Field Trip to The East Bay: Part 1

One thing I truly love to do is explore new shops and neighborhoods. I’m always amazed how many great places there are, practically in my own back yard. My friend Laura (you may remember her from my great piercing escapade), is like a walking tour book of amazing stores. It’s not just because she loves shopping as much as I do (and she does!), but she is a rep for many home, jewelry, and gift/accessory lines with Aesthetic Movement, so it’s her duty to know all the happening places.

We set our itinerary for various places in Berkeley, Piedmont, and Oakland. I picked her up in SF and headed over the Bay Bridge. First up was Zaver & Mor in Berkeley. I’d met the lovely owner, Rada Sahney, at a couple Women’s Jewelry Association events, so I was very eager to check out her establishment, and it definitely did not disappoint.

Amy Roseveare and Rada Sahney
She carries some of my favorite lines, such as Tura Sugden, Julez Bryant, and Elyria Jewels. But there were also some lines that I was seeing for the first time. One of my favorite pieces I saw the whole day is this gold and diamond bracelet by Mia Chicco. (One more item for my jewelry lust list!)

mia chicco bracelet
I was also excited to see a display of Sharon Zimmerman’s work, who is a local jeweler from San Francisco.

sharon zimmerman jewelry
By the time we had (just about) tried on everything we wanted to, it was time to grab a bite for lunch. Since our second stop was going to be Red Bird, right by the Claremont in Berkeley, we popped into Rick & Ann’s for a really tasty meal at their community table.

laura forst and amy roseveare
Sufficiently refueled, we went to Red Bird and began perusing all the lovely clothing and jewelry. This, in fact, is a place where I have purchased many of my favorite items over the years.

red bird in berkeley, ca
I couldn’t resist trying on this unique pearl necklace by Melissa Joy Manning I spotted in the sale case. The organic shapes of the pearls are captivating.

melissa joy manning necklace
I thought it looked pretty cool layered with the two necklaces I was wearing. And who am I to turn down 60% off?!

melissa joy manning, the woods, and flying lizard necklace
Ok…time to hit the road again, and next up was Atomic Garden in Oakland. (Next time I want to explore this area more, as there seemed to be many cute shops on College Avenue!)

atomic garden in oakland, ca
While jewelry isn’t the main focus of the store, that isn’t to say that they don’t have a nice selection, including Zoe Chicco, Emily Amey and Ilsa Loves Rick, to name a few.

emily amey rings
ilsa loves rick jewelry
atomic garden jewlery
I was definitely psyched to visit Esqueleto, which is a jewel box of a store in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland, curated by jeweler Lauren Wolf. Not only does the store carry her line (the two rings I have on in the photo below), but they have selections from many designers, including a beautiful vintage selection.

lauren wolf rings

vintage beauties
vintage beauties

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Mania Mania is branching into the fine jewlery business, and I love this ring by them!

mania mania ring
The natural beauty of these pieces by Lou Zeldis also caught my eye.

lou zeldis jewelry
As fate would have it, jeweler Marisa Haskell, whose line is now named Marisa Mason, was in the shop, so we had to end our field trip by running around the corner in to her boutique as well.

marisa mason oakland
She has a workshop right in the store, and her jewelry is artfully displayed on the walls, making it very easy to try things on.

marisa mason workshop
marisa mason jewelry
marisa mason necklace
By this time, the rain was starting to come down hard, and it was time to head back across the Bay Bridge to San Francisco. Our itinerary was clearly ambitious, as we still have many stores left on our list. Hence…part 2, (hopefully) coming in January. If you have any recommendations for additions to our list, please let me know in the comment section below!

Elyria Jewels

I recently attended the Women’s Jewelry Association event “Jewelers by the Bay” which featured 20 fabulous jewelry designers. With their wares artfully displayed in the iconic Shreve’s building in Union Square, I was definitely in jewelry heaven. Elyria Jewels caught my eye right off the bat. I was so happy to speak with Elisa Browsh, the designer.

Amy and Elisa
Amy and Elisa

This formerly SF-based company (now in Boulder, CO) was founded in 1996. Each piece of the collection is hand-made in the USA, and it has a very distinct voice. The line, “balances industrial chic with a luxurious bohemian aesthetic.” Case in point, this necklace, with blackened metals, diamonds and moonstones.

Capella necklace
Capella necklace

I was very drawn to this necklace, featuring a large disc pendant with black diamond slices. It’s a stellar mix of primitive and modern, fine jewelry.

elyria necklace

And take a look at this necklace, with a rough aquamarine set in sterling silver chains.

elyria necklace

When I tried on this emerald-cut moonstone and diamond ring, I must admit that I had to lift my jaw up off the floor. To-die-for!!!

It looks good on me, right?!
It looks good on me, right?!

In fact, she also makes some amazing stacking rings.

Rumi stacking rings
Rumi stacking rings

Rumor has it that some of her pieces may be available near Union Square soon — I’m keeping my eye out!