The Cook and Her Farmer

Today marked another brilliant day in Old Oakland: the soft opening of the long awaited 'The Cook and Her Farmer' oyster bar in Swan's Market.  Swan's is a historic marketplace, sometimes called the Housewive's Market-- and used to serve all of Oakland and neighboring towns with the best local produce, meats, poultry, fish, and housewares.  For many years after it's peak, the area sat dormant and asleep.

Three years ago, neighbor Cosecha opened in the market with intensely beautiful tacos and simple Mexican fare (I eat there at least 4 times a week, they are directly across from me and the shop, and I seriously can never get enough).  Soon after, Ms. Ollie's, Periscope Cellars and Rosamunde joined Cosecha and the historic Sincere Seafood and Taylor Sausage counters, rounding out the space with more fresh places to eat or pick up ingredients for a home-cooked meal.

But now I have another amazing reason to cross the street, as so do you.  Romney Steele (of Nepenthe fame) and her oyster aficionado partner Steve opened an incredible counter to gulp down the freshest oysters, all while sitting al fresco in a bustling marketplace.  

I was chomping at the bit all day to get over there, the minute the clock struck six I met up with my Dad, his wife, Marion and Rose's Workshop owner Kerri, and Tamarindo owner Alfonso.  We all chatted, drank beer and prosecco, and wolfed down oyster after oyster.  Then I had an incredible peach, kumquat and avocado salad from Cosecha while I tasted a little nibble of a super crispy grilled cheese from The Cook.  

As if you needed another reason to relax all day in Old Oakland, later this summer B-DAMA, notable Japanese restaurant, will be opening a noodle bar within the same marketplace.  

Oakland is about to have it's heyday, where you at?

The noisy and bustling view from my studio bench

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Oakland Rising // Old Oakland Tour

Old Oakland has changed so much since I first opened shop here over two years ago.  We all had a dream that if we built it, they would come.  And they have come.  The street is constantly buzzing with people coming to enjoy the incredible restaurants and retail-- what use to be dead and asleep for years and years is now alive and full of energy.

I was sitting out in front of Caffe 817 this morning with my pal Josh {who manages the Friday Farmers Market}, and each of us enjoying a cup of coffee while waving and saying hey to all our neighbors and fellow business owners.  I turned to him and just said, "God I love this neighborhood!"  It's so true that a place is made up of it's people, and I really love the people here.

This is Oakland is book soon to be release featuring a few Oakland neighborhoods, Old Oakland among them.  Lonny asked the book's author and photographer, Melissa Davis and Kirsten Loken respectively, to take them on a walking tour of one featured neighborhood from the book.  Here is their walking tour of Old Oakland.  Enjoy!

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Holiday Hours

Did December just whiz by for you too?  Well, not to worry-- this weekend we're extending our hours, as are our neighbors in Old Oakland.  We keep it relaxed, we keep it local.  

CROWN NINE HOLIDAY HOURS

Thursday 11-7

Friday     11-7

Saturday 11-8:30ish

{Shop + Hop Event and Block Gallery video installation on 9th st from 5:30-8:30}

Sunday 11-6

{Corey Egan Trunk Show + Sale}

Monday 11-7

Christmas Eve 10-4

Closed

Christmas Day

December 26th

New Year's Day

The week between Christmas and New Year's I will be "openish" from 12-5ish each day, mostly working upstairs in the studio on some special custom designs.  If you for sure want to come by and shop, text ahead to confirm that I'm at the shop or make an appointment {510-507-0789}.  I love love love spending time in the store with y'all!

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ART ART ART

Now that the shop is moved and all settled into it's new home on 9th st, we're ready to dig back in and bring you some fine art on our gallery walls.  Our latest show, LOCATING SELF, is in collaboration with Block Gallery, curated by John Lopez.  

Mercedes Dorame: "Earth as Earth"

Join us for the reception on this upcoming First Friday | 6-9

 

// AND, I am really excited to announce an incredible art installation that will be bringing an alternative holiday light festival to the 9th st each weekend night in December-- it's a multi-artist video installation that will be shining in the beautiful historic windows of the buildings on 9th st, with a audio tour you can listen to on your phone.

Block Gallery hired Anuradha Vikram to curate some incredible mid-career artists who have shown at some of the best galleries and museums in the country and bring their multi-media and video installations to Old Oakland. The streets will light up with their thought-provoking, interesting and beautiful works each Friday and Saturday night until January 4th.

All the neighbors in Old Oakland are pitching in to bring you this super special installation, you must come see it.  Usually I don't try to provoke FOMO in people, but really, you will be missing out if you don't see this one... it'll be a great way to get the visiting family out of the house around the holidays too.

RANU MUKHERJEE

JEROME REYES

SHOW DETAILS

Occupations: Art Takes Up Space

A FREE, PUBLIC SITE-SPECIFIC VIDEO INSTALLATION

Curated by Anuradha Vikram

Ninth Street between Broadway and Washington Street, Old Oakland

Friday and Saturday nights from December 6, 2013-January 4, 2014    5:30 – 8:30 pm

Participating artists:

Freddy Chandra

Allan de Souza

Desirée Holman

Ranu Mukherjee

Jerome Reyes

José Carlos Teixeira

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Crown Nine is Moving!

Ever have one of those months where nothing went your way, there just seemed to be setback after setback?  Well, this is NOT one of those months!  It's been more like a wish-it-and-it-comes-true sort of month with finding bonus cash in the pocket of your jeans on laundry day kinda vibes.  What kind of wishes are coming true, you ask?  Well, only that we scored our dream location!

515 9th St

The new location is one block west, directly behind District Wine Bar on the corner of 9th and Washington in the Carriage House historical building.  Built in the 1870's, it apparently used to be speakeasy.  It's a gorgeous space with sliding barn doors, brick, and lovely light.

You will still be able to check out Kate Ellen Metals alongside over 15 independent jewelry designers, art, leather, fragrance, and small luxuries-- and now my studio will be in the building, right upstairs, so I will be spending more of my time creating... my most favorite thing in the world to do.

Top 5 Things to Know:

1 //  We'll be just one block west, next to District and across from Cosecha and Ms. Ollie's on 9th St.

2 //  We will NOT have a First Friday opening in October, but join us Nov 1st for a soft opening in the new space and debut of new works by Janis Anton

3 //  Our MASSIVE Grand Re-Opening party is Thursday Nov 7th.  It's going to be ridiculous and way fun, the gals from Floss Gloss are coming by and they are bringing a mani-cam.  What is a mani-cam? Think of it as the red carpet for your bejeweled hands.

4 // We will be closed from Oct 19th- Oct 31st for moving, but still feel free to reach out if you need anything.

5 // The holidays are going to be insane this year, we have a lot of fun stuff planned... a new collection launch, 2nd birthday party, sample sale, trunk shows, neighborhood wide art installation, extended hours, and a whole lotta love.

Thanks for two incredible years; here's to continued success, love, community, and creativity.

L O V E + M E T A L 

Kate Ellen

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Catch Up // Happenings + Inspiration

It's been a packed couple weeks and though I've been taking lots of photos, I haven't put together posts on each topic.  Instead of fretting or letting photos go to waste, I've created a mash-up cheater post to share with you ....everything all at once!  Sneaky-sneaky...  and enjoy xoxo

Emma Robertson of Emma Dime and Lo Crosier of LoCro invited a bunch of ladies over for happy hour at their co-joined studio spaces {dreamy}.  Also check it: Emma's book just came out! http://amzn.to/1gACDTe

Made this little rosecut diamond ring for Heather and Jon.  Jon actually made the band himself!

After getting back from the Grand Canyon and Zion, I was hungry for a good view... so I went for a 10 mile run on Mt. Tam.  Lovely.

For some reason I got a crazy craving for oysters, so I drove out to The Marshall Store and ate a dozen BBQs with a buddy.  We then stopped at Tomales Oyster Co. and picked up a sack to BBQ at my childhood friend's house in West Marin.  This here is a Golden Nugget, a name right after my jeweler heart.

Uh, did I mention we got featured in SUNSET MAGAZINE?!  Guess I should have mentioned that, it was such a huge honor!  My neighbors Marion and Rose + Umami Mart were featured as well.

Took an overnight to my namesake/god-auntie's house in Sebastopol.  We had a campfire with wine and great conversation, and I did an early morning jog through the orchards the next day.  I also did an Enneagram and discovered I am a 7-- The Enthusiast/Epicure.

Just a pretty Oakland Sunset captured from my bedroom window.

Took a weekend trip to my Grandpa's house near Whiskytown Lake, and took the boat out for a picnic.

Found a bunch of old photos at my Grandpa's house, this one is of the two of us.  He calls me Katy-Bird.

My favorite place to sleep in the whole world, out on my Grandpa's porch during the summer.  Crickets singing, stars blarring.

Hiked out to Alamere Falls/ Bass Lake.  I grew up in West Marin and unbelievably had never been before.  Gonna go back with my bathing suit for a dip next time.

Bass Lake is a 3 mile hike in from Mesa Road in Bolinas.

The Falls.  Like Whoa.

Walked out to the new tower on the Bay Bridge.  Pretty awesome.  It's 7 miles round-trip though, so wear sunscreen {this dummy forgot}.

Got out my sandcasting tools to craft a special ring for a client who wanted to use silver her Dad had given her, in remembrance.  

The result.  

That about brings us up to date, friends.  xoxo

L O V E + M E T A L 

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OAKLAND DISH // Cosecha

COSECHA is hands down one of my favorite places to eat in Oakland.  I eat here usually 2-4 times a week, no joke. They are right down the street from Crown Nine and pretty much rule my world.  They are located in the open air of Swan's Market on the corner of 9th and Washington, sharing the floor with Sincere Seafood, Taylor's Sausage, and Periscope Cellars.  Why do I love this place so much?

1 // Best chicken tacos ever.
2 // Best pozole verde ever.
3 // One of my favorite salads, a mixture of chopped buttery lettuce with jicama, firm sweet mango slices, roasted pepitas, and a kumquat dressing that will have you lingering over your last bite
4//  El Yucateco Habanero Verde salsa on the table, which is my all-time favorite hot sauce
5 // Great beer and wine selection, including local favorites like Trumer and 21st Amendment alongside Periscope Cellars chilled dry Rose
6 // Unfussy preparations and service
7 // Flakey fruit tarts + yeasted waffles
8 // Handmade tortillas, thick and crispy chips with fresh pico de gallo salsa
9 // Killer brunch menu including Chilaquiles, Huevos Cuauhtemoc, and a zesty Michaelada to wash it down

If you are in the neighborhood, this is a must stop spot.  Say hello to owner/chef Dominca, who is counted among the alumni from Chez Panisse, Eccolo and Restaurant Soleil in Mexico City.  She is exceptionally welcoming and rarely not there working in the kitchen.  Buen provecho.

Crispy fish tacos on the happy hour menu Wednesday and Thursday

Dominca and staff 

The flakiest, yummiest guava tart you'll ever taste

Blood orange mimosa on the brunch menu

Chilaquiles verdes with pinto beans and avocado

Thick cut chips + salsa

Mango, mint, jicama...

L O V E + M E T A L 

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Mitsuro Class This Sunday

This Sunday afternoon I will be teaching a really special technique that is close to my heart: Mitsuro.

Mitsuro is a technique dating back to 760 AD in Japan, and is an art that is being kept alive by a very small group of artists.  I started experimenting with the wax myself, but it's a super finicky formula that changes with the weather, the seasons, and the quality of the ingredients.  I have finally found a recipe that I like to use, a modification from one that an artist in Washington shared with me.  It takes a few hours of cooking, I do it in my kitchen in a pot, and the house fills with an incense-like aroma of pine resin and beeswax.  

The real draw for me to Mitsuro is how free and loose the process is.  Usually when carving waxes I am planned out in advance, I have a specific thing I am intent on making.  With Mitsuro, the process is totally guided by the material, I can only make it do so much and I have to make quick decisions and not get attached to any particular outcome.  I think part of the reason why I am so attracted to jewelry crafting is because it really gets me connected to some spiritual lessons I need to learn about acceptance, patience, letting go, and being present in the moment.  You really can't bully or force your way through the craft, which is a great check on my temperament which tends to be fast moving and forward-looking.  I love being at my bench, being totally quiet, and letting the practice alone be enough.

In the class, students will learn about the history of this craft, which is only being practiced by a handful of American artists, as well as how to source ingredients, how to cook your own recipe, and each student will get to choose an object to cast in silver.  Students will also go home with a small batch of the wax so that they can begin practicing right away.

See more details on the class >>>

Email me if you have any questions about the class: crown.nine@gmail.com

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Friday Farmer's Market in Old Oakland

Every Friday morning Old Oakland hosts a beautiful Farmer's Market. I love to stroll and see some of the more interesting produce that attracts many of the residents from Chinatown town to peruse. 

Here is my loot:  A bouquet of ranunculus and freesia, fresh asparagus, cilantro, duck eggs, satsumas

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