Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Baird.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well hello there! I’m Kristen – the founder and designer, here, at Kristen Baird® Jewelry. I am the founder and designer of an award-winning, fine jewelry brand, perfectly nestled in historic Savannah, Georgia, right between the moss-covered oak trees and a glass of sweet tea.
While our city is picturesque and laid back, here, at Kristen Baird®, we are on a mission! Our mission is to offer a customer-focused experience while presenting jewelry collections that are not only beautifully designed and skillfully handcrafted but also bursting with passion, heart, and a touch of Southern charm. We want our pieces to speak to you and be relevant to every moment in your life that tells a story.
I never imagined that I would be pursuing Jewelry Design as a major during my time at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), but sometimes curveballs in life work out just wonderfully. Eleven years after my first jewelry class, I can say that I couldn’t imagine my life without jewelry. Going on 7 years in business – full time, I might add – I can barely put into words how grateful I am for this city and the clients both in Savannah and across the country, who support me on a daily basis! I’m one lucky girl!
Read on to see more about the special things we have going on – right here in Savannah!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Any small business owner would be lying if they said small business is 100% smooth! Of course, there have been bumps, hiccups, straight-up mountains to cross, but as an owner, there is simply no time to wallow in sadness or dwell in self-pity.
I’ve learned along the way to handle one task at a time, think big picture, delegate, ask for help, and rely on friends and my tribe for support when I need it most. It can be exhausting being a business owner, but it can also be the most rewarding, fulfilling, and fun experience ever! I mean, hello, I get PAID to create art every. single. day. Playing with gemstones and precious metals is part of my “job description.”
I will add, fortunately for me, I became a mom in 2019 and that changed my perspective on life and business in general. Funny how that works! And then six months after becoming a mom, 2020 arrived. I carried that “new mom” perspective right on into 2020 which helped a lot with balance and mindset when everything with my business and the world seemed to be swirling. It’s all in the perspective!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I design and we make jewelry – in a nutshell – but it goes far deeper than that alone. We create experiences for our clients and share in their stories, take part in their journey. We build heirlooms. It’s a very personal process and that’s what makes it so special. What we offer is different than typical jewelry outlets. I’ve worked very hard to build that from process/model/system and I’m very proud of what has come to life! That said, I’d attempt to get all fancy with my writing, but I’m going to grab a snippet from my website, because that really tells our “what, how, why” best!
Drawing inspiration from my southern upbringing (think summer days spent frolicking in the fields, working in the gardens with my Nanny, laughing until our sides hurt, as we ran and played in the sunset), I inject my work with colors and textures, juxtaposing forms both geometric and fluid, as though the designs might have sprung organically from the serene coastline of Georgia or the glorious hills of Tennessee. Each heirloom-worthy piece contains an authentic feeling of happiness and joy, a sense of nostalgia, and an essence of freedom.
We believe in combining ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones with metals of the highest quality, as we utilize and preserve traditional metalsmithing skills to bring our handcrafted designs to life. “#MadeintheSouth” is something we are proud to say about each piece that leaves our studio! Because we feel it’s about more than the jewelry alone, we are dedicated to giving back a portion of each sale to our non-profit partner, SD Gunner Fund, a Savannah charity with a mission to train and provide service dogs to veterans and disabled children.
What people are saying… we’ve been very fortunate to see our jewelry recognized in the press both locally, regionally, nationally, and even internationally! It’s always a thrill to see how a word can spread. Kristen Baird Jewelry has been worn by celebrities, including Oprah and SPANX founder Sara Blakely. We’ve won awards including “Best Local Jewelry Designer” and “Best Local Jewelry Store” from various local competitions in multiple years consecutively. I’ve been recognized as a “rising star” in business magazines and online platforms for winning grants including the Halstead Grant in 2017 and the Red Backpack Fund Grant in 2020. It’s amazing to see how hard work, dedication, creativity, and persistence truly pay off!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Get. Out. There. And. Just. DO. It!
All the other parts will fall in place. At first, I wanted to hide in my studio and make pretty things, but it became clear very early on that I am the face of the business and I needed to be involved in a lot of areas to make this business thing happen. I’ve been a part of several non-profit boards. I give back often whether monetarily or with my time. I’m a part of industry-specific groups nationally and small business groups locally. When I leave the studio, I am always “on” and promoting. That’s how it works with small businesses. Go, go go!!!
Contact Info:
- Email: kristen@kristenbaird.com
- Website: https://www.kristenbaird.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristenbairdjewelry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristenBairdJewelry
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWbolI9LyHT-hPiygkEdA5Q
Image Credits
Paprika Southern for Kristen Baird Jewelry
