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

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

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

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

SHOUT OUT // Emma Dime

Super excited!  My new friend Emma Robertson of the badass blog EMMADIME featured me in her Lovely Lady post today!  Emma's blog is packed with simple, stunning design and inspiration-she's definitely one of my daily reads.  She also just released a book all about knitting for all you yarn buffs out there.

As a part of the post, I gave Emma a couple pieces of jewelry to give to one of her readers-- a pair of my pyramid studs and a Voce Keen Rarity necklace-- so pop on over and enter to win {it's mega easy, just leave a comment}.

L O V E + M E T A L,
Kate Ellen

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

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

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

Shout Out // Fruitvale Station

I heard about the award-winning film Fruitvale Station months ago.  I heard some small story on NPR about an Oakland artist, Ryan Coogler, who was telling the story of Oscar Grant, a 22 year old black man who was shot in the back while in handcuffs here in Oakland in 2009.  Even though I heard some buzz about it, I didn't really know what to expect.   More recently I heard that it won both the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award at Sundance and the Prize of the Future at Cannes.  Then I heard some other artists, like Oakland's Goapelle, encouraging people to go see it.  I went on Monday night at The Grand lake Theater, with the Trayvon Martin protests roiling in downtown, the helicopters overhead.

I am a firm believer that art is a powerful tool in bringing darkness into the light.  I believe that art can spark dialogue, change minds, penetrate hearts, and build new ways of seeing what is happening around us.  I have found in my own life that keeping my heart open has been a challenge; sometimes it feels like there is so much wrong with the world and so little I feel I can do about it.  Sometimes it feels so unsurprising how wrong things are.  I have never had a film so urgently strip away my own emotional protections and ask me, kindheartedly, to look.  See what is here.  Connect.

I am praying that this movie helps spark the discussion, get us talking to one another, get a movement underway, bring much needed healing to our community.  I hope that you take the time to see this movie (bring tissues!), encourage your friends to see it, talk.   It is beautiful, poignant, tragic and well worth our attention.  Thanks to all the brave people who decided to tell this story-- I am forever changed for seeing it.  xo

L O V E + M E T A L 

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

Shout Out // Best of the East Bay 2013

I am so honored and thrilled to have my little labor of love recognized as Best Of The East Bay.  Crown Nine started as a strange little experiment, and to have it grow into something that would be noted in this way feels pretty incredible and special.  I love the name of this year's awards, 'The New Authentic', as I think Oakland is really leading a renaissance in a back to basics approach to creating and buying. So thank you East Bay Express, and thank you to all my lovely clients who support what we do, it means the world to me.   I feel so blessed to have so many incredible people championing this dream; thank you for every kind word, every referral, every stop in, purchase, like, share, comment, tweet, and hug!  Thank you! 

MOST COVETABLE GEMS 

One of Popuphood's success stories, Oakland's Crown Nine has flourished into a well-loved jewelry boutique and art gallery, frequently mobbed by First Friday revelers and jewelry addicts alike. Owner Kate Ellen has taken this buzz and launched a new store series, aptly named A Rarity. Every month, Ellen curates a selection of super-limited-edition jewelry — only ten to twenty of each are made — from local artisans, and every piece is available for less than $150. Since the event's inception, works have included a loopy necklace influenced by Oakland's art deco architecture, Egyptian-inspired hoop earrings, a brass fringe bracelet, and Ellen's own Mitsuro bangle, produced using a rare Japanese wax technique. Ellen also delves into the background of each piece on her website, interviewing the designers and bringing photographer Eva Kolenko along to snap behind-the-scenes shots of each studio. This holistic approach to jewelry design and story makes each piece feel like a true treasure, and the entire approach, we admit, feels like a rarity.

L O V E + M E T A L 

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

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 >>>

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

Shout Out // Diablo Magazine features 'A Rarity'

Super excited to be featured on Diablo Magazine's blog today for our exclusive jewelry project, A RARITY.

If you haven't become an Insider yet, do!  I'm so excited about our next few pieces, and Insider's get to see the item before everyone else.

L O V E + M E T A L

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

Shout Out // Stitch and Hammer

You may have received our Insider's email about our newest arrival, Stitch and Hammer, and we just heard even better news:  Amy Tremper of Stitch and Hammer will be on Martha Stewart American Made Radio Show tomorrow at 1:00 pm EST / 11:00 am MST. Tune in on Sirius Channel 106 to hear her talk shop!

http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade
http://theradioblog.marthastewart.com/

S P R E A D T H E L O V E