The Art of Legacy: Inside Silver Bonsai and Modern Heirloom®

• Posted on 24 June 2025
• By Kathryn Holton Steart
• Posted in American handmade jewelry, artistic jewelry restoration, Ben and Kathryn Stewart, bonsai Outer Banks, custom jewelry Outer Banks, hand engraving jewelry, heirloom jewelry design, jewelry repair Manteo NC, Modern Heirloom Jewelry, Outer Banks artists, Outer Banks fine craft, Roanoke Island art gallery, Silver Bonsai Gallery, studio jewelers North Carolina, unique engagement rings NC
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Silver Bonsai Gallery, founded in 1997 by Ben and Kathryn Stewart on Roanoke Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is a distinguished blend of art, craftsmanship, and nature. At its core is the Modern Heirloom® Jewelry Studio, where traditional techniques meet modern technology to create timeless, handcrafted pieces designed to be cherished across generations. The gallery also showcases a curated collection of fine crafts and visual art by regional and national artists and offers a unique focus on the ancient art of bonsai. Housed in a historic coastal home with a rich local heritage, Silver Bonsai has evolved over 25 years into a celebrated destination for those seeking meaningful artistry and lasting legacies.

About Silver Bonsai Gallery

Silver Bonsai Gallery is a refined fusion of art, craftsmanship, and cultivated beauty—nestled in a historic coastal home on Roanoke Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Founded in 1997 by artists Ben and Kathryn Stewart, the gallery has grown into a destination for those seeking timeless design, exceptional jewelry, and the quiet wisdom of bonsai.

At its heart is the Modern Heirloom® Jewelry Studio, where Ben and Kathryn craft original designs rooted in tradition and elevated by modern technique. Specializing in hand engraving, custom design, restoration, and advanced stone setting, the studio is known for its artistry and intimate approach to commemorating life’s milestones. From engagement rings to heirloom restorations, each piece is made with the intention of being passed down—treasured objects that carry memory and meaning across generations.

Surrounding the studio is a thoughtfully curated gallery of fine craft and visual art. Featuring works by both regional and nationally acclaimed artists, the space celebrates the richness of American craftsmanship—from woodwork and pottery to glass, textiles, and sculpture. Visitors are also invited into the living world of bonsai—a specialty at Silver Bonsai that reflects a reverence for patience, nature, and form.

The gallery resides in a home once owned by Lonnie Gray, a member of the heroic Pea Island Life-Saving Station. A small workshop on the property became Ben and Kathryn’s original studio—an intimate beginning that has evolved over 25 years. After weathering two historic floods and undergoing multiple renovations, the gallery stands transformed—literally elevated nine feet above its original foundation, yet still grounded in the values that shaped it.

The name Modern Heirloom® was born in 2005, during a period when the Stewarts were integrating state-of-the-art tools like CAD, CAM, and laser welding with heirloom techniques of old. They found themselves frequently creating pieces that marked profound life events—weddings, anniversaries, births, and passings. These weren’t merely accessories; they were touchstones. Symbols. Stories in metal and stone.

In 2011, the name was officially recognized with a U.S. Trademark. Today, Modern Heirloom® is more than a collection—it is a philosophy of making, where each piece is created with intention, care, and the enduring hope that it will outlast us all.

When the time comes to honor a memory or celebrate a new beginning, we invite you to do so with a piece of Modern Heirloom® jewelry—a legacy in the making, crafted by the hands of Ben and Kathryn Stewart at Silver Bonsai Gallery.