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

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

December at Heart

 

Christmas hours at Heart Gallery 2008

 

 

 

Hi folks

December gives you more days to shop at Heart Gallery as we open our doors every day until 5pm Christmas Eve – great news. You will be able to browse at leisure to find that perfect gift and all under the one roof. Choose from leather wallets, purses, bags and ipod covers from talented maker Gregg McDonald or hats, fascinators and sexy beaded corsets for the party season from the mad and beautiful Heather Wilson. New and unique jewellery now in can tempt the magpie in you or you can fall in love with our retro phones and contemporary homeware and of course Christmas would not be complete without the perfect candle to burn, hand-poured for us in Lancashire. Heart Gallery would not be the same without it’s quirky and unusual ‘one-off’ pieces either from furniture for your home to mixed media pieces and ‘creatures’ made from socks! There is something for everyone’s tastes and everyone’s budgets so we hope to see you soon. Keep the enclosed details for all our new opening times and you won’t be disappointed. See you soon, Alison

Gregg McDonald’s colourful arrival at Heart Gallery

 

A heartfelt welcome has gone out to Gregg McDonald as he arrives at Heart 

Gallery in a blaze of colour! Heart Gallery's newest resident designer/maker 

was trading from The Corn Exchange in Leeds when new owners decided to change 

direction forcing many talented people to look elsewhere for suitable 

retail premises.

 

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!

New Resident Designer/Maker at Heart Gallery

Gregg McDonald has specialised in designing and hand making leather wallets, purses, bags and iPod cases since 2006. His aim is to create unique, reasonably priced, quality products for everyday use. Geometry and functionality feature strongly in his approach to design, and tactile materials such as soft leathers are selected to create highly useable products for everyday wear.

This choice of materials is matched by the high quality of his workmanship and making techniques which are always developed for durability. 

Gregg welcomes commissions and can make new items from your concept to the finished item.

Gregg arrives at Heart Gallery June 4th and I am really excited about this as his work is just amazing. Images will be posted here this week sometime to whet your appetite but I do hope you will call in to Heart Gallery to see his work in the flesh very soon – you will not be disappointed and I shall be commissioning my very own unique piece from him.