Handmade creativity takes centre stage at Find a Maker weekend
A celebration of handmade crafts, traditional skills and creative talent will take place at MAKE Southwest in Bovey Tracey on Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14.
The free Find a Maker BIG Weekend will feature live demonstrations, talks, workshops and family activities, bringing the venue’s Christmas Showcase exhibition to life.
Visitors will be able to watch makers at work across a wide range of disciplines, including letterpress printing, willow weaving, wood carving, ceramics, leatherwork, paper art, glass and mixed media.
Friday’s programme includes mixed media workshops with Michaela McMillan and stained glass painting with Patricia Dixon, alongside demonstrations of printing by Princetown Press, willow work by Making Space to Make, wood carving by William Barsley, spoon carving by Alex Finberg and pottery by Sarah Monk.
On Saturday, Sarah Monk will lead ceramics workshops, while demonstrations will include leatherwork by Janine Partington, printmaking by Molly Lemon, paper art by Kate Kato and glasswork by Patricia Dixon.
Makers will also give talks throughout the weekend, sharing their skills, techniques and creative journeys. Workshop prices include materials, tea and coffee.
Younger visitors can join illustrator Sarah McIntyre for a special Draw Along with her Adventure Mice at 4pm on Saturday, with further children's activities taking place in the Jubilee Gallery.
The weekend coincides with the opening of the Find a Maker Showcase in MAKE Southwest’s Upstairs Gallery on November 7. Featuring more than 20 makers from across the UK, the exhibition offers the chance to discover and buy work directly from independent creative businesses.
Running until January 16, 2027, the showcase includes ceramics, glass, jewellery, leather, paper, print, textiles, willow and mixed media. Featured makers include Birgit Pohl Ceramics, Sarah Monk Ceramics, Teifi Woodworker, Rachel Butlin Jewellery, Janine Partington, Kate Kato, Cally Conway Prints and Bridget Lane Weaving.
Admission to the Find a Maker BIG Weekend is free, but visitors are encouraged to book a ticket in advance and let organisers know they are coming. Workshop charges apply.
For tickets and further information, visit https://www.tickettailor.com/events/craftfestival/2442705