Meet The Maker – Rod Boyes

Rod Boyes – Designer and Craftsman (photo Yan Preson)

Rod has a design history that spans cabinet making to educational software. His chosen material is now leather, and he has designed a collection of cases for musical instruments, mobile devices and more.

ipod nano cases

ipod nano case, internal view

Rod feels he is a cross between an artist, a designer and an inventor, with new entries being added to his “ideas” list all the time.   His style is rustic with Art Nouveau and 1950s Jukebox influences thrown in.  Nature influences too.  He selects all the leathers personally and likes to mix leathers with different finishes, including hair-on cowhide and unusual natural grains, to create interesting contrasts.

Close up of detail on the journal/notebook case

Journal/notebook case

He says “I love the process of design and crafting in leather. It’s an expensive material, and you can’t patch up mistakes, but otherwise it’s very rewarding. It lasts forever, looks great, feels great, even smells good. The variety of finishes you can get is amazing, and I can even create my own effects.”  He likes to avoid using modern style catches and fastenings if possible, preferring the challenge of designing using traditional techniques. So… no zips and definitely no velcro!

ipad case

Rod’s other passion is music.   He is the singer, guitarist and harmonica player with Americana band The 309s, who play swing music from the 30s, 40s and 50s. Rod has also played in Cajun and Bluegrass bands.  His chosen company name, “Pinegrove Leather”, comes from a famous Cajun song “The Pine Grove Blues”.  His leather work is heavily influenced by this other passion and this influence can be seen creeping into his designs as he marries his two loves together:

Penny whistle case

Drumstick holder

Pick and capo wallet

Guitar accessory case

Drumstick holder

Rod’s collection for Heart Gallery will focus on cases for musicians, artists and craftspeople along with pouches for books, mobile devices and e-readers such as the Kindle and will be arriving soon … just in time for you to treat your loved one to a Valentine’s present.

Meet The Maker – Bek Genery

Bek Genery – Jeweller

Bek has been lucky enough to bump into people along the way who have taught her the basics of playing with metal including a jeweller, a Norfolk tractor driver with a welding shed, a third generation engineer and a blacksmith from Yorkshire! She has a real belief in learning direct from crafts people. The rest is experimentation and the library.

Affirmation tag bracelets

Bek has always been interested in processes that start with a pile of raw materials and end up with an object. She has experimented with a range of techniques such as tempera painting, spinning and knitting, felt making and eventually settled on precious metals and stones.  This allowed her to bring together a love of treasure, decoration, self-expression, craftsmanship and an excuse to indulge her desire to just get up and go places. Her work has a rough luxe spirit.

Affirmation tag earrings

Bek is interested in where the materials lead you in themselves, how far you can stretch them. Cold forming and reticulation appeal to her particularly. The geology and structural properties of stones and small found objects that can be incorporated into the metal shape her work.

Affirmation tag ring

Affirmation tag necklace

When we travel both geographically and chronologically we often take a keep-sake with us, something that anchors us in some way to the place or people that we come from or to ourselves; they act as navigation aids as we negotiate our way about. Bek is interested in these objects (contemporary and historical), actual compasses and astrolabes as well as lucky coins, photos, bits of baby blanket and locks of hair.

Affirmation tag selection

Bek has created a range of affirmation pieces for us and if her words don’t call out to you then why not chose some of your own and ask us to make you a piece. Bek is happy to work on commissions to help you personalise a piece for you or for a loved one.

Affirmation tag selection

Meet The Maker – Heather Dewick

Heather Dewick - bookbinder

I first met Heather at Saltaire Arts Trail in one of the Open Houses and could have bought half her stock! I didn’t, but I did manage to pick up some very appropriate Christmas presents – yes, in May!

A pile of Heather's journals bound in tea towels - these can be personalised by Heather

Heather has always loved reading, and has always enjoyed making things, so making and repairing books makes her happy (but not rich!). Heather’s journals and notebooks can be made to measure for any purpose – travel, garden, recipes, etc with a customised cover, or lettered if required. She hand-sews the pages using paper in the 80-120 gsm weight range, which can then be either trimmed to the required size, or left untrimmed for a slightly more “handmade” look.

Heather's small notebooks, with old (damaged, so no harm done!) Ladybird books

She finds inspiration for her work in many places – books old and new, typography, pattern, words, and the materials she uses – paper in particular.

A set of Heather's journals, bound in the cover and pages of a 're-purposed' old book

Heather's journals bound in fabric taken from a charity shop dress

From her studio in Sheffield Heather does a wide range of work, from restoration to making books for artists and has been making and mending for nearly 20 years. Her restoration work is true to original materials and techniques and her bespoke work is pure perfection. ‘Family Bibles’ are sent to Heather in often very poor condition, having been passed around the family or stored in damp cellars. They often contain important information about a family’s history and are worth saving – Heather has rescued many. Extra pages for family information can be added if required. However, largely due to their weight and “well used” condition, they can need quite a lot of work to make them useable and displayable again. 

Heather's 'Purple Prose' journals

Heather's watercolour sketchbooks

Although initially starting out as a book restorer Heather is now in demand for her handmade books. Heather hopes you share her preference for original and inspiring high quality materials, conventional or otherwise. Heart Gallery certainly does as she often uses unique hand decorated papers, she doesn’t mass produce and all her books are original and so well made. Heather’s sketchbooks are made-to-measure, using good quality cartridge/pastel/watercolour papers (or a mix). If you use a specific paper, let her know and she can usually obtain it. Heather uses a heavier weight of paper for sketchbooks (120 gsm upwards) and as with journals, cover or size etc can be your choice.

Heather's Autograph books

Because I fell in love with Heather’s work so much last year I booked her in for our Wedding Exhibition February 2012 and then had to count down the days until her amazing books would be on display in the Heart Gallery. Heather can now add bespoke wedding albums to her long list of many talents. Call in to see the pieces she has made for ‘I DO’ 2012 and chat to us about your special day, requirements, colour schemes and desires. You can really go to town on personalising you album. You can make it to your wedding colour scheme, or even use the same fabric as your dress. A popular request is for Heather to mount a a wedding photo (or artwork) on the cover, with the couples’ names etc underneath. Guest books may also be covered in a fabric of your choice to match. Heather can make you a bespoke Wedding Album and/or Wedding Guest book and we hope you can feel the love Heather has put into making it for you to cherish for many years to come.

Look at the books Heather made for our Wedding Exhibition 'I DO' 2012. The top one is our bespoke book that Heather made for us that customers are signing for us - come in and see it soon and leave us a comment

Meet The Maker – Tanya Igic

Tanya Igic - jeweller

Tanya is a contemporary jeweller based in Swansea, South Wales.  Having moved from Serbia after completing a degree in Business studies, Tanya had the opportunity to develop what was a part-time business into a full-time career in jewellery, with emphasis on innovative and creative design.

Tanya Igic - leather tiara

Working with finest quality delicate leather in many beautiful shades, and influenced by floral, natural and abstract motifs, Tanya produces a wide range of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, corsages, chokers as well as bridal accessories. Her technique is unusual and innovative and involves a complex process.

Tanya Igic - leather jewellery

Tanya Igic - leather tiara

After selecting the best leather skin and colour, Tanya cuts and bonds together up to eleven layers into the required shape.

 

Tanya Igic - leather head piece

Tanya Igic - leather head piece

When dry, the layered shape is cut into thin slices. The softness of the leather allows Tanya to stretch the slices into shapes which are then glued together. Silver wires and beads are then added as embellishments.

Tanya Igic - leather jewellery

Each piece is extremely labour intensive. This exiting and innovative work is produced in bright, natural and pastel colours.

Tanya Igic - leather jewellery

Tanya has exhibited her amazing work in many galleries in Wales, England, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Holland and recently USA and Austria so Heart Gallery is really proud to be added to Tanya’s list of carefully selected stockists. 

Tanya Igic - leather wedding tiara

 

13.11.11

A great day on Sunday started with a very moving sight for me which I hadn’t realised would be happening.  I had been getting the gallery ready for opening for our What A Cracker Exhibition and I heard a brass band. I was just in time to see this band and people walked through Hebden Bridge and along Market Street at 11am.

Market Street 13.11.2011. 11am

What a great way to start the day which just got better and better so here are a few little piccies of our launch, please enjoy:

Fizz

There just had to be pink fizz …

Chocolates

and chocolate treats …

Tinsel

and because they are re-pointing the outside of the building I just had to trim up the scaffolding with tinsel and hearts …

Customers enjoying browsing the gallery

and customers browsing, sipping, chomping, marvelling and buying …

Contemporary craft on the shelves-small wire tin by Louise Wilson

and contemporary jewellery and craft including new collections from old favourites and new and exciting makers …

Baubles and Makers - Jacqui Sharples with her letterpress framed work

and baubles and makers adorning the gallery.

What A Cracker

If you couldn’t make it on Sunday don’t worry as the exhibition runs right through until January but we have another surprise event planned for Sunday 11 December so watch this space and see you soon xXx

GNCCF

GNCCF at Spinningfields 2011

This little post is a wee bit late as after this show I was flying off to Tenerife with my family for a much needed holiday after a difficult summer in hospital and time off recuperating. Since I got back from Tenerife it has been chaos climbing that paperwork mountain and getting ready for Christmas at Heart but this show had to get a wee mention so here goes ….  oh and by the way the Tom Dixon lights, supplied by Ferrious, in the window and foyer were amazing; I have drooled over the copper shade pendant for a very long time but unfortunately cannot afford it – I need 3!

Inside the window display looking towards Suet Yi Ceramics

I had been kindly asked by Angela and Ann-Marie, GNCCF organisers, to be a prize sponsor and offer an exhibition opportunity to one lucky exhibitor and this was a tough decision to make as there was so much talent in that building! I only had 1 1/2 hours to go round all 141 stands and make up my mind, not an easy task at all, although I did have a glamorous assistant with me, Lisa Murdoch and a  glass of white Pinot!

This display of Suet's caught my eye very early on

Close up of Suet's ceramic plates/sculptures inspired by nature and observations of every day life

Suet was really pleased with her prize and although really busy herself we shall be working together in the Summer of 2012. In the meantime, take a peek here for what beauties are in store for you when her work arrives at Heart Gallery.

Handing over the certificate to Suet Yi was a pleasure and I can't wait to work with her in the Summer of 2012

Once the decision was made I could relax slightly and chat to past, present and future makers of Heart Gallery before racing back home to get ready for my early morning flight! Here are a few of my highlights, some work has been showcased in Heart Gallery over the last five years and some is yet to come so watch this space!

Always great to see Tamsin Howells and her amazing acrylic jewellery

Adele Taylor's jewellery is amazing - I should know I've bought a fab ring similar to the large one on the poster!

Hannah Nunn was glowing, as always

Sally Pawson's colourful aluminium and silver jewellery arrived at Heart just before GNCCF

Her customised stand made me smile - I love rainbows x

I have admired Emilie Taylor's handbuilt ceramics for some time now

I had to fight, well grapple actually, with the girls from The Craft Shop in Manchester over Kate Lulham's work. Perfect for Heart Gallery and it will be coming but they will showcase her work before I do in 2012 so you must get along to see it

Katherine Richmond wasn't on her stand unfortunately but her jewellery was stunning and I will be in touch with her soon

inspirational jewellery from Kayleigh Biggs

Jennifer Collier's recycled and transformed papers are making a return to Heart Gallery in May 2012

Neighbours over the road on Market Street, ethical and sustainable Makepiece, managed to set up in record time

This blew me away. Leila Arzaghi, fragile and precious

Faye Power - hand illustrated ceramics, fabulous wedding gifts

The stories behind Catherine Chester's conceptual jewellery had me engrossed for some time, her stand was amazing and she had one proud mummy with her and rightly so

I collected my order from Sarah Tyssen. Limited edition woven scarves and blankets

Jill Ford's contemporary ceramics are a delight

Alix Swan I gave a prize to when she exhibited at Holmfirth earlier this year, her stand was amazing again

Another peek at Alix Swan's work

Finally, inspired and exhausted I set off for home dreaming of one day owning one of these!

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 – Gregg McDonald

Gregg McDonald - Leather Worker

Well, it has been a while since I posted a Meet The Maker … infact, it’s been a while since I posted a blog to be honest! Excuse? Not enough hours in the day I guess and Heart Gallery had such a busy Christmas it took a while to get back into the swing of things so many apologies folks. Here is the first one of 2011 then ……

For those of you who know Heart Gallery well you will know that until September last year Gregg was a resident maker in Heart Gallery. His little workshop was at the back of the gallery where you could see him designing, hand cutting and machine stitching beautifully soft British leather turning it into stunning wallets, purses, handbags, belts and phone covers.

Gregg's space in Heart Gallery 2008 - 2010

Unfortunately, last year Gregg decided to move to Leeds and realised that travelling to Hebden Bridge would not only be costly but time consuming as well so he had to make the difficult decision to move out of his space. Gregg simply moved his workshop back to his home however and is continuing to produce work for Heart Gallery, his website and carefully selected outlets.

A Gregg McDonald leather and fabric wallet

A Gregg McDonald leather and fabric wallet

Gregg is a graduate of the prestigious Cordwainers College in London and has worked as a footwear designer. He really enjoys the whole design process, watching an initial design turn into a finished product so also works closely with customers on bespoke commissions.

A Gregg McDonald leather and fabric purse

A Gregg McDonald leather satchel style bag

Heart Gallery still stocks some of Gregg’s ‘off the shelf’ products so call in and see the quality of his workmanship. We are stocking a selection of wallets and phone covers but if you want to discuss a commission with him then contact him via his website Gregg McDonald

Gregg McDonald

 

 

A couple of images to whet your appetites and a reminder that Gregg will be a resident designer/maker in the award winning Heart Gallery from Wednesday 4 June. See you soon!

Gregg McDonald arrives at Heart Gallery next week!