It’s here! We are on the home stretch!

This has felt such a long time coming my friends but in my head I always had the Arts Festival to aim for. Even though it was a date I didn’t want to write down, advertise or put on social media it was the date that has kept me sane since Boxing Day. Why? Because as a proud supporter I have not missed one yet since opening Heart Gallery on Market Street nearly 10 years ago. Check out this year’s programme here Hebden Bridge Arts Festival.

Our West End Boys handed the building back to us on Friday 10th June all stitched back together again and we are so chuffed. We do still have drying out issues which are related to our burst water pipe you probably read about (Water Woes) but this does not reflect on West End Joiners & Builders. These guys have been so amazing to deal with, I am so glad I fought the Insurance Company for local contractors. They have been professional, thorough, shown empathy to the situation, found solutions to access problems efficiently, project managed their team seamlessly and communicated at all times so I never felt that it wasn’t my project. Paul, Michael and Bob were so disappointed to have to hand over with some decorating still to do once we are completely dry but they reassured me they would be monitoring it for me in their own time – job well done lads, party at mine soon!

After they sent the cleaners in to reveal and clean the new floor I could call local firm Howarths to collect all our salvaged and renovated furniture (more on this later this week) and it was time to start unpacking everything.

Without giving too much away here are some photos of some of the details we love about the new Heart Gallery and you will have to wait until the 24th June to see them in the flesh my friends:

Remember the date for your diary my friends and start saving your pennies … we will re-open FRIDAY 24TH JUNE AT 10.30 AM

Call in the painters!

Well my friends we have had a busy few weeks since the last post so here is a wee update for you:

West End Joiners & Builders called the painters in a couple of weeks ago so the boys at Laycocks turned up to put in some hours.

James was there every day prepping, filling, sanding and painting; mist coat, first coat, second coat … there are so many walls I think he must have ended up dreaming in pink and grey!


I then called in another local firm, Eco Deco, to come and spruce up the outside for me and Charlie turned up cap in one hand and paint brush in the other … so much to do, so little time!

I think I should point out here too that that rose bush is the best it has ever been with so many blooms on it I’m gutted not to be open and enjoying their display!

Without giving too much away also behind the scenes my hubby and I were busy with some rather lovely wallpaper from Hannah Nunn…all will be revealed soon but Hannah has been extremely supportive and helpful!

Another local company I am working with for our re-opening is Wood & Wire who are making me some new jewellery cabinets along with some finishing touches from Vince at Abacus Framing.

Oopsie! Sneaky peek my friends … but that’s all your getting for now xXx

Meet The Maker – Yasemin Wigglesworth

Yasemin Wigglesworth - Papercut Artist (check out the image in the background!)

Yasemin came across paper cutting a few years ago and has been fascinated by it ever since. 

'here is the root of the root' papercut

As a self-taught papercut artist, her work continues to develop in new and unexpected ways which Yasemin finds exciting. Finishing a complete papercut piece is hugely satisfying  and therapeutic. 

Blue Tree papercut

People always say, ‘You must be a very patient and precise person’.  Yasemin’s family would laugh at that; she is definitely very particular about her work and aesthetics but quite chaotic and disorderly in almost everything else. Having grown up with an artistic mother and grandfather, art has always played a big part in Yasemin’s life and she has always taken courses in her spare time. 

Meadow - Yasemin's image used for Heart Gallery's Summer Exhibition ART AT HEART

Heart Gallery ART AT HEART Invitation using Yasemin's Meadow image

Yasemin’s family home is full of interesting and beautiful art, antiques and pretty things that her parents have collected from around the world. Her biggest influences are nature, The Arts & Crafts movement, East Asian woodblock prints and tapestries, and having grown up in Istanbul, Iznic ceramic designs.

Proud Peacock papercut

Yasemin sketches designs in pencil first and experiments with rough cuts until she achieves a balanced piece. Yasemin tends to use wallpaper for her final cuts as the pattern adds an element of surprise. Each piece is cut by hand using a surgeon’s scalpel on the reverse of the wallpaper. She roughly sketches the design so she has a guide but never sticks to the pencil lines as she finds it too restricting. 

Positive Tree papercut

Some of Yasemin’s pieces are influenced by poems and a few lines are included. Words are cut freehand on the front of the wallpaper with no pencil outline as it marks the wallpaper.  Each papercut is entire and cut from one sheet of paper.

Wedding Anniversary commissioned papercut

Yasemin’s aim is to produce affordable, original, unpretentious framed pieces for people’s homes. Have you got a favourite roll of wallpaper you would like Yasemin to use to create a bespoke papercut just for you? Call in to Heart Gallery to discuss your requirements.

Peacock papercut

Yasemin is looking forward to dedicating more of her time to creating and papercutting once her two young sons are both at school from September and Heart Gallery is also looking forward to seeing more of Yasemin’s amazing creations.

Birds in a Tree papercut