Washington County natives share passion for collecting
Karen Mansfield
Angela Matyk Eustis sits in an american wing back chair. Eustis collects chairs, and has a delightful variety of them.
An American wing back chair has been re-upholstered by owner Angela Matyk Eustis.
Angela Matykw Eustis gave new life to this antique chair, which she rescued from the trash after it was thrown out.
Courtesy of Helltown Brewing
Helltown Brewing’s Houston taproom has plenty of options for trying an innovative new type of beer.
Dr. Charles Walch has amassed a collection of drum sticks, brushes and mallets over the decades. Walch, a general surgeon, also is the drummer in a band, The Remedy, which performs frequently at venues in and around Deep Creek, Md.
Dr. Charles Walch, a graduate of Trinity High School and Washington & Jefferson College, is a general surgeon who also is the drummer in a band, The Remedy.
Dr. Charles Walch playing the drums on his Pearl drum set, which he received as a gift on his 40th birthday.
A Mid-Century Modern faux fur chair owned by collector Angela Matyk Eustis.
A cane chair belonging to Angela Matyk Eustis, who has a delightful collection of chairs.
Kelli Wussick of Burgettstown collects Bath and Body Works candles.
Candle collector Kelli Wussick neatly displays her candles in her Burgettstown home.
Among the nearly 200 candles in the Kelli Wussick's dispaly are these tropical-scented candles.
Kelli Wussick of Burgettstown displays some of the nearly 200 candles that are a part of her collection.
Kelli Wussick displays some of the candles she has collected in recent years. She is a member of a Bath and Body Works Facebook group that is comprised of fellow candle lovers.
Some of the Cinderella figurines that are among Lisa Konczal Ohler's collection. Cinderella is Ohler's favorite Disney princess.
Lisa Konczal Ohler has amassed a collection of Cinderella and Cinderella-related figurines and collectibles.
By Karen Mansfield
Coins. Trading cards. Stamps. Vinyl records. Antique furniture.
Those are among the most popular collectible items.
But hobbyists invest huge amounts of energy – and, in some cases, income – acquiring items that are not as common, but are meaningful to them.
Washington County residents and natives shared some of their wonderful and collections.
Candles
Over the past couple of years, Kelli Wussick of Burgettstown has cultivated a collection that brightens her day: Bath & Body Works candles.
The 27-year-old owns nearly 200 of them. And yes, her house smells terrific.
Wussick has enjoyed buying and burning candles for several years, but in 2019 she joined a Bath & Body Works Facebook group and her candle collection caught fire, so to speak.
“I love the smell of candles, and I love to burn them. Being in the Facebook group made me realize there are many other women around the world who share the same love for candles,” said Wussick.
Wussick’s favorite scents are fruit- and bakery-scented – blueberry pie, sweet cranberry pie, frosted Moscow mule are among her favorites – but she’s partial to linen-scented candles, too.
Her candles, bearing catchy names like lemon cake pop and merry Madeleine cookie, and sunshine and daffodils, are neatly tucked in a nine-cubby cabinet, and stacked into a pyramid atop the cabinet.
Others are tastefully interspersed throughout Wussick’s lovely home. And here’s a secret: she likes the strong-scented, long-burning Bath & Body Works candles, but Wussick finds Walmart candles offer some delightful scents, for under $5.
While some candle collectors aren’t afraid to spend some serious money on their waxed treats, Wussick rarely pays more than $10 for them. She waits for the store’s yearly $10 candle sale, or uses coupons.
Her largest purchase? In December, she bought 40 candles.
Wussick has formed friendships with other dedicated wax lovers, one of the most satisfying parts of collecting.
“The girls in my group are incredible. I’ve made so many friends. I talk to women from all over the world daily. It’s a great escape for me,” said Wussick. “I’ve gotten all kinds of candles sent to me, and I’ve sent them to women. If they’re looking for a scent they can’t find and I have one, I’ll surprise them and send it to them.”