Meet The Makers – Sanders and Wallace

Andrew Sanders - Glass Artist

David Wallace - Glass Artist

Andrew Sanders and David Wallace work together in their small workshop producing an interestingly diverse range of studio glass, including perfume bottles, vases, bowls, drinking glasses, candlesticks and paperweights using recycled glass.

Sanders and Wallace - studio glass

Andrew and David first met at North Staffordshire Polytechnic, Stoke on Trent in 1974. Having previously studied ceramics, Andrew at Rotherham College of Art and David at Hartlepool College of Art, they were studying for an honours degree in Multi Disciplinary Design. This course allowed them to explore a variety of media including textiles, photography, graphics, jewellery, glass and ceramics. After experimenting in the glass department they soon found a common interest in working with hot glass and blown glass in particular. Under the guidance of James Roddis and David Reekie, Course Tutors and Stan Gill, Master-glassmaker, they started to develop a close working relationship.

Sanders & Wallace - feather paperweights

After graduating in 1977 and with the assistance of a Crafts Council grant they established their first workshop in Shropshire with three other graduates. Following several difficult years Andrew and David relocated to Otley, West Yorkshire. Their new workshop was part of a redundant warehouse in a Victorian woollen mill, which provided workspace for a variety of designer craftspeople.

Sanders & Wallace - bubble perfume bottles

During this period they not only supplied a growing number of craft shops and galleries, but also received commissions from the York Archaeological Trust and the B.B.C. to reproduce Viking, early English and Egyptian glassware.

Sanders & Wallace - Veil pefume bottles

After ten years in Otley they were forced to move again due to the redevelopment of the woollen mill. New premises were found at the King Street Studio Workshops in Pateley Bridge in 1992 where they continue to work. Andrew and David have developed a solid working relationship which spans over thirty years.

Sanders & Wallave - moon range

Despite having worked together for such a long time, Andrew and David have managed to maintain their individual creative identities, finding personal inspiration in subjects as diverse as the landscape, architecture, the sea and even bubbles in the bath.

Sanders & Wallace - plain irridescent range

Each of the finished pieces is entirely handmade and signed by either Andrew or David….or if you are lucky, both of them!

Meet The Maker – Emily Morgan

Emily Morgan - jeweller

Emily Studied silver-smithing and metalwork at Camberwell College of Art, graduating in 1995. She then won a scholarship to study gold-smithing at the Summer Academy of Fine Art in Salzburg with Giampaolo Babetto.

Emily Morgan - flower necklace available in two sizes

Emily Morgan - flower studs and flower drops

The following 5 years, Emily spent working as a freelance designer and maker of scenery, props and exhibitions in Frankfurt, Germany.

Emily Morgan - ring necklace available in two sizes

Emily Morgan - ring studs and ring drops

Back in England, Emily set up a jewellery workshop and now works full-time designing and making exclusive and unusual contemporary jewellery.

Emily Morgan - large cuff

She has become known in the contemporary craft scene for her use of found rusty objects and her ranges of kinetic jewellery, which have been exhibited all over Britain, and also Denmark, Japan and Hong Kong.

Emily Morgan - ring

Emily enjoys creating playful and quirky jewellery. She tends to design whilst making, testing the limitations of the materials and the production techniques and letting these inspire the design as she goes along.

Emily Morgan - cufflinks

Heart Gallery sells Emily’s hugely popular Melt Me range which has been improved and extended and includes hearts, flowers, circles and squares – all chunky silver shapes with a unique rock-like texture. 

Emily Morgan - charm bracelet with heart

 

Meet The Maker – Leigh Shepherd

Leigh Shepherd - jewellery designer

After studying Fine Art at Manchester Metropolitan University Leigh worked in animation, including projects for Channel 4 and ITV. Following a career in teaching Leigh is now a ‘full time’ jewellery designer and maker.

Vintage Scrabble Tile necklace on silver in Sky Blue Blossom chiyogami paper

Scrabble tile necklace on silver chain with sakura amethyst chiyogami paper

Leigh’s designs were inspired by a desire to recycle or preferably ‘upcycle’ objects to create new pieces using vintage Scrabble tiles for necklaces, sixpence pieces for earrings and domino and draught pieces for brooches.

Sixpence earrings in blossom blue chiyogami paper

Leigh makes these beautiful earrings using original sixpence pieces and handmade silver earwires and presents them in a matching tin.

Draught brooch - Angel design using original photo of a 40s starlet

Each of Leigh’s pieces is carefully collaged with high quality papers. Leigh uses Japanese silk screened papers known as ‘chiyogami paper’, postage stamps or hand marbled Italian paper sealed with a glossy, water based resin to protect the design.

Draught brooch - Leigh's own tattoo design based on 50s style Rockabilly imagery

The resin used is very durable so Leigh’s brooches are safe to wear on a coat or bag. They will be unaffected by rain showers.

Draught brooch - dreamer

Leigh has been featured in Make Jewellery Magazine and Craft & Design magazine to name a couple and now has work in the British Museum.

Domino brooch in chiyo red

All Leigh’s lovely ‘upcycled’ pieces come on a card and are gift wrapped by Heart Gallery so all you have to do is enjoy the giving!

Domino brooch on display card

Meet The Maker – Pippa Knowles

Pippa Knowles - jeweller

Pippa graduated from the University of Brighton in 1995, having completed the materials-based 3D design course there – specialising in jewellery.

Pippa Knowles - Barcode pendant

Staying in Brighton Pippa trained with an established, modern jeweller for five years before leaving in 2002 to start her own business making her own unique mark on British contemporary jewellery. Pippa is now co-owner and Director of her own contemporary jewellery shop in Brighton.

Pippa Knowles - Barcode Cufflinks

Taking inspiration from every day symbols and objects that surround us, Pippa works mainly in silver to combine these strong graphic images with chunky unisex jewellery.

Pippa Knowles - Barcode Slim Cuff

Pippa Knowles - Barcode Slim Pendant

Heart Gallery stocks Pippa’s Barcode Collection, which was Pippa’s first collection in 2003, and still remains very popular as the numbers can be personalised with specific dates or secret codes. Pippa’s rings are popular for alternative wedding bands and her cufflinks make great presents for the groom, best man and ushers.

Pippa Knowles - Barcode rings available in different band widths

Pippa Knowles - Barcode rings available in different band widths

Heart Gallery enjoys working closely with customers and Pippa ensuring that commissions are personalised and made and delivered in time for those special moments – weddings, anniversaries and ‘just because’ presents. Call in to see this great range and personalise a piece for yourself.

Meet The Maker – Cathy Edwards

Cathy Edwards - leatherworker

Catherine Edwards uses bold, architectural forms that allow leather to be shown at its natural best. They are practical and durable pieces that will gain character as they age.

Catherine Edwards - leather bag group

The four collections, satchels, men’s, contemporary and tableware are made using the finest British and Italian leather hides. Each item is hand cut from individual selected panels; hand stitched and finished using a sound combination of traditional techniques.

Catherine Edwards - selection of coin purses

A residency as shoe maker at the Royal Armouries, Leeds, led to a collaboration with a saddler, from which came the inspiration for her current collections.

Catherine Edwards - Axel Giant

Catherine Edwards - leather wallet

Heart Gallery currently stocks Catherine’s leather wallets, purses and a small collection of bags but commissions and one off pieces are welcome, as are interior design and furnishing projects.

Meet The Maker – Claire Armitage

Claire Armitage - Textile Designer

Claire Armitage creates exquisite silk clothing and accessories to cherish.

Claire Armitage - Scarves

Each piece is handmade in Cornwall, adorned with beautiful textile prints inspired by Claire’s sketchbook drawings and illustrations. The prints are rich in narrative, blending floral and nautical imagery with literary references to poetry and fairytales. Each design is finished with delicately layered edgings, French seams, antique button fastenings and hand-embroidered details.

Claire Armitage - scarf print detail

The feel of The History Dress Collection is light and fresh with a vintage twist, inspired by dresses from the 1920s to 1950s in Helston Folk Museum, Cornwall; where Claire spent much time drawing and researching. The dresses in this collection can be layered together, echoing the layers of trace and history in the museum dresses. Although Heart Gallery does not stock Claire’s dresses at the moment we felt they needed to be included in this post about her; too good to miss!

Claire Armitage - History dress collection

The Salt Collection was designed for Cornwall Design Season and was on display at The Eden Project throughout April 2011.  It was inspired by Claire’s drawings of the winding streets of St Ives, the evocative hues of the Atlantic Ocean, cliff-top flowers and the sweeping architectural lines of the Tate St Ives.

Claire Armitage - selection of designs

The richly coloured and illustrative Iris Collection takes literary inspiration from Sujatta Bhatt’s evocative poem ‘In Her Green Dress She Is’.

Claire Armitage - Iris Poem Girl

The Sea Garden Collection blends nautical and floral imagery inspired by the subtropical gardens and fishing harbour near to Claire’s studio in Cornwall.

Claire Armitage - scarf details

Textile designer Claire Armitage has also worked as a freelance costume designer for nearly a decade, she is a lecturer at University College Falmouth, and holds a BA in Textiles from Goldsmiths and an MA in Textile design. Claire’s studio is located in the beautiful subtropical surroundings of Trewidden Gardens, Cornwall.

Claire Armitage - Salt dress collection scarves

Claire Armitage - silk scarf

Heart Gallery is proud to have been carefully chosen by Claire to be her stockist is this area and her scarves are truly special.

Meet The Maker – Roma Vincent

Roma Vincent - jeweller

By definition of the way Roma works, most pieces of her jewellery are ‘originals’.  Roma is constantly evolving her designs, and since each design is constructed and heated individually, no two pieces will be entirely identical.

Roma Vincent - Tulips Group

‘My-Morph’ is the main element of Roma’s jewellery; variously fused, forged and manipulated to create the different layers and textures. Silver, glass and gemstones are also incorporated to complete the sculptural storyline.

Roma Vincent - Tapestry drop earrings

‘My-Morph’ is the collective name Roma has given to a group of alloys she has devised through extensive experimentation with combinations of non precious metals. The unorthodox heating process she developed subtly alters the crystalline structure of the metals to release their metallic colour array of pinks, purples, blues, bronze and gold.

Roma Vincent - Metal Manipulator

In terms of creativity, Roma’s influence is no doubt the natural world around her.  She especially draws inspiration from the geological aspects of the Cumbrian landscape.

Roma Vincent - Weave Brooch

Roma Vincent - Grike brooch

Heart Gallery has long admired Roma’s metal manipulation so is very proud to now bring it to Hebden Bridge!  

Meet The Maker – Rebecca Lewis

Rebecca Lewis - jeweller

Rebecca’s unique jewellery draws upon the inspiration of antiques and collectables. Hand set precious and semi-precious gemstones take centre stage in her classic, yet contemporary designs, which are often complimented with freshwater pearls.  

Rebecca Lewis - oxidised silver and fresh water pearls

Rebecca uses small granules to create a delicate and tactile quality. The ancient technique of granulation features strongly in many of Rebecca’s pieces. Not all pieces are premeditated or pre-designed, what Rebecca enjoys most is sitting at her bench and letting the materials and techniques dictate the final outcome, therefore producing bespoke one off pieces of jewellery.

Rebecca Lewis - silver and oxidised silver granule rings

Rebecca Lewis - Granule rings set with semi-precious stones

Since graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) in Contemporary Crafts Rebecca has returned to Herefordshire to set up as a self-employed jeweller.

Rebecca Lewis - oxidised silver granule studs

After being accepted as the graduate member of Alloy, Hereford’s Jeweller’s Group, Rebecca moved into their communal workshop at The Courtyard Theatre in September 2006.  Since then her work has gone through many changes, resulting in a style that she can call her own.

Rebecca Lewis - silver and oxidised granule pendant on peacock pearls

Heat Gallery is proud to be one of Rebecca’s carefully chosen stockists.

Meet The Maker – Sarah Caputo

Sarah Caputo - ceramicist

Sarah is fascinated by the real and potential elasticity of clay and the relationship between the sculptured form and ornamentation.

Sarah Caputo - Tillyware

The Flower Power series celebrates the forms and colours of the seasons. Spring has fresh colours on upward growing forms. The Summer set are a riot of hot colour and intertwined flowers on organic forms. Autumn has the final colours of the year, standing tall and bearing berries. Clay becomes plant life.

Sarah Caputo - Flower Power

The pots that Sarah hand builds inspire the decoration of the finished surface, which is then freely applied, combining scratching, drawing and a riotous use of colour. Her interests are primarily with the natural environment.

Sarah Caputo - Coast

Sarah’s new new series, Lay of the Land, references the geology and geography of the landscape. She is experimenting with pouring clay or paper clay over layered paper that has been coloured with slips and underglazes. When the clay has dried to leather hard she peels back the various layers of paper to reveal a coloured, contoured and pitted surface that reflects the strata within the landscape.

Sarah Caputo - Lay Of The Land

Sarah has a few pieces from a couple of her collections in Heart Gallery this month so do call in to see them soon.

Meet The Maker – Claire Troughton

Claire Troughton - Jeweller

Claire is a talented jewellery designer whose inspiration comes from the tiny creatures and plants that can be found in the hedgerows and forests of the English countryside.

Giant leaf necklace in silver with 22ct gold plate

Individual ranges usually feature a matching suite of necklace, bracelet or bangle, ring and earrings. Mainly working in silver, Claire uses small areas of gold to highlight details of her designs, creating a distinctive style.

Triple leaf stem drop necklace in silver with 22ct gold plate

Large leaf hook earrings in silver with 22ct gold plate

Large leaf ring in silver with 22ct gold plate

Each item in this enchanting contemporary jewellery collection has been carefully designed and handmade in Claire’s workshop in Chester, UK, using the highest quality materials and the greatest care to ensure perfection. Claire also creates one-off pieces and commissions in gold and platinum. Claire is a member of The British Jeweller’s Association.

Twin small leaf bangle in silver with 22ct gold plate

Following the devastating fire of 2nd December 2010 that wiped out all Claire’s tools and stock I am delighted to announce that her workshop has relocated and is back on track. Claire Troughton Jewellery has got off to a cracking start, Bronagh Waugh (Hollyoaks actress) recently purchased some pieces from her and she has supplied pea pod pendants for celebs appearing on ‘That Sunday Night Show’, including Sophie Ellis-Bexter and Janet Street-Porter.

Large pea pod earrings with pearl

Small pea pod studs with pearl in silver

Small pea pod stem necklace with pearl in silver

Claire has been voted Craft & Design SELECTED AWARDS 2011 FINALIST – Jewellery & precious metal. With over 1000 contemporary makers in the running this is a fantastic accolade and Heart Gallery is proud to showcase Claire’s jewellery.