Many thanks to Charleston Magazine for featuring me as one of their Charleston Makers! To learn more about Charleston Makers and to view my video on their website, visit this link.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaminer Haislip.
Hi Kaminer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A native of Aiken, South Carolina, I grew up in my family’s hardware and appliance business. This experience directly influenced my interest in creating three-dimensional objects and working with my hands. During high school I became enthusiastic about sculpture and jewelry, so I enrolled in the industrial tech class and learned to weld.
I attended Winthrop University for my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry and Metals and Master of Fine Arts in Silversmithing and Design with a minor in Sculpture. While earning my MFA, I interned at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, taught the Jewelry II and III classes as well as jewelry workshops at Winthrop University. For both of my degrees I studied under Alfred Ward, an internationally acclaimed English silversmith from London.
After graduation, I moved to Charleston, South Carolina and established my studio. I design and create all of my original, handcrafted designs utilizing techniques that have been used for centuries. Inspired by Charleston’s extensive silversmithing tradition, I am dedicated to carrying forth that legacy. In addition to my work as an artist, I am frequently commissioned by individuals to create unique objects and jewelry in silver and gold.
My work has been exhibited internationally and nationally, featured in over sixty publications including Metalsmith, The Magazine Antiques, Traditional Home, Elle Décor, Garden & Gun, Southern Living, Charleston Magazine, Charleston Weddings, and on the TV show Handcrafted America. I was honored with the Made in the South Award in the Home category from Garden & Gun magazine and with The Eric Berg Prize for Excellence in Metal at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. Additionally, Historic Charleston Foundation honored me with the Samuel Gaillard Stoney Conservation Craftsmanship Award. I am an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the national organization has awarded me four American Heritage Competition awards for my artwork. Finally, I collaborated with Reese Witherspoon’s Southern lifestyle company Draper James on an exclusive silver bowl.
I live in downtown Charleston, South Carolina with my incredibly supportive husband Matthew Quinn and cocker spaniel Hannah.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Silver is a commodity traded on the stock exchange and its price fluctuates based on the market. When the dollar is strong, the price of silver goes down, but when the dollar is weak, the price of silver goes up. Right now the price of silver is high due to excessive government spending and the inflation it has caused. Those fluctuations can be very challenging to a small silversmithing business like mine, because I have to plan accordingly for the silver I purchase for projects and the inventory I keep in stock.
During the 2008/2009 Great Recession, which happened only three years after I started my business, the price of silver was very high. At that time, I started making more jewelry and had to get creative with the amount of silver I used in my functional home objects. Currently, I face similar challenges, but am confident the economy will improve over the next year or so and the price of silver will go back down.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Through my metalwork, I seek to enhance daily life by creating functional handcrafted objects that give a nod to the past but are entirely contemporary in form. I am inspired by the concept of enhancing domestic rituals through traditional metalworking techniques coupled with an innovative approach to design and production. Currently, I am the only practicing silversmith in Charleston and my process is directly tied to the city’s immense craft traditions. As a silversmith working in Charleston, I am carrying on the legacy of the city’s rich history by employing techniques that have been used for centuries.
In my work, art and form combine to create designs for living—the function of the object contributes to that design. In my view, functional objects have visual and conceptual relationships to art and living. The clean-lined visual aesthetic, emphasis on function, and ergonomic relationship to the human form that characterizes my work further enhances that connection. For me, using a thought inspiring yet functional teapot enhances the process of making tea. When a beautiful, well-designed object and domestic ritual are united, a connection between person and object occurs and then an appreciation of function results. In my work, I strive to make these themes evident and to encourage people to interact with form and function.
Fine craftsmanship is also an important hallmark of my hand-fabricated work. All of my objects or jewelry items begin as sheet or wire and then are manipulated utilizing traditional silversmithing techniques, such as forging, raising, and fabricating, to create the final piece. My design approach focuses on a timeless quality that is durable and lasts rather than steered by fashion or fleeting trends. My concepts vary for different series, but all of my metalwork is unified by elegant design and clean lines.
Additionally, designing and creating custom commission jewelry and objects for clients is another facet to my metalsmithing. A commission piece merges the client’s vision for a specific object with my technical and artistic ability. For me this combination is a unique approach to designing, because it creates an opportunity for my work to take a new direction.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
There is no shortcut to experience! Being a successful artist no matter your medium takes time, dedication, discipline, and ambition. It is very difficult to make a living as an artist, so you must have good business and practical skills as well as creative, original designs.
See the full feature on South Carolina Voyager’s website at the link below.
https://southcarolinavoyager.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-kaminer-haislip-of-charleston
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Kaminer Haislip, Adjunct Professor of Silversmithing at the American College of the Building Arts
Register: Redux Contemporary Art Center (contact them at the link below to sign up)
Cost: $233.75 for Members / $275 for NonMembers
*Membership Discount applied at checkout.*
Age: 18+
Students will handcraft a sterling silver ring and learn beginner jewelry skills in the American College of the Building Arts jewelry and metalsmithing studio, located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.
Techniques include:
Students will have the option to incorporate copper and brass into their ring design. All tools, equipment, and materials are provided. No experience necessary!
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 10:00am – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Kaminer Haislip, Adjunct Professor of Silversmithing at the American College of the Building Arts
Register: Redux Contemporary Art Center (contact them at the link below to sign up)
Age: 18+
Students will handcraft a sterling silver cuff bracelet and learn beginner jewelry skills in the American College of the Building Arts jewelry and metalsmithing studio.
Techniques include:
All metalsmithing tools, equipment, and materials are provided. We ask that students bring Sharpie marker, plain white paper, pencil, eraser, and ruler to design their bracelet.
No experience necessary!
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
I am incredibly excited and honored to announce The Charleston Museum has acquired my sterling silver Charleston Rice Spoon for their permanent collection! Many thanks to Chad Stewart, Curator of History, for his support of my work and the effort he put into making this acquisition happen.
The Charleston Museum was founded in 1773 and is commonly regarded as “America’s First Museum”. Inspired in part by the creation of the British Museum, the Museum was established by the Charleston Library Society on the eve of the American Revolution and its early history was characterized by association with distinguished South Carolinians and scientific figures including Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Reverend John Bachman and John J. Audubon.
They have an exceptional collection that focuses on the South Carolina Lowcountry and includes artifacts of natural history, historical material culture and both documentary and photographic resources. Their mission is to educate Charleston area residents and visitors about the natural and cultural history of the South Carolina Lowcountry through collections, exhibitions, preservation, conservation, research and related programming.
The Loeblein Gallery of Charleston Silver, representing the South’s finest silversmiths, from the colonial era through the present, is my favorite permanent exhibition in the museum. Chad was gracious enough to provide a private tour for the South Carolina Silver Society this past spring and it was wonderful to hear his insights into the important objects they steward.
The Charleston Museum has the largest known assemblage of Charleston-made silver, so it truly is an honor to have one of my silver pieces in their collection. However, they have many other fabulous exhibits and galleries I highly recommend!
The Charleston Rice Spoon, derived from the English Stuffing, Basting, or Gravy Spoon, historically had a long handle and traditionally was 14-16″ in length. During the 18th and 19th centuries, rice was an immensely important crop to Charleston’s economy and became a diet staple, so the rice spoon was developed.
The Charleston Museum has an amazing collection of historic Charleston Rice Spoons and they influenced my silver spoon design. Even though I am inspired by historic objects, I like to put my own original, contemporary twist on them.
My silver Charleston Rice Spoon was featured on the cover of Silver Magazine for an article I wrote for them last fall. The article can be read on my website Press page.
Additionally, in 2017 my contemporary take on this historic spoon was honored with an American Heritage Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The details of that award can be read on my website Blog.
Finally, you can shop my silver Charleston Rice Spoon in my website store Home category.
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: 10:00am – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Kaminer Haislip, Adjunct Professor of Silversmithing at the American College of the Building Arts
Register: Redux Contemporary Art Center (contact them at the link below to sign up)
https://redux.givecloud.co/product/11000-022225/copper-bowl-workshop-saturday-february-22nd-2024
Cost: $238 for Members / $280 for NonMembers
*Membership Discount applied at checkout.*
Age: 18+
Students will handcraft a copper bowl and learn beginner silversmithing skills in the American College of the Building Arts jewelry and metalsmithing studio.
Techniques include:
All metalsmithing tools, equipment, and materials are provided. We ask that students bring Sharpie marker, plain white paper, pencil, eraser, and ruler to design their bowl.
No experience necessary!
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
American College of the Building Arts student Robin Andrews
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Time: 10:00am – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Kaminer Haislip, Adjunct Professor of Silversmithing at the American College of the Building Arts
Register: Redux Contemporary Art Center (contact them at the link below to sign up)
Cost: $255 for Members / $300 for Non Members
*Membership Discount applied at checkout.*
Age: 18+
Students will handcraft a sterling silver cuff bracelet and learn beginner jewelry skills in the American College of the Building Arts jewelry and metalsmithing studio.
Techniques include:
All metalsmithing tools, equipment, and materials are provided. We ask that students bring Sharpie marker, plain white paper, pencil, eraser, and ruler to design their bracelet.
No experience necessary!
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
Helena Fox Fine Art in historic, downtown Charleston, SC
Photograph by Marie Rodriguez Photography
They are hosting a special trunk show featuring my artwork on Saturday, November 30 from 12pm-6pm and I will be present to discuss my silver designs. If you cannot make it that day, the show will be on display through Saturday, December 7 during regular gallery hours.
Friday, December 6 from 5-7pm the exhibition will be part of the downtown Charleston artwalk for the month of December and we are thrilled to participate. I will be on site that night during those hours to share my work with the guests.
I will exhibit a wider variety of my silver functional home objects, original jewelry designs, and Christmas ornaments than what the gallery usually shows during this festive holiday shopping event. I hope to see you there!
American College of the Building Arts student Robin Andrews
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Instructor: Kaminer Haislip, Adjunct Professor of Silversmithing at the American College of the Building Arts
Register: Redux Contemporary Art Center (contact them at the link below to sign up)
Cost: $216 for Members / $270 for NonMembers
*Membership Discount applied at checkout.*
Age: 18+
Students will handcraft a sterling silver ring and learn beginner jewelry skills in the American College of the Building Arts jewelry and metalsmithing studio, located in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.
Techniques include:
Students will have the option to incorporate copper and brass into their ring design. All tools, equipment, and materials are provided. No experience necessary!
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
American College of the Building Arts Jewelry & Metalsmithing Studio
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.
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 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 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.