Jim Rauchfuss

James Rauchfuss’s passion for woodworking has been handed down through generations, along with many of the tools he still uses from his grandfather. Each bowl he creates is one of a kind—unique, enchanting, and hand crafted in his Merritt Island, Florida shop.

His work begins with burls salvaged from trees and large limbs blown down in hurricanes, never from live trees. Live and laurel oaks, which thrive in the oak hammocks of Merritt Island, produce domestic hardwoods considered on par with many exotic species. Florida’s humid climate fosters the growth of large, dense burls with swirling, intricate grains. Much like a pearl in an oyster, a burl forms when a tree walls off a foreign particle, creating a rare and beautiful feature within the wood.

James highlights the natural history within each piece—embracing spalting (the dramatic color changes caused by fungal growth), insect burrows, and natural voids. He often fills these spaces with pastel-colored, swirling resin inlays that enhance the organic patterns. The result is an elegant, enchanted bowl brought to a smooth, glossy glow—each one a union of nature’s artistry and human craftsmanship.