THIS IS OAKLAND // First Friday

Since opening Crown Nine two years ago, I've put on a new art opening every month for First Friday-- this year with the downright magical help of Barie Wolf-Bowen, our lead curator, and Britt Goh, our blogger/photographer/interviewer.  Now that we are moving down the street, I decided to push our October show to November and open Janis Anton's new works in the new space.  Which meant I had the night off, first time in two years!

I decided to go out and get a taste of what Oakland's First Friday/ Art Murmur has become in the last two years.  Here is a little recap of what I got up to:

Stopped by Oakland Surf Club to see the new show "Mwuah" by Lauren Crew

Just loved this small detail in their stairwell

Surf Club owners Ari, Max and baby Coco

Made a little addition to my Little Black Truck

Cannon Dill across from LeQuiVive Gallery

Met artist Katherine Rutter at the shop earlier in the day-- we are Instagram buddies so meeting in person was so awesome!  I felt like I was meeting a friend/celebrity at the same time.  Her work is amazing and opening tonight with a bunch of heavy hitters like John Casey, Max Kauffman, and Cannondill at LeQuiVive.

Stopped by Creative Growth to see what they were up to.   I probably spent the most time here really looking at the art and reading all the gorgeous books about the artists who work out of the studio.  

John Hiltunen at Creative Growth

The streets of what used to be a 'Mumur'... it was so packed that I just ducked in and out, trying to hit stuff on the side streets.

Live music at... well damn, I lost track of where I was!  It was so overwhelming I stopped taking pictures, but I stopped by Zerofriends, Oaktropolis, and a few other spots...

Next stop: Temescal Alley.  Here is Homestead Apothecary

Didn't snap a pic at Esqueleto, Lauren Wolf's jewelry boutique-- but I did stop by to see the new works by Adeline Jewelry, made by Lindsay Olsen.  Bomb.  

Marissa Haskell and Obi Kaufmann... like a boss x 2.  Marissa was hosting Obi, who you might recognize from Juniper Ridge, the wildcrafting fragrance company.  I met him as a fellow Hive studio-mate,  his artwork is phenomenal and always moves me... or should I stay stops me?  I always end up staring at the work he posts outside his studio door.  He had new works from the trail, and Marissa's store was stunning-- I was especially digging her new collection that features her own wax carved components.  Badass.

My spoils: Denim pencil skirt by Loup {Made in NY} from Oakland Surf Club, zine from LeQuiVive, and original drawing by Obi Kaufmann entitled "Turquoise Woman | Made of Water".

All these spots are open today, and you can beat the crowd of First Friday. So much good works to see. Lequivive's opening is tonight, and Femme Cartel is having an event at Classic Cars West that should be hyphy.

L O V E + M E T A L
Kate Ellen

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Let's Talk Oakland // VIDEO

I was so thrilled and honored to sit on the Let's Talk Oakland panel hosted by Square on June 5th-- it was an inspiring evening and the room was packed with small business people and Oakland die-hards, all eager to talk, engage, and learn from one another.  I learned a lot from all the people who came out and my fellow panelists from Awaken Cafe, Oaklandish, Oakland Surf Club and moderator Jack Dorsey (founder of Square and Twitter).   If you didn't make it into the sold out free event, you can get the vibe from the evening and hear some wise words from the other panelists.

L O V E + M E T A L

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FIRST FRIDAY // The Hit List

Happy First Friday Oakland!  This month there are some really great shows to check out, mostly off the beaten track, which is lovely if you would like to get to see parts of the lesser known but vibrant First Friday scene.  

1 // CROWN NINE is hosting artist Bianca Kolonusz-Partee.  You can read all about her in our interview>>>.  We will be pouring dranks, have some fresh pulled pork and rice bowls by Bella, the Stop Shop and Roll Fashion Truck, music, and of course plenty of jewels.

2 // Oakland Surf Club is hosting Justin Hager, one of my favorite artists who will make you laugh your ass off [I featured Justin in my series Insta Love >>> ].  His work blends unlike pop culture references into one hilarious mash-up, like his now famous 'Beach Boyz in The Hood.'  A definite must see.  

3 // Lequivive Gallery hosts Ricky Watts and Sean Griffin for Chromatic Neurosis.  Ricky Watts just recently  finished Petaluma's largest mural on the Phoenix Theater, and is the mad responsible for the Oakland Fox prints and iPhone cases you may have seen around town.  

Have a safe and happy First Friday!  All my love to the Town xo

L O V E + M E T A L 

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Let's Talk Oakland // Round Up

Last night  I had the honor to speak on a small business panel hosted by Square and moderated by Jack Dorsey, Square and Twitter founder.  I sat on the panel with other downtown merchants Ari from Oakland Surf Club, Angela from Oaklandish, and Cortt from Awaken Cafe.  I was so thrilled to see the enthusiastic turn out. I love [most] entrepreneurs and small business people, they are a fun group of people that tend to be wildly energetic, a bit crazy, and full of ideas and passion.  It was also gratifying to realize that I am a part of such a vital community, many of the faces were familiar and I met so many other interesting people, all who are deeply in love with Oakland.

Over the course of the evening we talked about why we started our respective businesses, what success meant, what it is like to do business in Oakland, and how we collaborate and work with other small businesses.  It was so inspiring for me to meet so many enthusiastic people, see all the love and energy that is brimming over in Oakland right now.  It was such a huge honor, I thank everyone who attended and Emily from Square who so generously invited me to participate.  Here are some shots from the night:

 

Left to Right: Cortt of Awaken Cafe, Angela from Oaklandish, Ari from Oakland Surf Club, and Moi [hopefully saying something smart and useful!]

The absolutely stunning and incredibly helpful staff at Awaken

Barista Molly held down the counter like a boss

Mingling and mixing

Jack and Cortt getting the introduction from Emily, the hostess who planned the entire Let's Talk Oakland Event

Kerri [my total soul-sister and neighbor] from Marion + Rose's Workshop, Erin from Blue Chair Fruit Company, and Laura from Hawthorn Boutique, meow!

Me and rockstar Alyah from Show and Tell Shop in City Center, a must see if you love beautiful clothing

View from the panel

  

Lovely thank you gift from Emily and Square, Hooker Caramels from San Francisco... so dreamy!

L O V E + M E T A L

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Event // Panelist for 'Let's Talk Oakland'

Just found out I'll be a panelist for this meet-up at Awaken Cafe hosted by Square.  The panel will focus on small business in Oakland and will be moderated by Square founder Jack Dorsey (you may also know him from Twitter fame).  Should be a great opportunity for all you creative entrepreneurs out there to meet lots of like-minded people and hear some insight from new and established business owners in Oakland.  Event is free, simply rsvp here >>>

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Insta Love

This week I'm bringing you a few more of my favorite feeds on Instagram.  I am trying to collect and curate feeds that are all original photography with a look into a world that you might just want to get lost in. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

1 // @boetjewelry "Jewelry and Sculpture by Emily Bixler".  Boet jewelry is true original style of intertwined heavy metals with beautifully woven fibers and textiles, created by Portland based sculptor Emily Bixler.  Her work is unlike anything you've ever seen, and her feed is a wonderful window into her studio.  See her work in person at Crown Nine.

2 // @oaklandsurfclub "Oakland Surf Club".  This well curated surf boutique's feed features daily updates to their look book, modeled on handsome dudes on familiar streets in Oakland.

3// @clafinthayerco "All leathergoods and shoes designed and sewn by me".  Oakland based clothing designer and leather guru of Clafin Thayer Co.  A worthwhile project on her feed features a custom outfits designed and sewn each month for her new baby, Pepper.  Don't miss the little leather moccasin booties, they are dreamy.

4// @kinfolkmag "Photos by Nathan Williams".  Beautiful photographs from behind the scenes of Kinfolk Magazine.  Kitchens, design, food, beauty.

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