Andy Poplar and his new work for Heart Gallery

Andy Poplar

We have featured Andy here before so hop across to our previous post to read more about him and also this one on branding. What I want to tell you about today is the new ideas Andy constantly comes up with and below are our new glasses coming for Father’s Day and our milk bottle that can be commissioned for your Wedding/Civil Partnership.

Father’s Day glass

Father’s Day glass bottom

Mr and Mrs milk bottles available for commission as a keepsake of your special day.

He’s a clever lad that Andy Poplar isn’t he? A man so full of ideas I’m surprised he doesn’t pop! If you are in Hebden Bridge this weekend pop in to see his current work and if you are in Saltaire call and see Andy and say hello to him at the Saltaire Makers’ Fair.

Happy Daddy x

Dad and I in Heart Gallery 2011

I love this picture of my Dad, taken by Sarah Mason, as it has captured him perfectly; he’s a happy daddy! We haven’t always seen eye to eye; our journey to this point has been a roller coaster but a ride that has had to be taken to understand one another better.

Dad up at Rachel’s resting place in The Lakes

Our relationship, since my sister took her own life 7 years ago, is now the best it has ever been and shows that there are always positives from negatives; it just sometimes takes a while to see them. 

Dad and I

I finally learned to forgive him many things and he finally learned to love me for who I am and not what he wanted me to be.

Me!

I like to think I celebrate the daddy/daughter bond more often than just once a year on Father’s Day but having a date on the calendar for this does seem an appropriate thing to do and only fair that it’s acknowledged. With this in mind, and also that his birthday is in June too, here are a few ideas I have been pondering over for spoiling him with:

Ceramic hearts made for us by Laura Crooks

Laura has been making us various ceramic hearts for some time now and they are extremely popular; particularly the personalised ones that we do for Weddings, Anniversaries and Christenings. Her Father’s Day ones do not disappoint.

Pink Chop 2 Pot – Joseph Joseph

Hot Pot BBQ – Black ‘n’ Blum

Dad doesn’t really cook much but he does prepare all the veg etc for Sandra and enjoys a good BBQ! This Joseph Joseph Chop 2 Pot is a great idea and the Black ‘n’ Blum Hot Pot BBQ that has just arrived is perfect for patios if you are short of space – all your herbs can be planted in the top!

Hand painted pebbles – Natasha Newton

Natasha Newton’s stunning paintings have arrived this week along with these hand-painted pebble sets which make a great gift. The colour palette of these is perfect for Dad’s bathroom and I think there is a bit of space on the windowsill in there!

Black Bamboo and Verbena soy candle

Dad always smells gorgeous, taking great pride in his appearance, and he will love this soap and would not mind the matching candle either as he is an old romantic at heart.

Black Bamboo and Verbena goat’s milk soap set of two

Dad still enjoys his gardening and over the years has grown and nurtured many clematis which are his pride and joy so he would really appreciate this embroidery by Sarah. She has embroidered flowers and weeds onto brown paper for us and mounted them ready for framing.

Clematis embroidery – Sarah Dodd

My daughter has also spotted something in the Gallery for her Dad which is not really my Dad’s cup of tea but worth a mention here just in case there are any more Beatles fans out there reading this, ssshhh, don’t tell my hubby what he’s getting!!

Abbey Road coasters

Abbey Road coasters

Abbey Road notebook

We have a great selection of handmade Father’s Day cards too to chose from so call in to see them soon before they fly off the shelves.

Fathers Day

Meet my Dad!

Dad and I sitting in Heart Gallery

I love my Dad, I haven’t always but I do now! Family relationships can have their moments; I think it is normal for family members not to get along with each other sometimes! The dynamic between us has been complex over the years as I’ve swung from admiring him to hating him and back again! His attempts at exercising authority when I was younger only led to rebellion and his lack of affection made me feel undervalued and unloved. There has been compromise, commitment and consideration on both parts to various degrees for many, many years but my relationship now is the best it has ever been.

Me and my Dad!

Those that know me understand the reasons for the rollercoaster of a ride that has been difficult for both Dad and myself and that the huge turning point was 6 years ago after my sister took her own life. This caused a shift in both of us but more so in Dad and for the first time since being a wee girl, on the day of Rachel’s funeral, I felt truly loved by him again.

I realise now, at the age I am, that Dad has taught me so much more than I had realised and I am grateful for all those lessons (even though I certainly didn’t think that at the time!). Happy Fathers Day for me is every day of the year as I cherish those moments with him so much and I wish each and every one of you treasured times with your Dad.

Leather Wallets at Heart Gallery handmade by Gregg McDonald

I can’t buy Dad a leather wallet this year as that was last year’s pressie but Heart Gallery has just had another delivery from Gregg so there are lots of lovely ones to choose from – are you traditional and just want a black one or will you be a devil and choose red, teal, tan or even baby pink leather?

Clare Webster Silk stitched tie

I can’t buy him a tie either as I have already bought him 3 silk ties in different colours from Clare Webster and he doesn’t wear his suit as often these days! Clare has a variety of plain and stitched silk ties in Heart Gallery though and we also have some fabulous printed silk ‘one-offs’ from Taisir Gibreel which are stunning.

Taisir Gibreel printed silk tie and matching hankie

How about something for Dad to drink his coffee or tea in? Heart Gallery has a lovely collection of mugs from various UK makers and some design led Pantone mugs and Rob Ryan ones too!

Blooming Mug by Jo Clark

Circling Swift mug by Matthew Tyas

Believe in People Rob Ryan Mug

I would have considered a printed apron and matching oven glove but I am certain that Sandra would not be a happy bunny – she is the chief cook in the house after all!

Fabulous detail on Rachael Taylor printed pinnys

Sea Green Rachael Taylor printed oven mitt

However, then I remembered that if Sandra is the chief cook then Dad is the chief washer upperer ….. and there you have it, the perfect present for Dad this year from talented local graphic designer Andy Pointon, and it’s exclusive to Heart Gallery!

Hebden Bridge tea towel designed by Andy Pointon and exclusive to Heart Gallery