Posts

New Palmetto Jewelry Series

palmetto cuff bracelet

Silver Palmetto Cuff Bracelet by Kaminer Haislip

New Palmetto Jewelry Series

I am extremely excited to announce Palmetto Jewelry Series, my new silver jewelry collection inspired by the palmetto tree! My previous Gorget Jewelry Series was partly inspired by the gorget’s prominence on the South Carolina state flag. In addition to the gorget or crescent moon, the flag includes a distinctive palmetto tree. Palmetto tree designs for so many items, especially jewelry, have been done in the same, tired way, so I decided to approach the topic with fresh eyes and an unexpected design.

sc flag

South Carolina State Flag

South Carolina is known as the “Palmetto State” not only for the abundance of Sabal Palmetto trees, the state tree, that are ample along the coast, but also for the important role the tree played in the American Revolution. Palmetto logs and sand were used by American Patriots to build a fort on Sullivan’s Island to protect Charleston in anticipation of a British attack. On June 28, 1776, the British military attacked the Patriot fort from the sea, but they were unsuccessful due to the cannon balls sinking into the spongy fibrous palmetto logs and sand. The American victory that day over the British at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island was a turning point in the war and led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

sabal palm tree

South Carolina Sabal Palmetto Tree

My two great-great-great-great-great grandfathers, Captain Joshua Hadley of the North Carolina Continental Line and Robert Martin of the South Carolina Militia, fought in the battle that day. In 1946, one hundred and seventy years later, their great-great-great grandchildren, my grandparents James William Franklin and Theodocia Kaminer Martin, married. I feel very fortunate the little palmetto fort was able to repel the aggression of the British as the outcome may not have been the same.

The palmetto tree became a proud state symbol and appears on the state seal, adopted in 1777, and on the state flag. Also included on the state flag is a crescent moon or Gorget that relates to the same battle in which I based the aforementioned Gorget Jewelry Series on.

silver palmetto earrings

Silver Palmetto Earrings (Large) by Kaminer Haislip

Palmetto Jewelry Series was inspired by the strength and fortitude of the palmetto logs and Patriots on that important day in American history. The upper part of the tree where the V shaped frond bases are left on the trunk, also known as boots or bootjacks, inspired the repetitive V unit in the design. The round element capping the end of the earrings and cuff bracelet references the cannon balls that sunk in the palmetto and sand fort walls.

palmetto hoop earrings

Silver Palmetto Earrings (Small) by Kaminer Haislip

Each jewelry piece was handcrafted in sterling silver and has a hammered texture on the surface, which reflects the light beautifully. You can shop the entire collection in my website store in the Jewelry category.

Thank you for your interest in my work!

Graduation Gift Ideas

graduation gift ideas

Graduation Gift Ideas

With summer rapidly approaching, or at least it feels like that in Charleston due to the rising temperature, graduation season will be here soon at the end of spring. Unfortunately due to the coronavirus crisis, many traditional graduation commencement ceremonies have been cancelled or postponed. However, even with the absence of a cap and gown event, giving a special gift to celebrate your graduate’s achievement is still very necessary. My silver objects, jewelry, and men’s accessories are very popular graduation gifts, so in this Blog post I have highlighted some of my favorite graduation gift ideas for both guys and gals. The majority of these quality, lasting pieces can be hand engraved for a personal, memorable touch.

Graduation Gift Ideas for Her

silver cuff bracelet hammered silver bracelet torc jewelry
Silver Torc Twist Cuff Bracelet I by Kaminer Haislip

A young lady would appreciate for everyday wear a simple pendant, delicate stud earrings, or elegant cuff or bangle bracelet, especially if she will have a professional job that requires a more conservative attire style.

Silver Torc Pendant III by Kaminer Haislip

My pendants come with the choice of a 16″, 18″, or 20″ length silver cable chain.

silver oyster pendant oyster jewelry charleston
Silver Oyster Shell Pendant by Kaminer Haislip

Bangles and cuff bracelets are also a nice jewelry gift, because she can stack them with other bracelets.

hammered silver bangle bracelet graduation gift ideas for her
Silver Torc Bracelet II by Kaminer Haislip

All of my bangles come in two sizes, medium and large, and can be custom sized. My cuff bracelets are adjustable and are flexible to form over the wrist for personalized comfort. Additionally, one size fits most.

hammered silver stud earrings torc earrings graduation gift ideas for her
Silver Torc Stud Earrings by Kaminer Haislip

Simple, yet elegant stud earrings are always a great gift for anyone, because they can be worn everyday for a delicate touch and are conservative in style for a professional environment.

oyster shell earrings silver oyster earrings jacket style earrings versatile jewelry
Silver Oyster Shell Double Earrings in
Small (pictured) or Large
by Kaminer Haislip

My jacket style Oyster Shell Double Earrings are very popular, because they can be worn as just stud (small option) or post (large option) earrings for minimal style or with the back component added for a statement look. These earrings transition effortlessly from day to night.

jacket earrings stud earring post earring
Deconstructed silver Oyster Shell Double Earring
by Kaminer Haislip
hammered silver dish silver torc earrings post earrings graduation gift ideas for her
Silver Poppy Bowl (small) and Torc Post Earrings
by Kaminer Haislip

A lovely silver dish to hold small items, pretty silver vase she can put flowers in for her dresser or vanity, or an elegant silver box to store jewelry or other small things all make thoughtful graduation gifts for her.

silver vase etched silver cloud design learning to fly hollowware
Silver Learning to Fly Vase by Kaminer Haislip

The etched design for this silver vase from my Learning to Fly Series was inspired by clouds seen from a plane receding into the distance. The concept relates to graduation by the metaphors of flying the nest, being independent, and moving forward.

silver boxes bird box chorus handcrafted silver box
Silver Chorus boxes by Kaminer Haislip

My round silver boxes come in a variety of sizes, so you can add to her collection as her life progresses.

Graduation Gift Ideas for Him

oval silver cufflinks engravable cufflinks hand engraving graduation gift ideas for him
Silver Oval Cufflinks by Kaminer Haislip

Cufflinks add sophistication to a man’s attire and are a creative way he can express his personal style. Jewelry options tend to be limited for men, so cufflinks are a fashionable accessory to spruce up his look. Most of my cufflinks can be personalized with hand engraving and custom initial cufflinks are also a unique, thoughtful gift option.

initial silver cufflinks personalized cufflinks custom cufflinks
Silver Initial Cufflinks by Kaminer Haislip

Contact me directly at kaminer@kaminerhaislip.com to commission custom, initial cufflinks if you do not see your letter in my Men’s Accessories Shop category.

silver collar stays hand engraving graduation gift ideas
Silver Collar Stays by Kaminer Haislip

Silver collar stays are another professional gift idea that also can be personalized with hand engraving.

A silver box is a very useful gift for a man, because he can put it on his dresser to store cufflinks and other small items or on his desk. My husband has several silver boxes he uses and it is a classy way to store things and keep your desk tidy.

etched silver boxes graduation gift ideas for him
Silver Learning to Fly Boxes by Kaminer Haislip

These silver boxes are from the same Learning to Fly Series as the vase highlighted above and the same metaphors apply to them as well. Also, just as with the Chorus boxes also featured, they come in a variety of sizes, so as he moves forward in life, you can add to his collection.

Hand engraving on top of round silver box for a recent graduation gift for him

Visit my website Hand Engraving page for more engraving samples and styles as well as pricing and details.

silver dish silver oyster dish contemporary silver design charleston
Silver Oyster Dish by Kaminer Haislip

A silver dish like my Oyster Dish above (available in two sizes) is wonderful for a dresser or desk as well. They can be used to hold small items, such as change or keys, and function as a pen tray.

silver tumbler contemporary silver cup hand engraving
Silver Sounding Series Tumbler by Kaminer Haislip

A final graduation gift idea is to start him on a collection of silver cups. My Sounding Series cups come in two sizes with the shorter tumbler cup shown above and a taller, Mint Julep sized beaker shown below. Both styles can be hand engraved to commemorate each date he receives one. I have several clients who have started special people on collections and it is fun to hear for what each occasion the cup is gifted. Many have started out as graduation gifts and progressed to wedding gifts.

silver beaker silver cup silver tumbler graduation gift ideas for him
Silver Sounding Tumblers and Beakers
by Kaminer Haislip

Hopefully I have given you a wide variety of thoughtful, special gift ideas to commemorate your graduate’s momentous achievement! I received a lovely array of beautiful silver gifts for each of my graduations and think fondly of the person who generously gifted it to me when I see it in my home or wear it. They bring back wonderful memories, which is the purpose of a lasting gift. Silver is just that!