Kaminer Haislip wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth. But she creates stunning silver spoons and more in her South Carolina studio.
The artist: Haislip grew up in Aiken, SC, and worked in high school at her family’s True Value hardware and appliance store, cutting keys and working around lots of tools and equipment.
The experience influenced her interest in sculpture, jewelry and working with her hands. So she signed up for an industrial tech class to learn how to weld.
After high school, Haislip earned a BFA in jewelry and metals and an MFA in silversmithing and design from Winthrop University. There she studied under Alfred Ward, an internationally acclaimed silversmith from London.
The company: Founded in 2005, Kaminer Haislip Designer + Silversmith is based in Charleston.
The art & materials: Sterling silver hollowware, functional home objects, serving utensils and jewelry. She also works in gold for custom commissioned pieces.
What’s popular:
- Sounding series hollowware, tumblers, appetizer serving utensils ($140 to $3,250).
- Oyster jewelry ($110 to $1,735).
- Baby gifts ($125 to $425).
- Custom designs.
Other favorites:
- Oyster dishes ($175 to $500)
- Bar spoons ($165 to $185)
- Wine coasters ($415)
- Men’s accessories ($110 to $325)
- Christmas ornaments ($70 to $160)
Inspiration: The concept of enhancing domestic rituals through traditional silversmithing techniques coupled with a contemporary yet timeless design.
“For me, using a thought-inspiring yet functional teapot enhances the process of making tea,” she said. “When a beautiful, well-designed object and domestic ritual are united, a connection between person and object occurs — and an appreciation of function results.”
Fun, special or unusual requests: Custom-designed commissioned work is a big part of her business. This year she had one large commission that stood out.
“It was a large silver globe titled ‘Mother Earth’ (pictured right) that required many different processes and a lot of problem solving. It was one of the most complicated objects I have ever made and I really enjoyed the challenge.
Big break(s): Two notable collaborations, including:
– A silver sculpture titled “Pillinger” created with designer Constantin Boym for the Museum of the City of New York’s exhibition, “New York Silver, Then and Now” in 2017.
– A silver Magnolia Bowl for Draper James, a Southern lifestyle company founded by Reese Witherspoon in 2015.
Awards:
- SC House of Representatives house resolution honoring artwork and Daughters of the American Revolution American Heritage Award, 2021
- Daughters of the American Revolution, American Heritage Contest, First Place in Crafts: Jewelry category, 2021
- Samuel Gaillard Stoney Conservation Craftsmanship Award, Historic Charleston Foundation, 2014
- Made in the South Awards, Home category, Garden & Gun magazine, 2012
Honors:
- Her work has been featured in more than sixty publications, including Metalsmith, The Magazine Antiques, Elle Décor, Garden & Gun, and on the TV show Handcrafted America.
- This year the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, CT, created a film about her work as a silversmith for its “Virtual Visit” series. She collaborated with museum curator Brandy Culp on the project.
- Her work has been exhibited internationally and nationally, including at The Netherlands Silver Museum in Schoonhoven, the International Design Museum in Munich, and the Metal Museum in Memphis.
What’s new: A small new jewelry collection titled “Gorget Jewelry Series.” ($135 to $175).
Where to buy: kaminerhaislip.com. Also at Helena Fox Fine Art in Charleston.
Get social at: Instagram: @kaminerhaislip
