13–14 November 2026
Find a Maker Weekend, MAKE Southwest, Bovey Tracey
This Christmas, makers take centre stage at MAKE Southwest as Find a Maker brings together two special events celebrating the people, skills and creativity behind handmade work.
The Find a Maker Showcase, opening in MAKE Southwest’s Upstairs Gallery on 7 November, features 20 independent makers from across the UK, offering visitors the chance to discover and buy beautifully made work directly from some of the talented businesses featured in the Find a Maker directory.
Running until 16 January 2027, the exhibition brings together a rich mix of ceramics, glass, jewellery, leather, paper, print, textiles, willow and mixed media. Featured makers include Birgit Pohl Ceramics, Sarah Monk Ceramics, Lucy Turner, Sarah Rees Lloyd Ceramics, Elin Hughes Ceramics, Shiny Productions, Rachel Butlin Jewellery, Claire Lowe Jewellery, Janine Partington, ROCWORX, Michaela McMillan, Hatton Willow, Kate Kato, Cally Conway Prints, Gail Kelly, Beatrice Mayfield Textiles, Bridget Lane Weaving and more.
Then, on 13 and 14 November, Find a Maker takes over MAKE Southwest for a special Find a Maker Weekend, bringing the exhibition to life with maker demonstrations, talks, workshops and family activities.
Visitors will be able to watch traditional and contemporary skills in action, including letterpress printing, willow work, wood carving, ceramics, leather, paper, glass and mixed media.
Friday’s programme includes workshops with Michaela McMillan in mixed media and Patricia Dixon in stained glass painting, alongside demonstrations from Princetown Press, Making Space to Make, William Barsley, Alex Finberg and Sarah Monk.
Saturday continues with ceramics workshops with Sarah Monk and demonstrations from Janine Partington, Molly Lemon, Kate Kato and Patricia Dixon.
Throughout the weekend, the makers will also share their stories and expertise in a series of informal talks, offering an insight into their materials, processes and creative journeys.
There will be something for younger visitors too, with a special Draw Along with illustrator Sarah McIntyre and her Adventure Mice, alongside additional children’s activities in the Jubilee Gallery.
Sarah James MBE, founder of Find a Maker and Director of Craft Festival, said:
“Find a Maker was born after the pandemic, when so many makers had lost fairs, exhibitions and, crucially, their connection with customers. We wanted to create a way for people to continue discovering and buying from independent makers, wherever they were.
“Five years on, Find a Maker has grown into a community of more than 450 small creative businesses. Bringing them into MAKE Southwest feels particularly special because there is such a natural connection between what we both believe in, championing making, supporting makers and helping people understand the skill, time and thought behind the things they buy.
“I’ve always believed that seeing something being made changes your relationship with it. A finished piece can look beautifully effortless, but watching a maker at work reveals the decisions, skill and years of accumulated knowledge behind that apparent simplicity. I never stop being fascinated by it.”
The collaboration also highlights the shared commitment of Find a Maker and MAKE Southwest to supporting makers, developing skills and inspiring the next generation through craft and creativity.
For Christmas shoppers, the events offer an alternative to the high street and online shopping: the opportunity to meet makers, discover something genuinely individual and buy gifts with a story behind them.
And for anyone who has ever wondered “How did they make that?”, the Find a Maker Weekend offers the chance to find out.
