight. Dust gently with a soft cloth or brush. When repositioning the arms or legs, use the included Allen key to loosen and retighten the joints rather than forcing them.
Thank you for supporting handmade art and giving Myrtle No78 a place to call home.
Myrtle No78 is a one-of-a-kind wooden robot sculpture handcrafted from Bay Laurel (Myrtle) that I harvested by hand. Standing approximately 15.5 inches tall without its base, this piece brings together wood, flowers, metal, and light—with a few surprises that only reveal themselves under the right conditions.
There is something different about making a piece from wood that I've found and harvested myself. A connection happens somewhere between finding the wood and seeing the finished piece that is difficult for me to describe. I've carried it off the beach, cut into it without knowing exactly what I'll find, worked with everything nature left behind, and slowly watched it become something entirely new. By the time a robot like Myrtle No78 is finished, that connection feels almost profound. It's one of my favorite parts of making these pieces.
At the center of its chest is a Shasta daisy that we grew ourselves, carefully dried in a way that captured the flower as though it were blowing in the wind. Suspended within the chest, that little moment of movement is preserved permanently inside the robot.
The eyes are made from shimmering Dichrolam with cross-cuts of real Protea flowers. As the viewing angle and light change, the Dichrolam shifts in color and depth behind the flowers, giving Myrtle No78 an expression that seems to change along with it.
But turn on a black light and something else happens.
The Protea flowers glow under UV light—and so does the Myrtle itself, revealing colors and details hidden within the materials under normal lighting.
Throughout the body are hand-set ebony inlays wrapped in brass. The deep black ebony creates a beautiful contrast against the warm Myrtle, while the thin brass borders catch the light and frame each inlay.
The head pivots on a magnetic ball joint, allowing its position and expression to be changed. The arms and legs are fully articulated and can be repositioned using the included Allen key.
Hand-harvested Bay Laurel (Myrtle) body
Approximately 15.5" tall without base
Homegrown Shasta daisy preserved in the chest
Dichrolam eyes
Cross-cut Protea flower eye details
UV-reactive Protea flowers
Naturally UV-reactive Myrtle
Ebony inlays wrapped in brass
Magnetic ball-joint head
Articulating arms and legs
Allen key included
One of a kind
The base will be made after purchase, allowing me to create a base specifically for Myrtle No78 before it heads to its new home.
As with all of my wooden robots, Myrtle No78 is made one at a time by hand. The natural grain, inclusions, textures, and imperfections in the wood aren't something I try to hide—they're part of what makes the piece what it is.
Care: Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight. Dust gently with a soft cloth or brush. When repositioning the arms or legs, use the included Allen key to loosen and retighten the joints rather than forcing them.
Thank you for supporting handmade art and giving Myrtle No78 a place to call home.
