ABOVE: Wood N Needle Owner and Toymaker David Baysinger points out his shelf of differently modeled cars and trucks he has made throughout the years. Through subtle differences, Baysinger represents different models of cars, like a Camaro, and even has a car-carrying trailer where three cars fit together like puzzle pieces in the trailer bed.

FAIRMONT – A lifelong enjoyment of working with wood has become a way for retiree David Baysinger to pass the time and spread holiday cheer in Fairmont and beyond, with Wood N Needle handmade toys and furniture.

Woodworking was first taken up by Baysinger as a youth, but he began crafting his own tools and implements around 40 years ago.

“When I was a kid at home, we built a shed,” Baysinger said. “I always loved to do that. When I got out of the military again, my brother had worked for my uncle one summer between college semesters. Oh, okay, that sounds like a good idea. I went to work for him for six, seven summers when I was going to different colleges. We built houses, and we did finish work.”

It wasn’t until around 10 years ago that Baysinger found a new outlet for his skills.

“My brother makes toys up in Benson, Minnesota, which I really didn’t know he did,” he said. “He got me started and just kept making more and more. He’s got a pretty nice little location where there’s a couple main highways going by his place. So he just sets it out on the curb.”

Because he already had decades of woodworking experience, Baysinger said he has several different saws and tools at his disposal to make both simple and more intricate toy designs. The inspiration for the toys he makes comes from a few different sources.

“I go on Pinterest a lot and find ideas or patterns,” Baysinger said. “I’ll take a picture and just go and make it. I take wood magazines too. I got some real fancy toys, and they had patterns in magazines.”

From cars, trucks, haulers, bailers, rocking horses and farming equipment, Baysinger has made it all in varying sizes and levels of detail. Everything on the toys, even as small and intricate as the wheel and axle system or a miniature ladder on a toy fire truck, he makes himself.

Over the years, he has also made sure to give plenty of toys to area churches, charities, daycares, and anywhere else that needs that special touch. This year is no exception.

“I’ll varnish these here that I give away to the churches,” Baysinger said. “I’ll give some to the library, even here this fall now, a couple different times they give them as prizes. Neighbor lady over here, she’s a minister’s wife for a church over there, and she takes about 20 a year, and they put them in these shoe boxes that they send overseas. I gave some to the neighbor lady down here the other day for her daycare. Got two or three big boxes full sitting there.”

While he enjoys spreading cheer throughout the community, including by selling a selection of his toys at Imagine Martin’s Hub in downtown Fairmont, Baysinger said his work has also been sold elsewhere.

“A fancy semi, I’ve sold three or four of them to people that drive semis or have a business that messes with semis,” he said. “I’ve had stuff go overseas to Germany, people bought it and send it over there.”

Before and after picking up toys, Baysinger has also showcased his wares in craft shows. Over the decades, he said he has seen a rise, fall, and resurgence in craft shows where he and other artists and makers can showcase their stuff.

“Now you’re starting to see them more, getting to be a lot more around locally,” Baysinger said. “Back in the 90s, they were crazy. I mean, every little town had one, and then the 2000s come along, and not so much. It’s getting a little better than it was. It’s coming back.”

Of all the ideas he has tried, Baysinger said there’s one that’s just evaded him to this point.

“I got a manure spreader that hasn’t come out too good yet because it’s not so much the making of the wood, but it’s to try to get the things to turn,” he said. “The rubber bands aren’t straight enough or the right tension yet.”

For those looking to see some of what he has to offer, Wood N Nickel will be a vendor at the Interlaken Heritage Days Holiday Craft and Vendor Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. For more information or inquiries, email omdave@hotmail.com or call 507-238-4485.

* This article ran in the Sentinel’s Home for the Holiday section on Nov. 26, 2025.