Wonder Web Wednesday - Wendy Addsion

Wendy Addison was born and raised in Missouri, to artist parents. She studied fine art at an early age. In 1993, she opened her studio in an old garage, and combining her interest in art and antiques began to create what she called ''objects for an imaginary life''. 

Using antique materials found at flea markets, including old sheet music, tarnished tinsel, vintage crepe paper, Victorian scrap, and silver glass glitter, Addison's work connects with some lost sense of magic from times past. Her signature look evolved quickly and her creations soon found their way to fine stores across the country, such as Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany, Gumps, and John Derian.

In 1997, Wendy moved to a tiny town north of San Francisco and opened up her own shop, called the Theatre of Dreams, which is open ''by chance or appointment''. She has continued to create new and innovative paper objects, and in her store you can find everything from shadow puppet plays, miniature paper theatres, letter-pressed poetry books, tiny furniture made of antique newspapers, and optical devices of wonder. Her designs are also licensed to: Tinsel Trading Company in NYC; Midwest of Cannon Falls; West Elm; and sold in gift stores everywhere.

 Look for Wendy's designs at

                          Anthropologie's new wedding collection.

Ms. Addison has made appearances on Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic and Martha Stewart. She has been featured in numerous magazines including Victoria, House Beautiful, Home Companion, Country Living, Domino and Somerset Studio, and in several books, Where Women Create, Where Women Create Organization, Family Spaces, and soon to be released Celebrations. 

Wendy has just finished her 1st book. It was written, illustrated and produced all by Wendy herself as a limited edition titled The Theatre of Dreams.

photos and text courtesy wendyaddison.com

Theatre of Dreams 2012

We took our annual trip to
Wendy Addison's Theatre of Dreams

 in Port Costa the day after Thanksgiving.

Lots of glitter, lots of colour, lots of magic!

Vintage beauty everywhere you look.

 New Christmas pennants, with a "circus-y stripe".

 We purchased a few presents for special friends,

pick up some letterpress discs and 

a new Christmas ornament.

And what trip to The Theatre of Dreams would be
complete without seeing the shadow dancer!

Open Fridays and Saturdays 10-4

through December 21.

Theatre of Dreams

The sparkle,

The vintage feel,

the joy!

What would the holidays be without a trip to
Wendy Addison's Theatre of Dreams?

Stopped by last week on my way
to Sebastopol, to see the magic,

and pick up some lovely letter press
letters on circle cardstock.

Cigar Box Wednesday

When is a cigar box not a cigar box? When it's a decorative "book" box from Michael's. This one holds a grouping of some of my favourite Christmas ornaments.



They include Wendy Addison (Theatre of Dreams), Patricia Griffin, and a lot of misc. bits and bobs including some fun wire and metal tendrils.



We have a copper vase full of curly willow on our mantel and every December these rustic beauties grace the branches and brighten our season.

PS - If you played the give-away game in yesterday's blog, send me your address so I can get your book to you! My e-mail is on the right hand sidebar near the top.

Theatre of Dreams

The magic, the glitter, the total vintage - that's the Theatre of Dreams. Wendy Addison's shop and studio in Port Costa. This was our second trip and just as wonderful as it was two years ago.

Vintage trees and phrenology message boards!

Glitter birds and glitter eggs!

Wonderful boxes for every occasion and more glitter letters - these celebrate the season.

The magic continues this weekend Saturday & Sunday 10-5.

Well worth the trip - your eye candy quota for the year!

Cigar Box Wednesday

photo courtesy of Aya Brackett

It's still Cigar Box Wednesday - but - a look at someone else's cigar boxes. These lovely vintage stacks reside in Wendy Addison's Theatre of Dreams in Port Costa, California. There's a great article and slide show here on the Country Living website. What beautiful graphics and can you just imagine all the delights held within?

From the Bookshelf

Wendy Addison's Theatre of Dreams - the name of her amazing studio and the name of her handmade,letter press, limited to 400 copies, book. I was lucky enough to see the book last Christmas season when we visited her enchanting studio in Port Costa. There are still a few copies left, check out Wendy's blog for info on ordering.


Today and tomorrow are the beginning of Sawdust & Tinsel , her 3 holiday open houses. 10-4 each day. If you can't make it this weekend, there will be two more chances, Dec.4-5 and Dec. 11-12. If you are anywhere within a day's drive of the East Bay area it's definitely worth the trip. Plenty of reasonable motels in nearby Berkeley if you need to stay over night. The Theatre of Dreams is a magical experience that you'll never forget!

The Theatre of Dreams

Last December Margot and I got the chance to visit Wendy Addison's Theatre of Dreams shop and studio in Port Costa. It's a tiny (Pop. 300) little town set right on the Sacramento River just before it runs into the upper reaches of San Francisco Bay. We spent the night in El Cerrito, about 12 miles away and drove over to Port Costa in the chill of an early winter's morning. We parked by the river and walked down the main street, snapping pictures of the glorious old buildings.

When we tried to enter The Theatre of Dreams, it wasn't open, but while we were looking in the windows, Wendy came and threw open the door with a big welcoming smile and a friendly "Good morning." It was pure magic, all of her wonderful creations to delight the eye. Everything in the shop was vintage, not just her pieces, but all the display units, racks, even the pins used to attach things to an old dress form.

We "Ooo-ed" and "Ah-ed" for over an hour, choosing a few precious things to take home. Wendy graciously brought out the handmade book she's creating and let us look through and feast our eyes. It's a limited run of 350 and an exquisite piece of artwork. When I ask if I could take pictures in the shop, Wendy said "Of course!" We finally tore ourselves away, knowing this was an experience that will long be remembered.

Wendy Addison in her Theatre of Dreams

The Theatre of Dreams is open several times a year for weekend open houses. If you're in the coastal California area it's well worth a trip. Check Wendy's blog or call (510) 787-2164 for dates.