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New Guilloche Jewelry Series

guilloche engine turning

New Guilloche Jewelry Series

Guilloche, or Engine Turning, is a handcrafted process utilizing a manual machine to put engraved lines, designs, and patterns into metal. Though the technique has its roots in ancient times, the machines used today, most built before WWI, have their origins in 18th century France and Switzerland. Brought into mainstream culture by Breguet in the 18th century and Faberge in the 19th century, the decoration on silver objects, such as cigarette cases and belt buckles, was extremely popular during the 1920s Art Deco era.

guilloche silver pendant

Sterling Silver Rialto Pendant Large by Kaminer Haislip

Sadly, my college professor Alfred Ward, an internationally acclaimed silversmith from England, recently passed away. The American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, South Carolina, where I teach an elective metalsmithing and jewelry class, purchased many of his tools and equipment from his estate. One of those items included a Guilloche Hall Straight Line machine, made in Rhode Island in the early 20th century, so I have begun learning how to use it for both my artwork and to teach my students. The journey has been fascinating and sometimes frustrating as it is an extremely difficult process to teach oneself. This first jewelry series incorporates the skills I have developed thus far.

sterling silver guilloche earrings

Sterling Silver Rialto Split Drop Earrings by Kaminer Haislip

Inspired by the Art Deco era, an influence over my artwork since I began silversmithing, Rialto Jewelry Series gives nod to the layered, geometric designs of the style and the use of Guilloche to decorate surfaces. This jewelry collection was designed with the glamour and energy of the period in mind.

sterling silver guilloche necklace

Sterling Silver Rialto Split Pendant by Kaminer Haislip

Many years ago, Alf and I discussed going into business together and Rialto, which has associations with Art Deco, was going to be the name of our company. I thought it was appropriate to give this first Guilloche jewelry series that name, since I created these pieces using his machine. It has been very meaningful and special to incorporate Guilloche into this new collection with my mentor and dear friend’s machine and carry forth his legacy with it.

Shop the collection in my website store Jewelry category.

 

Charleston Magazine Club Event at Helena Fox Fine Art – July 2022

charleston magazine clubcharleston magazine

helena fox fine art

Helena Fox Fine Art in downtown Charleston, SC

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

Charleston Magazine Club Event at Helena Fox Fine Art Gallery – July 2022

Charleston Magazine Club hosted its July gathering at Helena Fox Fine Art gallery in historic, downtown Charleston. The fun event was held two nights due to very positive demand and it was a private reception with premier American painter West Fraser and silversmith Kaminer Haislip.

West is the gallery’s featured artist for August with an exhibition of his recent paintings, so the group was able to preview his new artwork. Kaminer’s silver functional home objects, flatware, and jewelry is regularly carried at the gallery and she exhibited a wider selection than what they typically show for this special event.

helena fox fine art

Kaminer Haislip, West Fraser, and Helena Fox

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

Each night both West and Kaminer gave a presentation on their artwork detailing their inspiration, artistic process, background, and how their careers have progressed over the years.

kaminer haislip

Kaminer Haislip presenting her artist lecture

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

kaminer haislip silversmith

Kaminer Haislip presenting her artist lecture

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

west fraser artist

West Fraser presenting his artist lecture

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

 

west fraser artist

West Fraser presenting his artist lecture with

Kaminer Haislip’s silver tea and coffee service in the foreground

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

Charleston Magazine Club members were treated to delicious refreshments of wine, cocktails, and food by Goat Sheep Cow, Helena Fox Fine Art’s neighbor on Church Street. Kaminer Haislip’s silver appetizer fork and condiment spoon were used to serve the tasty meats, cheeses, and spreads.

silver appetizer fork

Silver Sounding Series Appetizer Fork by Kaminer Haislip

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

silver condiment spoon

Silver Sounding Series Condiment Spoon by Kaminer Haislip

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

After the artist lectures, the guests were invited to view the artwork in the gallery and talk to the artists.

charleston magazine club

Kaminer Haislip with a Charleston Magazine Club member

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

charleston magazine club

Kaminer Haislip with a Charleston Magazine Club member

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

Kaminer Haislip’s silver functional home objects were displayed throughout the gallery and her silver jewelry was shown in a display case.

silver tea and coffee service

Kaminer Haislip’s silver tea and coffee service, silver and glass Ziggurat Tray, and silver Charleston Rice Spoon

kaminer haislip silversmith

Kaminer Haislip’s functional silver objects

kaminer haislip silver

Kaminer Haislip’s silver serving spoons

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

kaminer haislip jewelry

Kaminer Haislip’s silver jewelry

Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography

silver bangle bracelets

Kaminer Haislip’s silver bangle bracelets

If your group is interested in hosting a similar event with Kaminer, then please get in touch with Helena Fox Fine Art. Kaminer really enjoys sharing her artwork and giving insight into her handcrafted silversmithing process!

Helena Fox Fine Art Show – February 12, 2022

helena fox fine art helena fox fine art gallery

Helena Fox Fine Art – Charleston, SC

Helena Fox Fine Art represents my handcrafted silver designs and regularly carries a curated selection of my silver hollowware, flatware, home objects, and jewelry in their stunning historic, downtown Charleston art gallery.

They are hosting a special Valentine’s Day event featuring my artwork on Saturday, February 12 from 12pm-4pm.

helena fox fine art

This Valentine’s Day mini trunk show will feature my original jewelry designs and silver home objects, so you are certain to find something sweet for the love in your life.

old exchange building

Old Exchange Building in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina

This show is part of the inaugural Exchange District shopping event, which includes Meeting Street to East Bay Street and Tradd Street to Queen Street in historic downtown Charleston. The Old Exchange Building and Provost Dungeon sits at the end of Broad Street and is the focal point of the Exchange District. There are many locally owned retail shops, galleries, and restaurants within these boundaries, so this new district and event will highlight these fabulous businesses.

A fun Valentine’s Bingo game will be part of the event and enhance the shopping experience (see below for details). I hope to see you there!

valentine bingo charleston

bingo card charleston

 

Helena Fox Fine Art

106A Church Street

Charleston, SC 29401

843-723-0073

www.helenafoxfineart.com

Wildsam Field Guide 2nd Edition – January 2022

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wildsam

Kaminer Haislip was a Contributor to the Wildsam Field Guide first Charleston, South Carolina edition and now the second edition is available. A new illustration of her with Helena Fox Fine Art Gallery, her Charleston gallery representative, was added to this updated version by the incredibly talented Stitch Design Co based in Charleston.

Order your copy of this insightful travel book to read her interview at https://www.wildsam.com/collections/city-guides/products/charleston-2nd-edition

“For tireless seekers of the authentic.”
– The Wall Street Journal

wildsam field guide

Helena Fox Fine Art Show – November 5 & 6, 2021

helena fox fine art helena fox fine art gallery

Helena Fox Fine Art – Charleston, SC

Helena Fox Fine Art represents my handcrafted silver designs and regularly carries a curated selection of my silver hollowware, flatware, home objects, and jewelry in their stunning historic, downtown Charleston art gallery. They are hosting a special event featuring my artwork on Friday, November 5 from 4pm-7pm and Saturday, November 6 from 11am-4pm.

I will exhibit a wider variety of my silver objects, original jewelry designs, and Christmas ornaments than what the gallery usually shows during this special holiday shopping event. I hope to see you there!

Helena Fox Fine Art

106A Church Street

Charleston, SC 29401

843-723-0073

www.helenafoxfineart.com

Helena Fox Fine Art Gallery – November 2020

helena fox fine art helena fox fine art gallery

Helena Fox Fine Art – Charleston, SC

Helena Fox Fine Art, who represents my handcrafted silver designs and regularly carries a curated selection of my silver hollowware, flatware, home objects, and jewelry in their stunning downtown Charleston art gallery, is hosting a special Open House event featuring my artwork Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14 from 12-4pm. During that time the gallery will be open to the public and there is the option for a private viewing. Please contact the gallery to set up individual appointments.

You can read the full press release about the event on my website Press page.

I will exhibit a wider variety of my silver objects, original jewelry designs, and Christmas ornaments than what the gallery usually shows during this unique event. I hope to see you there!

Helena Fox Fine Art

106A Church Street

Charleston, SC 29401

843-723-0073

www.helenafoxfineart.com

Gibbes Museum of Art Store – Exclusive Jewelry Collection

Gibbes Museum of Art Store Charleston art museum
Gibbes Museum of Art downtown Charleston
Gibbes Museum of Art – 135 Meeting Street – Charleston, SC

Gibbes Museum of Art Store – Exclusive Jewelry Collection

I am extremely excited to announce the Gibbes Museum of Art Store, located in historic downtown Charleston, has commissioned an exclusive jewelry collection from me! It was a wonderful compliment when the museum store curator and manager contacted me and said she was interested in a silver jewelry collection that related to an artwork in the museum. After communicating with her and visiting the museum with fresh eyes, I noticed a relationship between Patrick Dougherty’s sculpture installation Betwixt and Between and my Twisted Jewelry Series.

patrick dougherty sculpture installation gibbes museum of art chaleston sc
Betwixt and Between by Patrick Dougherty
Gibbes Museum of Art 2nd Floor Atrium
twisted silver wire necklace handcrafted jewelry
Twisted Necklace by Kaminer Haislip

My Twisted Jewelry Series was inspired by birds intertwining and weaving branches and twigs together to create their nests. Patrick Dougherty’s site-specific sculpture installation Betwixt and Between, located on the 2nd Floor Atrium, also is based on weaving branches and twigs into three dimensional forms that are held together by tension. Dougherty’s large-scale installation made with natural material occupies space the human body can walk around, through, and into. My silver jewelry is small scale in comparison and meant to be worn on the body. Our work relates to one another through process and a relationship to the human form, but varies in medium and scale, which creates a fascinating contrast.

silver twisted wire bracelet kaminer haislip jewelry
Twisted Bracelet by Kaminer Haislip

In this silver jewelry series, I explore the action of twisting silver wire together like a bird would do with branches and twigs. I handcrafted the jewelry individually in my local, Charleston studio, so even though each piece is similar, they are not identical from the hand formed process. The tension put into the silver from the intertwining and wrapping techniques makes it very strong. Therefore, the jewelry pieces are very durable and sturdy, even though they appear delicate.

silver twisted wire earrings handmade jewelry charleston sc
Twisted Earrings by Kaminer Haislip

Twisted Jewelry Series is sold exclusively through the Gibbes Museum of Art Store and can only be purchased through them. Be sure to check out Patrick Dougherty’s sculpture installation while visiting the museum!

silver wrapped wire pendant handcrafted silver jewelry
Twisted Pendant by Kaminer Haislip

To view a wider selection of my silver jewelry and functional, home objects, visit Helena Fox Fine Art, located walking distance nearby at 106-A Church Street.

Classically Contemporary – Helena Fox Fine Art – November 1, 2019

helena fox fine art
helena fox fine art gallery historic charleston sc classically contemporary
Silver Oyster Jewelry by Kaminer Haislip

Classically Contemporary—Where classic techniques and contemporary ideals meet

CHARLESTON, S.C. November 1, 2019—Helena Fox Fine Art is pleased to announce Classically Contemporary featuring artist Julyan Davis and silversmith Kaminer Haislip.

Opening reception during the First Friday Artwalk on November 1 from 5-8pm.

At the intersection of classic techniques and contemporary ideals we find artists Julyan Davis and Kaminer Haislip. Trained in centuries old techniques these two artist draw from their traditional art educations to create pieces which feel both classic and contemporary. From Julyan’s John Constable like paintings of the clouds over the Southern coast to Kaminer’s Georg Jensen like interpretation of the familiar oyster shell, these artists live and breath the history of their chosen mediums.

In his own words, Julyan Davis paints ‘for storytellers—novelists, songwriters, poets. I also paint for those who love history. There has always been a narrative thread in my work. Even when a scene was notably empty of incident, I have strived for a sense that something vital happened here, or that something will.’ The new body of work he will present for our November show continues his movement from strict plein air interpretation towards a more cerebral interpretations—a continuation of the stories told and re-told.

A true master silversmith, Kaminer Haislip studied her craft under internationally acclaimed English silversmith Alfred Ward. She knows historic and modern silver techniques and uses that knowledge to meld form and function into enchanting coffee pots which look as thought they could take flight at any moment or a functional yet funky appetizer fork—or as my momma would have called it a pickle fork. Her work is not only meant to be admired for its shape and beauty but it’s usefulness. For this show we will be highlighting her home collection as well as the oyster collection.

Join us Friday November 1, 2019 between 5-8pm to meet the artists and admire their new work.

Helena Fox Fine Art

106A Church Street

Charleston, SC 29401

843-723-0073

www.helenafoxfineart.com

Art Mag – Summer 2019

Art Mag Charleston art silversmith visual arts magazine
Art Mag
Summer Issue 2019

Art Mag, a publication publication focused on the arts in Charleston, SC, highlighted Kaminer Haislip’s silver hollowware vessel Gradual Erosion being included in the international silver exhibition Schoonhoven Silver Award. To learn more about this exhibition, visit the Blog on this website. Many thanks to Art Mag for such a lovely interview and feature!

SCHOONHOVEN SILVER AWARD

by Emily Reyna

silver vessel hollowware contemporary silver vase
Gradual Erosion by Kaminer Haislip

Charleston makes its way across the pond to Europe where local artist and silversmith Kaminer Haislip will exhibit her silver vessel, Gradual Erosion.

“It was an incredible honor to have my silver vessel, Gradual Erosion, selected for the international Schoonhoven Silver Award. The opportunity to share my silver work with a European audience in both Schoonhoven, The Netherlands and Freiberg, Germany is very much appreciated,” says Haislip. “It’s the second time my silver hollowware has been exhibited in this special silver exhibition, and it’s a wonderful compliment.”

silversmith Kaminer Haislip artist studio Charleston, SC
Kaminer Haislip in her Charleston silversmithing studio

The piece’s name is inspiration by natural erosion. “The vessel form was based on a mountain shape and the etched surface lines are my own artistic interpretation of the gradual linear disintegration. The erosion begins at the base of the vessel, so the center line is tapered in to portray the slow breakdown of the mountain over time. The concept of erosion relates to the passing of time, what is lost, and what is taken away,” Haislip explains.

Technique and craft are central to Haislip’s creative process when working with fine metals. “I crafted the vessel by fabricating sterling silver sheet, which was hammered over five different cast iron stakes to create the asymmetrical shape,” describes Haislip. “The linear surface design was drawn by hand and etched with nitric acid to create the erosion inspired texture. All aspects of the construction were done entirely by hand utilizing traditional silversmithing techniques.”

Gradual Erosion will be on view at the City and Mining Museum in Freiberg, Germany from June 29 – October 2019.

Visit Art Mag at the link below for this article and many more exciting articles about the arts in Charleston!

Helena Fox Fine Art – March 1, 2019

helena fox fine art
Helena Fox Fine Art gallery downtown Charleston South of Broad

Helena Fox Fine Art welcomes Charleston Silversmith Kaminer Haislip

CHARLESTON, SC, March 1, 2019 – – Helena Fox Fine Art, LLC is pleased to welcome Kaminer Haislip, Silversmith to the gallery.

We are thrilled to announce that silversmith Kaminer Haislip will be joining our gallery in March. Join us on Friday March 1, 2019 to welcome Silversmith Kaminer Haislip to the gallery—artist reception from 5-8pm during the Charleston Gallery Association spring artwalk.

Ms. Haislip’s work expands our idea of what can be done with sterling silver. Using basically the same techniques as colonial silversmiths Kaminer creates sleek and sculptural objects for the home as well as sophisticated jewelry. Many of her pieces have hidden meanings—such as the ‘nest bowl.’ In the object you see the layering of larger and smaller sterling wires that intertwine to create a bowl shape, much like you might see in a birds nest. Many of her designs are modern interpretations of the world around us, such as her ‘Oyster’ series of jewelry which echoes the familiar shape of an oyster shell in sterling wire. 

‘I like silversmithing,” Kaminer explains, “because it is midway between sculpture and jewelry.” Laughing she adds, “although my parents wanted me to make jewelry since it was more practical as a career.” After earning her MFA in silversmithing from Winthrop University in 2005, Southern tastemakers began seeking her out for her striking pieces. Among them Southern sweetheart and founder of lifestyle brand Draper James, Reese Witherspoon. She found Ms. Haislip through the Garden and Gun Made in the South awards where Ms. Haislip was a runner up in the overall home wares division in 2012.

Join us on March 1st and give our newest artist a warm welcome. Jewelry and home objects will be on display with a larger selection available through Saturday March 2nd.

Helena Fox Fine Art

106A Church Street

Charleston, SC 29401

843-723-0073

www.helenafoxfineart.com

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