Plymouth Jewellery Designer Selected for UK's Most Prestigious Craft Fair

26 September 2006: Ambre France (www.ambrefrance.co.uk), a Plymouth-based jewellery designer with a growing reputation for highly unusual designs using engineering materials, is set to be one of the big attractions at the UK's most prestigious craft fair, Origin The London Craft Fair (www.craftscouncil.org.uk), at Somerset House from 3 October until 15 October. Ambre has received a grant from Arts Council England, South West and is one of twenty-nine designer-makers from the south west region, to take part in the fair, a Crafts Council initiative. Origin brings together over 300 of the most innovative and influential international designer-makers to sell their work. Glass, ceramics, jewellery, metal, furniture, paper, basketry, wood and textiles are all represented, making the fair a true celebration of the unique and the hand-made.

Ambre France, 30, makes highly innovative jewellery in precious metals from shapes and materials found in the building industry for example jubilee clips and cable ties. She also has a range of rings and bracelets stamped with cheeky slogans in braille including Do Not Touch and Hands Off.

At Origin, Ambre will be showing a limited edition range of what she calls Plan B rings. The rings, made in gold or silver, are accompanied by a pair of clippers, so if the relationship doesn't work out, the ring can be snipped off!

Ambre studied metalwork at Camberwell College in London before going on to complete a Masters in silversmithing and jewellery at London Metropolitan University. Ambre is part of Next Move, a scheme run by the Arts Council and Crafts Council to support designer-makers. She is based at Plymouth College of Art and Design where the scheme provides a workspace as well as support in developing her business and making the most of opportunities like Origin. Ambre has been given a £1,860 Arts Council grant to enable her to take part in the fair.

Nick Capaldi, Arts Council England, South West Executive Director, said: "Ambre France is one of the designer-makers that make the south west region special. Her work contributes to the creative industries, an area in which our region excels. Origin will provide an excellent opportunity for Ambre's work to reach a wider audience and build on her fast-growing reputation amongst key influencers. We wish her every success."

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For further press information about Ambre France and images of her work please contact:

Kallaway PR
Anna Cusden 020 7221 7883 anna.cusden@kallaway.co.uk
Jessica Blomfield 020 7221 7883jessica.blomfield@kallaway.co.uk

For further information on Origin please contact:
Louise Kelly 020 7806 2580 media@craftscouncil.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Arts Council England

• Arts Council England is the national development agency for the arts in England, distributing public money from Government and the National Lottery. www.artscouncil.org.uk
  
  
• The Crafts Council receives annual Arts Council funding. This year, their award is over £3 million to support core costs and other activities including education, exhibitions and market development.
  
  
• Next Move is an innovative setting up scheme run by the Arts Council and Crafts Council, designed to put new designer-makers on the fast track. It provides workspace, access to equipment, grants, training and promotion opportunities in the supportive environment of a college host over a two year period.

About Origin, The London Craft Fair

• The 300 exhibitors in Origin were selected from over 900 applicants by a specialist panel of judges. 27 makers were selected from the south west region and two south west makers will be represented in Springboard, a new exhibition for emerging craft talent at Origin where 24 of the most exciting emerging makers will show and sell their work to the public for the first time.
  
  
• Origin replaces Chelsea Crafts Fair, which was held at Chelsea Old Town Hall in London for 26 years.
  
  
• Origin will showcase over 30% more exhibitors than Chelsea Crafts Fair and will be at Somerset House, Strand, London over two weeks: 3 - 8 October 2006 and 10 - 15 October 2006 (closed Monday 9 October).
  
  
• Disciplines represented in Origin include glass, ceramics, jewellery, metal, furniture, paper, basketry, wood and textiles. All disciplines are represented over the two weeks.
  

Complete List of Designer-Makers from the South West exhibiting at Origin

Designer-Makers from the South West at Springboard:

ORIGIN VISITOR INFORMATION

Dates
Week One: 3 to 8 October 2006
Week Two: 10 to 15 October 2006
Closed Monday 9 October

Venue
Somerset House, Strand, London

Opening Times
Tuesday to Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am - 6pm
Late-night Thursday open until 9pm

Tickets
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster from 1 July
Book online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0870 160 2853

Ticket Prices
Single ticket £8 (£6 concessions)
One visit in each week £12 (£10 concessions)
Season pass (unlimited entry) £15

Further Information
www.craftscouncil.org.uk/origin
020 7806 2512

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