Liz Clay - News

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"...exquisite couture in handmade felt"

Liz's work was spotted by the fashion brand Jigsaw. Their head of visual contacted Liz to discuss a commission for the new store in Edinburgh. She especially liked Liz's Boro Boro Textile Panel she had seen in Mayfair, London. She went on to explain 'our new stores all feature individual art and have craft at the heart of the boutique design'.

Liz was given the artist brief and look for the new store and began working on the sample pieces of nuno felt and hand pleated textiles. The commission was completed for the store's opening event in March 2023 and displayed in the central corridor of the new store under a stunning gold leaf ceiling.

Update: it remained on display until the end of the Edinburgh International Festival.

Details: Last Updated: 07 November 2023

Liz is delighted to be represented by the Homo Faber online guide which profiles master artisans worldwide.

Homo Faber Guide is an online platform dedicated to craftsmanship that allows you to discover artisans and their masterpieces, explore museums, visit galleries and shops selling unique objects, enjoy experiences in cities across Europe and beyond.

The guide is presented by the Michelangelo Foundation for creativity and craftsmanship which is based in Geneva.

Details: Last Updated: 03 August 2023

Liz is very pleased to have contributed with members of the International Feltmakers Association (IFA) in a long awaited publication featuring British wool for felt making. Crowood Press published the book on 12th January 2022 and it is widely available.

Britain has more native breeds of sheep than anywhere else in the world, providing a valuable source of wool for felt makers. The characteristics of these breeds vary widely, making some more suitable for felting than others. The book is aimed at all levels of feltmakers and gives detailed information on each breed of sheep with advice on suitability for individual projects. It covers combining different wools, and blending colours to create colour and texture and includes how to work with raw fleece, and how to dye wool and felt. There are over 250 photos which illustrate a wide variety of felted projects.

Liz's work is featured along with descriptive text. It has been a very worthwhile project to be involved with and she is delighted to highlight important research she undertook for a PhD in 2012 concerning British wool for fine felt making.

Details: Last Updated: 22 January 2022

Felt Matters, issue 143 June 2021

Felt Matters, the quarterly journal of the International Feltmakers Association (IFA), invited Liz to write about her work for a special edition on fine felt making.

Liz describes her signature style of fine felt along with the techniques and methods she has developed over the past 20 plus years as a professional felt maker. Her feltmaking and collaboration with haute couture in Paris and London has provided some of the most iconic felt designs seen on the cities' catwalks.

Details: Last Updated: 03 August 2023

During the Covid-19 lockdown Liz spent the time developing innovative use of her hand-pleated nuno fabrics.

The result is a collection of individual origami inspired bags. No two will be alike and the first creation is in the shop now.

More to be added soon...

Details: Last Updated: 28 August 2020

The latest development of hand pleated print fabrics with Bath textile designer Carole Waller has proved a huge hit with customers.

This stunning kimono inspired jacket found the perfect home!

To commission a sensational statement for your wardrobe contact Liz or Carole.

Details: Last Updated: 28 August 2020

Image 2 - Textile Development

The Private View of the Alumni Exhibition of the Bath Schools of Art and Design was a fabulous evening showcasing the enormous diversity of its alumni.

I was delighted to meet so many friends and colleagues at this well attended pre-Lockdown event!! The Wool Paper Triptych attracted much interest and comment.

Details: Last Updated: 28 August 2020

I have been collaborating with Carole Waller on an exciting collection of hand pleated wool and silk shawls for Summer 2019. Our work combines Carole's hand painted cloth with fine wool and silk fibres that are hand felted and pleated in colourful new styles.

Here is a sneak preview of the sizzling designs to be launched in late May!

Hover over the image!

Details: Last Updated: 18 March 2019

Our friends in La Couech have sent a video to help advertise Liz's course Couture Garment Construction - a week in Midi-Pyrénées. Full details are in the diary page.

Watch the video.

Please book directly on:
 +(33) 561 981 222
 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Details: Last Updated: 04 July 2018

In 2017 Liz took a road trip through California and Oregon which provided inspirational research material for her textile practice.

The colours, textures and glorious sights formed some seriously inspirational impressions! These have informed the latest design elements to Liz’s studio practice opening up a whole new perspective for the hand felted fabrics she produces for haute couture.

Working closely with specialists in the production of digital print has been a completely new area of design work for Liz’s business and rewarded in the fantastic collaboration with Wells based designer Alexandra King. The individual skills have combined in creating a truly sensational Vegas inspired couture garment!

Details: Last Updated: 23 March 2018

Liz's hand crafted shawls compliment the creative designs of Terry Macey's fabulous new summer collection.

The collection will be showing at two events this month:

London 13th - 17th March
Glastonbury 26th - 30th March

Further information on the events page.

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Details: Last Updated: 11 March 2018

Plans for 2018 are underway with some exciting new destinations for showcasing new work:

Iceland
France
Japan

More soon...

Details: Last Updated: 03 January 2018

I am taking part in two exciting events for this year's SAW celebration of art. See my Diary page to book taster felt workshops at Heritage Courtyard Studios, Wells (venue 31) and meet me at Lytes Cary Manor where I shall be demonstrating and giving a talk during the special weekend event "Landscape of Objects".

Details: Last Updated: 02 August 2017

I am delighted to have new work selected for this year's Summer Show. The work explores a new direction in sculptural design. More details on my events page.

Details: Last Updated: 19 July 2017

The Crafts Council has chosen me as Directory Maker of the Week. I talk about my work and how I switched from music to textiles.

Visit the Crafts Council to read the complete article.

Details: Last Updated: 04 March 2017

I am delighted to be part of this thought provoking exhibition alongside fellow artists working predominantly in textiles.

Join me for the Artist Talk on Wednesday 15th March where I shall be talking about the challenges and highlights of collaboration with haute couture in Paris and London.

View the poster.

Heritage Courtyard,
Wells.

Details: Last Updated: 01 March 2017

Palos Verdes Art Centre in California hosts Wearable Expressions, an exhibition of wearable art from around the globe chosen by an international jury. This 7th International Juried Exhibition takes place from 10th February to 16th April 2017. Artists participating from Asia, Europe, Australia and North and South America.

Liz is excited to have work selected for both the exhibition and Runway Show on 4th February 2017 as part of HOUSE, a site-specific performance on the Pacific edge.

Inspired by the heritage of Savile Row tailoring, representing both tradition and innovation, Liz's work aims to capture the concept of classic British design with a touch of sophisticated rebel, reflecting a mood that is fresh and modern.

Details: Last Updated: 29 January 2017

Denton Arts Council in Texas issued an international call for its competition and exhibition "Materials: Hard + Soft" to be held from February to May 2017. There were almost 1500 submissions that were reduced to the final 95 exhibitors by JoAnn Edwards from the Museum of Craft and Design, San Francisco.

Liz was delighted to be selected, "I think of Three of Us as a celebration of my practice where material, process and technique come together, blurring the boundaries between function and aesthetic expression."

Details about the exhibition on the Diary Page.

Details: Last Updated: 29 January 2017

Liz is delighted to have been awarded The President’s Prize at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen's annual Summer Show.

The hand pleated felt panel is one of the largest panels she has made. A stunning work using Dorset Horn wool farmed on the Mendip Hills near Wells. Hand crafted and finished using a traditional hand pleating technique which is customised to create unique geometric surfaces and textures.

Details: Last Updated: 20 July 2016

MADE logo West Dean College has invited Liz to speak about her work at this exciting new venue for MADE London Bloomsbury on Sunday 1st May at 3.30pm.