Maine Designer Wins 2018 Halstead Grant

Prescott, Ariz.—The 2018 Halstead Grant, created to support emerging silver jewelry designers, went to brand Emily Shaffer Studio.

Designer Emily Shaffer created her namesake line three years ago in Franklin, Maine, and will soon relocate to Ellsworth, Maine.

Shaffer has a B.F.A. in Crafts – Fine Metal Jewelry and B.S. in Art Education form Kutztown University. While attending, she was selected to be a student exhibitor at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Craft Show.

During the short span of her career, Shaffer has received the J. Allen Pawling Craft Memorial Award, was named an American Craft Week 30 Under 30 Rising Star and, last year, was selected as a top-five finalist for the Halstead Grant.

The grant entails a reward of $7,500 cash; $1,000 in jewelry supplies; a trip to Prescott, Arizona; publication on the cover and a feature spread inside of the grand publication Reveal; a profile and jewelry showcase in next year’s Halstead catalog; help with press; feedback from Halstead Grant judges; and a trophy.

“She has a gift for getting all the pieces of business to work together,” founder of the grant and Halstead President Hilary Halstead Scott said. “We were impressed with Emily’s sophisticated mix of marketing and strategy.”

Guest judge Michael David Sturlin added, “This year’s winner, Emily Shaffer, has a very compelling and marketable body of work supported by a well thought out business strategy and a realistic approach that is sure to propel her forward. I am excited to see her make the next big steps in her continuing success story.”

Shaffer’s designs are modern and minimalist, crafted in sterling silver and Argentium silver with a matte finish. Her work currently sells on her website and at retailers in Maine and Massachusetts.

The other finalists who comprised the top five in contention for the Halstead Grant were Stacy Rodgers Jewelry, Emma Elizabeth Jewelry, Lemak Inc. and VLM Jewelry. Each receive a $500 prize.

Rounding out the top ten and receiving a $250 prize are Sarah Zentz Jewelry, Tin Haus, Elana Jovero Jewelry, Lou Jewels and Alexandra Scarlett Jewelry.

The Halstead Grant launched in 2006, and in addition to helping start-up silver jewelry businesses through the aforementioned prizes, it also guides them through creating a business plan via the application process. Its goal is to help creatives succeed as entrepreneurs with clear goals and measurable steps to reach self-sufficiency.

In addition to Hilary Halstead and goldsmith Sturlin,