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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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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Mega Post // All Good Things Holiday Edition

What do you do when you fall behind on posting?  If you're like me, you don't fret but instead mash everything into one mega-post and take a nice big Sharpie pen to check that off your to-do with total satisfaction.  Okay, so without further ado, I present to you


New Stores in Old Oakland
The corner of 9th and Broadway just burst open with three new stores!

Flora Cultural Society located in the alley in my original location.  Fresh flowers and plants, gifts, and body care with a striking and stripped down aesthetic.

SOBU furniture and home decor for those who like a rustic feel with clean modern lines.

Manifesta Salon at the corner-- these gals hail from Aveda and are experts in cut/color.  Get your hair did in time for your next holiday party.

Crown Nine in The Business Times
Popuphood turns two and welcomes three new businesses-- and the press takes note.  Check out the cool slideshow of all the shops.

Kate Ellen on KGO Radio
I was interviewed about the success of Plaid Friday-- here is the clip (starts at 4:28).

Kate Ellen Metals on Local Eclectic
New curated online boutique launched a collection of my work along with a little interview about my inspiration and process.

Video Installation with Block Gallery
Every Friday and Saturday from 5:30-8:30 9th st between Broadway and Washington is lit up with the amazing video work of six artists as part of a public art installation with Block Gallery.  Do not miss this show, it runs thru the first week of January.

Saturday Night Shop + Hop
Last weekend before the Christmas and the whole neighborhood is staying open late!  Check out the video installation and hop from shop to shop-- we'll be open until 8:30 on Saturday.  Marion and Rose's Workshop, Umamimart, Sobu, and Flora Cultural Society will be open too.  #shoplocal

Trunk Show with Corey Egan
The lovely Corey Egan will be bringing her gorgeous work out this Sunday from 11-5 for a sample sale and trunk show.  Lots of gifts for the gals on your list!

This is Oakland Book
Crown Nine will be featured in this great little coffee table book about retail and food in select neighborhoods of Oakland.  They are self-publishing so get your hands on a pre-order via Kickstarter.

#FavoriteThings
A few more shots from my collaboration with photographer Miranda Wendorf.

Hummingbird and tiny skulls by SF artist Voce Keen.... I love to tuck a little darkness and death into the light of being alive.

Handcut brass bangle by SF designers Kim + Jasper of Ortolan Designs.  #gaaaahhh

Beautiful tourmalene and labradorite by Oakland jeweler Christine Aiko.  She had a fantastic trunk show last weekend, thanks to everyone who came out.

The Trinity Necklace by yours truly.  Nine little flush set diamonds in 14k gold.  Petite and sparkly.

Peter St. Lawrence porcelain crystal.  So pretty, I want to put them in all the planters at my house.

Definitely my #favoritething is making jewelry.  This month has been packed with exciting custom work and some new designs in the making.

Giovanna Torrico Horsehair Hoops.  Like yes.

Collette Ishiyama Crysler Tower earrings.  Total perfection.

Pod by Jo Boyer of SF.  We have a bunch of these little beauties.

Colin Adrian glass feather.  Because I'm kind of a hippy and maybe you are too.

The Pyramid Cuff in silver and bronze by moi.

Boots: check.  Fist full of gold rings: check.  Two finger ring: check check.

L  O V E + M E T A L

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Gift Guide

// This year I wanted to give some of my personal recommendations for great gifts from a selection of artists at the shop, partly because I am totally obsessed with all the new work in the shop and partly because I wanna help you find the perfect thing while keeping you in your budget.  

Shopping for someone else?  I got you.  

Treating yourself?  I definitely got you. 

So here are some of my #favoritethings right now, click through to read more about each item, and enjoy.

Under $60

Under $95

Under $100

Under $150

Under $200

Under $300

More Under $300

Under $400

Under $500

L O V E + M E T A L 

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Plaid Friday // Interview with the Founder

I was listening to the Marketplace on NPR last night and host Ky Ryssdal was talking about some guy in some state who is already camped out in front of Best Buy in a 10 person tent equipped with a generator, microwave, heater and gaming console in anticipation for Black Friday.  And then this morning I saw LL Cool J rapping about how Best Buy is actually now just going to open up on Thanksgiving evening.  I'm gonna hashtag that #heyloverI'mworkingthanksgivingday or maybe #mamasaidknockbestbuyout.

It's this sort of rampant consumerism {as cleverly depicted in this Saturday Night Live clip, seriously watch it} that has some people boycotting the whole day, but a few years ago my dear friend Kerri Johnson came up with a better idea.  She decided to spend the day embracing everything that is going right--namely by supporting vibrant local independent small businesses.  Kerri thought it would we super fun to give people an organized alternative to the mall and box stores, and so Plaid Friday was born!  

This year Oakland is going all out, over 45 local retailers are participating in just downtown/uptown areas, the East Bay Express has published this bodacious map of our city, and Mayor Jean Quan has made it free to park on Plaid Friday and every Saturday in December, #hellafreeparking!  And of course at Crown Nine we'll be serving up a sparkly sample sale with Sarah Swell from 11-8.


I sat down with my neighbor Kerri, owner of Marion and Rose's Workshop, to have her give me the scoop on the event that started right here in Oakland and has spread across the country.

1// Why did you create Plaid Friday?  Why is it a good fit for Oakland?

I created Plaid Friday in 2009 as a response to a movement that was spreading to boycott all shopping on Black Friday.   At the time I owned a small artist run space called Blankspace with my husband and we were turning our gallery into a popup shop for the holidays with local artisan products. Since many of our friends were just hanging out on that day I thought, let's turn this day into a positive experience and give them a relaxing and enjoyable alternative to shopping at the big box stores, while at the same time learning more about their neighborhood small businesses.

The name Plaid Friday was conceived from the idea of weaving the individual threads of small businesses together to create a strong fabric that celebrates the diversity and creativity of independent businesses.  To me this idea embodies Oakland, strong, diverse and independent.

2// How many other cities participate?

I am so excited to say that cities from all over the country now participate including Portland, Boston, Boulder, Somerville, Nashua, and even the city of City of Pembroke in Canada is participating this year! The campaign as received support from many small business advocate sites like AMIBA and BALLE who help spread the word to small businesses all over the country. I am proud of the fact that this is a grassroots effort that has grown purely from word of mouth and the support of small businesses.  It's all about creating community and strengthening small business.

3// What is Marion and Rose's Workshop all about?

The shop features a well-edited collection of uncommon American made fine goods for the home, person and pet.  We stock high quality, well crafted items by a select group of innovative American designers, artisans and craftspeople.  We seek out the perfect heirloom quality goods, from artisans and companies who have small scale, sustainable, and ethical manufacturing processes.

4// What is your personal shopping philosophy?

I love to shop at locally owned businesses and support my community. We have so many great small businesses in the Bay Area, it's really fun to explore.

5// What products are you most nuts about this season?

I am in love with the wool blankets of Faribault Mills who also make super warm wool scarves.  I am also crushing hard on a company called Cuppow, who make these silly lids that turn mason jars into drinking cups and bento boxes.  The simplicity of the idea is wonderful, and the company founders are amazing people who care about every aspect of the product from the minimal packaging to making sure they are using PBA free plastics.  All of their products are made in the USA and often when you purchase one of their products a portion of the profits goes to a worthy cause.

6// What is your holiday tradition?

One of my holiday traditions is making hot chocolate with marshmallows and curling up with my dogs and hubby to watch some of the movies I've been enjoying for years, like Bad Santa, Christmas Vacation and of course A Christmas Story!

L O V E + M E T A L

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In The Spirit // Holiday Sales

So über-pleased to announce our trunk show series for this holiday season!  

Here at Crown nine we believe in real beautiful things made by real people, so this season we're getting you in touch with these artists directly by inviting them in for one-day only sample sales.

It's your chance to meet the artist, shop discounted inventory, and talk about what matters: inspiration.

The festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving {November 29} for Plaid Friday, the best alternative to the madness of the mall, and continuing on through each Sunday in December.

  

Join us!  We'll be donating part of our proceeds this holiday to the Alameda Community Food Bank which serves 1 in 5 families in Alameda County.

L O V E + M E T A L

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Opening Day // Rebirth of Crown Nine

At 11am this morning I rolled open the door to the new Crown Nine jewelry boutique + art gallery!

I finally feel like my vision has been actualized, the space absolutely feels and looks like me.  I am surrounded by beautiful things made by talented people, in the community I love so dearly.  Many friends and regulars have already popped by today to share in the excitement, it really feels like a dream come true.  And holy jewelry goddess do we have a ton of pretty new inventory by both new and old designers... there really is something here for everyone.

Come by and see for yourself!

OPEN

11-8 Friday November 1st 

12-4 Sat

Closed Sunday November 3rd 

12-6 M-F 

11-4 Sat

Holiday Hours Starting Friday November 29th {Plaid Friday}

11-7 M-F

11-6 S-S

Here are some snapshots of the new space, enjoy!

L O V E + M E T A L

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