Welcome to Pondside Studio!

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​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!

PLEASE NOTE
Robin and I will be teaching at the
Oak Hill Christian School, in Herndon, VA,
during the 2021-22 school year.
I will not be taking any more carving orders,
but, during the school year,
​ I do hope to finish the Pocketknife carvings presently on order.

LIFESIZE OTTERS


​
​"BAILEY"
- a beloved companion
​To read or download my latest book -
"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


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
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​"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.
                  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

                                       
"We are grateful for your love for all living creatures and for the miracle of your gifted hands."   AH