Meet The Maker – Julia Ogden

Julia Ogden – Artist

Julia grew up in Yorkshire, where she spent her days playing in her parents’ garden and the surrounding countryside. She drew all the time and still does.

Hares – Julia Ogden

Heart birds – Julia Ogden

Julia studied a BA Hons in Illustration at Edinburgh College of Art, graduating in 1999. She then went on to do an MA in Sequential Illustration at Brighton University. The work she produced during her studies was mainly print-based and she often made artist books.

Collage – Julia Ogden

Birds – Julia Ogden

She began painting after University and this is now her main passion. Julia’s paintings are exhibited throughout the UK, including Heart Gallery of course,  Bluemoon Gallery, Tunbridge Wells, Janet Bell Gallery, Anglesey, Portland Gallery, Richmond, Sarah Wiseman Gallery, Oxford, Harrison Lord Gallery, Brighouse and The Design Shop, Deanclough, Halifax.

Bear Hug – Julia Ogden

Her new collection of artwork is on paper using a combination of pencil drawing and acrylic paint. She has been inspired by nature and comforting themes such as friendship, love and support. She hopes that her paintings and drawings brighten up grey days with warm colours and motifs.

Winter Birds – Julia Ogden

Julia is a valued member of staff at Heart Gallery so we are always really proud to showcase her work in the gallery whatever it may be … from greetings cards to framed originals, canvases or prints Julia’s work always puts a smile on our faces.

Elly – Julia Ogden

And we know it will make you smile too so see you soon x

Star Birds – Julia Ogden

Meet The Maker – Holly Levell

Holly Levell – Textile Artist

Holly graduated from the University of Huddersfield with a degree in Textile Crafts but her love for textiles, making and general crafty-ness has grown since childhood. Holly is a Textile Artist specialising in the everyday through soft sculptures, softening the lines of a usually solid idea. Holly is inspired by her daily surroundings and the unnoticed aspects of life and how as an artist she can challenge the status and meaning of the humble object, using her personal textile craft techniques.

Holly Levell collection of textiles

Holly’s current work came from exploring ideas of the objects that feature in our everyday activities. She began to focus in on the idea of shopping and was stitching a flat bean can in her room and thought it may be possible to make the bean can but from stitched textiles completely softening the solid idea and producing a soft and nostalgic object, and that’s when Supermarket Stitch was born.

Holly Levell collection of textiles

Each of Holly’s soft sculptures are completely handmade using a variety of fabrics and take her a few days to complete. 

Heinz Beans anyone?

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 – 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

Meet The Maker – Suet Yi

Suet Yi – ceramicist

Last year at GNCCF I was honoured to be asked by Ann-Marie and Angela to offer a prize to an exhibitor and also excited to be able to get a sneaky early peek before the doors opened to the public! (See the blog I did about it here). The GNCCF showcases cutting edge contemporary craft to buy from over 150 carefully selected designer-makers in ceramics, glass, jewellery, interior and fashion textiles, wood, paper, silver, metal, product design, print-making and more. Last year was its fourth year and I have supported it since it first opened its doors at Manchester Grammar School in 2008 when it was opened by designer Thomas Heatherwick.

GNCCF Spinningfields 2011

Visitors to GNCCF can spend the day in a relaxed yet stimulating atmosphere, chat to the makers about their work and buy or commission pieces directly from them. As a gallery owner it is the perfect place for me to visit to find new graduates and designer-makers I have not yet discovered to showcase their work in Heart Gallery in the future….and there’s a bonus – it’s ‘Up North’ so not far to travel!

My first view of Suet’s display

Awarding Suet Yi with her certificate and the chance to exhibit with me in 2012

Awarding Suet an exhibition got me thinking about her work and when it would best suit Heart Gallery. Talking to Suet made it clear that she had a real passion for her craft and her inspirations from nature and life were so important to her. Suet’s display reflected this so well so it seemed apt to launch a Summer Showcase around her and therefore a 2012 exhibition was planned, organised and hey presto – Suet’s work has now arrived at Heart Gallery for others to admire 9 months after first meeting her.

Summer Showcase 2012 invitation

Summer Showcase 2012 invitation

In 2008, Suet quit her job in Hong Kong and came over to the UK to do a second degree in Nottingham. She expected to do something she would enjoy but had absolutely no idea what that thing would be. The summer before she entered her final year, she met Katrin Moye (an established potter based in Nottingham) who offered her a placement over the holiday and a part-time job for two months. This working experience helped her explore some decorating skills in pottery.

Suet Yi – wall plates

During her final year, Suet gave all her heart into creating her own body of work and played with clay every day and night. Sometimes it did not listen to her and sometimes she misunderstood it so the path to understanding ceramics took a lot of patience on Suet’s part but her love towards her work is more powerful than an alarm clock! It wakes her up every morning and she now knows that ceramics is the thing for her life. Suet Yi Ceramics is her everything; it has given her a meaningful life, a life Suet is able to look after and control, a life which makes her smile and a life she wants to last forever.

Suet Yi – wall plate

Suet explores beauty and simplicity from her love of the countryside and also the joy of being a child. 

Suet Yi – ceramic birds and trees

She enjoys the inner peace and tranquillity creating with clay. 

Suet Yi – wall plate

From her playful plates to her minimalist birds and trees, there is a sensibility as delicate as the materials. 

Suet Yi – ceramic birds and trees

We adore Suet’s work and know that you will too so do call in soon to see the range she has created for us. We are officially launching the Summer Showcase on Sunday 01 July from 12-5pm so do please join us for our Garden Party.

Suet Yi Ceramics – wall display

I will finish this post on Suet with her own words: “Ceramics and I are bonded by destiny. It carries my love for a simple and quiet life.”

Meet The Maker – Kate Wimbush

Kate Wimbush – jeweller

Kate creates wearable, figurative jewellery from silver and 9ct gold, highlighted with colourful resin. She uses traditional handcraft techniques combined with computer technology to construct her jewellery. Kate is inspired by her life and memories and a love for all things miniature.

 

Kate Wimbush – Birds (Daniel Cadden Photography)

After gaining a degree in Design: Craft in 2005, Kate specialised in creating original and exciting jewellery in silver and resin; developing her own unique method of casting and cutting resin. She then moved on to experiment with laser etching technology with traditional jewellery construction techniques to achieve the preciseness which has become a key feature of Kate’s work. 

Kate Wimbush – Flip Flops (Daniel Cadden Photography)

 Kate is currently participating in a number of exhibitions nationwide and worked for an independent designer maker alongside creating her own jewellery. Kate is now working on a new range of silver and gold collections, using resin as her method of introducing bright colours. 

Kate Wimbush – Brollies (Daniel Cadden Photography)

Based in Manchester, Kate’s creations continue to reflect her love of all things miniature, the exactness and precision required providing Kate with the stimulating challenge she enjoys. Her inspiration is found in many things, but especially through her life long love of ‘The Great British Seaside’ and Nature; her latest bird collection is the result of being introduced to the bird world at a very early age by her father, a keen Ornithologist!

Kate Wimbush – Birdcages (Daniel Cadden Photography)

Kate currently specialises in necklaces, earrings and bracelets and will be expanding her collections in the very near future; however, all of Kate’s work can be customised to personal requests, so please get in touch with any ideas you may have for that special piece!

Kate Wimbush – Anchor (Daniel Cadden Photography)

Meet The Maker – Sarah Dodd

Sarah Dodd - textile artist

Sarah graduated in 2010 from Winchester School of Art in BA hons Textiles, Fashion and Fibre, specialising in Textile Art.

Blue Tit - Sarah Dodd textile

She has always had a passionate interest for free hand machine embroidery and for a long time enjoyed making machine embroideries as a hobby. 

Woodpecker - Sarah Dodd textile

Sarah’s main passion in life is being environmentally-friendly, so she endeavours to make her pieces as eco-friendly as possible; using recycled card, and found and re-used fabric. 

Robin - Sarah Dodd textile

She loves making things with fabrics that she finds all over the place, from old clothing to pieces picked up at car boot sales (bits of old envelopes to old felted jumpers). 

Goldcrest - Sarah Dodd textile

Sarah makes all her creations in her studio at home, which is a horder’s paradise – filled with ribbons, buttons, and fabrics galore!

Kingfisher - Sarah Dodd textile

Nature is her source of inspiration, each piece Sarah creates is unique, a one off with its own personality, just like anything within nature, even if tried to replicate there will always be a slight difference.

Whitethroat - Sarah Dodd textile

Past work has included the study of lichens, rising damp and mould, Sarah loves to find beauty within natural forms that get over looked & make beautiful creations inspired by these natural occurrences to adorn our homes. Sarah is currently studying birds, drawn to them for their physicality: their movement, beauty and texture but also as a concern that bird populations are decreasing due to noise pollution. ’Birds of a feather, flock together’: hoping that by replicating birds people become more aware of and appreciate the birds that are taken for granted.

We also sell framed textile pieces of Sarah's lovely birdies

 Sarah doesn’t want to have to imagine a land without birdsong and we totally agree. Do call in soon to see her mounted and framed pieces as I don’t think they will be around for long, they will fly!

Meet The Maker – Cathy Miles

Cathy Miles - Metalsmith

Cathy graduated from London Metropolitan University in 2003, after which she moved to Liverpool to take up a two year Craft Council Nextmove residency at Liverpool Hope University. In 2006 she relocated her practice to a more permanent home within Birmingham’s renowned Jewellery Quarter.

The Grubs Head

“I was trapped on the tip of Southend pier with an elderly man called Dave, (an eccentric yet morbid local) when I started to drift in to the eccentric world which my current work revolves in. As Dave went into his personal problems in grave detail, (death of budgie, stomach ailments etc.), in desperation I began to stare at the little ringed plovers and imagine their conversations and complaints. I came to the conclusion that they were just like us with their grumbles and gripes, bad habits, love interests and attention seeking behaviour…”

Common Cold - Cathy Miles

Greenfinch Glowers - Cathy Miles

Cathy draws the world as she sees it through a concoction of found objects and wire creating three-dimensional drawings.

Blue Tits on Cutlery Pot - Cathy Miles

Her sculptures explore narratives of the everyday varying in scale from small intimate pieces to large scale public commissions. 

Stone Curlew - Cathy Miles

Inspiration for this collection now at Heart Gallery came from the Richmond Park parakeets.

An Avian Mob - Cathy Miles

The colonies which invade the park made Cathy think of all the escapee pet parrots and their stories. Whether it be parakeets intimidating the local wildlife or a lost cockatiel reunited with it’s owner all sooty and dirty from an exploratory trip into the real world. Seen in Heart Gallery at the moment are parakeets, cockatiels and budgerigars. They are attached to the wall on perches.

Cockatiel - Cathy Miles

Heart Gallery has long admired Cathy’s work and was given the opportunity at Holmfirth Art Market June 2011 to award her an ‘Outstanding Artist’ certificate and exhibition at Heart Gallery.

Meet The Maker – Fiona Cameron

Fiona Cameron - Jeweller and Enameller

Fiona Cameron trained in jewellery making and design at Edinburgh College of Art and she has been producing jewellery for galleries all over the UK for twelve years.

Fiona Cameron Circle Bracelet 2007

Fiona’s work predominantly features traditional kiln fired enamels. Fiona’s jewellery range that was inspired by the Scottish coastline where she grew up was one of the first ranges Heart Gallery showcased when we opened in 2006.

Fiona Cameron Pod Necklace 2007

Although Fiona still makes jewellery she has recently produced a new range of artwork inspired by the many weird and wonderful collective nouns used in the animal kingdom.

Enamelled birds waiting for a home

It is this work that Heart Gallery wanted to showcase for our Fifth Birthday celebrations.

A Parliament of Owls - Fiona Cameron

Ornithological inspired pictures, from a bosom of bluetits to a flamboyance of flamingoes are all hand cut and enamelled by Fiona, providing original and quirky pieces of art for your home. 

One for Sorrow, Two for Joy - Fiona Cameron

Heart Gallery adores these and hopes you do to.

A Brood of Hens - Fiona Cameron