BACK IN BLACK: COMME DES GARCONS INCENSE SERIES

Ancient and evocative, the Incense series from Comme des Garcons features spiritual scents that have stirred monks, high priestesses and holy men throughout the ages. Magic and ethereal, yet bound to the earth, these five scents represent a pilgrimage to the four corners of the globe. An olfactory journey through the world of mankind with one purpose: to capture the mystical and holy fragrances that bring us closer to the divine. Back in stock at the Blackbird Apothecary and online.

INTERVIEW: LAURA ZINDEL

Laura Zindel Design, the collaboration of Laura and her husband, Thorsten Lauterbach, has been creating beautiful objects for the home since 1997. Laura and Thor, along with a small staff of artisans, create fine ceramics, dinnerware, and gift items from the converted barn of the Partridge House, a 1778 farmhouse located in Guilford, Vermont.

We asked Laura some questions about her background, her life and what inspires her. She graciously responded with some great insight as to what goes into, not only physically making these pieces but also thought wise. Thanks so much Laura.

Blackbird- Where were you raised? And how has that affected your work?

Laura- I was raised in a suburb in CT. While it was a burb, it was very rural. We lived on the edge of a forest that turned into the meadows that led to the CT River. When we were around 7 my neighbor Roger and I spent our days out there. I don't know what my mother thought we were doing, but we played in an old abandoned shack down by the river. It had a bed and one of those old ice boxes and a rusty car in it. There was an old man by the river vibe to the place and it was kind of creepy, but we liked it and it was ours. One summer Roger secretly collected little tree toads and stored them in a box on the side of the house. He gave them to me one day as a sort of love letter, there were hundreds of them. They were all dead of course and I was horrified, but it was a pretty cool effort. So I don't know how any of this has affected my work, but those days of running wild are some of my fondest memories.

Blackbird- Why pottery as a medium?

Laura- I have loved clay since the 5th grade when someone brought in a pottery wheel to school. I can't remember a time after that when I was not involved in making things out of clay on a regular if not daily basis. It was just something that I had to do, I don't recommend it for everyone.

Blackbird- What is the relationship between the pieces and the images on them?

Laura- I got to a place making ceramics when I realized that what interests me the most is the surface of the clay and the decorating possibilities. My big break came when I figured out a way to combine my love of drawing with a pencil to the ceramic process. It took many years to get the drawings (that are translated through silk screen printing into enamel transfers), to look the way that I wanted, and to be a good enough quality to be really functional. But now I have the perfect marriage of all the things that I love on objects that people can use and touch. I think of the forms as functional canvas. I am happy that people will use my work in their everyday lives and be apart of their meals and celebrations. I hope that they don't sit around and collect dust.

Blackbird- Seeing your pieces in House Beautiful in full table spreads is amazing and adds so much texture to an ordinary meal. What is your favorite meal to serve/cook?

Laura- My husband Thor is the cook in our family. I can make suggestions for a meal but he is the one that makes them taste good. He was a cook in the German army so I can invite over as many people as I want. When we have a party I choose the serving dishes, set the table and put out the candles and flowers....I like to make things comfortable. We have a lot of really nice parties with way too much food and wine. We don't have a favorite meal, but we have a lot of favorite people and that's what counts.

Blackbird - Coffee or tea?

Laura- Coffee please, lots of cream no sugar.

Blackbird- What are you favorite kinds of flowers and why?

Laura - I like sculptural flowers like Allium and Calla Lilies growing in my lettuce and basil. I like old lady garden flowers like Peonies and Holly Hocks and Daisies because they get gigantic. I would put Peony bushes all over my yard if I had a million flower dollars. I have a small blood red Dahlia garden that blooms all summer. I cannot ever bring myself to cut one down because they are perfect. There is a Quince bush in my yard that is the first thing to flower in the spring, I wait for it to show up like an old friend. It is bright fuchsia pink and it looks like fire when everything else is still waking up. I cut big boughs of it for easter egg trees and the color attracts hummingbirds to the porch. I really want a tea cup magnolia tree. I drive around town and covet my neighbors trees, is that bad? Ok, I should stop..I love all the flowers. It is March in Vermont so that question is like being hungry at the grocery store.

Blackbird - What has been inspiring lately and what are things that you just come back to all the time for inspiration?

Laura - I am working on a forest series, with plants of the Pacific North West. (perfect for Blackbird!) wild hare, squirrel, mushrooms, a boar maybe? ...If there is a critter it must have an environment, so I go back and forth between Flora and Fauna. I spent the winter collecting my reference materials and I am looking forward to getting started. I have to do new work in cycles, I can't draw here and there. I need to kind of submerge and get a rhythm going and I don't always have the privilege of uninterrupted time. Sometimes I have to check into a hotel. I have drawn a lot of collections alone in hotel rooms while watching law and order marathons.

The scarab beetle was my first drawing on clay, I started with insects, so I will always return to them for inspiration.

LAURA ZINDEL - SMALL OVAL BLACKBIRD NEST PLATTER

$167

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LAURA ZINDEL - LARGE ROUND RAVEN PLATTER

$605

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LAURA ZINDEL - ROOSTER FEATHER MUG

$42

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LAURA ZINDEL - CROW MUG

$42

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LAURA ZINDEL - COILED WOOD FERN CHARGER

$73

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LAURA ZINDEL - FERN JAR SET OF THREE

$145

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shop the entire collection

BACK IN BLACK: WONDERWOOD + MORE FROM COMME DES GARCONS

WONDERWOOD IS BACK! A messenger brought us a surprise the other day with all of your favorite scents from Comme des Garcons. We also received a ton of re-stocks on wallets from them as well as some new colors. Don't wait on this, these fly out the door every time we get them.

Comme des Garcons - Wonderwood
100mL EDP Spray
DETAILS: A positive overdose of woods, woody notes and wood constructions. Bewildering in its conception, spectacular in its evolution: mysterious yet perturbing in its application, luxurious but uplifting in its effect. A world overflowing with wondrous woods, the creation of the ultimate wood fragrance, Wonderwood.
INGREDIENTS: Oud, cedarwood, sandalwood, Cypress wood, Javanol, Cashmeran, Pachminol
$125
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THE GOOD NOSE: ULRICH LANG FRAGRANCES (A BLACKBIRD BEST SELLER)

Ulrich Lang is a fan of patchouli, "...but not in the weird 60's or 70"s kind of way, more modern." Ulrich Lang New York is a niche house founded in 2002 and has introduced three editions so far for men: Anvers, Anvers 2 and Nightscape. The house is based on Ulrich Lang's great love for art, contemporary photography, and perfumes, of course.

"Early on, my grandmother had a beauty salon with a little perfumery in the South of Germany and I grew up amongst lotions and potions. I was able to name fragrances people wore at a very, very early age. It was the perfect education." -Lang

Modern and fresh, yet timeless and complex, Lang's scents are something you must try for yourself.

Ulrich Lang - Nightscape

DETAILS: This most recent offering from perfumer Ulrich Lang, Nightscape, is a modern cosmopolitan patchouli based fragrance inspired by the city at night. TOP: bergamot fused with a sappy green accord. HEART: jasmine and geranium with cedar wood. BASE: soft leather, musk, amber, tonka bean, and patchouli.

$110

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Ulrich Lang - Anvers

DETAILS: This Eau de Toilette is the classic minimalist first fragrance from New York based perfumer, Ulrich Lang. TOP: bergamot, lime, and tangerine with mint, sage,and basil. HEART: violet, jasmine, and geranium leaves warmed with sesame and honey. BASE: leather and moss interwoven with sheer ambers, precious woods, and a hint of guava.

$110

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Ulrich Lang - Anvers 2

DETAILS: In opposition to its older sibling, Anvers, Ulrich Lang's second fragrance combines traditionally masculine notes with florals for a fresh and inviting scent. TOP: bergamot, lime, lemon, black pepper, rhubarb, and cypress. HEART: Bulgarian rose, jasmine, lily, mimosa, cedarwood, blond woods, and vetiver. BASE: tonka bean, vanilla, amber, musk, olibanum, and oakmoss.

$110

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BACK IN BLACK: DIPTYQUE

Blackbird Apothecary has just stocked up on all of your favorite candles from Diptyque. These long burning candles have scents ranging from warm memories of tales around the fire to just cut flowers fresh from the garden. Stop in the Apothecary to smell for yourself.

Diptyque - Feu de Bois Candle
DETAILS: Literally translated from French as "wood fire," this popular candle's smoky fragrance evokes the warm, familiar and sophisticated smell of rare woods burned on long winter days.
$60
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Diptyque - Tubereuse Candle
DETAILS: At dusk, the heady fragrance of this intoxicating, beguiling flower deploys its captivating sensuality. Tuberose is a white bulbous flower native to Mexico, and the most expensive floral raw material in the world, for perfume making.
$60
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Diptyque - Aubepine Candle
DETAILS: This delicate wild flower with round, powdery accents inspired the first diptyque candle. A minuscule and delicate wild flower, it is the first to flower in Spring. Its scent contains powdery notes of sweet almond and vanilla
$60
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Diptyque - Roses Candle
DETAILS: An armful of tender, changing roses that lightly evoke the world's most universally loved flowers. This floral and feminine fragrance comes out of the blending of several varieties of roses.
$60
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shop all Diptyque here

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM THE BLACKBIRD APOTHECARY

And more specifically, we'd like to let you know that we will be here for you ALL DAY for those last minute Valentine's Day gift grabs. If you've procrastinated on your V-Day shopping, we've got you covered. We'll put it this way: we've got way more gift ideas than you've got excuses.

DETAILS: This little vignette features ceramics by Laura Zindel,

Baies Noire Candle by Diptyque ($68.00), nail polish by RGB ($14.00), Poe's Tobacco Eau de Toilette by TOKYOMILK ($28.00). And this is just the tip of the old iceberg.

DETAILS: Candles by Diptyque are a perennial favorite here at the Blackbird Apothecary, but they make for a surefire Valentine's Day gift. Diptyque has expertly captured a wide range of fragrances, such as tuberose, gardenia, firewood and amber. There's one for every nose.

DETAILS: For the guy that's serious about shaving, we've recently begun carrying this amazing collection of traditional shaving products from Edwin Jagger. Featuring silver badger hair brushes, aromatic shaving cream and soaps, and classic designs crafted to last longer than you will.

Hurry in and pick something up before it's too late!

SEEING RED: BLACKBIRD APOTHECARY FOR THE FOURTEENTH OF FEBRUARY

It's that special time of year—love is (up) in the air (and in all likelihood, so are your Valentine's Day shopping plans). Word to the wise: you'd better start covering your Valentine's Day bases before it's too late (word to the wiser: you DO NOT want it to be too late). Here are a few helpful suggestions from the Blackbird Apothecary:

COMME DES GARCONS - Play

DETAILS: A fun unisex fragrance with notes of bitter orange, black pepper, lime, saffron, thyme, sage, sea notes, oak moss, patchouli and musk.

$95.00

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DIPTYQUE - RED™ Rooibos and Vanilla Candle

DETAILS: Both luminous and creamy, Rooibos Vanilla is born of an encounter with vanillas contrasting personalities. Its facets dance like the flame in myriad lively reflections of Africa. Its distinctive character stands out in its bewitching, roasted, amber notes. Then come its herbal and tobacco accords, evoking this oh so particular land. Last but not least, the voluptuous, almost fleshy sweetness of its light, powdery notes top it all off.

$68.00

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BIG BANG ENERGY Gloss by Lipstick Queen (email us or drop into the store for this one)

RGB - TOO RED Nail Polish - Formaldehyde, Toulene and DBP free nail polish made in the USA (again—available in store, by phone or email only)

$14.00

DIPTYQUE - Rich Butter for the Body by Diptyque

DETAILS: This deliciously rich cream is a total indulgence and a sumptuous blend of choice ingredients. Rich Butter combines the renowned soothing properties of rose floral water with the radiance-boosting effects of organic honey. Argan oil protects and nourishes even the driest, sensitive skin. Diptyque Rich Butter leaves the skin glowing and delicately perfumed.

$90.00

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Cherry Bomb No. 5 by TOKYOMILK $28.00 - A dark, multi-faceted cherry-scented eau de toilette, featuring notes of wild rose, chocolate, vetiver and Osmanthus. (In store, by phone or email)

Email info@blackbirdballard.com for purchasing inquiries or call 1(866)500-2524

NEW WORKS FROM LAURA ZINDEL IN THE BLACKBIRD APOTHECARY

We've just received a new shipment of beautiful ceramic pieces from Laura Zindel, and to nobody's surprise, there're blackbirds on the plates, and blackbirds on the butter dishes, and blackbirds on the bowls, and blackbirds... you get the idea. We've got lots more here in The Apothecary that isn't online just yet, and there are more photos to come. For the time being, go on have yourself a look at what we've committed to film so far:

LAURA ZINDEL - Black Birds Butter Dish

$76.00

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LAURA ZINDEL - Wood Fern Cereal Bowl

$31.00

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LAURA ZINDEL - Redwing Soup Bowl

$36.00

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LAURA ZINDEL - Raven Dinner Plate

$51.00

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Shop all Laura Zindel

BLACKEST OF FRIDAYS

Nov. 26th
Mention Black Friday to receive 20% off Blackbird,
The Field House and Blackbird Apothecary purchases*

Coupon Code for Online Purchases: BLKFRIDAY

*discount only applies to full price items, purchased on this date.
Sale does not extend to Alden or Filson.

SNOWY DAY - BLACKBIRD IS OPEN

It's snowing in Seattle.  Stay home from work if you can and enjoy/support your neighborhood independent retailers.  All Blackbird stores will be open today including The Field House, Blackbird Candy Shoppe and Blackbird Apothecary.

We are working on having free hot cider at The Field House so come in and hang out.

BLACKBIRD FRIENDS AND FAMILY HOLIDAY PARTY

Last year's holiday party was so much fun we had to do it again.  Dress up and enjoy 20% OFF everything you'll need for the holidays. Join us for an evening of hot buttered rum, champagne, personal shopping, awkward live music, candy tasting, demonstrations, trunk shows from our special guest vendors and holiday recipes, decorating and gift wrap ideas and lots more!

All of our stores will be participating in this event with activities and special offers. Wander through Blackbird, Blackbird Candy Shoppe, The Field House and Blackbird Apothecary for the full experience.

...and YES, your can order/buy local Xmas trees and farm fresh eggnog in glass bottles again this year at The Field House!

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 21, 2010
FROM 4 - 8PM

BLACKBIRD
5410 22ND AVE NW
SEATTLE, WA 98107
206.547.2524

R.S.V.P. rsvp@blackbirdballard.com