One of the things that I love most about Savannah is that it has “big city” vibes with all of the charms of a small town. Many people have grown up here their entire lives while others fall in love with the Southern charm and hospitality and decide to never leave.
One of the biggest things that brings people to Savannah is the Savannah College of Art and Design. One of these people is Kristen Baird.
I had the privilege of meeting Kristen from a group that we are both a member of called
Savannah Influencers. Kristen is the owner of Kristen Baird Jewelry based right here in Savannah. You can find her fine jewelry nestled between our moss covered oaks and a big tall glass of sweet tea. I instantly fell in love with her winning smile and amazing talent, and I could not wait to do a feature on her for the blog!
Taken from Kristen’s website, “While our city is picturesque and laid back, here at Kristen Baird,
we are on a mission! Our mission is to create meaningful, beautifully designed and skillfully crafted pieces of jewelry relevant to each stage of your life. That’s right,
you are the driving force behind what we do!Whether it be helping you create your proposal moment with our
bridal collection or celebrate a milestone like an anniversary or birthday with a piece from our
signature collection,
we want to be there for you and with you all along the way!”
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Kristen decided to plant her roots in Savannah, Georgia after graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) with a bachelor’s degree in Jewelry Design. While going to SCAD, she was honored as a Valedictorian nominee, a Presidential Scholarship Recipient, and received the Outstanding Achievement award in Jewelry Design.
With a desire to continue learning and wanting to hone in on her craft, Kristen received her Rhino CAD Certificate and attended the renowned New Approach School for Jewelers, completing the Graduate Bench Jeweler program under the direction of world-class instructor, Blaine Lewis. In 2015, she decided to start her own business, Kristen Baird Jewelry.
Celebrating a Top 5 finish in the 2016 Halstead Grant sponsored by Halstead Bead followed by a selection for Generation NEXT: Savannah’s Rising Stars of Business, Class of 2017 sponsored by Savannah Magazine, Kristen and her brand have been on the rise in both the local business scene as well as the national jewelry scene.
Where does she get her inspiration you ask?
“From the mountains of Virginia and hills of Tennessee to the coast of Georgia, Kristen Baird Jewelry designs pay homage to the waters, landscapes, and flora that bring to life the scenes of the South that Kristen has called home. In a time where mass manufacturing is predominant, Kristen and her team utilize and preserve traditional metalsmithing skills, as they delicately and precisely craft each piece by hand in the Kristen’s Savannah-based studio. Using sterling silver, recycled 18K gold, and ethically sourced gemstones, Kristen’s jewelry is full of color and texture with juxtaposing forms both geometric and fluid, as though the designs might have sprung organically from the natural world. Featuring pieces, like the Ripple Ring, that can be customized to fit the desires of an individual client, Kristen’s work speaks to the eco-conscious shopper that loves products with a story and a unique, customizable aesthetic.”
Pieces from Kristen Baird are displayed and sold at the Kessler Collection Grand Bohemian Galleries and have been featured in high-end publications, such as Savannah Magazine, Charleston Magazine, Charleston Style & Design, Paprika Southern, Virginia Living, Lark Books, and more.
Kristen was kind enough to invite me into her studio. It was such a unique experience to get the behind the scenes tour. To see what she starts with, and then see the finished product, I was able to witness her talent firsthand. She has so many gorgeous pieces ranging from sterling silver to fine jewelry. Want a fun fact about Kristen? Her husband bought her diamond and then gave her the freedom to design her own engagement ring. How fun would that be to design your own ring? While I loved everything she showed me, my personal favorite was the honeycomb ring with matching earrings. You can get it in silver and gold and, hopefully soon, rose gold!
I encourage you to check out her work and select a piece to add to your own jewelry collection. You can be sure that you will have a unique, hand crafted piece that is sure to stand out and make a statement.
Want to see the jewelry in person? You can check out Kristen and her work at the
Telfair Art Show . She will also have a show in Charlotte in October and another show in Savannah at the Grand Bohemian in the Fall. Check back with her website and blog for specific dates for those events.
Want to get in touch with Kristen or check out her work? Just click on one of the links below!
I hope you will consider checking out this Savannah gem! She is a true asset to our community and so very talented! I know you will love whatever you decide to purchase from her collection!
