Meet The Maker – Cate Wood

Cate Wood – Textile Artist and Jeweller

Cate graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1992 with a BA (Hons) in Fashion and Textile Design. It was there that she developed a passion for collecting objects and a skill for creating relationships between them.

Cate’s jewellery modelled

Her final exhibition was inspired by memories and found objects that can be held in the palm of your hand or hidden in a match box; old, worn, weather beaten things found in the streets or places she had visited. Her eye for detail and space made small, over looked objects, precious. Her new collection of jewellery echoes this.

Jewellery by Cate Wood

Her natural pull towards used, aged materials and a love of a time when things were hand crafted and bespoke is evident in the assortment of vintage clothes, accessories and furniture in her home. Her small terraced house in West Yorkshire is an organised clutter of intuitively found objects, bursting at the seams with an extraordinary mish mash of, crockery, clothes, accessories and other treasures picked up in her home town and on her travels.

Jewellery by Cate Wood

Cate’s brand new collection of Jewellery continues this theme. She falls in love with obscure, interesting and charming things, findings picked up at local markets and trinkets that are part of the local heritage: hearth brushes worn by years of use, colliery tags that have been smoothed by the hundreds of hands they have passed through, vintage buttons removed from dresses and uniforms.

Jewellery by Cate Wood

Cate is curious about their past lives, the people they once belonged to and in the stories that are lost. Cate deconstructs and reconstructs these findings into unique pieces of jewellery. The bristles of a brush become tassels. A leather watch fob and a button become the fastening of a bracelet, old lost keys become jewels.

Jewellery by Cate Wood

Buttons feature heavily in her work and are symbolic for buttons are the fastenings that hold things together.

Jewellery by Cate Wood

Jewellery by Cate Wood

The use of words and messages is a recurring theme and they are used as a dark, playful reference to modern life, opinions and memories. Her colour palette is dark, Dickensian, and a nod to the surrounding streets and buildings that have been tarnished by decades of soot.

Cate’s jewellery modelled

Many of the materials that she crafts appear discoloured and marked.

Jewellery by Cate Wood

Jewellery by Cate Wood

Heart Gallery is proud to have been approached by Cate recently to be her stockist in Hebden Bridge and we look forward to introducing her work to you in 2013 and working closely with her for her Valentines Day collection for us.

Jewellery collections by Cate Wood

Jewellery collections by Cate Wood

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

Meet The Maker – Abby Filer

Abby Filer – Jeweller

Abby  is a contemporary jewellery designer/maker. Working in silver, printed aluminium, enamels, pearls and precious stones to create fun, feminine and easily wearable pieces of jewellery.

Flower jewellery previously showcased at Heart Gallery

Abby’s inspiration for her jewellery collections comes mainly from her childhood memories of growing up in the picturesque surroundings of Summerseat in Lancashire. Where she was surrounded by an array of brightly coloured flowers, wildlife and clear night skies. 

Penny necklace – part of Abby’s new collection now in Heart Gallery

Abby’s new bike collection was initially inspired as a result of her move to Chorlton in Manchester. Where she loves to watch the wonderful array of quirky and unusual bikes like the unicycle, and penny farthing, Abby’s personal favourite, that ride past her workshop and home each year during Chorlton’s Big Green Festival procession.

Silver bike ring

Silver bike bangle

Abby has also recently re-found her childhood love of cycling through the countryside which has spurred her onto complete the collection. 

Silver mini bike necklaces

Silver mini penny bracelet

Abby graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Art in 3 D Design and now runs her own business in Chorlton.

Silver penny earrings

Heart Gallery is so proud to be one of the first galleries to showcase Abby’s new collection of silver bike jewellery and we hope to see you in Hebden Bridge soon…..a great little town, full of independent shops which is very much Open For Business.

Silver bike bracelet

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!

La Petite Mort

 

La Petite Mort

La Petite Mort is a young duo of stylish, Manchester-based jewellery designers. Their current base may be rooted in the north west of England, but their influences come from far and wide.

 

Hannah and Ciara’s experiences and cultures have informed their tastes and passions for fashion, and the fast-paced, ever-changing environment it delivers. What they are striving for are beautiful, wearable pieces that also reflect a love for edgy, creative styles.

 

La Petite Mort (‘A Little Death’) aims to create jewellery with a life of its own with each collection being limited editions. Make sure you snap up a piece before Hannah and Ciara move on to their next exciting body of work.