Halstead Grant Awarded to Emerging Savannah Designer

Prescott, Ariz.--In its annual effort to support up-and-coming designers who work primarily in silver, wholesale jewelry supply company Halstead has awarded its latest Halstead Grant to Kristen Baird Jewelry.

The company’s founder, Kristen Baird, is a Savannah College of Art and Design graduate. She also attended the New Approach School for Jewelers and was named a member of Generation NEXT: Savannah’s Rising Stars of Business, Class of 2017, sponsored by Savannah Magazine.

Baird’s prize includes $7,500 in cash and $1,000 in supplies.

To win the grant, Baird submitted a collection of her jewelry, along with answers to questions that form the basis of a business plan, Halstead said, covering topics such as competitive analysis, marketing strategy, a three-year plan and production capacity.

Designer Kristen Baird of Kristen Baird Jewelry“Kristen has amazing hustle,” Halstead President Hilary Halstead Scott said. “Her entrepreneurial drive is inspiring! We love to see craftsmanship and skill rooted in such sound business sense.”

Baird said: “Working on the application and seeing everything from a new perspective has been an eye-opening experience. The time I have taken to study each detail of my business, from operations and personnel to designs and finances, has allowed me to construct the path for my brand and dream even bigger than I ever imagined possible.”

Baird works with sterling silver, recycled 18-karat gold and ethically sourced gemstones in her designs, utilizing traditional metalsmithing techniques like reticulation and granulation. She is inspired by the landscape of the American South.

In addition to her cash and supply prize, Baird will receive a trophy, a trip to Prescott, Ariz., feedback from the grant judging committee, and a variety of press features, including the cover and a feature spread in the annual grant publication Reveal.

Other finalists who made the top five will receive $500 cash, and those who made the top 10 for grant consideration will receive $250. The finalists will also receive a number of press opportunities, a trophy and judge feedback.

One of this year’s grant judges, Marthe Le Van of Mora Contemporary Jewelry, said, “The 2017 Halstead Grant applicants dug deep, sharing their passion for jewelry and charting thoughtful and courageous paths to a sustainable career. I was impressed by strength of the field and anticipate a strong future for these emerging jewelers.”

The Halstead Grant was established in 2006. For more information, visit Grant.Halsteadbead.com.