CUSTOMIZABLE ART

Kym’s Pallet Art: New business stems from family art project

Three years ago, Kym Dirig thought it would be fun to create an American flag sign out of old pallets as an art project with her young daughter Emily.

She never expected a passerby to see the pallet-flag and ask her howmuch the sign cost, but that initial art project led to additional custom orders, and they kept coming. Dirig and her husband Anthony turned the garage into a workshop as orders increased. As the operation developed, Kym thought she may be on to something.

“This might be something good to do,” Dirig said she thought to herself, laughing as she reminisced.

Now, nearly three years af- ter that art project with Emily, Kym’s Pallet Art is one of the latest new businesses in the City of Oneida, next to the Post Office at 127 Broad St.

“This was the next logical step,” Dirig said. “I wasn’t sure at first, but the community support has been through the roof.”

Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays, Kym’s Pallet Art offers signs and decorative custom lamps. From cheeky quotes to family names or a holiday theme and more, Dirig’s signs represent a wide range of tastes.

Originally from Utica, Dirig and the rest of the Dirigs have called Oneida home for the past seven years and hope to remain for the foreseeable future.

Dirig says custom orders are through the roof, and she welcomes customers to come in for

a consultation where they decide the front pallet art. design of their pallet art. Consultations typically take 10 to 15 minutes, and once Dirig begins working on a piece, she keeps customers updated on the project.

“That’s what I enjoy, being able to work with people and see their reactions,” she said, before adding sheepishly that she was not really an art fan before em- barking on this latest jour- ney.

A typical project takes roughly two weeks to complete as Dirig goes to work breaking apart the pallet and transforming it into a sign, sanding and planning the piece until it’s just right. She is particular of the pallets she takes, avoiding splintered or flawed wood. All of the woodworking takes place in the garage, but she finishes the painting details at the Broad Street store. Signs range in size with most orders roughly 12-by-14 inches but she60 inches.has also tackled 60-byKym rents her space from Mine & Consign owner Tina Marie Coe, who she met at a craft fair.After hitting it off with Coe, Dirig visited the store and liked the atmosphere. She decided to take one of Coe’s three spaces opened her business. “It all happened pretty quickly,” Dirig said. “It still blows my mind, even after three years.” For more information, v is it:www. ky ms pal let art. com/store/c1/ Featured_ Products.html

PHOTOS BY JOHN BREWER — ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Owner Kym Dirig shows off several products on display inside Kym’s Pallet Art at 127Broad St., Oneida.

Several products are on display inside Kym’s Pallet Art at 127Broad St., Oneida.

Several products are on display inside Kym’s Pallet Art at 127Broad St., Oneida.

Kym’s Pallet Art at 127Broad St., Oneida.