26 September 2006: Liz Clay (www.lizclay.co.uk), a Somerset-based award-winning designer who makes beautiful one-off scarves, boas and wraps with an exclusive clientele, including Givenchy and Harrods, will 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. Liz is one of twenty nine designer-makers for 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.

Liz Clay, originally a music teacher, moved to Wells in Somerset 10 years ago and discovered a love for textiles. She uses a unique felting technique to create light, paper-like fabrics to make scarves, boas and wraps which has earned her a growing reputation in the fashion world and Donna Karan is a fan. Her business began in 2002 shortly after winning an Arts Council Reflective Practitioner Award. Since then her innovative and exclusive designs have attracted international acclaim.

Paris fashion house Givenchy recently used her designs in both their Haute Couture autumn/winter 2005 and Ready to Wear autumn/winter 2006 collections. Harrods will display a one-off ball gown designed by Liz in her signature felt during October and some of her other products will also be on display in the store. Her designs are sold at several exclusive retail outlets such as Egg and Browns in London, and are also available in the South West region from Polka, Exeter; The Black Swan Gallery, Frome; and The Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey. Her designs have a growing following.

Liz is a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and the Society of Designer Craftsmen. Her work is exhibited widely both at home and abroad. In 1998 Liz decided to return to study, enrolling on a Creative Arts degree course at Bath Spa University. She is now a lecturer at Bath Spa University and is currently researching wool fibres for a PhD.

In 2003 and 2004 Liz won travel bursaries to research felt in Russia and Scandinavia. In 2005 she was the recipient of a Crafts Council Development Award. Her exclusive designs were shown at Chelsea Crafts Fair in 2004 and 2005 thanks to an Arts Council grant. She also received an award as part of the Reflective Practitioner scheme which enables artists time to develop their work. In 2005 she received a UK Trade and Investment Award for Export.

Nick Capaldi, Arts Council England, South West Executive Director, said: "Liz Clay 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 Liz'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 Liz Clay 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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