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.

 

Sizzling September at Heart Gallery

Now that the summer holidays are over and we all try to get back into a routine, I thought it was time for an  update.

September deliveries are arriving weekly as a little drip feed of sizzling goodies in the run up to Christmas.

The first to be delivered this week is two sizes of notebook by Rob Ryan, A5 and A6.


'I Am The Notebook of ...'

A very pretty plain notebook to write and draw the most wonderful of things. I've already treated myself to one to keep at the side of my bed for doodles and both sizes have been popular so I have had to place another order already - they arrived yesterday!

On their way soon are more Rob Ryan products including this fabulous 'PLEASE SMELL US' vase 



and 'TOGETHER' mugs 



and 'LISTEN TO THE WORLD' mug.


My lovely, thoughtful  hubby knew that I was eagerly awaiting Rob Ryan's licensed products for Wild 'n' Wolf at Heart Gallery and so kindly, and secretly, bought me this wall decal for our bathroom. It is stunning and just perfect for the wall under our 'LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL' sign. 



Thank you Bart ❤

Please bookmark this blog as it is getting regularly updated and the MEET THE MAKER pages are proving really popular. The main Heart Gallery website is going to be updated to include an on-line shop but in the meantime this blog is the best way to keep in touch.

See you in Heart Gallery soon ❤

Happy Christmas and a Joyous 2010

 

A very Happy Christmas to you all and wishing a joyous 2010 with fun and laughter. As children, we laugh hundreds of times each day, delighted by the newness of living. When we reach adulthood, however, we tend to not allow ourselves to let go in a good belly laugh. Inviting laughter back into our lives is simply a matter of making the conscious decision to laugh. Though most of us are incited to laugh only when exposed to humor or the unexpected, each of us is capable of laughing at will. A laugh that comes from the belly carries with it the same positive effects whether prompted by a funny joke or consciously willed into existence. When our laughter comes from the core of our being, it permeates every cell in our physical selves, beginning in the center and radiating outward, until we are not merely belly laughing but rather body laughing.

Laughter has been a part of the human mode of expression since before evolution granted us the art of speech. Through it, we connected with allies while demonstrating our connection with people we didn’t know. In the present, laughter allows us to enjoy positive shared experiences with strangers and loved ones alike. Yet solitary laughter carries with it its own slew of benefits. An energetic and enthusiastic bout of whole-body laughter exercises the muscles, the lungs, and the mind in equal measure, leaving us feeling relaxed and content. When we laugh heartily at life’s ridiculousness instead of responding irritably, our focus shifts. Anger, stress, guilt, and sadness no longer wield any influence over us, and we are empowered to make light of what we originally feared. Laughter also opens our hearts, letting love and light in, changing our perspective, and enabling us to fix our attention on what is positive in our lives.

It is easy to laugh when we feel good, but it is when the world appears dim that we most need laughter in our lives. Our laughter then resonates through our hearts, filling the empty spaces with pure, unadulterated joy. We regain our footing in the moment and remember that no sorrow is powerful enough to rob us of our inborn happiness. When we understand that uninhibited laughter is the food of the soul, nourishing us from within, we know instinctively that life is worthwhile. 

Live, laugh and love your way through this next decade. xXx

 

Late Night Shopping

Hebden Bridge is the perfect place for your late night shopping and it all kicks off this coming Thursday, 26 November, when Chris Chittell (Eric Pollard, Emmerdale) switches on the lights in the town and snow will fall on Heart Gallery, Market Street, Bridge Gate and The Square.


Avoid crowded cities and support your local independents by coming down to Hebden Bridge to do your Christmas shopping; there's so much to see ...

... so see you soon xXx