About Hill Country Wood
Handcrafted Marvels from Wood
In a world increasingly dominated by man made materials—plastic, steel, and concret —there remains something profoundly resonant about wood. No matter how advanced our technology becomes or how industrialized our surroundings grow, we humans maintain a deep, innate connection to wood. It is this connection that I strive to honor at Hill Country Wood, where every piece I create tells a story rooted in nature.
As a woodworker, I am constantly mindful of this bond. When working with live edge wood or cross-sections, I can feel the tree’s soul in my hands. The grain patterns, rings, and knots reveal a story of seasons passed, of resilience, growth, and time itself. Each piece of wood stands as a living testament to its journey, and as I shape it into something new, I feel I am stepping into that story—preserving it in a form that can continue to live on.
For me, woodworking goes far beyond craftsmanship. It is about honoring the tree’s life, respecting its journey, and recognizing that even after it has been cut, its spirit endures in what we create. In the hands of a skilled woodworker, wood becomes more than an object—it becomes an extension of the tree’s character, carrying its essence into the spaces it inhabits.
That is the enduring magic of wood. When treated with care and respect, it continues to speak to us long after it has left the forest.
Joel Goobich Bio
I’ve always been a hands-on, creative person. Crafting and building with my hands has felt natural to me for as long as I can remember. There’s something deeply satisfying about being able to touch, feel, and even smell the materials I work with—it creates a tangible connection that goes far beyond what digital or electronic experiences can offer.
My journey into woodworking, however, didn’t begin in the traditional way. I didn’t grow up in a woodshop or inherit a family trade. Instead, my path began in chemistry, where I earned a master’s degree with an emphasis in epoxy chemistry. During my studies, I discovered epoxy’s incredible potential far beyond its conventional industrial uses. That knowledge eventually became the foundation for one of my most creative ventures: crafting epoxy river tables.
Drawing on my background in chemistry, I founded my first company, Colorations, where I developed and manufactured children’s art materials. This experience immersed me in the world of color—how hues interact, contrast, and transform different textures and mediums. I learned how color can evoke emotion and elevate even the simplest materials into something extraordinary.
That understanding of both epoxy chemistry and color theory has become central to my woodworking. When creating epoxy river tables and custom live-edge pieces, I combine natural wood grain with carefully selected resin tones, whether bold and vibrant or subtle and refined. Each piece becomes a thoughtful blend of craftsmanship, science, texture, and artistry.
This fusion of craft and science has allowed me to create work that is both functional and artistic—pieces that reflect my lifelong passion for hands-on creativity while transforming raw materials into lasting works of beauty.
Made in Austin, Texas
All of our furniture is handcrafted locally and available for pickup from our workshop. We focus on creating high-quality pieces that are built to last and designed to stand out.