NANCY CHRISTENSEN // NEW WORKS

Tonight we receive Oakland artist Nancy Christensen and her new works, untitled.  The watercolor series is a zen-like exploration of space and attachment.  Her primary characters are connected to smaller entities conveying a quiet bond.

Party starts at 6pm, and we are offering 15% off storewide for the event.  Ed the Soulector will be here spinning his rare vinyl funk and R&B.  Last party of the year, hope to see you here tonight!

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This Is Oakland // Maple Street Denim

First off, imagine me squealing with excitement and doing a massively embarrassing happy dance.

Now that that is out of the way, may I introduce you to my new neighbor: Julie of Maple Street Denim, opened this summer on 9th St a block away from Crown Nine.

GRAND OPENING PARTY

Saturday OCT 4th

 

4-6pm @ 465 9TH ST

You should go.  It's gonna be way fun.

The Maple Street motto: "Quality Clothing for Quality People."

You, dear reader, are said quality people, so get your cute little butt down to her shop and let her work her magic on you.  Julie has helped me pick out jeans over the years (she used to work at Slash Denim) and never failed to get me into the exact right size and fit.  In general, she make me feel like a goddamn boss in some boss-ass jeans.  She is a denim wizard.

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I made Julie gimme the low-down on her and the shop, enjoy!

What is your philosophy for picking out the right pair of jeans with a client?

The goal is to always get somebody into jeans that are going to make them feel really good, so getting the right fit is the most important thing.  So I always ask first what kind of cut they want (skinny, straight, boot cut, etc) and then we go from there. Having a deep knowledge of my inventory and knowing how everything is cut makes it easy.   I usually start by grabbing a few pairs for them and asking them to SHOW me the way they fit when they’re on. Once I see them on, I can really hone in and see what is working or what isn’t.  Interesting fact, about 90% of people think they have “weird bodies” and “jeans never fit” but the fact is, they just haven’t ever bought the right thing, nobody’s body is actually weird. That is like my personal crusade, especially for women…. stop blaming your body!  As far as knowing what size people are, I just have special denim magic that I can’t really explain.  I’ve just been doing it a long time and have gotten good at knowing sizes almost just by looking.


Top things in the shop you are bananas about?

1.  Outerwear from Gerald & Stewart by Fidelity: Amazing outerwear for men and women, made in Boston by a company that started out as a contractor for the US Navy since 1941. Incredible craftsmanship, jackets that you’ll have the rest of your life
2.  Levi’s Made & Crafted - Marker tapered boyfriend cut for women - finally a boyfriend fit that isn’t just men’s jeans with a higher price tag. Tapered and slim through the leg with a looser fitting, comfy top. Perfect every day jeans in a super soft fabric.
3.  Nooworks dresses - Made in the Bay Area! Two styles, lots of prints and fabrics, super flattering easy to wear dresses with an incredible price point. Been selling through these like crazaaaayyyyyy

Top things you are massively pumped for?  

1.  My grand opening party tomorrow!
2.  Plaid Friday!
3.  Trunk show with James Jeans
4.  Starting my very own brand of denim! This could take some time, but I’m really really really excited about getting started


What’s the deal with The Boss?

Are you kidding? What ISN’T the deal with the BOSS? I have been a big fan of Bruce Springsteen since I was a little kid. The first big concert I ever went to was the Boss in 6th grade with my best friend Meaghan Moran and her mom. It was the Tunnel of Love Express Tour, which for Boss fans we know is kinda lame, but I was 11, so give me a break. His songs have always just resonated with me and I think he’s got a really insightful view on our culture.  Most people just think of Born in the USA when they think of the Boss and they think it’s like this rah-rah-rah USA!USA!USA! fight song, but it isn’t. His songs are both a celebration of America and a harsh critique of what is wrong with it. I could always relate to that. Mostly being a Boss Nerd Superfan is really just funny. I mean, it’s Bruce F**king Springsteen. His live shows are legendary and it’s no exaggeration. He’s an incredible performer. Also, I touched him once. So basically we’re best friends.

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Get to Know Solee Darrell

Yay!  So pumped to share with you our newest gal, Solee Darrell.  Solee will be working with me upstairs making jewelry.  Solee studied metalsmithing at Sterling Quest in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato Mexico, and is working on her own line of jewelry too.  She is a bright light, a total jewelry aficionado, and a welcoming spirit.  So happy she has joined team Nine!

We asked her a few essential questions so you can get to know her a bit:

1// What inspires you?
What inspires me most is other women! I love meeting women who have they're own distinctive sense of style and getting the chance to see the world through their eyes.

2// What is your favorite jewelry piece?
I have so many amazing pieces of jewelry that I've collected through the years. I have made some amazing rings that I love but of course they are always first to sell. I would have to say that my all time favorite piece of jewelry is a gold coin necklace that my mom got me for Christmas a couple of years ago. I always wear it when I'm going on a plane or when I'm doing something really important because it makes me feel a little safer.








3// Favorite Oakland spots for

Cocktails: Cafe van Kleef. I crave those greyhounds.
Beers:  Beer Revolution 
Burgers: In n Out, forever and always
Pizza:  Hi-life 
Fancy-Shmancy Date Night: MUA. Great ambiance great food.
Music:  The Fox Theater. It's beautiful in there!
Surpise us: Lake Merritt has been so good to me this summer. I love sitting on the cement slabs with some beer and friends.  And I recently discovered Oakland Floats. It's a deprivation tank spa! If you haven't tried it you need to! The coolest way to relax

Follow her @soleedarrell

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Top 100 Shops 2014!

Still catching my breath... so beyond honored to have been chosen as one of the Top 100 Shops 2014 by the SF Chronicle.  The story was featured in the Sunday Style section; we were nominated by taste-maker and author of This is Oakland book Melissa Davis.  I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful it feels to be recognized in this way.

It is also so lovely to see all the traction in Oakland.  I love this city, with all it's complexity and layers and I am so proud to call it my home both personally and professionally.

Thank you to everyone who has been supporting us over the years-- my little dream is nothing without the community of people who appreciate and love what we are doing, not to mention our bad-ass team-- Christina and Solee I'm talking to you!

Thank you!  So full!

In celebration, we are offering a 10% discount through October for those on our email list.


High-five everybody!

L O V E + M E T A L

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ORIGINS // Miguel Farias

Our current photography exhibit at Crown Nine is body of work,'Ode to My Father' by Bay Area artist Miguel Farias.  Each small photograph shot in a color film that is no longer produced, the textures are vivid and eerie, the landscapes and small worlds photographed in California and Nevada over the course of two years.  Each image is perfectly hand framed by Miguel himself.

Miguel The Master Framer.  Photo by Paul Mueller

I sat down with Miguel to talk to him about being an artist, his process and work.  Enjoy.

KE: Why do you make art?

MF:  I've loved making stuff my whole life.  I think making art is hard, so am constantly challenging myself to make stuff that interesting and perhaps if produced well, it becomes art. I may set out to make stuff with the intention that it will elevate itself to art, but that's not always the case.  I love the feeling I get when i make something good and someone is moved by it and then shares that with me, gives me chills when that happens.

KE:  What themes are in your current work?

MF:  I've been making more portraits again.  I have a few ideas going at once, hoping one will get a little traction and I'll work those images through to hopefully produce an interesting and beautiful body of work.

Pyramid Lake 1995

Botanicals 1996

Old Car 2 1995

KE:  How has your work changed over time?

MF:  Well, I think it's gotten better, thank god! I can finish pieces better, faster, stronger, kinda like the six million dollar man...

KE:  Best piece of advice you have gotten?

MF:  Do a good job, ok.  Don't fuck it up, ok.

KE:  What artwork or artists influence your work?

MF:  All of my teachers from art school had a huge influence on me.  Folks like Jack Fulton, Linda Connor, Reagan Louie, and Hank Wessel.  I also really like photographers that work in color, like Richard Misarach, Edward Burtynsky, Len Jenshel, Pete Turner and John Pfahl.  But I guess the biggest influence on me has been cinema.  I love movies and watch a ton on a weekly basis.

KE:  How do you want someone to feel while looking at your work?

MF: I don't really care how they feel, so long as they feel something.  Photographs carry so much representational weight that its tough to control how someone will feel about a piece but I guess that's what makes a piece of art or a maybe even a good piece of art.

KE:  How do you know when a piece is finished?

MF:  It's usually pretty clear to me.  With modern tools, it's pretty easy to overwork a piece, so I usually do, then back it off until it feels right again.  I'm a feel player.

KE:  What do you admire in other people?

MF:  Elegance, beauty, kindness and a good sense of humor

KE:  What special talent would you choose if you could magically gain one?

MF:  I think I'd like to fly, I have flying dreams all the time.

KE:  How does destruction play a role in your work?

MF:  It really doesn't.  I like being a creator, but am not opposed to burning all down and starting over, I just don't practice that in my work.

KE: What design are you most proud of/ sentimental/ moved by? 

MF:  I guess I'm most proud of my last body of work, 'Gh0st L1fe', I produced it in 2010 with my dear friend, Allison Reilly, who was 18 at the time.  It got the most exposure of anything I've ever made and it was really well received.  It was shown in three venues over the course of two years, and it was very exciting to get so much attention for it.  Collaborating with Allison meant a lot to me.

Gh0st L1fe explores the nature of our relationships with technology, consumption, loneliness and solitude.

I love how these images capture a sort of passive attention that is very directional, it's almost as if the computer is in charge and the subject is just absorbing.

KE:  Current obsessions?

MF:  Pliny the Elder, David Bowie, La Luz, starting a band

Miguel's show runs through the second week of August.  You can see his exhibition during our regular business hours, Weekdays 12-6 and Saturday 12-5.  Every image in the series in a limited edition pigment ink print in archival hand frame.  $180.

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SHOUT OUT // Bestie By Line

So incredibly proud of my sweet, fiery best friend whose article is the cover feature in this week's East Bay Express.  The story outlines very troubling truths about sex-trafficking in Oakland and beyond, and the people who are trying to change the laws to better serve the underage girls who get trapped in the system.  Congrats on a job well done lady- we need people like you shining the light so we all can see. xoxo

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New Arrivals from Brooklyn to the Bay

It's like Christmas morning every time I get a nice new box of jewels from one of our amazing artists, and this week we are the luckiest kids on the block.  

WELCOMING NEW DESIGNERS

Claire Kinder | Brooklyn NY

R.E. Elle | Brooklyn NY

NEW WORK BY

Amanda Hunt | SF

Kate Ellen Metals | Oakland {Hey, that's me!}

Aiko Designs | Oakland

Corey Egan | SF

Claire Buck | Austin TX

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This is Oakland // Book Release

Tour some of Oakland's best restaurants and retail nestled in 5 distinctive neighborhoods. A nice little sliver of our big, beautiful and complex city.

Flipping through the dense and rich photography of the pages, I was astonished at how many places I had never been to or heard about.  It reads like the best kind of to-do list.   And!  Old Oakland has a beautiful little spread featuring all my pals in the neighborhood, and yours truly!

The book sold out in the shop on it's first day and I am getting more in today.  Come in to the store or get it online.

Also, save the date for a super fun launch party taking place next weekend in Old Oakland to celebrate the launch of the book.

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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's Style // Hella Antinormal

Caught this video on NY Times, a sweet little chat with some of the stylish folks in the Town. It really captures what is so hard to explain to someone who is not from Oakland--they got it so I won't explain it.  We are not the Brooklyn of the West Coast, we have our own flavor.  Hats off Oaklanders, and I hope I run into these folks sometime soon.

Street Style in Oakland, California

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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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LOVESTRUCK // Josh + Lindsey

Josh came into Crown Nine last year to buy an engagement ring for his then girlfriend Lindsey, {he picked out The Constellation Rings}, and recently the pair came into the new shop to say hi and snap a few pics with me.  The couple is now living in New York-- onto the next phase of their adventure together.  Before they left,  I picked their brains on how they met, fell in love, and what makes their relationship tick.

1// How did you meet, what was your initial impression?

J:  The first time Lindsey and I met was in New Orleans in 2003, when we were both attending Tulane.  She was dating my suite mate at the time, so we had a few interactions.  Other than that, we didn't interact much, if at all, until we ran into each other in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture in 2009.  I was waiting for a friend driving (maybe motorcycling, I don't remember) from California (I think).  She was waiting for her aunt and uncle.  She stood out because she had, continues to have, short hair, which I love.  We realized we knew each other from somewhere and started talking.

We spent most of the rest of the night, and after our companions arrived, drinking - the Sculpture Garden served decent sangria - and arguing with each other.  I know I thought she was cute and I enjoyed sparring with her, so we became friends.  A few months later we started dating.

L:  Josh and I first really met at Tulane University. Josh was the suite-mate of my then-boyfriend during our freshman year. I only saw him briefly during awkward bathroom moments so I don’t really consider that how we met. What I consider our actual meeting happened in Washington, DC, almost five years later when both of us were going to graduate school there (different schools). We were both at a Friday night jazz event at the Sculpture Garden on the mall. We were both waiting around for other friends/relatives to join us. Josh walked past me while I was sitting around and we immediately recognized each other but we didn't know from where. We ended up chatting and when both of our respective parties joined us we ended up going out to dinner as one big group and hanging out afterwards (everyone got a little blitzed). My initial impression of Josh was that he was incredibly opinionated and we debated about one thing or another the entire night. Which we still do on a very regular basis.

2 // What is a memorable moment from your courtship prior to getting engaged?

J: It's not real a singular moment that sticks out, but something she did for me.  Last fall I decided to run a marathon for relieve a nonspecific ennui and to check an item off my bucket list. The training lasted three months and got up to 20 miles in a day.  Lindsey joined me, even though it was way over what was needed for her half marathon.  I have no doubt that I would have failed without her.  It meant a lot to me.

L:  There are many memorable moments from Josh and I’s years together but I think one that I think of very fondly, especially during the winter months, is when we were snow-bound at a house I was dog sitting at when ’snowpocalypse’ hit Washington, DC in 2010. We ended up being stuck in this house together for almost five days, which can be a little daunting to think about when you’ve only been dating someone for a few months. We shoveled a lot of snow, drank a lot of booze, cheered on the Saints as they won the Superbowl and snuggled up. I think I also spoke to his parents for the first time over the phone while intoxicated. That was interesting. Overall it was a blast and I think it brought us a lot closer together.

3 // How did you become engaged?

J:  I proposed to Lindsey at McArthur-Burney Falls in May, close to the California/Oregon border.  We stayed in a cabin that didn't have much beside a few mats for sleeping.  We made a fire and ate and drank and I asked her then.  Lindsey told me she needed to think it over, so the weekend was a little tense.  She said yes a few days later, in our kitchen in San Francisco.

L:  We had planned a camping trip in Northern California at the Burney-McArthur Falls State Park over Memorial Day. On our first night there, we were sitting around the campfire after eating, drinking some wine and when there was a lull in the conversation Josh popped the big question. Although we had talked about marriage before, the question certainly took me by surprise and I actually told Josh I had to think about it. (I know! How terrible of me!) After mulling it over for a few days, which I know was very difficult for Josh, and talking it over with my Mom and others, I made my decision later in the week as we were eating dinner at our kitchen table. We’re a very romantic couple, clearly.

4 // The magic ingredient is: 

J:  Lindsey and I think very logically, so our (real) arguments rarely last that long and we usually reach some sort of resolution.  If you think of a relationship as the aggregate of rules you've jointly decided to live by, then how you arrive at these rules matters.

L:  Open and honest communication about expectations, limits, needs and desires. And of course sex; plenty and often.

L O V E + M E T A L 

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LAZY SUNDAY // OAKLAND EDITION

Sometimes you just need a meandering kind of lazy day.  Now through March 2nd you can check out the Oakland Museum's White Elephant Sale-- essentially the biggest rummage sale in Northern California that benefits my favorite museum.  Last weekend I checked out the preview day and picked up some cool pots for some rare plants, as well as the most epic bell which now hangs in the shop.

Afterwards I decided to spend the afternoon on the art floor at the museum-- I'm a member and love being able to pop by on whim for some inspiration.  Right now there is an incredible exhibit called Bay Motion-- I sat for a good 30 minutes watching old video footage dating back to the early 1900's.  It's fascinating to see what Berkeley, Oakland, the Bay Bridge, and Market Street looked like over the years.

I also checked out the Smallest of Worlds exhibit-- a collection of miniature Mexican dioramas.  What is so compelling about things in miniature?  Maybe that is part of the reason I love jewelry, they are like small little sculptures.  Whatever it is, I have no idea, but I could just look at little mini things all day and feel full of curiosity.  Miniature things give me space to think about the ordinary in a new way.

Afterwards I hit up my favorite nursery, Cactus Jungle.  I founds some beautiful rare plants that are now adorning the shop in the pots I found at the White Elephant Sale.  Makes a nice house warming gift for people who are lackadaisical about plant care but like pretty, unique things.

Anyway, meander on Sunday, meander on.  And watch my favorite Lazy Sunday video.... so good.

L O V E + M E T A L

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Get to Know Christina

We are so super excited to introduce you all to Crown Nine's first employee, Christina Bohn, who will be a friendly face in the boutique a few days a week.  Christina is a jewelry junkie/ creative guru at Makeshift Society/ like-a-boss at Femme Cartel/ all round swell lady. We cannot be more thrilled to welcome her to the family!

We love her for he sassy, warm smirky nature <3

Some of her favorite Crown Nine picks: Kissing Snakes Ring by Voce Keen, Facets Ring by Kirsten Muenster and The Constellation Rings and Midi Rings by Kate Ellen Metals.

We asked her a few essential questions so you can get to know her a bit:

1// What inspires you?

The Great Outdoors 

2// What is your favorite jewelry piece?

A ring gifted to me by my love

3// Favorite Oakland spots for

Cocktails:  Plum Bar

Beers:  Luka's

Burgers: Trueburger

Pizza:  Boot and Shoe Service

Fancy-Shmancy Date Night:  Camino 

Music:  The Fox Theater 

Follow her @xtina__beana

Instagram 

Twitter 

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