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!

Late Night Shopping at Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge

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 ❤

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.

 

Own Art at Heart Gallery

Own Art

I still don't think that customers fully understand how the Own Art Scheme works so here's some info for you all. Almost everything at Heart Gallery is covered by this scheme and you can buy from different makers or just your favourite one.

                   Ceramics by Rowena Gilbert 

 

 Porcelain T light holders by Mandy Livesley 

Just bring 2 forms of ID with you when you come to shop, the process is quick and easy and a decision is made there and then.

Limited Edition prints and original pen and inks by Clare Caulfield

Own Art certainly comes in handy at Christmas as you can group lots of beautiful pieces together and get all your pressies under one roof ... we even gift wrap everything for you!

Silver and freshwater pearl Lily collection by local jeweller    Amanda Cox

  Silver and 22ct gold plate seed pod collection by Claire Troughton

Read more about Own Art here. 

Photographs of Hebden Bridge by award winning local photographer    Nigel Hillier

Own Art

Why not buy several items and spread the cost with an interest* free loan, and you can take the items away on the day.

You can borrow up to £2000 or as little as £100, and pay back the loan in 10 monthly installments.

*Typical 0% APR

Totally Locally in Hebden Bridge

Totally Locally is all about Me, You, Him & Her. It’s about shopping in your street, your town, your district. It’s about jobs & community, it’s about investing today for a prosperous tomorrow, it’s about making this place shine like a diamond.

If every adult in Calderdale spent just £5 per week extra in our local shops & businesses it would mean an extra £40 million a year going into our local economy!

Totally Locally Calderdale has just launched its Fiver Fest and Heart Gallery is happy to be involved with this great campaign to encourage everyone to shop locally and avoid the concrete jungles. This is the link to take you to the Totally Locally pages to view all the wonderful offers and ideas independent shop owners have come up with for the Fiver Fest Fortnight.

http://www.totally-locally.co.uk/news.aspx?m=2&y=2010

We hope to see you soon … shopping locally and enjoying the experience xXx

All I Want ... Christmas at Heart Gallery

Our Christmas Exhibition 'All I Want ...' got off to a cracking start this last weekend, despite the grim weather we had sadly got used to after a full week of rain and possible flooding! The nasty weather did not seem to put people off visiting Hebden Bridge and there was a lovely atmosphere in Heart Gallery as customers browsed all the new work.

  

New jewellery from Lucy Palmer, inspired by myths, fairytales and folklore,  was well received as was

beautiful porcelain work from Clare Mahoney.

Other inspiring pieces were from Alison Dupernex - her unisex silk and cashmere scarves were admired by customers - and Jill Ford's delicate ceramic pieces decorated with porcelain old roses.

There is not enough  time for me to show you all the new pieces on this blog so why not take time out of your busy schedule to come along to Hebden Bridge for a day out. Call into Heart Gallery and see all the wonderful new work then treat yourself to a coffee, cake or lunch and wander around all the lovely independent shops in this picturesque Pennine Town... See you soon x

Christmas at Heart

Well folks, it is that time of year again so just to bring you up to date with what's happening at Heart Gallery here is the exclusive invite for the launch of our Christmas Selling Exhibition,  All I Want ...

It would be lovely to see you on Saturday 7th November but don't worry if you can't get to Hebden Bridge that day, the exhibition runs until 10th January 2010 and we are open 7 days a week and until 8pm Thursdays 26th November, 3rd December, 10th December and 17th December.

Late night shopping on Thursday 26th November will see the Christmas Lights switched on in Hebden Bridge and lots of festive things happening around the town. There will be Carol Singers at Heart Gallery and, with a bit of luck (still trying to finalise it) roast chestnuts too!

If you follow this link it will lead you to a photo album of new work at Heart Gallery so you can have a sneaky peak:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=114324&id=682814520

Also new at Heart Gallery is our Heart's Desire List. All you have to do is visit and point out any work that your heart desires, we will add it to your list and save it so that all you then need to do is send your friends and family in to choose from it when you have a special occasion to buy for such as a Birthday, Anniversary or, of course, for Christmas. Let them know your Heart's Desire List is at Heart Gallery and we will do the rest!

This little beauty of a cuff is on my Heart's Desire List:

See you soon

Alison x