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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Sarah Swell Showroom // Sausalito CA

I cannot say enough about this woman.  

Sarah and I met years ago when both of us just had young little burgeoning businesses, each working hard to get an opportunity that would start opening up doors.  She and our friend Christine Aiko helped open the 'pop-up' version of Crown Nine, and stood by my side as I experienced the ups-and-downs of the shop growing up over the last few years.  Now I am beyond thrilled to see one her dreams come true: her own showroom/studio.  The wait was well worth it.

Just like the aesthetic of her jewelry design, the shop is timeless and exquisitely designed with a magical balance of refinement and edge.  Each little nook is cared for, I can see Sarah in every little detail.  She is offering alongside her jewelry and bridal collection, a super well-curated assortment of beautiful objects--blankets, incense, mirrors, bags, scents, ceramics, and her own vintage collection of jewelry that she has been gathering for years, bringing to life her tagline 'precious metal treasures and accessories for life.'

Sarah will be there throughout the week, balancing working on her jewelry design and operating the showroom to clients and passersby.  Caledonia Street is a sweet little walk up from gorgeous views of the bay, you can make a whole day of exploring the area and eating out.  Go visit her, it's a must.  

Congrats Sarah-- your vision is simply stunning xo

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The Big Fix

All week I've been coordinating the repair work at the shop-- fixing the damage a leak did to the floor while I was away on vacation in Yosemite.  It has been such a major education on so many things, and really has ended up being a really positive week.  We'll be open on Monday January 27th-- quite a bit sooner than I had anticipated which feels so good.

Right now the contractor is downstairs working on the new floor, and it already looks so amazing.  It feels so great to have an expert here doing such great work-- I'm super DIY at heart but wow, it really makes the difference to have someone who specializes in what you need.  I love seeing people shine at what they do, who take such pride in doing a job well and making sure it's just right.  You need a good floor guy, call Mark Gordillo.  He is a goddamn pro.

Some specialists came out to dry up the old floor

Packed everything up into a storage bin, chatted with the driver's 8 year old son about the differences between Oakland vs. San Jose

Removing the old floor, prepping the subfloor

Meanwhile I had some touch decisions to make at the store...

Current state of things... laying in a new strand bamboo floor.  Bamboo grows a foot a day so it is so much better for the environment-- no cutting down rain-forests for hardwood.

In other news, we were honored to be mentioned in an article on Virgin Atlantic's blog.  I love how the Brits class up the spelling of 'Jewellery"... makes me sound so fancy.

Hottest New Stores In Oakland 

Via Virgin Atlantic Blog

"Jeweller and Popuphood alum Kate Ellen has opened to a permanent space down the block due to her success with the program. At Crown Nine, she sells her jewellery, made from recycled metals, and also carries jewellery from other indie designers. When she opened three years ago, Ellen says Old Oakland was “sleepy and dead.”

Now it’s so not. New restaurants, shops and bars have lit up the historic buildings. The most vital day to visit, she says, is Friday when the Farmers' Market is in full swing."  READ ON >>>

See you Monday!

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This is Oakland // Hawthorn

Last Friday I headed over to HAWTHORN for a trunk show with Amanda Bassolino of VOCE KEEN (a line we carry at our store) to celebrate the launch of her latest collection, Untamed.  Her pieces are earthy relic-like treasures, as if dug up from some primitive landscape.  And any chance I can get to visit store owner Laurie Lion and her No. 2 maiden Laura Akida, I am in.

Recently I made a vow to stop shopping "fast fashion" and instead buy fewer, better things.  Laurie is doing something really remarkable at Hawthorn, introducing more and more Made in the USA brands and more ecologically friendly lines over time, which totally jives with my new buying philosophy.  It only makes sense, I ask my customers to do the same--to slow down and really pay attention to quality, craft, and material to simply have less, enjoy more.

The mix on the floor at Hawthorn is so lovely, the fabrics are so luscious, you can absolutely feel the difference between your fingertips.  I decided to splurge on super-extra soft muscle tee from Cotton Citizen (Made in the USA) and Mother Denim jeans.  And that will be my clothing purchases for a while, so I'll have to be extra good about taking care of them. So if you see me in a muscle tee, just know that it's my new uniform, proudly proclaiming a "fewer, better things" type philosophy.

Here are some outtakes from my fun evening out with theses creative ladies:

VOCE KEEN artist, Amanda Bassolino

Fresh squeeze grapefruit + tequila punch, yes please!

We had to take a quick Cazadores break, standard.

My spoils....

Oakland artist Shayna Roosevelt did this tote for the Hawthorn maidens...

Lion cub, Jackson, tried on some super hot denim

Shop Ace, Laura, caught wearing a dress

L O V E + M E T A L 

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Shout Out // Design Conundrum

Creative living guru, Maia McDonald of Design Conundrum, recently stopped by for a visit in my studio and Crown Nine to talk to me about creativity, art, jewelry, and our beloved Oakland for her inspirational series, Creative Spaces.  Take a peek at our conversation...

Name: Kate Ellen
Occupation: Jewelry Designer + Boutique Owner

What made you want to be a jewelry designer?
Oh my. I love working with my hands, and it's such a powerful experience to have an idea in your head and then make an object. I can't really explain what it feels like when you just know a piece is done, but the best way I can describe it is affirming and joyful. So I love that part of it, the actual thinking, problem solving, and transforming that takes place in my studio in total solitude. 

And then I just love-love-love jewelry, always have, always will. I especially love rings and bracelets because they are the two things that as a wearer you really get to look at and enjoy, you can have little private moments throughout your day in which you can look at your hand or wrist and feel happier by what you see there.  Read on >>>

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