Saturday 16 April 2011

An amazing commission for a special Birthday

Recently I worked very closely with a lovely customer, Justine, and a talented jewellery maker, Emma Gale, to design jewellery for Justine's 40th Birthday. 

Coming up with the perfect necklace and bracelet to compliment a bespoke dress Justine had designed herself and was having made by Irene Calverley took time and thought, but once I knew which of the many talented UK makers in Heart Gallery to use, Emma made the rest of the process flow with ease.

After initially meeting Justine we realised that most of the detail for the necklace had to be down her back as the dress had been designed to drape really low. What we also wanted to do was make the necklace multi-functional so that Justine could wear it again and again even when she wasn't wearing her fantastic frock!

Emma managed to make the necklace so that Justine wore the whole necklace on her special evening but it broke down into 2 single necklaces too, giving her 3 variations to wear - genius!









After Justine had collected the necklace she quickly realised she wanted a bracelet to match and with very short notice Emma made the perfect little bracelet for Justine to complete her look .... and doesn't it all look amazing?


Emma uses 18ct yellow gold, antique glass beads and pearls then knits her flowers with kid mohair; her pieces are exquisite and are heirlooms of the future. This is a close up of Emma's kid mohair flowers on 18ct gold chain, they look so delicate but they are simply stunning and so perfectly designed and crafted.


I caught up with Justine after her birthday weekend and this is what she had to say:

"Thank you so much Alison for pulling everything together so quickly and suggesting Emma. As you can see the vintage style is perfect with the dress. It helped that you and the team at Heart Gallery were as excited as me about the whole choosing a jeweller and pulling together the look. Heart was my fave shop before but it's now my favourite place to recommend to friends looking for something special where the service is so personal and outstanding. I felt fantastic as the look had come together and therefore that enhanced an amazing night! Thanks so much, see you soon Jus xx"

Thanks to Emma Gale for interpreting our ideas perfectly and to Justine for sending stunning photographs to use in this blog.

Sunday 13 February 2011

Keys to your Heart


Be the perfect valentine......give your lover the keys to your heart this Valentines day.


The ultimate gift for a loved one. Give something a little more personal with these beautiful porcelain keys by Shan Valla at Heart Gallery.


Tuesday 14 December 2010

Christmas at Heart


Well friends, it's been a while since I blogged for various reasons but the weather we have all had hasn't really helped matters has it? It looks so pretty when it first falls and covers the world but after a short while the picture fades as reality kicks in. Life as we know it seems to stop as people can't get to or from work, children are sent home from schools, public transport ceases and the media tells us all to stay at home!

It's at times like these that we really must, more than ever, support our small local independents to keep them in business providing a service to the community we live in.  I ordered the Heart Gallery Christmas Tree from Bob at William Holt, Greengrocer, Bridge Gate, Hebden Bridge. Two days later it arrived and not only was Bob prompt at getting the tree delivered round to me, he and a colleague walked round to Market Street with it, made sure it was secure and straight for me and then put the lights on it too as I couldn't reach to the top of it myself!

It's this type of Customer Service offered by the independents of Hebden Bridge that make a great town greater.... and doesn't it look all Christmassy?


Hebden Bridge has recently won the title of 'Best Town in Britain 2011' and we really do deserve this award.

The team behind the Totally Locally campaign in Calderdale have worked tirelessly to get their message across since launching and only last week won another award, this time for 'Outstanding Response to the Economic Downturn'. Invest in your town - invest in your future is their tag line and the people of Hebden Bridge do just that. As someone who has a business in the town I appreciate how important it is to support other businesses and try where ever possible to shop totally locally.


This beautiful Christmas Card by talented local artist and illustrator Julia Ogden is available at Heart Gallery. Julia has also painted a small canvas of Two Turtle Doves which is hanging proudly in Heart Gallery.   


This is part of the 12 days of Christmas trail around Hebden Bridge kindly organised by The Hebden Bridge Bookshop. This new family-run, independent bookshop opened its doors in June 2010 to pursue and share their passion for literature with the local book-reading community. Sadly 2 weeks ago Gillian and Ross were dealt a devastating blow when the flat above their shop flooded through their ceiling ruining more than three quarters of their stock and their fixtures and fittings.

With friends and family rallying round they should thankfully be open again for business this weekend so call in and show your support. This time of year is crucial for small businesses so we all rely on you, our loyal customers, to spread the word on how great Hebden Bridge is for shopping .... see you soon and don't forget it is Late Night Shopping on Market Street every Thursday in December, shop late until eight and bring Market Street alive after five!



So, as silly season fast approaches I hope you are all prepared and ready for Christmas and if you have a few pressies still to wrap this beautiful double-sided Robin paper is perfect!



Tuesday 9 November 2010

Christmas Cards at Heart Gallery

Last year, and the year before, and the year before, and even the year before that I noticed that people weren't really inclined to part with much money when it came to Christmas cards. In my opinion this is a real shame as I always try to seek out something different for my close friends and family. The cheap boxed sets which are mass produced don't really offer anything unique or different ... just convenience! Stick it in the trolley with your weekly shop and they're ready to write and post!

There are so many lovely cards out there by smaller companies or individual artists trying to carve a niche in the stationery industry and here are just a few that Heart Gallery is stocking this year, I hope you like them:

My favourite I think is still Nigel Hillier's award winning Hebden At Dusk, and he's had it printed as a good size card in case you want to frame it.


I also love the Rob Ryan cut-out card and I know a lot of you out there do too as there aren't many left now, so be quick if this is your card of choice this year!


  
Julia Brook's reindeer cards all have quirky captions on them.


  
I  love the Christmas pud



and also this one! I think my thoughts would be 'far from festive' too!



Rachael Taylor's textiles were introduced to Heart Gallery quite recently and her pinny's, oven gloves and tea towels are selling really well. Here are 2 of her card designs you can choose from:


Hazel Spatschek's fabulous red robin cards are really cute too, the red breast is stitched on embossed foil so it's really shiny:


Heart Gallery sells Clare Caulfield's original pen and ink city work as well as limited edition prints and canvases and this year there are 3 of her Christmas cards to choose from. Snow falling on West 34th is one of my favourites and always makes me want to be there!


This is her Winter Wonderland


 and I know there are a few dachshund lovers out there who would just love this card of Clare's!


 So, just a little blog about Christmas cards folks to get you in the mood, hope you enjoyed it and see you soon ❤

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Crafts For Christmas at Hardcastle Crags



The National Trust at Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge are holding their first ever Craft Fair this Firday and Saturday 5th and 6th of November, Free entry 11am - 3.30pm.

Take a short walk to Gibson Mill and meet talented local designers and makers to choose something gorgeous for a treat or present for someone special. Please bring cash as there are no credit card facilities.

Buy unique Christmas Cards and wrapping paper by Rachael Taylor, a surface pattern designer living in Leeds.

Treat yourself to some sustainable, low-impact, eco-friendly knitwear by Todmorden based company Makepiece.
Think about lighting up your Christmas Dinner table using these contemporary candlesticks from Heart Gallery.
If pearls are your thing then this bracelet will be a perfect addition to your jewellery box.


How about a leather satchel by super talented local leather worker Catherine Edwards?

You will also find stunning felt corsages by Gail Myerscough and velvet and voile badges by Anne Crowther.






And of course, there will also be the fantastic cards by Award Winning Local Photographer Nigel Hillier available too!

So folks, guess we shall be seeing you real soon at Gibson Mill, Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge!

Friday 15 October 2010

GORGEOUS GIFTS AT HEART

Yes, it really is nearly that time of the year again my friends - where does time go?

Planning for this exhibition started in January 2010 which might seem mad to some but I have to work about 10 months in advance to book new work in from makers. The small designer/makers Heart Gallery chooses to showcase throughout the year have to be able to timetable their work schedules in advance too.

It is always an incredible selection journey choosing pieces handmade by the cream of British talent ... here is a sneaky peak of what you will be able to buy at Heart Gallery already or coming soon:

 Porcelain t-light holders by Stef Storey
Fairytale silver jewellery by Xuella Arnold
Oak Jewellery box by Frances Smith
Silk/cashmere scarves by Alison Dupernex
Pen and ink originals and prints by Clare Caulfield
Award winning photography of the Hebden Bridge area by Nigel Hillier
Quirky silver jewellery by Helen Noakes
Rob Ryan Christmas cards and boxed notelet sets
Jan Constantine embroidered cushions
Award winning kitchen/dining products from Joseph Joseph
Luxurious silk scarves by Taisir Gibreel
Delicate little t-light holders by Cerys Boyle
I hope that's a little taster of what's in store for you in the run up to Christmas and don't forget that Heart Gallery is now offering the Arts Council’s Own Art scheme which is designed to make it easy and affordable for everyone to buy contemporary works of art and craft including paintings, photography, sculpture, glassware and jewellery. 

Simply choose the pieces you like, give us about 15 minutes of your time and you could be taking them all home on this great scheme - pick up an Own Art leaflet next time you visit Heart Gallery or call in for a chat.


Own Art to take home

Buy art at the Heart Gallery on interest free credit*

The Arts Council’s Own Art scheme is designed to make it easy and affordable for everyone to buy contemporary works of art and craft including paintings, photography, sculpture, glassware and jewellery. You can borrow from as little as £100 up to £2000, and pay back the loan in 10 monthly instalments - interest free.  

Arts Council England has established the Own Art scheme for the following reasons:

  • to encourage new buyers and audiences for the visual arts
  • to develop the visual arts economy by encouraging an increase in the sale of work by contemporary artists
  • to support a breadth of practice from traditional to the innovative, by artists at all stages of their career.

The visual arts include craft, printmaking, glassware, painting, sculpture, installation, artists' film and video, media arts, architecture, live art and photography.

*Typical 0% APR
*Offer subject to age and status. Terms and conditions apply.