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!

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!

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Now in its second year, the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) features over 140 exhibitors showcasing the finest works of contemporary craft. Visitors can spend the day in a relaxed yet inspiring atmosphere, chat to the makers and find out the story and making process behind each unique piece. Learning how much attention to detail a designer pays whilst handcrafting work is a reminder that we should be buying items that will last decades, rather than years.

Heart Gallery supports the GNCCF and many of the makers exhibiting last year have showcased their amazing work in Heart Gallery over the last 12 months. This year will be no exception and it will be really hard to choose from them all as the standard of work is so high. Heart Gallery hopes that some of you will visit this event in October at Spinningfields, just off Deansgate in the heart of Manchester, and soak up this unique shopping experience and for those that can't - there's always Heart Gallery!

Public Openings
Friday 23rd October 11.00am - 8.30pm
Saturday 24th October 10.00am - 6.00pm
Sunday 25th October - 10.00am - 5.00pm

5 pairs of tickets to be won to the fair!

Own Art has 5 pairs of day tickets to give away to the fair. To be entered into the prize draw, email ownart@artscouncil.org.uk by midnight on 25 September 2009 quoting 'GNCCF' in the subject line.

Welcome

Hi there, and welcome to my new blog pages which will hopefully keep you updated with Heart Gallery news periodically - in other words ... when time allows!! Which brings me nicely on to what I want to say tonight.

I am not really going to write too much about Heart Gallery tonight, although it is important to this blog. When the clocks went back last year by an hour it got me thinking about time. I remember that this turning back of time gave me a much needed extra hour in bed, many other people an extra hour socialising with friends or family and others, no doubt, another hour of drinking time! You often hear people saying "if only I could turn back time" or talking about hindsight being a wonderful thing and "doing things differently were they able to live that part of their life again". Would I wish to turn back the clock further than that hour ... no.

I believe I am the person I am today because of the paths I have trodden and the journeys I have taken and I like who I am, like where I am and more importantly am thankful that I am here now to live this life.

I opened Heart Gallery over 2 years ago because I wanted to work for myself, wanted to give Hebden Bridge something it didn't already have, wanted to enjoy walking into work every day, wanted to feel passionate about what I did. I still feel that same passion and pride today that I had the day Heart Gallery first opened. I feel it every morning when I put my key in the big, black door of Heart Gallery, open it, see the beautiful space and smell the building.

Heart Gallery will never make me rich and able to retire early but that isn't what I am driven by as I am rich in other ways. It isn't easy to take that leap of faith into self employment but it has a greater chance of success if you do it for the right reasons, and I didn't take that step to make me rich but to enrich.

I can't say that it is easy; it is extremely hard work and takes 100% commitment to get it right. I can't say it doesn't affect family or social life as I have to work hard to find the right balance; and I don't always get it right! I can't say that it hasn't been without casualties but these have happened for a reason and out of my control but ultimately for the better. 

What I can say is that my loyal customers remind me regularly that I did the right thing and they love visiting Heart Gallery as much as I love living Heart Gallery so if you haven't yet been to Hebden Bridge or to Heart Gallery, make that trip - it is so worthwhile and you will not be disappointed. It's a fabulously creative town filled with many independent shops and cafes that offer so much more and you will find unusual and unique treats or gifts that you can't get anywhere else. Heart Gallery offers a warm welcome and amazing work by over 75 local and UK based designer/makers and I look forward to seeing you in the future.