Meet The Maker – Ima Picó

Ima Picó - Textile Artist

Ima Picó is a visual artist and muralist based in Manchester, UK. Better known for her mural installations, she also produces limited editions of her textiles with a strong visual connection with her artworks.

Graffiti silk skinny scarf

Graffiti silk skinny scarf

The designs for Ima’s scarves have been digitally created from photographs of graffiti and publicity found in the streets of Indian and European cities. 

Graffiti square scarf

Graffiti square scarf

Ima’s scarves have been printed with a digital textile printer onto habotai silk. Habotai silk is the result of thousand of years of silkworm cultivation and it is considered for its white and smooth fibre the most valuable of the silks.

India inspired silk scarf

India inspired silk scarf

Ima recommends hand washing the scarves in lukewarm water, adding some drops of hair shampoo or mild soap. Avoid soaking the silk and roll the scarf in a towel to extract the water before placing it to dry, keeping it away from direct sunshine.

Graffiti purple skinny scarf

Graffiti yellow skinny scarf

Graffiti yellow skinny scarf

Ima’s new collection of spring scarves is here! Luxurious silk scarves with bright colours and original designs inspired by her travels around the world. Heart Gallery is now an official stockiest for Ima’s luxurious and unique silk scarves.

Tied silk square scarf

So wrap yourself in luxurious silk and feel wonderful – see you soon!

Meet The Maker – Nia Fiori

Nia Fiori - illustrator, designer, artist

For those of you who don’t know Nia – you should! I had the pleasure of meeting her in Heart Gallery a couple of years ago as a customer and now I am seeing her fledgling business blossom and grow and it is a joy to watch.

Greeting Card

Nia is combining her playful personality with a wealth of artistic experience to create colourful, sophisticated and stylish stationery for all occasions.

Hollywood Glamour Tickets Admit One

Nia’s work is an eclectic mix of controlled doodles and impulsive designs and Nia has an obsessive fixation with all things paper….  and pretty.

Country Meadow Save The Date

All work is handmade by Nia, with careful attention to detail and only using the highest quality materials to provide you with a beautiful, unique piece of artwork. nothing is mass produced, and everything you see can be personalised especially for you.

2012 Nia Fiori Wall Planner

Nia Fiori designs are created in her studio, in Worsley Village, Manchester.

Cheeky Bum card

Nia is also qualified artist/designer with a BA (Hons) in Interactive Arts & a qualified 11-19 Art Teacher.

Selection of Nia's cards

Nia has a great range of themed wedding stationery, exciting invitations which translate beautifully to on the day stationery, but she can also work with you to design a bespoke range to your own theme and colour scheme.

Rockabilly Twist Wedding Stationery

Nia Fiori Stationery

Heart Gallery has a comprehensive selection of Nia’s Wedding stationery in at the moment so do call in to see samples and discuss your requirements with us soon.

 

 

Meet The Maker – Naomi Greaves

Naomi Greaves - fine art printmaker

Since graduating from University in 2005 Naomi has continued to develop her work and learn new skills from her studio in rural Staffordshire. It’s important to her that she can utilise the skills she’s been taught but like most artists finds it challenging to pursue that end goal of making a living from what they create, especially when work and life take over. 

BIRDCAGE

For the last couple of years Naomi wanted to take a step back from producing her own work to do something which she’d never done before; she decided to concentrate on running workshops within NHS trusts, which involved working with service users of all ages and abilities to create work for their units as well as exhibitions within their communities. These workshops taught her so much and helped her enormously to develop her own practice.

MEDIUM MOTH

Since completing the workshops Naomi has returned to her studio and is now developing the ideas she shelved a couple of years ago. Naomi has finally started to create a collection of work which encompasses both of her passions – printmaking and collecting. 

POINTING FINGER

The ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ is a new, early collection of prints and other items which are inspired by Anatomy, Botany, Entomology, and Ornithology. Each one is an exploration of imagery and technique.

LARGE BUTTERFLY

Each of the subjects are very much works in progress, and are developing all the time.

SCISSORS

Heart Gallery is proud to have been carefully selected by Naomi to showcase her first collection for two years.

Meet The Maker – Rachel Dormer

Rachel Dormer - ceramicist

Rachel has been making pots on the potter’s wheel since she was 14 and in 2009 to mark 20 years since her first pot she successfully launched her collection at four international shows.

Blue ceramic colander

Rachel now makes a range of finely thrown porcelain tableware in simple, elegant shapes. New pieces include bowls and large porcelain dishes and vases decorated with platinum line drawings.

Cups

All work is glazed in either retro blue, white or pale green and fired to a high temperature for increased durability.

Salt Pots - Rachel Dormer

Bowls - Rachel Dormer

Everything Rachel makes is stamped with a discreet potters mark which is listed in British Studio Potters Marks.

Cups on dresser - Rachel Dormer

Heart Gallery is proud to have been carefully selected by Rachel to showcase her ceramics and her latest hanging hearts for weddings and civil partnerships make really lovely and affordable gifts so call in to see them soon.

Rachel Dormer's ceramics are stunning

Meet The Maker – Katherine Lawrie

Katherine Lawrie - jeweller

From an early age Katherine has been familiar with the techniques involved in making jewellery and working with metal. Her father works as a jewellery designer maker and often Katherine would work alongside him in his workshop.

Silver textured heart studs

Silver textured heart drops on long wires

By the age of 16 her jewellery making became a serious hobby and Katherine sold jewellery to her friends for pocket money. She won young Craftsman of the Year in the early 1990s, which made her take her talents more seriously.

Silver textured leaf necklace with fresh water pearl

Katherine went to the Surrey Institute of Art and Design and then on to Edinburgh College of Art and in 1999 Katherine set out as a professional jewellery designer maker.

Personalised silver bracelet on fresh water pearls

Katherine’s jewellery, handmade in sterling silver and gold, is inspired by natural forms and textural qualities.She uses various techniques to create her jewellery. The predominant one is roller texturing, an unpredictable technique which involves the use of steel rolling mills and natural and manmade materials, such as feathers, leaves, lace and petals. The object disintegrates but leaves the surface of the metal with a rich ethereal texture.

Silver textured heart necklace on fresh water pearls

Using this technique involves a lot of happy accidents, but that is what keeps it fresh, and inspiring. The jewellery can be very evocative, the pressing of a special leaf from a place visited once, or grandma’s lace.

Silver textured heart necklace

She uses this in conjunction with semi-precious and precious stones and beads to create a body of work with sensitivity and subtlety which works in sympathy with the wearer. 

Personalised silver bracelet with fresh water pearls

Katherine sells her work through various outlets and off exhibitions and she is also an associate member of the Society of Botanical Artists, which has an annual exhibition at Central Hall in London. She regularly takes part in Open house exhibitions in Brighton and Heart Gallery is proud that Katherine has chosen Heart Gallery as a more northern stockist for her new range.

Meet The Maker – Jodie Hook

Jodie Hook - jeweller

Jodie has more than 14 years experience designing and making individual handmade jewellery.

Silver Ribbon Knot Tied Pendant

The talented designer studied Jewellery and Silversmithing at UCE in Birmingham until 2000 before going on to work for designer Scott Wilson in London for seven years. Here she created collections for trade shows including London Fashion Week and one off commission pieces for major fashion houses and celebrities including Julien MacDonald, Pringle, Frost French, Swarovski, Robbie Williams, Sugababes and Kylie.

Ribbon Knot Ring

Jodie then returned to Cardiff and in 2008 set up her own business.  2009 saw her establishing herself within galleries and shops throughout the UK. In September 2009 Jodie was thrilled to be awarded the Lonmin Design Innovation Award in the established designer category. Titled ‘Rollercoaster Earrings’ they speak for themselves, forming a continuous loop the twist and turn and loop the loop, made in platinum they are now added to the collection in silver including complimentary styles.

Ribbon Loop Earrings

The Wedding Collection – Ribbons – comprises a mix of silver, beautiful Swarovski crystal beads and pearls. Graphic clean lines feature strongly in Jodie’s work, whilst at the same time being fashionable and comfortable to wear. This range aims to give a bride a striking modern piece that will set her apart from the crowd.

Florence silver hair piece

The Ribbon Collection is inspired from the moment you unravel a roll of satin ribbon, it twists and loops, as you lift it a knot forms. Jodie manipulates the metal creating a light wearable adornment that looks beautiful from every angle.

Dahlia silver bracelet

Seraphina silver tiara

Heart Gallery adores Jodie’s current ranges and we are proud to have been carefully selected by Jodie to showcase her bridal pieces. Jodie creates wearable jewellery that makes a statement on and off the body.

Meet The Maker – Kimberley Selwood

Kimberley Selwood - jeweller

Inspired by floral organic forms, Kimberley’s beautiful designs are enhanced with intricate hand-pierced patterns with delicate textures; creating unique contemporary jewellery.

Butterfly Effect Tornado Cuff

Butterfly Effect Stud Earrings

Bold and beautiful necklaces, dynamic cuffs and vibrant rings will add impact to any outfit.

Butterfly Effect Cloud Necklace

All Kimberley’s collections are hand made and crafted with exact care and attention to detail to create beautiful pieces. 

Silver bird studs

Kimberley also won the New Designers Goldsmiths Award for Jewellery and exhibited at many major exhibitions including International Jewellery London, Dazzle and London Fashion Week. 

Plume Swoop Pendant

Kimberley’s designs have been featured in a number of magazines including the prestigious Grazia hot list, Easy Living and Marie Claire so Heart Gallery is proud to have been carefully chosen by Kimberley to showcase her latest stunning pieces.

Butterfly Effect Flutter Ring

Butterfly Effect Twisted Charm Bangle

I really hope to see you in Heart Gallery soon; swooning over the craftsmanship of this beautiful butterfly range.

Meet The Maker – Jo Luckstead

Jo Luckstead - ceramicist

Returning to formal education following 10 years of experience working and teaching within a range of media, Jo completed two years of ceramic studies and opened her studio/shop in Somerset . From here she produces amongst other pieces, figurative ceramic sculptures reflecting ecclesiastical themes and more recently, mythological influences.

Ceramic genie bottles - great little pressie for someone you love

Egg Bowls

Handbuilt bowls and sculptural vignettes, bottles and framed decorative tiles celebrate the more quirky things in life. Alongside her fine art ceramics  she makes an ever expanding range of ceramic buttons and also runs workshops from her studio.

Magpie Nests

Primarily Jo now works in stoneware, using clays that work well with handbuilding. Pieces are produced through press moulding or handbuilding, or a combination of the two. All press moulded pieces are worked by hand to form a unique finished piece. After the initial bisque firing colour is applied with underglazes and some transparent glaze is used to intensify the colours or create a contrast in surface texture. 

Ceramic hearts and pebbles ideal for Mothers' Day presents

Previously she worked with a very neutral palette but now enjoys the movement into subtle colours with this more recent body of work. Pieces are fired to 1260 degrees C and certain individual pieces are then finished with a touch of gold leaf.

Jo's Valentine piece

You can personalise Jo's pebbles with initials which are great for wedding favours

Jo is a member of the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen and Heart Gallery is proud to have been carefully selected by Jo to showcase a range of her latest work.

Meet The Maker – Helen Brice

Helen Brice - jeweller

Helen has been designing award winning jewellery since she created ‘Helen Brice Designs’ in 2000.

Helen Brice - Trio rings

Her newest collection ‘Precious’ co-ordinates the beautiful natural colouring of precious and semi-precious gemstones, with the warmth of White, Yellow & Rose Gold. Her outstanding ring designs are partnered with beautiful pendants, brooches and earrings in a stunning collection which effortlessly bridges the gap between contemporary and classical jewellery design.

Helen Brice - Meteor trio of golds

Meteor ring set with peridot and diamonds

With inspiration drawn from architectural details and celestial patterns, Helen has created a uniquely versatile collection which lends itself to be tailored to create bespoke jewellery incorporating sentimental gems for her customers.

Helen Brice - Element rings

The growing collection, which also includes wedding and engagement rings, can be produced to commission in Yellow/White/Rose Gold, 9ct & 18ct, as well as Sterling Silver or Platinum. Helen particularly enjoys designing bespoke pieces for individual clients and welcomes the opportunity to create new and innovative jewellery.

Precious gem set jewellery by Helen Brice

Heart Gallery is proud to showcase Helen’s stunning jewellery again in our Wedding Showcase five years after first meeting her. Helen’s unique design flair and creative use of gemstones has led to many delightful and inspiring jewellery commissions, which embrace both classical style and contemporary design. If you have a special occasion to celebrate, or just want to breathe new life into your inherited gemstones, through the creation of bespoke designed jewellery, we are more than happy to discuss any ideas so bob in to see Helen’s stunning range soon.

Round Meteor ring set with tsavorite garnet

 

Heart Gallery wins another award

Customer At The Heart Award

This customer service award is now framed and taking pride of place in Heart Gallery after being presented with it at a lovely Women’s Leadership breakfast meeting at Malmaison in Leeds on Monday. Everything happened so quickly after receiving an email from Business transformation organisation Insight with Passion who launched their CATH project back in December 2010 and before I knew it I was on the train to Leeds!

Our appetisers on arrival at Malmaison, Leeds

Apparently members of the public were invited to send in their nominations and several were received from happy patrons of numerous businesses in Hebden Bridge and so, with true vigor, Insight With Passion brought their mystery shopping team along to Hebden Bridge to make some investigations and they were hugely impressed with the positive level of service they received. Well why wouldn’t they?

Becca and Lou from The Old Treehouse on Market Street also won an award and it was lovely sharing a bucks fizz and a natter with them

Heather Wilson is our resident artist in Heart Gallery and we were delighted that her passion for her art was also recognised and she was given an award too

Designed to encourage and reward small and medium sized UK enterprises in the retail and service sectors, for their treatment of, and positive attitude towards their customers; Customer at the Heart is a truly unique and groundbreaking scheme.

The Yorkshire Soap Company, our neighbours on Market Street, also won a CATH award but as it was a Women's Leadership breakfast they could not attend but sent favours for the tables instead!

Very rarely does excellent customer service get recognised, people are far more eager to voice negative comments and provide disgruntled feedback. Insight with Passion have developed a way by which consumers can have their say about positive customer service experiences and nominate companies they would like to undergo the Customer at the Heart treatment.

The invite came through asking us to wear white - in March! I had to raid my daughter's wardrobe for these!

From all of the businesses the public suggested, Insight with Passion were delighted to award their Customer at the Heart award to six businesses in Hebden Bridge … five of us are on Market Street, of course!

Me with my Malmaison large mug of coffee! Much needed after an early start!

We were treated to two very inspirational and motivational talks by Claire Young, Apprentice finalist 2008, and Heather Clark, a Calendar journalist and para equestrian. I did have a complaint though … they didn’t last long enough! I was thoroughly enjoying hearing about what Claire’s been up to since the Apprentice and the projects she has been involved with that aim to empower and enable young people in enterprise. As a parent myself of a very fine young 24 year old son now doing his thing in Newcastle and a young teenage daughter eager to grow up Claire’s social enterprise Girls Out Loud intrigued me . I shall be reading more about it here and encourage you to dip in to this web site and take a look too.

Claire Young - Apprentice Finalist, Motivational Speaker and Social Enterprise Champion.

Heather’s talk about her life after being affected by thalidomide was inspirational and refreshing – I can’t jump off a wall never mind out of an aeroplane and I’m scared of horses! Her four words she left us with were Sincerity, Honesty, Integrity and Tenacity and in her own words you work out the acronym!

One of the rooms we were in at Malmaison

Heather and myself collecting our Customer At The Heart award

I walked past this place too on the way back to the train station and thought it may be a good excuse to travel back to Leeds some time soon!

Bibi's Leeds - someone please take me there soon!