Welcome to the mechanical side of the workshop! While Errol, our dog usually steals the spotlight, today we’re highlighting a different kind of companion. Allow me to introduce our C.U.T.I.E.S.—which stands for Cybernetic Utilitarian Technological Industrial Entity Systems.

These handmade wooden robots bring a charming blend of steampunk style and 1950s science fiction straight to your desk, bookshelf, or mantle. Each little bot is crafted from sturdy pine or ash, then brought to life with an imaginative array of upcycled gears, springs, screws, and vintage hardware. They might not fetch your slippers, but they are very good at standing guard and looking exceptionally cool.

Whether you’re an upcycled art collector or just need a quirky, smol friend for your workspace, we have a robot for every aesthetic:

Grab a C.U.T.I.E. today before they all march off to new homes!

The Pocket Companions

Our smallest bots might be smol in stature, but they bring a mighty amount of character. Featuring colourful, rounded bodies in bright yellows, deep blues, and rustic coppers, each one is entirely unique. They are lovingly finished with tiny hardware details—think delicate wire arms, tiny screw joints, and goggle-like washer eyes that make them look incredibly curious.

Because of their petite footprint, they are perfectly sized to tuck onto a crowded desk, perch on a sunny windowsill amongst your plants, or sit beside your computer monitor. They also make fantastic, pocket-sized gifts for the sci-fi lover or upcycled art fan in your life.

The Block Bot Series

Built with a robust, retro-futuristic aesthetic, these square-headed characters are packed with individual personality. Finished in a mix of rich metallic sheens and vibrant, eye-catching colours like royal purple and crimson red, they look ready to march right into action on their chunky wooden feet.

We’ve given them incredibly unique upcycled details to make them stand out, including vintage clock hands for quirky smiles, coiled spring antennas to “communicate” with the mothership, and heavy-duty gear clusters that act as their mechanical hearts.

The Wide-Headed Expressives

If you want a robot that wears its emotions on its sleeve, these are for you. With their exaggerated, oversized faces and slightly surprised, wide-eyed expressions, these bots are full of rustic, handmade charm. The beautiful natural grain of the pine often peeks through their weathered paint jobs, giving them an authentic vintage feel.

Accented with wild, chaotic wire hairdos that offer a bit of a “mad scientist” vibe, and intricate gear placements for their facial features, they add a fun, highly expressive touch to any room.

The Tall & Intricate Models (The Chonkotron range)

Stepping up in scale and complexity, our largest robots stand proudly with extended cylindrical and stacked block bodies. Showcasing far more intricate gear-work, layered upcycled components, and sturdy, hinged wooden legs, these are truly the distinguished gentlemen of the robot collection. Featuring striking silver, bronze, and deep ocean blue finishes, they have a substantial, heavy-duty feel that highlights the craftsmanship involved.

These bots aren’t just meant to blend in; they are statement pieces designed to take center stage on a bookshelf or display cabinet, keeping a watchful, mechanical eye over your home.

Discover the Secret Scene C.U.T.I.E.S.: Boxbots

We are thrilled to introduce a brand new, incredibly unique addition to our handmade C.U.T.I.E.S. family! At first glance, these charming characters look like our classic upcycled shelf companions, but these special editions hold a delightful secret. Built using metal tins rather than our traditional solid wood blocks, these robots feature a hinged chest plate that swings open to reveal a whimsical, fully realized miniature diorama hidden inside.

They are the ultimate conversation pieces—offering an industrial, steampunk-inspired aesthetic on the outside, and a magical, miniature dollhouse world on the inside. Perfect as a quirky gift or a delightful desk distraction, you can keep them closed to stand guard while you work, or leave them open to show off their inner worlds.

Take a peek inside our newest metallic friends:

The Rustic Scullery BoxBot

This rugged little fellow features a beautifully weathered, faux-rust patina on its tin body, paired perfectly with hand-painted, distressed green wooden limbs. The exterior is packed with character, featuring bright brass gear eyes, a vintage clock-hand smile, and striking geometric brass accents. But the real magic happens when you open his front panel! Inside, you’ll discover a meticulously crafted miniature scullery scene. A tiny wooden ladder leads up to a shelf holding a delicate potted plant, complete with a tiny metal key hanging on the back wall. Down below, miniature translucent green and purple glass-look bottles sit neatly next to an adorable, tiny yellow rubber duck. It is a fantastic blend of sci-fi exterior and cozy domestic whimsy.

The Golden Laundry Day BoxBot

Sporting a slightly more vibrant finish, this robot features a distressed metallic body accented with splashes of crimson, contrasting beautifully with its chunky, hand-painted gold wooden arms and feet. Its expressive face is brought to life with layered gear eyes, a golden clock-hand mustache, a heavy-duty brass hinge, and a wildly fun crown of coiled wire hair. Unlatch the front, and you’ll find a tiny, domestic wonderland hidden in its mechanical belly! This interior diorama features a remarkable miniature clothesline, complete with real, tiny wooden pegs holding up colorful fabric squares to dry. Below the wash line rests a miniature gray washbasin, a tiny glass vial securely corked and filled with colorful microbeads, and of course, our signature little yellow rubber duck keeping watch. It is an intricate, joyful surprise that is guaranteed to make anyone smile.

How to Adopt a C.U.T.I.E.

While you might notice that we don’t currently offer a direct “add to cart” option on our website, there is a very good—and wonderfully busy—reason for that! We are incredibly fortunate to spend many of our weekends out and about, selling our creations directly to wonderful folks at local craft fairs and markets.

Because every single one of our C.U.T.I.E.S. is a completely unique, one-of-a-kind handmade piece, keeping an online shop perfectly synchronized with our in-person sales presents a bit of a logistical nightmare. It would require updating the website inventory multiple times a day from the middle of a bustling market stall! More importantly, we never want to risk disappointing our online customers. There is nothing worse than falling in love with a specific wooden robot online, only to discover that it was scooped up by someone at a fair just an hour earlier.

However, that certainly doesn’t mean we aren’t thrilled to sell to our online visitors! We are always very happy to discuss a sale and help you find the perfect mechanical companion.

If you spot a specific robot in our gallery that captures your imagination, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line at info@jonandmaryscurios.com . If that particular critter is still sitting on our workshop shelf and waiting for a home, we will be more than happy to arrange payment and post it safely out to you.

If it turns out that your chosen bot has already marched off to a new home, don’t despair! We would love to chat with you about exactly what caught your eye—whether it was the vintage clock-hand smile, the rusty tin body, or the wild wire hair. Using those details, we can head back to the workbench and craft a similar, totally bespoke robot just for you.