The Creative Genius Behind Bones and Stones

By Max Oppen

TANNERSVILLE—Step into Randy Tompkins's world, and you'll be transported to a realm where nature and artistry intertwine in mesmerizing ways. His shop, "Bones and Stones," nestled off Main Street in the heart of Tannersville, is a testament to his unparalleled creativity and craftsmanship.

Tompkins, a local mountaintop resident, has turned his lifelong fascination with the natural world into a thriving business. From a youth spent partying in the woods, he has evolved into an artist who captures the essence of the outdoors within his magical store. Tompkins meticulously crafts every piece of work displayed in a tiny workshop at the back of his shop.

Upon entering "Bones and Stones," visitors are greeted by an eclectic collection that includes custom knives, insects, taxidermy, and other curiosities. Among the treasures are cream-colored jeweled lobsters affixed to driftwood, a knife sheathed within a black bear leg bone, vertebrae and rib bone, an ice pick nestled in a deer hoof, and so much more. The shop is adorned with antlers and driftwood, creating a rustic and enchanting ambiance.

Tompkins's journey has been as diverse as the items he creates. Over the years, he has worn many hats, from owning a bar called the Sitzmark for five years to working as a chef at various local establishments. His carpentry business, which preceded "Bones and Stones," has proven invaluable in knife-making endeavors. Tompkins purchases raw blades and custom-builds wooden handles from various timbers, showcasing his exceptional skill and attention to detail.

Having been in his current location for three years come Labor Day, Tompkins previously operated his shop across from the firehouse in Tannersville for 12 years. A true barterer, he often trades his unique creations for other intriguing items. One notable trade involved a large white northwest mountain goat exchanged for custom knives and jewelry.

"I've always been into bones, stones, and knives since I was a kid," Tompkins shared. "It progressed from going to bike meets in my motorhome selling goods to finally opening a shop."

Tompkins's pieces, such as a coyote skull painted black with a small white snake (bones only) slithering along it in a domed glass case and various bat displays, are not cheap. However, their value lies in the eye of the beholder. Business has been good, and Tompkins proudly states that everything in his shop is real, except for the dragon in the front window.

Tompkins explained his meticulous process: "For the cream-colored lobster, I got as much meat out of it as possible, used drying chemicals, positioned it, pinned it, and dried it. That's how I do all my insects and bats, too."

Like the Egyptians, Tompkins uses coat hangers to create tools for scraping out the brain matter. He buys blank blades, shapes his custom knives, and does all the file work himself. His dedication to uniqueness is a crucial reason for his continued success. "You don't see many shops like this," he said.

Tompkins boasts an impressive collection of Damascus cutlery knives and insects, the latter primarily sourced from Indonesia. When he receives these insects, they are stretched and dried. "I have to rehydrate them using steam," Tompkins explained. "Then I position them, pin them, and dry them out again."

Tompkins has a special arrangement with Fromer Market Gardens, where he receives hummingbird and butterfly carcasses from their greenhouse. "When butterflies and hummingbirds can't find their way out of the greenhouse and die, they will bring me the carcass and trade it for something," he said. "I love to utilize things that people just throw away."

Among his favorite pieces are the insects, and he proudly asserts that he makes more money at "Bones and Stones" than in any of his previous ventures. He is currently working on an armadillo piece, a recent acquisition from a young visitor looking to part with a fish and an armadillo.

Tompkins's creativity knows no bounds, and his shop is a haven for those who appreciate the extraordinary. "Bones and Stones" is not just a store; it reflects Randy Tompkins's artistic soul and enduring love for the natural world.