Welcome to Pondside Studio!
I'm Allen Aardsma.
Since 1963 when I began carving, it has been my pleasure to carve almost 200 species of birds and animals -- over 3,000 carvings, most of them with a Buck #307 jackknife.
You can follow progress being made on current carving projects, below, or view past carvings by clicking the "More Carvings" button at the bottom of this page.
There are many "fun and interesting little crevices to explore" [Thanks, CF.]
on this site, so have fun exploring!
"Oh, Lord, what a variety of things You have made!
In wisdom You made all creatures, great or small;
the earth is full of them!
Your workmanship is marvellous -
how well I know it!
Let us give to the Lord [not to evolution]
the glory due to His name."
Psalm 104:24; 139:14; 29:2
Some of The Master's handiwork:
a Mourning Cloak butterfly on a White Pine cone.
I am holding one of the very nicest gifts I've ever been given by my customers: a hardcover book entitled "The Artist", covering the carving of "Stormy" from beginning to end. Pictures of the process, of the real Stormy, of my family, and of this Adirondack setting are accompanied by the most clever poem and comments.
This is a real treasure - one I will prize for the rest of my life.
Thanks, E & L!
This is a real treasure - one I will prize for the rest of my life.
Thanks, E & L!
PLEASE NOTE
Robin and I will be teaching at the
Oak Hill Christian School, in Herndon, VA,
during the 2021-22 school year.
Our current address is:
2551 Farmcrest Dr., 921
Herndon, VA 20717
I am currently not taking any orders
because I haven't found it possible to do any carving
since we moved here and began teaching.
I will do my best to let you know
when that situation changes.
A styrofoam relief carving commissioned by Smile Lodge Pediatric Dentistry, Clifton Park, NY. (Picture: courtesy of M. McMahon.)
LIFESIZE OTTERS
"BAILEY"
- a beloved companion
To read or download my latest book -
"AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY"
- click . . .
"AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY"
- click . . .
Your work is just beautiful! RP (6-1-21)
"I get such special joy from your creations." JH
Wanted to say thank you for the amazing carving you did for us.
I was just staring at it today for five minutes and it made me think of you.
Thank you so much! EM
I was just staring at it today for five minutes and it made me think of you.
Thank you so much! EM
CURRENT ORDERS & AVAILABLE CARVINGS
Carvings listed below in black are presently on order and not yet carved.
All will be life-sized Pocketknife carvings unless otherwise indicated.
TBD = "to be determined"; based on current hourly wage, times hours invested.
To order any of the available carvings or to reserve one of the carvings that is to be made, I can be contacted by email: allen.aardsma@gmail.com
SPECIES # To be Made Available Price
3421 MULTIPLE SPECIES COLLAGE SPECIAL ORDER
3447-52 PAINTED TURTLES [smaller size] 6 4 250
3461-66 WINTER WREN [singing] 6 4 300
3468-73 FEMALE BLUEBIRD [4/21] 6 4 350
3474-5 TOWHEE [PAIR] [4/21] 1 SPECIAL ORDER
3476-3481 CAROLINA WREN [4/21] 6 4 300
3482-7 DOWNY WOODPECKER [4/21] 6 4 350
3488-9 BALTIMORE ORIOLE [PAIR] [4/21] 2 SPECIAL ORDER
3490-3 NORTHERN FLICKER [4/21] 4 2 750
3494-7 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER [4/21] 4 3 650
3501-04 BLUE JAY 4 1 650
"Your artistry is incredible. Like just wow!" JL
"Each of your carvings is a treasure and brings us joy." MP
"Your carvings are scientifically accurate, yet artistically beautiful." KZ
More carvings can be viewed by clicking, below.
DISPLAY CARVINGS
The carvings listed below are in my personal collection
and are available for purchase.
Discounts are not given on display carvings.
and are available for purchase.
Discounts are not given on display carvings.
SPECIES PRICE
1246 STINKPOT TURTLE 550
1345 CHICKADEE FLEDGLING [8-14-03] 650
1890 CERULEAN WARBLER [3-4-11] 950
2219 EURASIAN KINGFISHER 750
2366 BOBOLINK [12-29-16] 850
2389 ROBIN FLEDGLING 450
240? SNAPPING TURTLE 750
2420 BLUEBIRD FLEDGLING 550
2433 BLUE JAY FLEDGLING 650
2499 SPOTTED TURTLE 550
2502 GOPHER TORTOISE 1250
2589 WINTER WREN 750
2679 WESTERN PAINTING TURTLE 750
2718 BABY PAINTED TURTLE [2 ⅞] 750
3220 BABY SPOTTED TURTLE [2 ⅞] 500
3242 CANYON WREN 950
3303 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER 2500
3417 EASTERN BLUEBIRD [wallmount] 750
1345 CHICKADEE FLEDGLING [8-14-03] 650
1890 CERULEAN WARBLER [3-4-11] 950
2219 EURASIAN KINGFISHER 750
2366 BOBOLINK [12-29-16] 850
2389 ROBIN FLEDGLING 450
240? SNAPPING TURTLE 750
2420 BLUEBIRD FLEDGLING 550
2433 BLUE JAY FLEDGLING 650
2499 SPOTTED TURTLE 550
2502 GOPHER TORTOISE 1250
2589 WINTER WREN 750
2679 WESTERN PAINTING TURTLE 750
2718 BABY PAINTED TURTLE [2 ⅞] 750
3220 BABY SPOTTED TURTLE [2 ⅞] 500
3242 CANYON WREN 950
3303 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER 2500
3417 EASTERN BLUEBIRD [wallmount] 750
"We are grateful for your love for all living creatures and for the miracle of your gifted hands." AH