MONTOUR - A couple from rural Montour is becoming known across the world for their ability to turn trash into treasures.
Bethany and Nicholas SyWassink started giving life to old furniture through creativity two years ago and have been able to sell items found in scrap heaps or on the web for hundreds of dollars after giving them their artistic touch.
"I just like seeing something go from looking like a piece of garbage to something that's worth a couple hundred dollars," Bethany, who has a background in interior design, said.
Article Photos
T-R PHOTO BY ANDREW POTTER
Bethany and Nicholas SyWassink of rural Montour kneel next to a buffet they took from the trash heap and brought new life to through creativity. They are pictured with their twin 1-year-old daughters Adelyn, left, and Paisley.
One of their favorite pieces was a buffet they got from a burn pile. Bethany used stain as part of the art with flower designs on the top. Fifteen dollars of paint later, and the buffet was transformed into an item they sold for $800.
"For me, it's not about the profit," Bethany said. "It's something I enjoy - to be creative. It's also fun for us and we can do it together."
Nicholas said not only is the creative part using paint or unique designs, it's also being able to do things to furniture that nobody has ever thought of before, such as a wine rack that has LED lights.
"If we do something that's never been heard of it's pretty nice to see people's reaction," he said
Word has spread about their service with the help of a blog, where the couple posts photos and stories about their work and life. The blog is located at www.sawdustandembryos.com.
"We've had people that have looked at our blog from Europe and Australia," Nicholas said.
On the blog, they also talk about their fertility problems, which led them to the furniture work. They wanted to earn extra money for fertility treatments, so they took up the furniture restoration work. Well, it seems it's been a success in more ways than one as they now have 1-year-old twin girls Adelyn and Paisley.
"They are our success stories," Nicholas said.