The House of Hidden Treasures
By: Georgia Matlack
When you drive by this small white house in the heart of downtown Jenks, you may assume it’s just an ordinary place. However, when you step inside, you truly see, “stuff dreams are made of.” The owner of Stuff Dreams Are Made Of, Linda Reynolds, describes her store as an open art studio, as well as a vintage, retro, and whimsy shop–all within walking distance of Jenks High School.
When you enter the door, you'd see the art studio. People can come and make art for only ten dollars with creative freedom to express themselves in any way they desire. In the studio, Reynolds emphasizes the importance of self care and recreation. Reynolds doesn't instruct, but rather guides people to develop creativity by providing them with new ideas. Sometimes, she also creates art alongside the customers, and is currently working on an interesting piece of her own.
“What I am focusing on in my own art right now is the pressures that people are under. I have been taking classical pieces and then changing the environment to represent the pressures that people are dealing with these days,” said Reynolds.
Linda Reynolds holds her most recent piece of artwork.
When you walk further into the house, you then discover the antiques and collectables for sale. Indescribable collections of dolls, tea-cups, animal figurines, and more. The best part is, things are very inexpensive.
“I love for people to come and look, sometimes people can walk out with treasures for one or two dollars,” said Reynolds.
Reynolds has always been a collector, as well as her parents who were also collectors. She realized that there were things that she didn't necessarily want to throw out, but wanted to make available to other people. All items are unique and some are upcycled, such as her lamp which was repurposed from a doll. This happens to be Reynolds favorite item in store and even named her, Joy.
Linda Reynolds’ repurposed lamp shade.
She claims she finds these fun items “out and about.”
“It sounds a little bit sarcastic, but the truth is that there is a magic about not knowing where things come from. New things show up every week and I like to simulate that curiosity and wonder,” said Reynolds.
This curiosity struck a Jenks senior, Bella Moore, who is now a consistent shopper at Stuff Dreams Are Made Of. After driving by the store multiple times, she finally made the decision to go inside and was extremely pleased with what she discovered. Moore has made art in her studio and has even been inspired by Reynolds to start a collection of her own. Each time Moore enters the shop, she leaves with a new Troll doll. Her collection of Troll dolls varies in color, style, and size.
“I've always had a connection to trolls and Linda loved that I was collecting them, so she would hide them for me so that I could buy them. Linda is really special to me,” said Moore.
Reynolds is not only special to Moore, but many others as well. She has a way of making people feel comfortable around her. In fact, Reynolds is a licensed marriage and family therapist. Her office is located right next door to her shop, and she has been in private practice for over twenty years. She has a passion for both careers, and while most people think her two professions combine, she actually tries her best to separate the two.
“My professional world is over there, over there I am a therapist. Here, art is the therapist,” said Reynolds.
Art is therapy for a woman named Pamala Sipes, a regular visitor in the art studio.
“It's good therapy for me. It’s really helped me through dealing with loss in my life,” said Sipes. “I have been a caregiver for lots of people in my family, and I have lost all of them now. My husband passed away ten months ago, and because I started coming here before that, it became a foundation for me. It’s really worked out really well.”
Sipes goes into the art studio every Thursday to create new artwork. It's important to her that art is fun and a stress free experience. She has made new friendships while being at Linda’s, and the community that she has there is very important to her. Whether she is asking for an opinion on her artwork, or just casually conversing, she always feels like she has a place at Linda’s studio. Sipes once considered herself as a “arts and crafter,” but after discovering Stuff dreams are made of, she realized that she was a true artist.
It is obvious that Reynolds and her store has had an impact on people of all ages, like Bella and Pamala. She works hard to maintain her business and create a positive environment for each individual who walks into the door. Whether it's to pick out a gift, create some art, or just look around, be sure to check out Stuff Dream Are Made Of at 323 West A Street Jenks, OK 74037.
For more information, check out Stuff Dreams Are Made Of’s Facebook account: @stuffdreamsaremadeof