Aulson Inlay, founded in 2012, is a full-service inlay company. Located on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, this family run business generates both original designs inspired by the area’s natural surroundings as well as custom creations commissioned by clients. Using specialized CNC machines hand built by co-founder Doug, ideas come to life as a beautiful inlay made of a variety of materials such as abalone, mother of pearl, dyed woods, recon stone, gold, and silver. Inlayed components are then manufactured into a range of finished products, such as guitars, furniture, jewelry, and bicycle top caps. We work with clients of all sizes from weekend warriors to factory-scale manufacturers.
Ellen
The Aulson family history started when Ellen and Doug met in high school on the North shore of Massachusetts. After graduating from UMaine Orono, Ellen taught marine and environmental science and Doug earned his Industrial Engineering degree from UMass Lowell while working for a small machining company.
They had two kids and eventually settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where Doug started Automated Machinery.
Doug
He travelled all over the eastern part of the country installing computer controls into machines that made everything from airplanes to pool cues. Ellen worked her way up the ranks at Comcast and retired after 21 years as the Director of Operations.
With manufacturing going overseas and the kids in college, Doug took a job with a longtime customer in Maryland, Larry Sifel. Doug set sail (literally) and has never looked back. Ellen eventually joined him once she saw how beautiful Solomons, Maryland is (despite being at the end of the road.)
Jaime
Jaime graduated from Salisbury University with a degree in Graphic Design and joined Doug at Pearl Works in 2002. Her eye for design and skills with machinery and CAD excelled under the tutelage of Larry. After Larry’s death in 2006, Doug and Jaime continued to work at Pearl Works until starting Aulson Inlay in 2012. Doug builds, maintains and runs the CNC equipment. Jaime designs and executes intricate inlays while mentoring the A team to do the same. Ellen manages the family business that works together every day to create the beautiful and inspired work of Aulson Inlay.
Anja
Anja started to work for Aulson Inlay in 2023. Her favorite task is to inlay intricate designs - the more complicated the better. Before Anja started working for Aulson Inlay, you could find her on archaeological digs in Germany and South America. She also worked as an Archaeologist in Maryland after she relocated from Germany to the US in 2012. Anja cares deeply for the environment and is happiest hiking outdoors. With her love for nature and art, she also opened up a wood art business in 2017, and you might know her as ZanaWoodArtZ.
Lex
Alexa “Lex” Bryant joined Aulson Inlay at the end of 2024, bringing her knack for streamlining operations, organizing workflows, and keeping things running smoothly. Before that, she spent six years in Key Largo, Florida, working in marine conservation—most recently leading a deep-water invasive lionfish research project with NOAA and managing operations for a marine science nonprofit. A commercial fisherman for most of her life, she got her start working aboard the F/V Erica Lee II out of Newburyport, MA, and later fished in Bristol Bay, Alaska, harvesting wild sockeye salmon. She earned her degree from Oregon State University and loves tackling challenges with a hands-on, problem-solving approach. Lex enjoys traveling, scuba diving, photography (above and below the water,) and relaxing at a local coffee shop with her corgi, Swab.
Lauren
Lauren is an inlay artist at Aulson Inlay, joining the team in 2015. At Aulson she uses computer assisted drawing (CAD) software to bring custom inlay visions from scribbles on a napkin to a finished inlay. Before coming to Aulson Inlay Lauren spent 10 years in science. She received an undergraduate degree in microbiology and a graduate degree in environmental chemistry. She also spent a few years working in industry. Her passion for science now inspires the inlay design work with often nerdy detail in interesting and sometimes annoying ways. Since 2020, her time has been split between inlay artistry and small human handling. She lives on the water with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and a rather dirty dog. She enjoys playing tennis, gardening, and building things out of the “kids’ toys.”
Isabela
Isabela Schuh grew up in Southern Maryland and graduated from Delaware College of Art and Design in 2010. She’s dabbled in many forms of art including film photography, jewelry making and chalkboard beer menus before joining the A-Team in 2021. Isa does a little bit of everything at Aulson Inlay, from cutting parts for production to designing custom inlays.
In her spare time, she can be found at music festivals and chasing her toddler around, often at the same time.
Liz
Liz is a Southern Maryland native graduating from Patuxent High School. After traveling around the US, she has been part of the team since spring of 2015. Along with running CNC milling machines, she has dived headfirst into the world of CAD. While keeping our production moving, Liz works with our customers and assists in bringing their custom inlay projects to life. When not bouncing around the shop, Liz enjoys thrifting for vintage home décor and walking her dog.