What is the Sound of Two Wings Flapping

 

 

Well owls are "in" this year. Whatever that means.  We've always been fascinated by the silence, the majesty, and the hunting prowess  of these nocturnal creatures.   But one thing it means is that several of our favorite designers are interpreting one of nature's finests.

John Derian has a tray and a postcard of this owl above.  Kind of looks like it's  on high alert.

 

 

 

And Laura Zindel gave us this drawing of a barn owl on a plate......funny guy with a round face and a pointy nose but watch out for those claws.

 

And the ever classic Cavallini did a lovely desktop calendar featuring this creature of the night.

Lots more bird love Chez Passionflower.

A Midnight Visitor

 

"While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door."

More Laura Zindel to entertain you this Halloween.  We'll be offering a few treats at the store and maybe some tricks too!

 

Laura Zindel Ceramics

 

'Tis the season, and by all reports it appears to be a good one.  Almost everyone I know who has gone mushroom picking is coming home with bucketloads. When I first moved to Oregon , I became friends with a guy who grew up near Mary's Peak (the highest mt in the Coast Range).  He would take me chanterelle hunting out in the woods and we would bushwhack our way through the hinterlands.  I learned about using downed logs like ladders, following deer trails, and how to survey large swaths of terrain for clues about mushrooms. And then come early afternoon, he'd pull out a skillet, a stick of butter, and some utensils and we'd make a fire and fry up the chanterelles, right out there in the middle of the woods. I pretty much thought I'd died and gone to heaven.  Nowadays happy to fry them up at home with a bit of garlic and eat them over toast on a foggy Oregon morning.

Making Friends in New York

Another reason I go to shows (besides as previously mentioned finding you the good stuff) is I get to meet some interesting people. Like my new pal Miles (above) who I met at Laura Zindel's booth. Turns out, when he isn't helping Laura at her amazing booth at the gift show, he's a freelance florist in Manhattan. Miles specializes in flowers for film and t.v. and did the flowers for among other things, Sex in the City and Ugly Betty. And immediately we are bonded, because, despite the semi glam of his resume, I know just how flippin much work it must have taken to do what he did. (Three people working seven days a week for six weeks to do Sex and the City flowers). He knows I know. Then, of course, we are double bonded, because, despite the fact that I have not covered my forearms in tattoos based on Laura Zindel's drawings, we are both huge (as in HUGE) fans of her work.

And we are both completely taken with her new designs.  Here's a sneak peak above of one of my faves:

an owl skull with feathers and eggs.  Stay tuned for lots of great new Laura Zindel designs arriving at Passionflower in October including mushrooms, wishbones, chicken claws and other high fabulousness. 

Our Picks - Top 5 Wedding Gifts

Passionflower's pick for top 5 Wedding Gifts from the store Summer 2012 -

with a nod to the practical because we think a great wedding gift is one that gets used a lot. 

                Always a classic, can't go wrong with a salad bowl or servers. Guaranteed use for years to come.

        We like any of the whimisical ceramic pieces from Laura Zindel featuring her original drawings.
                                           Seriously, any of them.

Ditto John Derian decoupage pieces.  

Another classic: a Pendleton Blanket - we carry a small, handpicked selection and can special order any of them for you.

Or, still on the practical side, how about a Duvet Set or a pair of beautiful pillowcases from Dwell Studio?

Click here for more wedding gift ideas.