WHAT'S HATCHING ?
6" LOONS
WHAT HAS RECENTLY HATCHED ?
JUMPING FOR JOY
A 3/4-size Common Loon
Hummingbird 'Flats'
Luna Moth 'Flats'
EASTERN CHIPMUNK
A 12" BROWN TROUT
The second of a book-matched pair of wall mounts.
A 12" BROOK TROUT
The first of a book-matched pair of wall mounts.
A 13" BROOK TROUT for a beautiful driftwood wall mount.
BOBWHITE QUAIL
MONARCH BUTTERFLY 'FLATS'
BLUE MORPHO BUTTERFLY SOLD
ATLANTIC PUFFIN SOLD
CEDAR WAXWINGS
WINTER WRENS - (singing)
Eastern Painted Turtles - 'small and smaller'
20" Trophy Brook Trout, Pocketknife carving. SOLD
Carolina Wrens
Welcome to Pondside Studio!
I'm Allen Aardsma.
In 1963, when I was ten years old, I carved my first bird -- a Goldfinch. Since then, I have carved nearly 200 species of birds and animals -- more than 3,000 individual carvings -- most of them with a Buck #307 jackknife. Many of them can be seen in this website's 'Pocketknife' and 'Powertool' Galleries.
You can, also, view past carvings by clicking the "More Carvings" button at the bottom of this page.
A friend said, "There are many fun and interesting little crevices to explore on your website". I hope you 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 marvelous -
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
on a bed of pine needles, grass and moss.
Just try making any one of these things!
"The beauty of nature is a theme which permeates you and emanates from you. God has given you a special aptitude to see it and to be able to share it with others." GA
I am holding one of the very nicest gifts I've ever been given by a customer: 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!
(Pictures of the process of carving "Stormy" can be seen in this site's "Powertool Gallery".)
This is a real treasure - one I will prize for the rest of my life.
Thanks, E & L!
(Pictures of the process of carving "Stormy" can be seen in this site's "Powertool Gallery".)
A styrofoam relief carving commissioned by Smile Lodge Pediatric Dentistry, Clifton Park, NY. (Picture: courtesy of M. McMahon.)
"Your work is just beautiful!" RP (6-1-21)
"I get such special joy from your creations." JH
A life-size, power-tooled Barred Owl, made from an 18" length of Basswood trunk.
"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
"Your artistry is incredible. Like just wow!" JL
A pocketknife pair of Eastern Cardinals.
"Each of your carvings is a treasure and brings us joy." MP
A pocketknife Brookie and Rainbow. "Fisherman's Heaven"
"Your carvings are scientifically accurate, yet artistically beautiful." KZ
"Words cannot do the carving justice! We are over the moon!"
More carvings can be viewed by clicking, below.
"We are grateful for your love for all living creatures and for the miracle of your gifted hands." AH