Crafters everywhere love a good craft fair. One of the best is Origin - the London Craft Fair, which is based in one of the UK capital’s finest old buildings, Somerset House.

Origin replaces The Chelsea Crafts Fair, which the Crafts Council ran for 26 years as Europe’s leading craft event. Here’s how the organizers describe it :

“The Crafts Council launched Origin: The London Craft Fair in October 2006. The event brings together over 300 of the most innovative and influential international designer-makers and is a rare opportunity to meet these makers and buy their work. Objects on show range from fashion accessories to functional and decorative objects, with the opportunity to commission one-off works of contemporary craft. 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. Origin takes place annually in Ben Kelly’s specially designed pavilion in the Somerset House courtyard.”

Exhibition Information
Week One: Tues 2 October - Sun 7 October 2007, Week Two: Tues 9 October - Sun 14 October 2007

If you missed Origin 2006 you can still view the list of Exhibitors 2006 or contact us to purchase the catalogue for £6 plus P&P.

Exhibitor application packs for this year’s Origin can be downloaded from Apply for Origin 2007.

Origin enquiries - Email: origin@craftscouncil.org.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7806 2512
Press enquiries - Email: media@craftscouncil.org.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7806 2580

There’s a special offer on that interesting paper magazine for crafts: Crafts — The Magazine for Contemporary Crafts.

For a limited time only new subscribers receive an extra issue free.

Here’s how the magazine describes itself: “Crafts is the only British magazine to cover all craft forms, from studio work to public commissions, from modern experimental work to traditional and historic designs. It is committed to excellent quality in both the work it covers and the coverage itself. Published on alternate months, Crafts is lavishly illustrated to a high standard.”

Take a look at the current issue.