A Sale that Moves

did I want to design? What did I want people to think of when they heard the name Kristen Baird?

Back to the Roots

After a brief moment of disappointment, I looked around the city I’d come to love and realized my path was clear. I was enthralled by the rolling river, crashing ocean waves, and bub- bling streams, so I began to create more pieces that echoed the shape, form, and texture of water. Savannah became my muse and, just like when I was a college freshman, I was suddenly wideeyed, taking everything in and allowing myself to dream and create.

I experimented with reticulation, melting, and shaping metal until it resembled flowing water caught in time. This technique came to epitomize my signature style, and the Ripple Ring and Splash Cuff became my most recognizable pieces. The following year, I applied for the Halstead Grant again - and won!

Generating Buzz

The first time I said “no” to a project was definitely scary. It’s not in the nature of a go-getter, “people pleaser” like me to turn down business. But before long, I began receiving calls and emails from clients all across the country who had seen my work and wanted pieces in the Kristen Baird® style. Now, the clients who come to me do so with a specific look in mind. I’m able to be upfront about what to expect from my work and the effort that goes into it. Because there’s more of an identity behind my brand, clients are also willing to invest more in my work, because they know that what I create is high-quality and cannot be found anywhere else.

I still craft plenty of custom pieces, including engagement rings, but they are more of a collaboration between myself and the client. The biggest win: I love every single piece I make.

Craft Your Own Vision

Your source of inspiration might not be the same as mine. In fact, it shouldn’t be! The important thing is to be your most authentic self in your designs. This can be a bit nerve-wracking in an industry with so much competition, but there is no real success without a little risk. Jewelry making is an art form, and if you treat it as such people will notice and respond. So, if you ever find yourself stuck in your business, turn back to what inspired you in the first place. That’s where you’ll find the magic.

Dothan | AL

— Ronnie Lisenby Bradshaw’s Jewelers

Kristen Baird® Jewelry is an award-winning, fine jewelry brand, nestled in historic Savannah, Georgia. 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 Kristen’s 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. Learn more at www.kristenbaird.com