BAKER CITY — David Mespelt still has the wooden bowl he made as an 8th grader in woodshop class.

“It’s been my go-to hobby for 53 years,” he said.

And about eight years ago he ramped up his hobby when his wife, Julie, surprised him with a shed that he turned into a workshop and a place to keep his tools and projects.

His time expanded even more when he retired in 2021 from his 20-year career as head custodian at Baker High School.

He works under the moniker Wonder Woods, and creates artistic pieces that hang on the wall as well as functional bowls and cutting boards. He even takes custom orders.

He said he never knows what kind of wood will show up when a pickup backs into his driveway, bearing a gift that Mespelt can turn into a work of art.

And he loves the smell of his woodshop when he opens the door every morning.

“Every wood smells different,” he said.

Mespelt has several works for sale at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center in Baker City, and also sets up tables at the Fourth of July celebration in Haines, Miners Jubilee and holiday bazaars. To see samples of his work, visit Wonder Woods on Facebook.