Our work began years ago in Brooksville with a simple curiosity and a deep respect for natural materials. We started by milling our own wood, learning through hands-on experience, and allowing the material itself to guide the process.
Over time, we developed a signature approach—pairing locally sourced wood with hand-poured epoxy, using methods we taught ourselves long before tutorials were everywhere. Each piece is shaped by the grain, the edges, and the imperfections that make it one of a kind.
Today, we focus on creating refined, functional art—both epoxy and natural wood pieces—crafted for people who value authenticity over perfection. Whether custom-made or ready to bring home, every piece is designed to be lived with, loved, and appreciated for years to come.
At Rustic Resin & Wood, we believe in sharing knowledge as much as we share our craft. Whether you're curious about live-edge wood, epoxy techniques, or want to learn how to care for your own piece — this is the place to start.
Types of Wood We Use Explore our guide to the woods we work with — from spalted sweet gum to red cedar and pecan. Learn what makes each species unique and how to identify, handle, and finish them.
Epoxy Tips & FAQs Understand the basics of epoxy, from pour depth and pigment to curing times. We share real experiences, mistakes, and solutions we’ve learned after 8+ years working with epoxy.
Understanding Live Edge & Spalted Wood
Live edge and spalted wood showcase nature's raw beauty, but they come with quirks. Spalting is a natural process where fungi create unique lines, colors, and patterns in the wood — often in shades of black, gray, orange, or even green. While beautiful, it can lead to soft spots, bug holes, and irregularities that require care and stabilization.
We break down how to recognize spalting, how to handle and prep spalted slabs, and what to expect in terms of strength and finish. You'll also learn how live-edge pieces are cut to preserve the natural outer shape of the tree, and why no two pieces can ever be exactly alike.
Spalted Wood Types
Spalted wood is a favorite around here — and it’s one of the features that makes many of our pieces truly one of a kind. Spalting refers to the natural breakdown of wood by fungi, which causes unique colors, patterns, and lines to form inside the grain. While it can happen in any wood, it’s most commonly found in medium to hardwood species that have had the right balance of moisture and airflow during decay.
Spalted Sweet Gum Bright and wild spalting — oranges, greens, purples, and black marbling are common. This wood is versatile but tends to warp or twist as it dries, so extra clamping and time are needed during woodworking.
Spalted Pecan Closely related to hickory, spalted pecan shows dark brown and orange marbling. It’s a hardwood but more sensitive to temperature changes during air drying.
Spalted Hickory Very dense and durable — often has a darker heartwood and is harder to cut. Spalting adds high contrast lines and bold coloring. Excellent for handles or hard-wearing projects.
Spalted Water Oak Beautiful marbling with oranges, reds, and creams. Though it's a hardwood, it softens slightly when spalted and is easier to shape.
NOTES:
✦ Softwoods don’t typically spalt the same way, but it is possible — spalting is technically just controlled decay.
✦ There are multiple types of spalting: zone lines (dark lines), pigmentation (colors like green, orange, blue), and white rot (lightened, softened areas).
✦ Spalting affects each wood species differently — some become more colorful, others more marbled or soft.
✦ Spalted wood often contains soft spots, cracks, or bug holes that need stabilization or filling (like with epoxy).
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