Ceramic showcase at Heart Gallery

Well, where has April gone then?? I haven't blogged here since March and don't really know why so I shall rectify this with a ceramic showcase for you to feast your eyes on ....

Clare Mahoney is an artist who specialises in merging ceramics and printmaking. The inspiration for her work comes from nature, striving to interpret the short-lived beauty and fragility of nature, capturing the image before it fades.

The exploration of colour, pattern and texture is beautifully demonstrated in her handmade ceramics which focus on nature, abstracted imagery and the passage of time. By the process of drawing; mono print and collage she creates wall hung and sculptural ceramics that engage the viewer in a visual journey.

Heart Gallery had a box of Clare's beautiful pieces delivered today and it was like Christmas unwrapping her pieces from inside their packaging ... what a delight hidden inside!

  
Another long awaited delivery this week was from Jan Constantine. Jan's embroidered cushions have long been admired here ... take a look ...

... but now she has developed a range of china for the kitchen to compliment her style and it arrived Wednesday at Heart Gallery.

Wow ... we couldn't wait for these to arrive and we have not been disappointed so know you won't be either!

Sarah McDade is one of our local ceramicists and has been making ceramic heads and figures for over 20 years, establishing a reputation for high quality work.

Sarah is inspired by the creative possibilities when building the human form in clay. Her ideas are developed from observation, drawings, sketches and photographs.

Commissions welcome.

Another of our favourite local ceramicists is Sue Candy. Sue produces individual and contemporary tableware, hand built from porcelain clay slabs and constructed as delicate boxes ...

Sue is currently working on our new order which will arrive at the beginning of next month and includes her new wall pieces.

New deliveries now in stock at Heart Gallery so I hope you have enjoyed this little ceramic showcase and before I go .... a sneaky peak at the new Pantone range arriving at Heart Gallery early May! These are certain to be really popular, as I have had several enquiries already, so make sure you come along to Heart Gallery early to have your pick of colours ... enjoy - I have my little eye on the lime green! xXx

Alice in Wonderland arrives at Heart Gallery

To celebrate the newly released Alice in Wonderland film,  one of Heart Gallery's resident artists Heather Wilson has created some fantasy hats  especially for the occasion. The Red Queen Hat, has a suitably majestic 18" tall feather, playing cards, red roses, and, of course, glittery hearts!

She has also made a Mad Hatter Hat - which has a miniature tea party, complete with sandwiches and cakes, a real pocket watch, a bottle with the "Drink Me" label - all set on a grassy mini top hat.

Mad Hatter? Indeed she is.

 

To see these wonderful creations, please do visit Heather's studio in Heart Gallery.

If you would like to make an appointment, please phone: 07841 400 542, or vist her website www.hwilsonart.com

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

'I DO' Wedding Show, Heart Gallery, Valentines Day

 

Heart Gallery is holding a Wedding Exhibition on Valentines’ Day, 12pm – 5pm. So if you are celebrating the union of love in 2010 then you need to come down to Hebden Bridge to see what Heart Gallery can offer you and your party for your special day. Less than two weeks to go so it's all getting really exciting as the new work begins to arrive.


Meet Sarah Mason, a local photographer with a sensitive and individual approach to your wedding or civil partnership and the ability to capture those special moments. Sarah will be at Heart Gallery to chat with you about your requirements  and your plans to give you the photo’s you want. Sarah’s style is fresh, contemporary and natural and she likes to create a rapport with her client(s) and develop ideas prior to your BIG day. Sarah believes that the photographer shouldn’t take over your SPECIAL day so her approach is friendly yet discreet!

 

Sarah Jenkins’  fabulous wedding cakes are stunning; individually designed to meet your requirements  with style and attention to detail. For fashion conscious cakes for your BIG day then Sarah is the person you need to speak with. Sarah will be at Heart Gallery 14th February and inspiration is the key … from your invitation, your favourite flower, piece of jewellery, special place or perhaps a pattern from a vintage piece of china, Sarah can translate this into a scrumptious cake for your SPECIAL day using the best fresh ingredients including organic free-range eggs and Fair Trade chocolate.

  

 

 

Heart Gallery is already a stockist of Amanda’s amazing silver and gold jewellery so you have probably seen her stunning lily collection in Heart Gallery previously. On February 14th Amanda will be at Heart Gallery to talk to you about your bridal jewellery ideas and can also help you choose those perfect Bridesmaid’s gifts. Amanda’s silver lily collection is stunning and perfect for your SPECIAL day but she also has a fabulous rose collection too which can be chosen in polished silver and oxidised silver. 

If you prefer more precious metals then we can also quote for any of Amanda’s pieces in yellow or white gold.

 

  

As well as showcasing stunning bridal jewellery from top UK based designer/makers you can also bring your partner along too to look at a wide range of cufflinks from these makers. When it comes to gifts for your bridal party, personalise. This shows that you have taken time with the gift and it makes a great keepsake. You can do this in a number of ways. Bespoke is one. Have a jeweller make jewellery to your specification for your bridesmaids or cufflinks for the groomsmen. There will be many handcrafted cufflinks on display in Heart Gallery on Sunday 14th February so not only can the groom choose a pair to compliment his Wedding suit but so can the Best Man and Ushers knowing that they are choosing the Best of British Craft.

  
 

You can also see fabulous silk ties from textile artist Clare Webster who can talk you through the different silk swatches and match the silk to the bridesmaid’s dresses or a colour scheme of your choice. Clare also makes amazingly sculptural bags and scarves which are just perfect for the mother of the bride or groom and the choice of silk colours is endless so you can match to the outfit or the shoes and stand out from the crowd. So, if you are looking for an outfit for your daughter or son’s wedding, our advice would be to have something designed for you which is not typical mother of the bride and could be worn afterwards. Its always good to know if your accessories have been designed specifically for you as there’s no chance of meeting someone else in the same thing and Clare can make sure this happens.

 
 

Or you could chose something stylish for your home from our London boys, Dan Black and Martin Blum. These guys have numerous design awards under their belts and Heart Gallery is this area’s stockist of  their amazing products.

 
 

  

  

At Heart Gallery, you’ll find every gift exceeds your expectations, from practical and innovative products to the luxurious and indulgent. You can choose from quality, well-established design-led brands and endlessly stylish exclusive lines from some of the UK’s top designer/makers working in ceramics, glass, textiles, wood and wall art. With a price range to match anyone’s budget you will not be disappointed choosing Heart Gallery as the destination for your wedding guests.

 

 

So folks, I hope we shall see you on Valentines’ Day and if you know anyone who may be joining with another to celebrate the union of love this year then pass this info blog on to them. Heart Gallery is a destination 365 days of the year but on February 14th, 2010, Heart Gallery will be THE place to be if you are getting married, thinking of getting married or taking your commitment  to your partner to the next level and planning your civil ceremony. Resident at Heart Gallery on Valentines’ Day will be Sarah Mason a local wedding photographer, Sarah Jenkins confectioner, Clare Webster textile artist, Heather Wilson hat maker and Amanda Cox, Bex Bardon and other UK based jewellery designer/makers to discuss your requirements and of course you will also have the expertise of Heart Gallery staff at your disposal in an extremely relaxed environment.
See you soon, Alison xXx
 

 

Snow, snow and more snow!

My 'young' really enjoyed the big snowfall on Christmas Day at Dad's house and it was quite magical being surrounded by 'the white stuff' even if it nearly stopped us getting up Dad's very slippy lane for our Christmas family gathering.

I love the men in my life and this is a great picture of my Dad, hubby and son .... before our obligatory Bucks Fizz too!

 

Whizz our hamster joined in the Christmas fun and enjoyed eating the pine needles and making a den in the wrapping paper!!

 

All that seems so long ago already and we have had even more snow and school closures so I am starting to think 'enough already' ... but it is so beautiful.

 So I hope that you are enjoying the snow too wherever you are, stay safe if you have to travel in it and best wishes for 2010, Alison x

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