Oran Deemer of Zelienople sits by one of his clock projects in his workshop. The 79-year-old Deemer started woodworking 50 years ago and has provided many wooden gifts to friends and family.

ZELIENOPLE — During the past 50 years, Oran Deemer's hobby has decorated his home.

Because of the skills he developed in the workspace above his two-story garage, Deemer has not only furnished his home, he's built part of it.

From his bedroom set to the china cabinet, the kitchen to the fireplace, Deemer has made them all.

A farmer by trade, Deemer started woodworking about 50 years ago after moving into his Center Street residence.

Starting off with small projects, the 79-year-old man learned the craft slowly, examining each project and mistake to hone his skills.

After getting married and moving to the borough in 1944, Deemer started remodeling the house. He actually turned two rooms into what is the living room today, and started working with wood.

"That's when he got started, Iguess," his wife Catherine said.

Anytime she or one of his three children wanted a new piece of furniture, they just showed Deemer a picture and skipped a shopping trip.

Aside from that, Catherine said the woodworking gives Deemer an activity to keep him busy.

"That's fine,"she said of his hobby. "He's out of my hair."

Now, after more than 50 years, many of Deemer's projects are gifts for friends and family, but not before making a practice piece for his wife first.

"I get the first one, then he sees the mistakes," she said.

The bedroom set and grandmother clock — smaller than a grandfather clock — which are in the couple's two-story frame house, have now become gifts he makes for family members.

Deemer has made other items as well. From a blanket chest to a gun cabinet, he has even made belt buckles with different types of wood for his grandchildren.

Right now, Deemer is working on two projects. One is a grandmother clock modeled after the one in his living room for a daughter. The other is a bluegrass mandolin.

"It ain't goin' too fast, I'll tell you," the former farmer said about the musical instrument he occasionally plays.

Woodworking and music aren't Deemer's only hobbies.

Up until last year, he rode his 1973 Harley-Davidson. He also fishes, hunts and square dances.

The woodwork, though, is the hobby that decorates his home and those of his family and friends.