I've always admired the work of artist Wendy Addison without knowing who or where she was. Now that she has dozens of imitators (including a passel from China), it means more to me than ever to know that she spends half her time in the tiny town of Port Costa, on the Sacramento River. Too small to have a post office, and once a loading area for trains, the town features a few old store fronts, one of which is her studio and a tiny outlet space, the Theater of Dreams.
Her workshop is open on weekends preceding many holidays, and Christmas is a favorite time of year to appreciate her special medium: glitter. Not just any glitter. Years ago she discovered a special type of silver glitter made originally in Germany that was actually broken slivered glass (like a mirror). The shine was unparalleled, but there was a downside--like all silver, it tarnished over time. This "defect" turned out to be something of an advantage to those who collected her work, and the blackened stars and other objects became collectibles.The designs change every year, but during Christmas, Easter and Halloween, Port Costa is the place to be.
