Meet The Maker – Jodie Hook

Jodie Hook – Jeweller

Jodie’s passion for jewellery making started when she was a young girl. At age 17 her art teacher offered her the chance to do jewellery as a GCSE, it was there that her affection with the craft of jewellery developed.

Ribbon Loop Ring – Silver

After studying a degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing at the School of Jewellery in Birmingham she moved to London to pursue her dreams. It was here that she spent 7 years working for fashion jewellery designer Scott Wilson. Here she created collections for trade shows including London Fashion Week and one off commission pieces for major fashion houses and celebrities including Pringle, Swarovski, Robbie Williams and Kylie.

Ribbon Knot silver bangle

Jodie then returned to Cardiff and in 2008 set up her own business.  2009 saw her establishing herself within galleries and shops throughout the UK with her Ribbon Collection and most recently the Equilateral Collection. The talented designer has more than 15 years experience designing and making individual handmade jewellery.

Large silver Ribbon Knot bangle

In September 2009 Jodie was thrilled to be awarded the Lonmin Design Innovation Award in the established designer category for her Rollercoaster Earrings in platinum. Most recently she has created her Ultimate Stainless Tie as part of an Association of Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition, STAIN-LESS, in celebration of this year’s centenary of the discovery of Stainless Steel.

 

Silver Ribbon Knot studs

The Ribbon Collection is her signature range and is an on-going love affair, inspired from the moment you unravel a roll of satin ribbon, it twists and loops, as you lift it a knot forms. She manipulates the metal creating a light wearable adornment that looks beautiful from every angle. Since its conception new and complimentary designs and finishes have been included to this best-selling range.

Silver Ribbon Knot tied necklace

In 2010 it expanded into her Wedding Collection with hair slides, bands and grips made in a fine gauge of silver combined with beautiful Swarovski crystal beads and pearls to create striking yet delicate pieces that can be worn all day for a special occasion. For the Heart Gallery Exhibition ‘I DO’ she has carefully selected the range to include a few pieces created exclusively for the Show.

Allegra – silver and crystal hair comb

“Ultimately I seek to create wearable jewellery that makes a statement on and off the body.”

Andy Poplar and his new work for Heart Gallery

Andy Poplar

We have featured Andy here before so hop across to our previous post to read more about him and also this one on branding. What I want to tell you about today is the new ideas Andy constantly comes up with and below are our new glasses coming for Father’s Day and our milk bottle that can be commissioned for your Wedding/Civil Partnership.

Father’s Day glass

Father’s Day glass bottom

Mr and Mrs milk bottles available for commission as a keepsake of your special day.

He’s a clever lad that Andy Poplar isn’t he? A man so full of ideas I’m surprised he doesn’t pop! If you are in Hebden Bridge this weekend pop in to see his current work and if you are in Saltaire call and see Andy and say hello to him at the Saltaire Makers’ Fair.

Love isn’t love until you give it away

Whilst researching for the new displays for the run up to Valentine’s Day it got me thinking about love of course so here is a little blog post of things I love that are now in Heart Gallery for you to love too …

Bear Hug – Julia Ogden

Original pencil drawings, giclee prints and cards based on Love, Friendship and Support by our very own super talented Julia Ogden.

‘And on’ partnership pair of silver rings with diamond

Diana Porter’s jewellery range includes her signature ‘and on’ partnership rings, ‘and on’ bangle and ‘I who is you who is I’ set of silver bangles.

close up of detail on the notebook case

Fabulous leather pieces concentrating on music lovers and bookworms by emerging local artist Rod Boyes.

Kindred Spirit

Andy’s etched glass work was a hit at Christmas and we are so chuffed with his new pieces. Perfect for homemade drinks such as damson gin, lemoncello vodka but these lab bottles work really well in the bathroom for shampoo and conditioner too.

Silver and 9ct gold heart rings

Karen’s popular silver and 9ct gold heart range now has a cute little addition of these rings.

Silk Scarf digitally printed from a hand-dyed original design

Sarita’s Reminiscence Collection of floaty scarves and lavender filled pouches and eye-masks will make a lovely gift not just for a Valentine but for a Mum too as Mothers’ Day is not that far away.

Ethical recycled silver jewelery

Ali’s ethical jewellery is inspired by her love of dancing and the dynamic lines of movements she creates whilst dancing.

Ceramic Hearts (can be personalised)

We love Laura’s ceramic hearts and they are certainly the perfect little love token at this time of the year. Our personalised service includes bridal favours matched to the wedding colours where possible with the wedding date stamped on as a great keepsake.

Ceramic Hearts (can be personalised)

And there you have it, a little snippet of new pieces we love and hope you love too….Love isn’t love until you give it away.

Speaking of love, I can’t end this blog post without an image from Kate Lycett though. A customer sadly lost her Dad recently and with a little bit of money he left her she really wanted something that reminded her of him and where he lived so every time she looks at this she will remember the years filled with love that they spent together:

Waterfront – Kate Lycett

Meet The Maker – Helen Brice

Helen Brice - jeweller

Helen has been designing award winning jewellery since she created ‘Helen Brice Designs’ in 2000.

Helen Brice - Trio rings

Her newest collection ‘Precious’ co-ordinates the beautiful natural colouring of precious and semi-precious gemstones, with the warmth of White, Yellow & Rose Gold. Her outstanding ring designs are partnered with beautiful pendants, brooches and earrings in a stunning collection which effortlessly bridges the gap between contemporary and classical jewellery design.

Helen Brice - Meteor trio of golds

Meteor ring set with peridot and diamonds

With inspiration drawn from architectural details and celestial patterns, Helen has created a uniquely versatile collection which lends itself to be tailored to create bespoke jewellery incorporating sentimental gems for her customers.

Helen Brice - Element rings

The growing collection, which also includes wedding and engagement rings, can be produced to commission in Yellow/White/Rose Gold, 9ct & 18ct, as well as Sterling Silver or Platinum. Helen particularly enjoys designing bespoke pieces for individual clients and welcomes the opportunity to create new and innovative jewellery.

Precious gem set jewellery by Helen Brice

Heart Gallery is proud to showcase Helen’s stunning jewellery again in our Wedding Showcase five years after first meeting her. Helen’s unique design flair and creative use of gemstones has led to many delightful and inspiring jewellery commissions, which embrace both classical style and contemporary design. If you have a special occasion to celebrate, or just want to breathe new life into your inherited gemstones, through the creation of bespoke designed jewellery, we are more than happy to discuss any ideas so bob in to see Helen’s stunning range soon.

Round Meteor ring set with tsavorite garnet

 

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 – Bev Milward

Bev Milward - ceramicist

Bev’s work is back with us again this year after proving popular in 2011 and as part of our current Wedding Exhibition. ‘I DO’, Bev has made us some more of her porcelain cake toppers.

Porcelain cake topper

Bev’s porcelain landscapes and figures are influenced by the environment in which she lives, personal events and experiences and by the nature of the porcelain itself.

Couple on mound

 

She is concerned with how humour and sentimentality have been used historically in ceramics and aims to infuse emotion into each piece.

 

Couple under bowe

Although the work illustrates a personal journey it appeals to a much wider audience who can identify with the sentiments.  Each element or symbol has a history or a meaning and her maker’s mark, in the shape of a key, can be found somewhere on each piece. 

 

Imagery and themes are reworked and revisited but no piece is repeated.  The last piece informs the next and evolves as a continuous visual diary.

 

In clover

A sense of ambiguity is important and Bev is left with satisfaction when someone is able to bring their own interpretation to the work.

The night you swept me off my feet

‘I DO’, we did, you came!

Jodie Hook - Florence silver tiara

I DO invite

Sunday was the launch of our third Wedding Exhibition, ‘I DO’, which runs until 8th April and we all had a super day…the weather was pretty kind in the end as the weekend before had been seen a flurry of snow showers!

Heart Gallery the weekend before the 'I DO' launch!

Celebrating with us on sunday 12th February was Truly Scrumptious who organise vintage tea parties for your romantic wedding day.

A selection of sumptuous gourmet sandwiches, scones and desserts we sampled on the day

Truly Scrumptious Vintage Tea Parties

Sarah Mason Photography was back with us for another successful year and launched her new luxurious leather wedding albums.

Sarah's display of her previous weddings and her new leather album

Sarah Mason Photography leather Wedding Albums

Sarah Mason

Nia Fiori brought samples of her wedding stationery along to give you a taste of her many creative skills which she can tailor to suit your own colour schemes; creating your very own personalised Save The Date cards, Invites, Table Plans, Thank You cards and much, much more.

Nia Fiori - Wedding stationery

Choose from fairly traditional and vintage looking or opt for something really unusual such as Nia’s Circus range. Of course you can meet with Nia to get her to design something completely bespoke for you as she is a qualified artist/designer with a BA (Hons) in interactive arts.

Nia's Vintage english Rose designs

Nia's Circus range

Psst … Nia doesn’t just do wedding invites, we also sell her cards and you can contact her for any of your stationery needs here.

Nia Fiori (right) with Jacqui Sharples, letterpress printer

We were treated to seeing one of Jacqui’s vintage printing presses in action so customers could see how she creates her letterpress prints we sell.

Jacqui Sharples with her small Victorian press at Heart Gallery

A selection of Jacqui's current letterpress pieces available at Heart including your bespoke Mr & Mrs suggestions

Call in to Heart Gallery to see Jacqui’s work soon and also check out her latest news here.

Heather Wilson - maker of mad and beautiful things

Our resident maker, Heather Wilson, was busy making a mad wedding hat commission but she is better know for her personalised watercolours which you can see on her website and also for her celebration pieces which she creates using items gathered from your Wedding Day – such as table place cards, invitation, order of service, confetti and petals, photographs, menus…the list is endless!

Gibson Mill photo shoot with Sarah Mason

The National Trust were with us to tell you about hiring out Gibson Mill for your ceremony, it was lovely to meet Kerys who came along from The Wedding Guide (we still have a few of her great guides left with special offers if you call in soon) and we all drank pink fizz and ate some scrummy cakes! 

All having a jolly good time drinking pink fizz and eating mini cakes!

We had some lovely couples in enquiring about us making their wedding bands, personalising a wedding album and guest list book and creating a Hearts Desire list for their guests so they can choose perfect gifts from a selection of the finest ceramics and craft we sell all year round.

Timea Sido

Bev Millward - ceramic cake toppers

And one really chuffed bride-to-be finally found the jewellery she has hunted for to wear on her special day soon which will be made for her by one of our current jewellery makers Charlotte Verity.

Charlotte Verity in her workshop

Lots of hard work went in to organising this day but it was a great success and we can’t wait for our fourth one in 2013!

I DO invite

Meet Sarah Mason

Sarah Mason - Photographer

Meet Sarah Mason, a local photographer who delivers high quality wedding and portrait photography in Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Yorkshire, the North West and throughout the UK. Photography is her passion and creating beautiful images is what she is about!

Matt and Sarah at Todmorden Town Hall - courtesty Sarah Mason

You will quickly recognise that photographer Sarah has a unique talent for seeing life through a lens differently. Thanks to her background in film and television, Sarah brings a cinematographer’s approach to her work and her reportage style of photography and filmic view of life always leaves the viewer wanting more.

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

Whether it’s a stylish wedding

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

an intimate family portrait

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

or a precise packaging shot for a commercial campaign

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

Sarah never fails to capture the very essence of her subjects.

image courtesty of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

Living as she does in the Pennine town of Hebden Bridge, Sarah capitalises on the dramatic landscape as the ultimate backdrop for her distinctive brand of photography that celebrates the great outdoors.

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

Despite the advance of the digital age, Sarah explains our enduring love affair with the printed photo: “When I look back at family photos from my own childhood, they still have a powerful emotional impact, a kind of visual time travel that transports me back to the day it was taken. These images endure when everything else changes.”

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

Her delighted clients will happily testify that Sarah creates bespoke images that will stand the test of our time and surely become heirlooms of the future to hang in pride of place on the walls of the generations to come.

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

Sarah will be at Heart Gallery Sunday 12 February 2012 for our third Wedding Exhibition to show you her previous work and chat to you about your special day and what story-telling moments she can capture to help you keep the memories of the happiest day of your life alive, for you and your children, and even the generations to follow.

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

Sarah’s approach is to quietly allow your special day to unfold before her cameras, minimising her impact on the event, and so resulting in photos that buzz with energy and emotion. 

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

Her connection with the couple often outlasts the wedding and she is always proud to be able to build on that bond when she is asked to photograph new bundles of joy or capture other key moments in a family’s intimate life.

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

As no wedding is ever the same, Sarah has created her wedding packages carefully to ensure there will be something to suit everyone.

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

You can choose from pre-wedding shoots, personalised save the date and thank you cards, a photo disc, a slideshow DVD and a number of different options for showcasing your photographs. It’s important to Sarah that she supports local suppliers and her wedding albums are handmade to order by Calderdale based, Butterwick Wells. The albums are of the highest quality, available in a variety of fabrics and finishes and tell the story of your wedding beautifully.

image courtesy of Sarah Mason, Zebra Photography

Catch up with Sarah’s news on her blog and do come along on Sunday to meet her – she is a star.

Sarah Mason - Photographer and all round good egg x

Will You Marry Me

Will You Marry Me silver and 9ct gold rings

Well, what can I say? These rings say it all really! On Sunday 12th February we are launching our ‘MARRY ME’ silver and 9ct gold proposal ring.

Will You Marry Me 'pop the question' ring

Designed by Heart Gallery and one of our jewellers, Bronwen Tyler-Jones, this ‘Marry Me’ silver and 9ct gold ring is a perfect choice … it says it all to help you create a romantic and memorable wedding or civil partnership proposal, you just need your partner to say ‘yes’!

You then have all the time in the world to browse for that replacement ring you both like; the ring of your dreams chosen from the heart.

Once found the ‘Marry Me’ ring can either be worn on another finger, as a necklace or even on a keyring but of course the ‘Marry Me’ ring doesn’t have to be replaced if you don’t want to … it is stylish enough to treasure forever.

Will You Marry Me silver and 9ct gold rings

Valentines Day

I awoke on Valentines Day to an email letting me down but I refused to let it spoil the day, and what an amazing day it turned out to be! This is just a little blog for those of you who couldn’t come to Heart Gallery for the launch of ‘I DO’ our second Wedding Exhibition, enjoy ….

Love Hearts - given to customers on Valentines Day at Heart Gallery

Sarah Mason, Wedding Photographer, was on hand to help me serve the pink fizz when it all got a bit too busy for Mandy and I to cope so a big shout out to her. These pictures don’t do her or her Wedding Photography justice so do please come down to see the display – it’s up until the beginning of April. You can also contact Sarah from here:

Super talented Sarah Mason with her display of Wedding Photographs at Heart Gallery

Sarah Mason, great photographer and all round good egg!

Tracey Woods, Stationery Designer, had made a fantastic stand to display her new ranges of Wedding Stationery and follow her lovely blog here:

Tracey Woods enjoying a quiet rest by her lovely stand of Wedding Stationery

Close up of Tracey's stand in Heart Gallery

These divine cupcakes and giant cupcake weren’t edible but received a lot of attention, unfortunately they were just for display purposes! Helen from Lippylicous Cakes provides a fab Wedding Service and her information is still at Heart Gallery for you to collect, along with a little cupcake for you to drool over! You can also contact her here.

The Giant Cupcake is the top of the cupcake tower for Weddings

Little close up of the gorgeous flowers and butterflies on the Giant Cupcake

I have to say that a great day turned into an amazing day when Fiona-Katie Roberts arrived with one of the 22 harps she has made with help from her husband Dave. She brought along the harp she generally plays at Weddings and the sound in Heart Gallery was mesmerising; those customers visiting Heart Gallery between 1pm and 3pm really were treated and the comments were a joy to hear. Read more about Fiona-Katie here:

Fiona-Katie Roberts playing by the LOVE room in Heart Gallery

If pictures could talk you would be able to hear the most amazing sounds from Fiona-Katie!

Although it was a long day it was a wonderful day and thanks to all those that were part of making it special. If you haven’t yet visited, ‘I DO’ runs until the beginning of April so lots of lovely Wedding goodies to see including rings and elegant bridal jewellery, gorgeous gifts for your Wedding List, presents for the bridesmaids, best man and groom and of course all the services we are promoting:

Wedding Photography, Wedding Stationery, Wedding Cake, Local Wedding Venue, Vintage Inspired Bridal Bouquets, Wedding Momentos turned into jewellery

My perfect day was topped off with my lovely hubby cooking dinner for me (courtesy of the M&S deal for two!) ….

Came home to my lovely hubby cooking dinner, courtesy of M&S!

Nom, nom, nom - this main course was so tasty, washed down with pink fizz too!

Pink Fizz to wash the 3 course meal down with and Nat King Cole tunes to listen to! What more could a woman want on Valentines Day?