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Baltimore Jewelry Center Exhibition

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baltimore jewelry center appetites and objects exhibition

Baltimore Jewelry Center Exhibition Appetites and Objects

I am very excited and honored to announce my silver pitcher Cupped Wing and silver Sounding Series Tumblers were selected for Baltimore Jewelry Center’s exhibition Appetites and Objects! This juried exhibition will be on display June 7 – July 12, 2019 with an opening reception on Friday, June 7 from 6-9pm.

silver pitcher contemporary silver functional art
Cupped Wing silver pitcher by Kaminer Haislip
silver tumblers silver cup functional art tabletop design
Silver Sounding Series Tumblers by Kaminer Haislip

“Metal as a material is intrinsically linked to the history and production of utensils and implements for the home. In Appetites and Objects, designers, metalsmiths, and blacksmiths have molded, cast, forged, and pressed metal to create housewares that conform to the hand, act as an extension of the body, and hold presence in our domestic lives.

Appetites and Objects includes work by Corey Ackelmire, Jackie Andrews, Hannah Brill, Kristy Bujanic, Stuart Cairns, Jeffrey Clancy, David Clarke, David Harper Clemons, Erin Daily, Lucy Derickson, Anastasia Green, Kaminer Haislip, Nils Hint, Jessica Howerton, John Williams Huckins, Zouella Jarman, Rachel Kedinger, Elliot Keeley, Jaydan Moore, Alejandra Salinas, Amy Weiks & Gabriel Craig of Smith Shop, Brian Weissman, Adam Whitney, and Logan Woodle.”

silver pitcher contemporary silver designer silversmith Kaminer Haislip
silver pitcher contemporary silver designer silversmith Kaminer Haislip

It was such an amazing compliment to be invited to exhibit my silver pitcher and tumblers in this appropriately themed exhibit for my work. My design approach focuses very heavily on functional, home objects and our interaction with them, so I was ecstatic about the theme and how well my work fit into it. Additionally, being included in the exhibition with such a select group of talented metalsmiths is quite the honor.

silver tumbler silver cup handcrafted design functional art
silver tumbler silver cup cocktail stylish entertaining

The Baltimore Jewelry Center is an educational nonprofit building a vibrant creative community for the study and practice of metalworking for new and established artists. They offer classes, workshops, and studio space rental to anyone with an interest in contemporary jewelry and metalsmithing. In addition to their education program, the Baltimore Jewelry Center helps metal and jewelry artists grow sustainable business practices by offering professional development, sales opportunities, and a promotional platform. To learn more about this wonderful organization visit https://baltimorejewelrycenter.org/.

Handcrafted Silver Spoons

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Kaminer Haislip’s silver Flight of Fancy Serving Spoon

Handcrafted Silver Spoons

Serving up silver spoons for this Blog post! Since silversmithing has become an obscure craft, I have decided to write a series of posts that feature various traditional silversmithing processes I use to create my silver designs. As often as I am asked how I make my pieces, I have come to realize how little most people know about silversmithing. I took my first jewelry and silversmithing course over twenty years ago, so it has become extremely normal to me since I have done it practically every day since then!

The majority of the time, people only see my finished works and not the process, so they have no idea the amount of time, labor and skill that goes into making them. Through sharing some of my silversmithing techniques, I hope to give some insight into what it takes to craft my functional works of art.

silversmithing hammers jewelry hammers silversmith workshop jewelry studio
A selection of Kaminer Haislip’s silversmithing and jewelry hammers.

My journey to becoming a silversmith began long before my first college course and you can read about my background in detail on a former Blog post titled “How did you get into silversmithing?”. During my BFA studies at Winthrop University under Alfred Ward, an internationally acclaimed English silversmith, the first functional object I made was a silver spoon with laminated ebony handle. The spoon form has much significance to my functional work and I have continued to explore it since that first creation so many years ago. To view a selection of spoons I have made over the course of my career and the aforementioned first spoon visit my website Portfolio Spoons page.

silversmithing tools silversmith stakes metalsmithing workshop steel stake
Several of Kaminer’s steel silversmithing stakes

As covered in my previous Blog post on my forged silver cheese knife, all of my objects begin as sterling silver sheet and wire. For hollowing and forming silver sheet into functional objects, I hammer it over steel stakes that are the precise curve I need for an item, such as a silver spoon. The stake is held in a sturdy steel vise as shown below.

spoon stake silver spoon silversmithing technique handcrafted silver spoon
Spoon stake in vise

I use a rawhide mallet to form the spoon bowl, because it does not stretch the silver or leave marks in the surface.

traditional silversmithing technique handcrafting a silver spoon silversmith studio
Silver spoon bowl being formed over steel stake
sterling silver spoon charleston rice spoon serving spoon

Once the spoon bowl shape is formed, I planish it with a steel hammer to set the form precisely and work harden the metal, so it has strength when used to serve food.

Kaminer Haislip Charleston silversmith contemporary silver functional art
Silversmith Kaminer Haislip planishing the silver spoon bowl.

With the planishing technique I use small, light overlapping blows as shown up close below.

silver spoon bowl planish silversmith hammer silversmithing technique
Overlapping planishing hammer marks on the silver surface

The planishing process is one of my favorite silversmithing techniques! It requires focus, rhythm, and precision to hammer around and around consistently over the entire surface. I really enjoy planishing my silver spoons, but a coffeepot or teapot is an extensive challenge that I so revel in!

silver Charleston rice spoon contemporary silver Charleston silver
Kaminer Haislip’s Flight of Fancy Charleston Rice Spoon

The two spoons highlighted in this Blog post are from my Flight of Fancy Series in which the handle design was inspired by the shape of a bird’s wing. The serving spoon (first image) has a traditional serving spoon length handle, but the Charleston Rice Spoon has a longer handle. The silver Charleston Rice Spoon, derived from the English Stuffing Spoon, historically had a long handle. During the 18th and 19th centuries rice was an immensely important crop to Charleston’s economy and the rice spoon was created due to it. My contemporary design is based on the historic form and gives a nod to tradition while still looking forward.

Both spoon styles are very popular wedding gifts, so be sure to check them out in my website Shop Home category. A handcrafted silver spoon certainly serves a purpose when stylishly entertaining!

Bella Magazine – December 2016

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Charleston Mercury – May 2014

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Charleston Mercury: Art & Culture

Creative Women Who Design Successful Business Niches in Charleston

By Baron Christopher Hanson


Kaminer Haislip
Something more authentically charming is emerging from within Charleston’s creative manufacturing circles: Women-owned businesses thriving regionally and nationally based on their advanced style, fine art, distinctive production methods –– and smarter work.

From jewelry to painting, from mapmaking and metalwork, here are four leading Lowcountry ladies explaining how and why they, and perhaps so many other entrepreneurs, are building their creative companies here in the Holy City.

Our discussions and insights included each of their backgrounds, what it’s like to design or produce something often by-hand, and what challenges they might face as businesswomen and mothers.

What I immediately discovered is that each of these ladies has a deep passion for what they do, including a relevant education backing up their vocations and values. Unlike other cities, Charleston seems to offer them the work-life balance they need.

Kaminer Haislip Designer + Silversmith

Address: Redux Contemporary Art Center, Saint Philip Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Hometown: Aiken, SC
Education: Winthrop University, BFA Jewelry and Metals, MFA Silversmithing
Website: http://www.KaminerHaislip.com/

Kaminer is a contemporary silversmith who designs and handcrafts work in a downtown Charleston, SC studio. Her work includes functional objects, jewelry, and custom commission pieces in silver and gold.

Nine years ago, Kaminer graduated from her MFA program. Since, she has worked steadily to build her small jewelry and silversmithing business, albeit with some challenges.

“The most challenging aspect of my work has been creating and building a business out of it. Both of my art degrees taught me everything about being a creative and individual thinker, but the business side of it I had to figure out all on my own along the way. Many hard lessons have been learned about pricing, expenses, invoices, accounting, and marketing.”

How did you get your business off the ground?

“I set up my studio at Redux Contemporary Art Center, which has happened over time due to the enormous expense of equipment. Slowly I have purchased and acquired various, necessary tools and machines to create my work.

What mentors have impacted your business?

“I am fortunate to have found such an incredible mentor in my professor Alf Ward, and I have had unwavering support from my family and husband Matt.

How have you grown your business beyond Charleston?

“By pursuing different locations and types of exhibitions, my work has been exposed to a much wider audience outside of Charleston, and outside the Southeast.”

Her silver and gold works have been displayed in museums, galleries, art centers, competitions, and trade shows in 14 different states, and internationally in three countries. On April 29, 2014 she received the Samuel Gaillard Stoney Craftsmanship Award from Historic Charleston Foundation.

Kaminer sincerely loves what she does, despite the obstacles. She is also very passionate about advocating for hand-made craftsmanship, because the passion for handcrafted objects is also becoming rare.

“For me, it has always been about designing and making objects that will far outlast me. It is incredibly rewarding to draw something from your imagination on a piece of paper and then realize it three dimensionally utilizing similar techniques that have been used for centuries.”

Baron Christopher Hanson is the principal of RedBaron Advisors, a growth strategy, communication design, and PR firm, based in Charleston, South Carolina, serving clients from Washington DC to Palm Beach, Florida. Baron can be reached via (843) 641-0331, or via RedBaronUSA.com.

The entire article can be viewed at http://www.charlestonmercury.com/index.php/en/art-and-culture/271-creative-women-who-design-successful-niches-in-charleston.

New Online Shop!

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Greetings!  I am very excited to announce the addition of an online Shop to my website, in which my work can be purchased directly!  It includes the four categories of Home, Jewelry, Baby, and Holiday.  Each category will have new items added to it regularly, so please check it frequently!

Additionally, my new online Shop includes a fantastic Wishlist feature that allows you to build your own gift registry for wedding, baby, birthday, anniversary, or simply to keep a record of items you would love to own!  You can set up an account that has Privacy options, so you can choose to share your list or not.

Visit http://www.kaminerhaislip.com/shop/ to start shopping now!

Please feel free to contact me directly with any inquiries into Portfolio objects not posted on the Shop page as well as inquiries into custom commission pieces.

Thank you for your interest!  Kaminer

Custom Commissions

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Kaminer Haislip offers a wide variety of custom commission services for unique jewelry and objects in silver, yellow gold, and white gold.  Some items include, but are not limited to, custom wedding bands, wedding gifts, baby gifts, cufflinks, ceremonial silver, Ecclesiastic silver, commemorative silver, Christmas ornaments, and special jewelry pieces.

To view her Commission Policy visit http://www.kaminerhaislip.com/commissions/commission-policy/ and contact her directly for inquiries.

Kaminer designs and hand crafts all of her jewelry and objects in her downtown Charleston, SC studio.

 

 

Sterling Silver Wedding Gifts

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Designer and silversmith Kaminer Haislip has a wide variety of sterling silver wedding gifts available.  A unique, hand crafted silver gift will be cherished for a life time and a memorable gift to receive.  A silver vase, bowl, dish, tray, pitcher, wine coaster, or box is an appropriate wedding gift that would be much appreciated by the couple.

A popular wedding gift is Kaminer Haislip’s Nest Bowl, comprised of hammered and woven sterling silver wire.  The nest acts as a metaphor for building a new life and home together.  Nest Bowl comes in three sizes, 4″, 6″, and 8″ in diameter.  Custom sizes can be created as well.

Visit www.kaminerahislip.com for a gorgeous selection of sterling silver wedding gifts!  If you do not see what you are looking for, contact the designer directly to create a custom commission piece.

Portfolio Items