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August 19, 2020

CMD News Milestones
11 Comments

To my friends, family, customers, neighbors and colleagues:

 

I'd like to share an exciting announcement - CMD is relocating to the East Coast! With a heavy heart, I'm sharing with you that I've made the challenging decision to close my SF Shop at the end of September. The Bay Area will always be the place that helped me to define myself as a person. 
 
Nearly 20 years ago, I packed up a suitcase and headed to San Francisco with a few hundred bucks in my bank account. I was so young (22!) and filled with the hope that I could carve my own path, far away from my family and the comforts that came with the familiarity of my surroundings. I went to a far-off-land, and still remember the first smells of Northern California - fragrant eucalyptus drenched in the salty ocean air. As I flew West, I said to my mom, "Don't worry, I"ll be back in a couple of years." In my mind, I thought it would be a short excursion and a way to dip my toes into the cold, unfamiliar waters of independence. There was a way that San Francisco sparkled and the colorful people were inspiring. I felt so welcomed and accepted in this diverse community. From the beginning, I threw myself into the discomfort of change as I looked to define myself and my path. 
 
I could summarize the last 20 years as being the most freeing, wild times of my life. It was invigorating and challenging, exceptional and exciting, and even devastating at times. I built the foundation of a beautiful business. Along the way, I found strong and supportive people who helped me to continue on this journey. 
 
The city life has been memorable but I'm ready to slow things down...create a home, build a garden and be close to my beloved family once again. I want to savor time with my niece and nephew and watch them grow which is a challenging feat from 3000 miles away. I look forward to more visits with my amazing 103-year old Gram and quiet chats with her on the back porch while we watch the birds. I can't wait for sweet Sunday dinners with my family. I want to work closely with my NY Team as we embark into the next phase of CMD. 
 
Although I find comfort with the idea of "going back home," there will always be a warm place in my heart for San Francisco. Goodbye to the most beautiful city that really helped me define myself. I have so much love for my Bay Area friends who have become my family - I will hold you close to my heart when I travel East. I'm also going to miss my hilarious and lovable fur friends. Goodbye to organic everything and all the unique people, including all the artists and entrepreneurs who surrounded me during my journey. To all of my business owner friends - I'll be rooting for you from afar and always available to chat. :)
 
So long to winding roads and golden skies, thick fog and glistening sunshine. Goodbye to the chaos of city living smattered with peaceful parks and city hikes. I'll miss all those wacky folks who make San Francisco a weird and awesome place. Goodbye to the best food and the coldest summers, the littered streets and pristine parks. Goodbye to perfect little grocery stores and flashy Victorians. I won't be the first person to leave my heart in San Francisco.
 
I'm so thrilled to share that CMD is flourishing as we continue to move forward with a  "new way" of running our business. We forged ahead and created a virtual model that's working really well... and we're building the online experience to be better than ever. I want to continue to connect with all of you on a deeper level so please continue to book virtual appointments with me. I love meeting you face-to-face. I hope to be back in The Bay for pop-ups and trunks shows at my favorite shops. I won't be able to resist regular visits and perfect jaunts to places I'll always hold dear to my heart.
 
One more exciting thing to share - I found a new home for the CMD Shop in Asbury Park, New Jersey (just miles from where I grew up)! I'll be 1/2 a mile from the warm Atlantic and just a 45 minute drive to Manhattan. I have a beautiful new space which will be open by appointment (both in person and virtually). More details to come...
 
I will miss all of you. Tears are in my eyes and my heart is aching. I love you all so much... and I thank you for showing me the real meaning of community. What an incredible group of gorgeously supportive and unique people that surround me and my team. Your unending support makes my heart burst. So long, San Francisco. I will forever miss you. 
 
 
xo!!
Colleen's Signature

11 Responses

Katie Smith
Katie Smith

September 15, 2020

Absolutely beautiful farewell! Congratulations and so happy you are continuing your passion. I was fortunate to watch it begin and flourish! You will be very missed in san francisco but I love knowing we will be guaranteed to see you when we head to the shore. I proudly wear my CMD daily! ❤️

Christine Thorn
Christine Thorn

September 15, 2020

What a beautiful story…. thoroughly enjoyed reading…. I could feel everything you were trying to express. Good luck to you!! I’m so looking forward to purchasing/receiving some of your pieces for my upcoming 55th birthday. Cheers 🥂 to new beginnings!!

Amber Caldwell
Amber Caldwell

September 15, 2020

Colleen I truly wish you well in this new chapter! I have been a fan since I first discovered you at Collage in Potrero, since then I have gifted myself a piece from you each year as a celebration of growth and overcoming challenges. I am constantly raving your talents when people say…is that a square ring? That is so cool & different. I am bummed to hear that the SF shop is closeting, I was hoping to come by and pick up a new piece but will check out the online shop! Stay awesome and all the best!

Catherine Minervini
Catherine Minervini

September 15, 2020

Hello Colleen! My husband and I met you at Dwell in Design around 2010/11 (?) in LA, where we lived and I lived for 13 years. I fell in love with your designs, bought earrings at the show then my husband bought me a gift card and I bought more items. I have always been a fan. Your news is a very familiar story. And we relocated from LA for similar reasons, and to all places — ASBURY PARK! Omg! We are thrilled to have you join us! Looking forward to visiting you in AP. We live here full time so we are so excited for you!!! It is an amazing community. Looking forward to sharing stories of our lives on both coasts. Best of luck in your move and next chapter! ~Kitty

shirley ducroux
shirley ducroux

September 15, 2020

good luck to you. its sounds very exciting ! I’ll keep an eye out for your beautiful things in NYC

Christine Possemato
Christine Possemato

September 15, 2020

I live in Long Branch & I’m so excited to finally shop your store in person!

Lauren Hall
Lauren Hall

September 15, 2020

Colleen—I am so thrilled for you and must admit I got a little teary eyed thinking of you leaving. I remember meeting you as a fan girl of your jewelry and style when you were up in that little studio nook at the old secession gallery space. You were always so warm and engaging and I loved that I could support a women owned business while getting my hands on and in your perfect bracelets earrings necklaces and my beloved stacks of rings. I’ve been so happy to see your business grow and to rave about you to friends and to send your pieces to the women in my life that mean so much to me. I finally taught my husband after years that if he wanted to buy me any jewelry that CMD was the place he could never go wrong. ( Except maybe the time he bought me the same necklace twice! ) The fact that you also supported my organization with your generous donations each year was just another testament of what a lovely person you are. Thank you for the many many beautiful things you have made that I treasure and I look forward to continuing to hang out online and knowing you will have just what I am looking for and a glass of wine and some good laughs. After the many years I am grateful to feel like not only a customer but also a friend. Thanks for all you have done here in SF, it will certainly feel less sparkly without CMD in the city. Best to you in this new exciting adventure—big love to you Lauren

Bob Mauer
Bob Mauer

September 15, 2020

I am so proud of my daughter Colleen. She created CMD with little or no resources and plenty of guts.She never gave up when it was tough and just kept working her heart out.She and now the team she has built around her take a brave new step by moving east and I am certain that continued success will follow CMD.As her father, I personally want to thank all of Colleen’s customers and her many friends for all of the support and love that you have given to my wonderful daughter and CMD over the many years in the Bay Area..

Roberta
Roberta

September 15, 2020

Wishing you the very best, Colleen!
I’ve been a long time customer – since I bought my first of your designs at Collector in Elmwood to visiting your SF studio when it opened.
Great to finally meet you virtually recently.
Would love to connect with a live appt. when you’re back in Sept.
All the best! As I mentioned, my husband is from Haslet so maybe I’ll make it to your new Asbury Park venture one day!

Claire
Claire

September 15, 2020

What a beautiful farewell. As you bid adieu to San Fran, I am feeling such great fortune to have you near to us (family) again and wishing you the best as you become part of the creative Asbury Park community that has been rebuilding for several years.
Love you

Jane LaMarra
Jane LaMarra

September 15, 2020

It was difficult reading this blog, Colleen, as my eyes also filled with tears! I am beyond proud of you for all you’ve accomplished in 20 years!! You continue to be a loving and warm person with amazing business sense – what a combination of traits! Selfishly, I am so happy to have you close to family, as you are such a person so dedicated to family!! Love you, Colleen, and wish you the very best as you journey through your next exciting chapter!!

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