Meet The Maker – Rowena Gilbert

Rowena Gilbert – Ceramicist

Searching for the perfect fusion of strong design, innovative style and spontaneous expression. The clay vessel is Rowena’s bold canvas; strong, simple and unfussy in form. Layers of clay echo periods of time, memories; slow, controlled, ordered. The surface evokes moods, tensions, actions and reactions.

Ceramic Stem Vases – Meadow Design

Rowena’s pots and bowls are slip-cast using a fine white clay body or adding metal oxides to produce coloured clay bodies. The coloured clay layers are brushed on or inlaid in incised lines and marks. The surface marks are created using various sgraffito tools when the clay pot is in a leather-hard state

Ceramic Small Bowls – Meadow Design

Rowena bisque fires to 1000C then masks areas on the outside of the pot/bowl using wax or paper resist, glazing the unmasked areas with a transparent gloss with its final firing at 1120C.

Dandelion Ceramic Curved Vases

Heart Gallery adores Rowena’s work and is proud to be one of her carefully chosen stockists for her latest range. Call in and see it soon x

Ceramic Deep Bowl – Meadow Design

GNCCF 2012

GNCCF 2012

Last week was the 5th GNCCF at Spinningfields and it’s always a joy to visit this great contemporary craft fair that’s more or less on my doorstep. This year I saw many familiar faces again as so many of the makers have exhibited with me in Hebden Bridge over the last 6 years and I also got to catch up with Suet Yi; the ceramicist I sponsored in 2011 and awarded an exhibition opportunity to. Suet’s work was so well received at Heart Gallery we only have a few pieces still available and she is hoping to send us a little top up of wall pieces for Christmas. My phone was playing up so not many pictures but here is a quick look at our visit:

GNCCF 2012

Julia and Lisa, Heart Gallery princesses, with Katie and Faye

It was a quick race around the stands as there was a train to catch but we managed to stop lots of times to catch up with previous makers and I also got to introduce myself to new makers who may be interested in our 2013 programme.

Jennifer Collier and Louise Wilson

Adele Taylor

Lucy Anne Harding

Charlotte Verity

Katie Almond

Katie’s Best New Business Award

Ann-Marie and Angela, show directors, should be really proud of their achievements. I have watched GNCCF grow over the last 5 years into the premier destination it now is for high quality contemporary craft in the North of England. I know what it’s like to give birth to an idea that’s driven by desire and not greed and you can see their passion for championing craft in the North shining through…long may it continue.

GNCCF 2012

MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE

May all your dreams come true exhibition invitation

May all your dreams come true exhibition invitation

We are all so excited at Heart Gallery about this magical exhibition and hope that you are too – it is going to be one of our best, we can sense it! The wire Mergirl on the invitation has been made for us by Rozie Keogh and we have 3 of them swimming around the gallery to keep an eye on you all as you browse the amazing new work we are showcasing. Here are a few sneaky peaks but please make sure to come to the launch on Sunday 13 May – you will not be disappointed!

Alice in Wonderland framed papercut by Yasemin Wigglesworth

Mars necklace by Rachel Lucie

Storybook by paper/textile artist Alix Swan

Feather Fox by glass artist Rachel Elliott

'Like Ghosts from an Enchanter Fleeing' Nicola Taylor, self portrait photographer

Lovers' Triptych Brooch by Catherine Chester

'Untaken' Cyanotype print by Moira Fuller

Recognised phrases and stories on bags by Alison Hughes

Lucy Palmer's fairytale inspired silver jewellery

Lucy Harding's illustrations inspired by customers she meets on her milk round

So, a few images to whet your appetite but if they haven’t tempted you enough then maybe Ursula Holden Gill can! Ursula is one of the North’s most innovative, award winning Storytellers. Her quirky, unique sets are influenced largely by 19th Century Music Hall, Lancashire Dialect, Westmorland Clogging, Folk, Traditional and Original Song, Contemporary Dance, Puppetry, Clean but Cheeky Stand Up Acts and essentially, life. This has led her to be frequently described as a cross somewhere between Gracie Fields and Billy Connolly!

Urusla Holden Gill

Ursula will be spending Sunday 13 May with us presenting a song and story set she calls Sightings of the Little People – suitable for adults and children alike. It explores the idea that fairy sightings have been associated with – and are responsible for – the naming of more places in the British Isles than anywhere else in the world and that in the North of England alone we proudly boast numerous fairy bridges and glens, a few sets of standing stones, waterfalls, cottage gardens, and a variety of hills and wells! By revealing how such places came to take their title Ursula will welcome all who attend the launch into a most controversial debate that has fascinated artists for hundreds of years – are fairies real or not… and if so, what are they? Fanciful Friend or Malevolent Foe? Further, who can see the little people and how?

See you all at Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge on Sunday May 13 from 12pm – 5pm for fairy cakes, angel dust and magical stories and of course an eclectic mix of jewellery and craft inspired by fairytales, folklore, myths and dreams to tempt and delight xXx

Dreaming of the dwelling place original painting by Gillian Lee Smith

Meet The Maker – Helen Lang

Helen Lang - Artist and Illustrator

Originally from Devon, Helen now lives and works from a rather lovely SW London studio (from which she can witness squirrel fights in the park) and spends her time developing her decorative lettering styles, combining beautiful colour and clean lines to create a quirky and vibrant style.

LOVE - framed limited edition screenprint - Helen Lang

Her passion for her work is illustrated in everything she designs, creatures and characters burst into life in her colourful and gently humorous designs.

Twit Twoo-er - unframed limited edition print - Helen Lang

Love Song - unframed limited edition print - Helen Lang

 Helen has worked on a number of projects for many high profile organisations and companies in the UK, Europe and beyond including John Lewis, Te Neues and the Tate.

Love - unframed limited edition print - Helen Lang

Her illustrations have also adorned an array of products over her career including t-shirts, porcelain mugs, greeting cards and stationery.

Tree Of Life - unframed limited edition print - Helen Lang

Helen’s beautiful limited edition prints are available from Heart Gallery for a limited period and are perfect gifts which can adorn your home or workplace.

All You Need Is Love - unframed limited edition print - Helen Lang

 

ART AT HEART

Art At Heart Exhibition Invitation

This little post is a wee bit late so I apologise for that but I have been rather up to my neck in things ….. organising this exhibition being top of the priority pile however!

Matthew Tyas - Sea Colony Vases

It has been a bit of a roller coaster for this little exhibition unfortunately and this has not happened before so it completely threw me for a short while. A few makers booked in had to pull out due to over commitments this year, a few makers got their deadline dates wrong and I had sad news that jewellery coming to me from Emily Gliddon had been lost by Royal Mail….left Bristol on Special Delivery but not been seen since, poor Emily can’t claim against Royal Mail until after the 9th June and there is not enough time left for her to make me a new collection. She will get some pieces to me for the beginning of July however so congrats to Emily for managing that.

Emily Gliddon - oxidised silver and pearl necklace

So quite a chaotic few weeks really but the launch next Sunday, 12th June, will be fabulous. Here is a little sneaky peek at what we will be showcasing:

Catherine Green - Textile framed pieces and limited edition prints

Georgina Fowler - Ceramic vessels functional and beautiful

Yasemin Wigglesworth - Stunning framed papercuts

Tanya Krackowizer - new discus collection in silver and oxidised silver

Stephanie Earl - porcelain lace textured jug and beakers

Stunning new Summer weight silk scarves by Taisir Gibreel

Tom Bramwell - Texture Box silver and oxidised silver jewellery

Stef Storey's fabulous new designs from her t-light holders range

Sarah Lawrence - personalised silver jewellery

Matthew Tyas - Lazy Sea Cone Family

New paintings by our lovely Hebden Bridge artist Julia Ogden

Jill Stewart - metal clocks

Miranda Sharpe - silver and enamel jewellery

So folks, a fabulous feast of new goodies for you arriving at Heart Gallery this week. Please join us Sunday 12th June from 12pm – 5pm for ART AT HEART.

Saltaire Arts Trail – May 2011

Saltaire Arts Trail informative booklet

Bank Holiday Monday I left my lovely ladies, Mandy and Julia, in charge at Heart Gallery to visit Saltaire for their Arts Trail. I’ve always done this on a Sunday in September before as the Open Houses have been part of the Saltaire Festival.

Saltaire with a grey and gloomy morning sky!

This year the organisers took the plunge to host the Arts Trail as a stand-alone event and I sincerely thought it worked really well despite the fact that our Yorkshire weather was rather damp for it! This did not seem to put visitors off as all the houses were really busy so I do hope that all makers/artists involved, and the organisers, felt all their hard work payed off.

Wet cobbles in Saltaire

I had a plan (of sorts)  ….. park in my usual spot on the outskirts of Saltaire so that I could get a walk in too! First stop would be Number 1 Myrtle Place which was one of my favourite houses in September as I met the lovely Laura Slater, textile artist, there and my daughter joined in a book binding demonstration making a little booklet for Grandma for her Birthday.

Laura Slater in 2 Constance Street 2011

One of Heart Gallery’s  resident artists Clare Caulfield was also exhibiting with Laura last year but this year she had decided to take the plunge and open her own home to the public exhibiting her own fabulous pen and inks alongside illustrative work by Nick Tankard.

Clare's canvases nestled into her bookshelf

Clare Caulfield - artist and printmaker

Clare Caulfield and her Dad in a very busy house!

My aim was to then amble down to the Makers Fair in Victoria Hall. After that, I wasn’t sure what my plan was other than lunch, more houses and coffee with Ceramicist Helen Russell!

One room in the busy Victoria Hall

There were quite a few of Heart Gallery’s Hebden Bridge and local makers in the hall so it did take me quite some time to get around but it was fun chatting with them and finding out how busy they had been.

Catherine Edwards - Hand Stitched Leather Bags and Accessories

Rachel Lucie - Jeweller

Anne Crowther - Textile Artist

Sue Candy - Ceramicist

Leigh Shepherd - busy upcycling scrabble tiles, domino pieces and draught pieces with Japanese papers

Had to stop for a bite to eat and then onto another few houses before meeting Helen Russell for a chin wag. I’ve recently introduced Helen’s elegant hand carved ceramic and silver jewellery to Heart Gallery and we just needed to finalise how many wall pieces she was sending me for the Art At Heart exhibition launching 12th June at Heart Gallery.

Helen Russell - hand carved porcelain and silver necklace

68 Victoria Road

Another Heart Gallery ceramicist was in 68 Victoria Road along with some very interesting work I hope to book in for 2012 so watch this space!

Sarah McDade - Ceramicist

I had a great day in Saltaire; I had my favourites and discovering unique artworks inside peoples homes was fun and inspiring. If you like to indulge your love of contemporary craft, and are also fascinated by other people’s homes then this Arts Trail is a must so pencil May in for 2012 … you will not be disappointed, I wasn’t.

Jewellery Showcase

This is a little showcase of new pieces of jewellery at Heart Gallery. Some have arrived already and are twinkling away in the cabinets and others are due any time soon … enjoy.

Sarah Pulvertaft's seed collection is simply stunning

Sarah uses traditional jewellery-making techniques to create contemporary jewellery, which is paradoxically decorative and minimal, drawing inspiration from many sources, including the visual art-world.

Sarah Pulvertaft's seed collection includes this amazing necklace

Sarah’s current work, from her Seeds collection, was inspired by a handful of seed and the profusion of repeated elements in nature. Heart Gallery is proud to showcase this collection of Sarah’s in silver, oxidised silver and plated silver.

One of Sarah's stunning rings from this collection was worn by Deborah Meaden when filming the last series of Dragon's Den.

Personally, I have my eye on one of these rings myself as I think they are perfect to compliment a new frock I have just bought for a May wedding!

Becca Williams Tenby Street Brooches

Bright, seaside memories of a childhood spent roaming beach front towns and cobbled streets inspires this range of miniature silver houses with coloured resin details. They’re a nostalgic view of the past and a charming link to the present, designed to be worn with anything and to grow into a seaside collection of your very own.

Becca Williams Tenby Street Pendant

These pieces from Becca evoke nostalgic childhood memories of holidays with Mum and Dad at the coast and of Tenby itself!

Kotomi Yamamura's handmade vintage inspired costume jewellery

Kotomi specialises in hand crafted costume jewellery.  Using polymer clay to bind and shape her work, she fashions jewellery from natural and semi-precious stones (smoky quartz, crystal quartz, fresh water pearls etc) and faceted glass stones with beads.

Kotomi chooses good quality semi-precious stones, pearls and beads for her jewellery

Kotomi’s work being strongly founded on traditional forms, together with the flair that she has for the exotic, means that she has found a ready and enthusiastic market at galleries and shops in London – I’m happy that she is now represented ‘up North’ at Heart Gallery!

Keep checking in to this blog as more showcases will be posted for your enjoyment. xXx

Own Art

Heart Gallery promotes jewellery and crafts handmade in the UK and now offers the Own Art *interest-free loan (*Typical 0% APR) for purchases between £100 and £2,000. For more details call in to see us or log on to the Arts Council’s website at http://www.artscouncil.org.uk

I am so pleased we can now offer this – it has been a long time coming but it has finally arrived and athough it costs me and the Arts Council to offer this service it doesn’t cost the customer and I think that this is just so brilliant as it helps you to buy more investment pieces without costing you any more – just perfect, so see you soon.

Own Art

THE GREATS 2009

On Thursday May 21 Progressive Gifts & Home magazine will be holding its seventh ‘Greats’ retail awards ceremony at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, to celebrate excellence within gift retailing. The Greats are established as the premier awards event of the year as it brings together the entire industry for a night of celebration. The Greats recognise and celebrate not only the top independent and multiple gift retailers regionally and nationally, but also the new breed of gift retailers as well as outstanding retail employees.

Heart Gallery, a Contemporary Jewellery and Craft Gallery on Market Street, Hebden Bridge, has been announced this week as a FINALIST in the BEST GIFT RETAILER OF JEWELLERY category.

Having won BEST NEWCOMER NORTH AND SCOTLAND in 2008 I thought that it couldn’t get any better than this yet this fabulous news this week is just the icing on the cake. There will be stiff competition for this as this category is not regional but national but I am happy to have got this far. I now face a nail-biting wait until May 21 when the winners will be announced at a glamourous, Venetian themed, Greats Awards ceremony. Wish me luck!

Clare Caulfield

Grand Canal from Accademia Bridge Venice

Flatiron Building

Boulangerie Paris

Times Square

Clare’s work documents her travels to some of the world’s greatest cities including Venice, Florence, New York and London. Most recently Paris has provided much inspiration for a series of new pen & watercolour paintings from compositions of Notre Dame to bustling streetscenes. Drawing has always been a very important part of Clare’s work. She is fascinated by architecture be it the Midtown skyscrapers of Manhattan, The Grand Canal Venice or simply capturing Parisian life outside a brightly canopied pavement café, from which she strives to create spontaneous lively linework. She enjoys the scratchy line quality achieved using dip pen & ink, the weight of the line altering with the amount of pressure applied. Clare also transfers the lively drawings taken directly from her sketchbook onto paper and canvas by means of screenprinting which she combines with hand-painted acrylic. Therefore every canvas is an individual piece in itself. Heart Gallery stocks Clare’s originals, limited edition prints and a range of handmade screenprinted cards of Italy, London, New York, Paris, Prague and Saltaire.