Meet Eli Tomalka, the passionate craftsman behind Eli Tomalka Woodworks who hails from the scenic town of Hendersonville, North Carolina. His journey into woodworking and furniture design has led him to establish a unique, full-service custom furniture business that combines the beauty of local, sustainably harvested hardwoods with the innovative use of epoxy resin.

Eli's expertise is evident in every piece he creates, from intricate charcuterie trays to stunning furniture. He meticulously sources highly figured hardwoods, letting their natural patterns inspire his designs. This careful selection of materials allows him to craft pieces that are not only functional but also visually striking. The interplay between wood and epoxy resin in his work highlights natural imperfections, transforming them into breathtaking features that elevate the overall aesthetic.

His foray into epoxy resin began about two and a half years ago, initially sparked by social media. Despite limited access to epoxy during his academic years at Northern Michigan University, where he pursued woodworking & furniture design. Eli's ingenuity led him to start creating bottle cap coasters with epoxy in his dorm room, which he sold for some extra cash, while allowing him to refine his skills. His passion truly took off in March 2022 with the purchase of a reusable poly mold, marking a significant milestone in his career.

For Eli, epoxy resin is more than just a medium; it's a way to enhance and stabilize the natural beauty of wood. He appreciates how it allows him to extend the material's tangible value, making each piece more robust and aesthetically pleasing. His work is deeply inspired by the natural beauty of wood grain, and he relishes the opportunity to preserve and accentuate this in his designs.

Eli is also a valued member of the woodworking community in his area, a group he describes as incredibly uplifting and inclusive. The collective knowledge and shared experiences within this community have accelerated his learning curve, allowing him to refine his techniques and best practices quickly.

For those intrigued by Eli's work, check out his website, elitomalkawoodworks.com.

Among the products he uses, Eli favors the Promise Deep Pour Epoxy. As an avid woodworker, he always keeps at least three gallons of it in his shop at all times. This versatile epoxy resin is indispensable for river pours, minor stabilization, casting, and filling cracks, proving its worth in various applications within his projects. Checkout this amazing tutorial from Eli below!