Beth and Dan Walker, the owners of Oexning Silversmiths, Inc., one of the country’s foremost restoration silversmiths, were at Terrace Oaks Antiques Mall June 25 and 26 (a Friday and Saturday). They offered on the spot estimates to repair and replate old silver items. This was a rare chance to talk to the owners, who in this case are the people who actually do the work. This event, like so many others pertaining to the antiques business in Charleston, was completely ignored by the media. They offer free clinics twice a year at Terrace Oaks Antiques Mall.
Beth is from Charleston and has a space in this shop where she has a variety of things including silver they restored. She also has some great antique toys. Sometimes they buy old silver items from customers who decide not to restore them. They offer other restoration services that are hard to find. For example, they refinish brass, copper and pewter. Not many people can rebuild parts, like feet or handles or finials, and replace broken hinges. They repair and replace the brush parts of silver brushes. They replace the wooden parts of silver salad forks and spoons. They re-silver mirrors. They have worked on many museum quality things over the years. People can ship things to them for free estimates.
Examples of their work can be seen in her space at Terrace Oaks Antique Mall. It is in the front of the store at the end, on your right as you enter the shop, next to the large window.
Oexning Silversmiths was founded in 1947 by Lars Oexning. After working there Dan and his wife bought the business about sixteen years ago. The company has a national reputation for quality work. There are only a few businesses in the country that have the expertise and experience they have.
Beth and Dan Walker can be contacted at Oexning Silversmiths, Inc., Bakersville, NC, 28705. The phone number is 828-688-9998 or 800-332-6857. Appointments are necessary at that location, however, they have drop off locations all over the country that are listed on their website. Their well designed and user-friendly website is www.oexningsilversmiths.com. It includes information on the care and cleaning of antique silver.
Terrace Oaks Antiques Mall is on James Island, 2037, Maybank Hwy., 29412. James Island is one of the islands adjacent to the peninsula city of Charleston. Their website is www.terraceoaksantiques.com.
More pictures can be found at www.clydeantique.com, the website on antique shopping in Charleston. Please be sure to mention that you heard of them from this website! Be sure to see the pictures in the slideshow below.
Comments