Southern Home Magazine – Holiday 2016 Issue
silver holiday gifts
Posts
Studio Visit from the Duke of Devonshire, England – October 2016
Friday, October 7, 2016 the Duke of Devonshire, England visited Kaminer Haislip in her silversmithing studio in downtown Charleston, SC. He was visiting Charleston for the Charleston Heritage Symposium presented by The Preservation Society of Charleston, which was postponed due to hurricane Matthew.
Visit http://www.charlestonheritagesymposium.org for information on the symposium and the future date.
Kaminer would like to thank Courtenay Daniels, Chair of the Charleston Heritage Symposium, for organizing the lovely visit. Kaminer also thanks the Duke of Devonshire immensely for taking the time to visit her studio and view her silversmithing designs. It was a pleasure to host him and she thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet such a wonderful person. It was an incredible career highlight!
Luxury Simplified Feature – September 2016
Kaminer Haislip, Silversmith : The Marriage Of Function And Form
By Holly Roberson, Realtor, Broker Associate, Luxury Simplified Real Estate
Kaminer Haislip, one of the great silversmiths of our era, had just popped around from her studio at Redux when we met up last week. We took our tea and mineral water to the courtyard at Kudu Coffee, a favorite local watering spot. Immediately after her first sip, I started with the questions. I had a lot that I wanted to ask her, but I had honed the list to a mere six dozen. But first, I had to know why she became a silversmith. Relentless curiosity demands satisfaction.
Her handiwork should have give the biggest clue to what I now see so clearly. Kaminer Haslip must daily marry function to form. It’s how she seamlessly streamlines the world around us. She happens to do this with precious metals.
A true master silversmith, she studied her craft under internationally acclaimed English silversmith Alfred Ward. She knows historic and modern silver techniques. From her time with me, I could write an entire blog on how colonial America forged its own silver style and call it “the melding pot” of American smithing. That’s for another day.
Beginning her path to mastery sculpture inspired her first step. This hammer and anvil wielding porcelain doll began by tinkering in her family’s hardware store. Then, she took a shop class in Aiken, SC. When it was time to pick up a blowtorch, her classmates, well-mannered southern men, all offered to do that dirty work for her. She donned a mask, wielded her torch, and persisted in her labors until a sculpture was born. After all, she had to figure out how to marry function to form. And she most definitely has. Check out her instagram for even more details on the “how.”
It’s no surprise that her drive for seamless function and beauty has attracted attention. She designed and personally makes the most perfectly southern silver magnolia bowl for Reese Witherspoon’s lifestyle company, Draper James. Her coffeepot woke up judges during Garden and Gun’s 3rd annual prestigious Made in the South Award. She is internationally known. Her designs grace many a wish list (I want the magnolia bowl). The list goes on … and on.
A rising southern star with feet firmly planted on Charleston SC streets, Kaminer does what Charleston herself does, she adds her contemporary touch while preserving the historic framework.
NOTE: Want to learn more about the history of silversmithing, why a Charleston rice spoon is 14” long, what silver polish is best, how to tell the age or your silver, or the process of the design? Let us know because we will be compiling a guest list to spend an evening with Kaminer and cohorts as they answer all our silver questions.
Open Studio Event at Redux Contemporary Art Center – September 2016
Join Kaminer Haislip and the other artists of Redux Contemporary Art Center, located at 136 St. Philip Street in downtown Charleston, SC, Thursday, September 8, 2016 from 5pm-8pm for an insight and exploration of the talented artists occupying the private studios! Refreshments will be served and artwork will be for sale. Kaminer will have a selection of her handcrafted silver jewelry and objects on display for sale in her studio!
The Pink House Vendor Spotlight – July 2016
Kaminer Haislip’s silver and copper Poppy Bowls and silver Charleston Rice Spoon are being carried by the Houston, TX based lifestyle brand The Pink House, a subdivision of Lanson B Jones Landscape Architecture. Curated by former Charleston resident Megan Chandler, read her interview with Kaminer below! You can also see the full feature and Kaminer’s products at https://www.lbjfloral-events.com/blogs/news/vendor-spotlight-kamier-haislip-17
PH: We’ve recently launched our online boutique. This boutique is a collection of pieces that I personally use and have uses for when it comes to anything “entertaining,” “hosting” or “gifting.” These are the pieces I see as having value to creating a very curated life.
Each vendor whose pieces I have chosen in our boutique is a talented artisan. I want to share with you why each is so special, and I’m starting with famed silversmith, Kaminer Haislip. Kaminer’s work can be found featured in Forbes, Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, Garden and Gun, Elle Décor, Southern Living and in Reese Witherspoon’s famed Nashville boutique, Draper James. I am so are beyond thrilled to bring her decadent work to Texas and share a little bit about her with you!
PH: Kaminer, where are you from?
KH: Aiken, SC
PH: Tell our readers, as a Southern hostess, what are your must haves when hosting a gathering?
KH: Silver and lots of it! Silver serving pieces such as condiment spoons, appetizer forks, cheese knives, spreaders, serving spoons, and salad servers are a must. Silver vases for flowers make a lovely presentation and silver trays and bowls for serving food looks stunning!
Kaminer’s Charleston Rice spoon, featured above, is one of our favorite wedding gifts, and serving pieces in the boutique!
PH: Using your silver pieces when hosting a party makes me want to plan an elegant soiree right now! So many of these pieces inspire me; what inspires you?
KH: My silversmithing designs are inspired by the interaction with functional objects and traditional techniques. My themes vary for different series, but all of my work is unified by elegant and timeless design. My original designs are not steered by fashion or trends and are created with exceptional craftsmanship. Recent inspiration includes coral reefs from my scuba diving experiences, birds, ancient jewelry pieces such as torcs and annular brooches, and flowers such as the poppy and calla lily.
PH: I love that you draw inspiration from flowers! As I’m sure you know, blooms are a huge source of what drives my creativity. What’s your favorite flower?
KH: The poppy flower is my favorite flower due to its representation and inspiration to WWI veterans. They adopted the poppy as a symbol of strength despite its delicate appearance after seeing it grow and survive in the war torn fields of Europe.
PH: I love that, and I love how much thought you put into each piece you make. I know you take such pride in your work. How did you get started in your career?
KH: I grew up in my family’s hardware and appliance business in Aiken, SC, which spurred my interest in tools and making things. I became enthusiastic about jewelry and sculpture in high school and went to Winthrop University for my BFA in Jewelry and Metals. My major professor, Alfred Ward, is a British silversmith from London, so I learned all of the traditional silversmithing techniques from him. After graduating with my MFA in Silversmithing also from Winthrop University, I moved to Charleston and started my business.
PH: I miss Charleston everyday, especially in the summer! In the spirit of sweet-summertime, I’m dreaming of my next vacation. Where are you headed next?
KH: TBD, because my husband Matt and I have just begun a massive renovation to our home in downtown Charleston, and it is consuming all of our free time right now!
PH: Well, you hardly need to travel living in Charleston and being beachside! What are you reading on the beach this summer?
KH: I have a hard time concentrating on books at the beach, so I like to read magazines. I read a lot and subscribe to W, Newsweek, Travel + Leisure, Charleston Mercury, and Charleston Magazine. It is fun to share magazines and interesting articles with friends while hanging out on the beach!
While the silver poppy bowl can’t be used beachside, it can be used to display amazing fresh summer snacks!
PH: Finally, Kaminer, I have to know, because candles and home fragrances are one of my all time favorite things. I’m never at home without a candle burning, and I’ve really hinged my curated shop on this. What home fragrance can’t you live without?
KH: My friend Lulie Wallace recently developed candles as an extension of her floral inspired paintings. They smell incredible and last much longer than most candles! My husband Matt enjoys cooking, so they work great to get the smell of onion and garlic out of the kitchen.
PH: Thank you so much for sharing with me, Kaminer! And for sharing your pieces in the boutique!
Lily Magazine – Spring 2016
Lily Magazine – Spring 2016 Issue
SILVER WITH SUBLIME LINES!
A modern heirloom created by local designer and silversmith Kaminer Haislip is an elegant addition to your treasure trove. Her creations are award-winning functional objects, jewelry, and custom commission pieces in silver and gold. Her aesthetic is chic and sleek, almost fluid in design. Exhibited internationally and featured in a plethora of publications, her gorgeous goodies are handcrafted at one of our fav places – Redux Contemporary Art Studio, downtown Charleston. Check her out at kaminerhaislip.com and be dazzled by her art and achievements. Aren’t we lucky to have her?
http://www.lily-magazine.com/#!art—soul/rzn9a
Redux Reorientation Exhibition – April 2016
Redux Contemporary Art Center, located in downtown Charleston, SC, will be exhibiting new artworks by five of its artists in the Reorientation show April 29 – May 12, 2016. Kaminer Haislip, Todd Anderson, Kate Waddell, Teil Duncan, and Raven Roxanne will have their original art on display. It is great way to see the vast quality of the artwork being created within the walls of Redux!
Kaminer Haislip will be exhibiting five new silver jewelry pieces from her recent Reef Jewelry Series.
The opening reception will be held Friday, April 29 from 6pm-8pm. Attend for a chance to meet the artists and see their studios at Redux!
New Reef Vase Series & Jewelry Collection – April 2016
I am thrilled to announce the launch of my Reef Vase Series and Reef Jewelry Series! The two Reef series were inspired by marine life seen on my scuba diving adventures throughout the years. The designs were developed based on the inspiration images shown above in the first picture. The beauty of marine life has always drawn me to explore it closer and in doing so I was moved to develop a series based on the gorgeous, natural textures of the reef. I had struggled over the appropriate form to highlight all the elements I love so much, so instead of choosing one I went in two directions with the same idea!
Each one of a kind vase was raised from a flat sheet of copper by hammering it numerous times over a cast iron form until it reached the desired height. It is a very time consuming and labor intensive process that requires a lot of skill. Each vessel has an undulating top edge that was inspired by organic sea forms. View the three first pieces in the series at http://www.kaminerhaislip.com/product-category/home/.
For the jewelry collection, I utilized the traditional silversmithing technique of fold forming to create the stunning variety of textures within the silver earrings and pendants. Each component was folded over with a mallet and then hammered either on the edge or the spine with a metal hammer to mimic the textures found in the reef. The copper prototypes for the final silver pieces can be seen above in the first picture. The shiny, polished exterior and matte interior create contrast that highlights the forms beautifully! See for yourself at http://www.kaminerhaislip.com/product-category/jewelry/!
Be sure to check out additional images on my website Gallery page and Handcrafted Design page!
New Pitcher & Tumbler Designs Added to Sounding Series – April 2016
Two exciting new additions to my Sounding Series include the silver pitcher and silver tumbler shown here! The details on both functional objects can be viewed in my online Shop at http://www.kaminerhaislip.com/product-category/home/. Also check out additional images of these pieces in my website Gallery and the artistic process on my Handcrafted Design page!
My Sounding Series is based on a design motif of rounded triangle forms. Other pieces in the series include a beaker, cheese knife, spreader, appetizer fork, condiment spoon, and bar spoon. The original designs are a unique array of contemporary entertaining vessels, utensils, and cups!