Say hello to Alice Stewart’s new work

Alice Stewart – Jeweller

British jewellery designer Alice Stewart’s new Woodland Collection has now arrived at Heart Gallery and incorporates acorns, robin, deer and all the wonderful things found in the woods.

Acorn necklace

Alice grew up in three very diverse places, Dubai, Hong Kong and England. Despite this her ideas mainly come from the beauty she finds in English countryside. Having grown up in the Cotswolds when living in England, she would spend time outdoors taking in the small things that sometimes go unnoticed. Nature has always been one of her greatest inspirations; from the smallest insect to a flock of birds she finds fascination in all things natural.

Silver robin necklace

Alice’s pieces are designed and made by her in her workshop in the heart of the famous Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. Although based in the Quarter, she lives a little way out of the bustling city centre so she can still be surrounded by the countryside that inspires her natural pieces.

18ct Gold plated robin on a branch necklace

Alice creates jewellery that is both enchanting and sophisticated.

18ct gold plated Acorn ring

Silver and 18ct gold plated textured rings

Alice makes the original by hand, which gives her work an exquisite delicacy. She uses her skills to create pieces that are playful, but always very feminine. She uses a mixture of finishes on Sterling Silver and Gold plated Sterling Silver. Parts are satin finished as well as highly polished, to give a two tonal effect that highlights the delicate details and brings the pieces to life.

Silver Doves Necklace

 

 ” I aspire to make originally designed, great quality, wearable jewellery, which makes the wearer feel truly special. “

Meet The Maker – Fi Mehra

Fi Mehra – Jeweller

Fi has been making beautiful silver and gold jewellery for over 20 years.  As she says, “I adore making jewellery and I’m never happier than when I am in my workshop.”

Silver and Gold Heart Studs

Fi started learning at evening class and then went to Birmingham School of Jewellers for 3 years.  She also worked in Jewellers in Bath, and at a trade Jewellers in Sussex, before moving to Wiltshire where she set up her own work shop.

Stack of text rings

Silver melted ring with peridot

Her hallmark is “FAB” which were her initials before she married, (Fiona Alison Berry).  Her dad actually registered her wrongly as she was meant to be Alison Fiona Berry! Her parents didn’t want her to be FAB, especially as this was the 1960s! But it worked out brilliantly in the end for her hallmark.

Gemstone stacking rings

Heart Gallery is proud to have been carefully chosen by Fi to showcase her stunning new range which includes silver houses and pawprint necklaces with little silver bones.

Selection of silver and gold earrings

Meet The Maker – Elaine Jenkins

Elaine Jenkins – Jeweller

Elaine creates unique quality handcrafted jewellery. Her Moss Collection combines earthy qualities with elegance and sophistication.

Moss pendant

Elaine is a Liverpool based jeweller/silversmith. After graduating from Liverpool Hope University in 2008 she set up business in her Liverpool studio making collection work for galleries across the UK and commission work for private clients. Her work is made predominantly from silver, gold, precious and non precious stones but she also uses platinum within her commission work.

Silver moss ring

Oxidised silver moss rings

Elaine’s inspirations are elements found in the natural world, exploring textures and contrasting materials to produce pieces that are truly individual and finished to the highest standards.

Small moss studs

Heart Gallery is proud to be showcasing Elaine’s Moss collection as part of our 7th Christmas Exhibiton. Her moss collection is based on moss formation and growth patterns. Combining earthy qualities with elegance and sophistication. Inspired by the natural world, focusing on texture and contrasting materials.

Silver moss banlge

This collection is available in silver, oxidised silver, silver and diamonds and silver with diamonds and rubbed back gold platting.

Silver and 18ct gold rings

Meet The Maker – Charlotte Lowe

Charltote Lowe – Jeweller

Charlotte is a contemporary jewellery designer specializing in photo-etched jewellery. She is inspired by travels to scenic locations and the idea of creating items that hold sentiment.

Sunset Couple Drop Earrings

Her hand crafted silver jewellery celebrates shared memories and travel; capturing special moments with loved ones and escapes to exotic lands where some of the world’s best loved creatures can be seen.

Elephant Family Necklace

Each image is created from a photograph that is etched into sterling silver, forming a relief pattern of the image on the surface.

Giraffes under the Night Sky Pendant

Her Escape collection also features miniature sterling silver shells. These tiny little mementoes are helping raise money for the RNLI; the charity that safes life at sea. For each shell sold, Charlotte donates 15% of her profits to the charity, which provides 24-hour lifeboat search, rescue service and seasonal lifeguard service.

Mother & baby elephant earrings

Her work is stunning and available at Heart Gallery now – perfect for that special Christmas present.

 

Meet The Maker – Becca Williams

Becca Williams – Jeweller

Becca graduated from the Birmingham School of Jewellery in 2008 with a BA in Jewellery and Silversmithing. She works across these disciplines to produce contemporary jewellery and silverware with an emphasis on texture and originality.

Becca Williams Seaside Stacking Rings

Her work is influenced by her memories of childhood holidays by the seaside in Wales.

Becca Williams Flotsam Peacock Pearl Pendant

She makes regular visits to the inspiring coastal landscape, always bringing home pockets full of pebbles and a camera full of pictures.

Becca Williams – silver stacking bangles

The seashore finds its way into all of her work, from the delicate patterning of her Flotsam collection to the soft textures of her seaside series.

Becca Williams – Silver pebble studs

We love Becca’s work and know that you will too.

Becca Williams Seaside Stacking Rings

Meet The Maker – Diana Porter

Diana Porter – Jeweller

Diana contemporary jewellery is chunky and androgynous; it has an intrinsic integrity in both design and finish. 

Pendants silver etched with 22ct gold – choose your word

Her creative inspiration comes from personal and political beliefs, expressed through words which form a major feature of her work.  These are used as decoration in combinations of gold on matt silver, acid etched for contrast of finishes and tactile qualities.

‘And on’ – silver ring etched with 22ct gold and includes a diamond in the ‘o’

‘And on’ silver bangle etched with 22ct gold

Bangles

Often, words are split between two, three or four pieces so that what initially appears as indecipherable marks, make sense only when joined with complementary pieces, giving her work an intriguing additional dimension. 

Pairs and Partners

His and Hers, His and His, Hers and Hers ‘And on’ rings

Diana wanted to be an actor. She trained as a teacher, had two children, was a single parent , did lots of amateur acting, found feminism, worked for twenty odd years as an arts administrator during which time she did fascinating jobs such as running theatre companies both in London & in Bristol, setting up a small scale theatre and community arts centre in Bristol, running Birmingham Women’s Festival. She campaigned for more money for the arts, for equality of opportunities for women, disabled people and ethnic minorities; she demonstrated against nuclear armaments. She got grants for people from the Arts Council of Great Britain, Local Authorities and Regional Arts Boards. She did budgets, wrote reports, filled out a thousand forms.

‘Heaven and Earth’

And then in 1990 she went to the University of Central England to do a 3 year full time degree course in Jewellery and Silversmithing. Diana loved the way that working with metal centred and concentrated her mind; she learned about design and form and her teachers pushed her to develop her design ideas which she now thanks them for; She loved the History of Art part of the course and became passionate about investigating the history of the involvement by women in the arts and crafts. This was 3 years to take stock and to create – it was a gift and the jewellery is an outcome of that.

‘And on’ wide band

On leaving college in 1993, She immediately started her own business making jewellery in her front room. In 1999 she was awarded UK Jewellery Designer of the Year!

‘And on’ partnership pair of silver rings with diamond

She still cannot believe how lucky she has been.  Diana’s collections are in about 40 galleries and shops all over the country and she has the shop of her dreams with workshops behind it – one for the 5 jewellers who hand finish her work and another for her – a room of her own to create and play in! She gets to choose beautiful work to display in the shop from other designers and she meets lovely people who come from miles around to consult about commissions. Employees have come and gone, some have stayed – she’s had work experience people who’ve then joined her, stayed for years and then gone on to set up their own jewellery businesses.

Partnership rings

Heart Gallery feels lucky and blessed to now be stocking Diana’s amazing pieces as we have admired both her and her work for so long. Get yourself down to see it soon – you will not be disappointed!

Diana Porter at her workbench

We obviously cannot showcase all of Diana’s extensive and stunning collections but we have got a great representation of her designs and can also work to commission so if you want to see Diana’s other delights then visit her website and drool at the goodies on display.You can order direct with her or if you want to come in to be measured and discuss your options then call in for that personal touch soon.

Meet The Maker – Christine Kaltoft

Christine Kaltoft – Jeweller

Christine designs and makes graphic contemporary jewellery and works mostly in fine gold and silver wires, sometimes including elements of wood. Her techniques include soldering, welding, and forging.

Silver necklace from the Nest Collection

Christine’s inspiration comes from the movements and sounds she comes across. She captures these moments with quick sketches and later creates jewellery that conveys the energy of the experience, resulting in jewellery that bursts or flows, is simple and elegant, or complex and layered. Her pet hens, and the wild birds that had flooded into her garden once her ancient cats had died, have begun to emerge in her work. 

‘Golden Egg necklace’, silver, walnut, 18 carat gold

Tiny nest studs, oxidised silver & 18 carat gold

Christine’s latest work is inspired by the garden in her new home in Bruton. The rolling hills and valleys, amazing skies, birds and plants all make an appearance.

Nest rings and nest capsule ring

Flock necklace, oxidised silver & 18 carat gold

Making one-off brooches as seminal pieces, the rest of the collection followed. Exuberant, light, and graphic. Christine’s jewellery is made to be worn: little signals that the wearer cares about objects with meaning and provenance.

Sprig necklace, oxidised silver and gold plated silver

Walnut sprig pendants, silver, walnut, & 18 carat gold

Heart Gallery is proud to showcase Christine’s Nest collection in our Summer Showcase and hope that you get to call in to see it shortly.

Meet The Maker – Belinda Norrington

Belinda Norrington – jeweller

Belinda is a contemporary jewellery designer-maker, working in precious metals and gemstones. Her jewellery making is primarily an exploration of the beautiful minutiae of textures and forms found in the natural landscape.

Botanical images ready to turn into beautiful jewellery

Belinda is constantly inspired by the wealth of botanical material in the ‘wild acre’ of land around her home – in the garden, riverbank, hedgerow, field margin or wetland nature reserve. The unspoiled coast of north Norfolk, where she spent her childhood holidays and still spends much time, is another rich source of natural inspiration.

Silver leaf pendant

Sketching, photography, flower-pressing and wax carving are all used in the initial design process.

 

Silver leaf earrings

Belinda also seeks to respect the natural world that so inspires her. Her studio practice is as environmentally-friendly as possible, finding non-toxic alternatives for traditionally used chemicals, offering 100% recycled sterling silver and 18ct gold, fairtrade gemstones and using bio-degradable, mainly recycled products for all packaging and promotional material.

Silver pendant on thong

Belinda’s jewellery is understated and tactile, and it is the elements of texture and balance that are the basis of this signature style.

Silver pendant, fresh water pearls and beads on thong

Heart Gallery is proud to be showcasing Belinda’s new range for us, especially as it is hallmarked 100% recycled sterling silver.

Silver earrings

Meet The Maker – Alice Stewart

Alice Stewart – jeweller

Alice is a Jewellery Designer and Maker based in the heart of the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter gaining her BA in ‘3D Design New Practice’ at Loughborough University, specialising in Silversmithing and Jewellery.

Bird Heart Necklace – 18ct gold plated silver

It was at University that she discovered her passion for Jewellery Making which spurred her on to be accepted onto Design Space (an incubator scheme run by Birmingham City Council and the European Development Fund, to help creative people set up their own businesses.) So far she has been a part of numerous exhibitions, and will be taking part in Treasure as a part of London Jewellery week this Summer.

Silver Bird Ring

Alice’s jewellery is strongly inspired by the beauty in nature. Her pieces are light-hearted, yet sophisticated lending themselves to both casual wear and special occasions.

Silver Flower Necklace

The Fable Collection is hand-carved which creates a playful narrative in the pieces. They are cast into Sterling Silver using the lost-wax technique. They are then given a finish with a two tonal effect of soft satin next to high shine, bringing out the delightful, delicate details of the jewellery.

Long Bird Earrings – 22ct gold plated silver

Model wearing Alice Stewart jewellery

Alice Stewart Jewellery is enchanting and feminine, with free flying birds and blossoming flowers, it is timeless in its design. It without a doubt brings out the romance in everyone and is perfect for Heart Gallery – we love it!

Love Bird Necklace – 22ct gold plated silver

Model wearing Alice Stewart ring and earrings

Summer Showcase and Garden Party

Summer Showcase invitation

Summer Showcase invitation

Our Summer Showcase will introduce new makers to the gallery from June through until August 2012; celebrating the very best of British Contemporary Craft.

Suet Yi ceramics

At GNCCF October 2011, Heart Gallery was asked to be a prize sponsor and proudly offered an exhibition opportunity to Suet Yi Ceramics which set the ball rolling to find makers that would compliment Suet’s work which is inspired by the beauty of wild flowers, falling leaves, autumn trees and resting birds.

Suet Yi ceramics

Suet Yi ceramics

This showcase will be a delight and a visual feast as Natasha Newton’s painted wood and stones will sit proudly with Suet’s terracotta plates and bird gardens.

Keeping Watch – Natasha Newton

Abstract Seed Pods – Natasha Newton

Complimenting Suet and Natasha’s stunning work we are showcasing ranges from other UK designer/makers inspired by the natural world including the following:

Gold plated Bird Heart Necklace – Alice Stewart

Oxidised silver raven necklace – Anna de Ville

Jewellery range – Belinda Norrington

Hand dyed and hand painted anodised aluminium wall butterflies – Caroline Parrott

Silver jewellery – Caroline Watson

Glass Landscape Dish – Colette Halstead

Ceramic Pumpkins – Fiona Mazza

Peacock Feather Studs – Kirsty O’Donnell

Silver jewellery – Christine Kaltoft

Ceramic submarines – Nicola Cheers

Our Garden Party to celebrate the Best of British is Sunday 01 July, 12pm – 5pm, but work will be on show from Sunday 10 June. Please join us for fizz and nibbles and a mooch around the gallery and garden as part of the amazing Hebden Bridge Arts Festival.