AN artist is turning heads with her stunning creations at an international exhibition in France.

Mum-of-two Karen Casper, 36, a hat designer and MA student from Tor Side, Helmshore, is currently showing her unique clothes and accessories alongside 22 other designers at the Lace Effects exhibition at the Calais Lace and Fashion Museum.

The bespoke, handcrafted headpieces are made from vintage lace and wire and resemble coral.

She said: “They put out a call for artists for work to exhibit, I applied, and got it. People think it might be easy to get on, but it’s not. For every success, you have a hundred rejections.

“But it’s a really exciting time for me. It was a surprise to get it because I’ve never had my work shown internationally . It proves that all the hard work and determination pays off. I’m so excited, because I’ve always had artist and desinger Iris Van Herpern’s work in my scrapbook, and now my work’s being shown alongside hers.”

Mrs Casper, who is married to former Manchester United and Burnley football player Chris Casper, son of ex-Claret Frank Casper, has also had work commissioned by Manchester Museum for its Coral: Something Rich and Strange exhibition oepning on November 30.