Pete and Sandee Haerden are a team. Not only do they enjoy a marriage partnership with each other, they are also business partners. During the day they are remodeling contractors under the name of SPH Company (Sandee & Pete Haerden) founded in 1984. During their “relaxation” time, they again team together to produce fine works of art. Through their passion for the creative, they devoted a large portion of their home to a workshop. It is here that Pete turns out his alabaster carvings, and Sandee creates stained glass. They both carve in wood and antler, sometimes working on the same piece together.
As contractors, working with stone, wood and glass, seemed to come naturally. Long time residents of Minnesota’s bluff country, and frequent campers, they use their observations and their experiences for inspiration. They also have a penchant for carving Santa figures and wood spirits out of a variety of woods including some exotics.
These award winning carvers attend and host woodcarving seminars and competitions throughout the country. In 1999 they took part (for the first time) in the St Paul Winter Carnival Ice Sculpture Competition and walked away with first place.
It was a surprise to Pete and Sandee, but not to the rest of us.
A Haerden creation is a true treasure. Each work is unique and meticulously created to last and pass down from generation to generation.
