Textile artist Karen O’Kane will feature on RTE Nationwide tonight.

Koko Designs

Koko Designs

Karen O’Kane, the textile artist behind Koko Design, will be seen showcasing her designs on television this evening. She will also be discussing what she is doing to ensure that craftwork will remain strong with generations in the years to come.

This episode of Nationwide will examine a world of Irish Craft ideas from the National Crafts and Design Fair in the RDS this week.

One very colourful stand at the event will be Koko Design – Karen O’Kane’s creations of beautiful silk lampshades, scarves and lots of other pieces from her studio in Ramelton in County Donegal.

Eileen Magnier will be talking to Karen to find out how she is also involved in the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland education programme, passing on her skills to local school children.Karen O'Kane Koko Designs

Karen comes from the Potteries in England where her grandmother, a skilled artist, introduced her to a wide variety of crafts.

Karen produces a range of pure silk originals and also prints her silk paintings onto bamboo material using eco dyes at a specialised printers.

Her collections include evening bags and scarves, silk accessories and jewellery, homeware and gift ware.She is particularly interested in designing beautiful and functional lighting from lampshades to floor lights.

Her designs are inspired by her love of her natural environment, the unpredictability and texture of the medium and previous experience of glass art.

Catch this report tonight on Nationwide, RTE One, 7pm.