Welcome to Find a Maker

MAKER OF THE DAY

Andrew Spilsbury Shaker Boxes

Andrew makes ‘Shaker style’ wooden boxes and other items, drawing on the traditions of simple elegant design combined with usefulness of purpose. His boxes are crafted primarily from thin strips or veneers of cherry and maple woods in laminated and solid wood forms and fastened with copper tacks and rivets. Bending the wood to form the oval shape, which is characteristic of his boxes, involves ‘steaming’ in a water bath to make the material pliable. Joints are made in the traditional swallowtail shape which adds strength. Lids and bottoms are held in place with small wooden pegs and not glued in place.
Andrew’s interest in woodworking started in childhood, literally at the kitchen table, much to his mother’s dismay. Andrew has had a rewarding career as a Horticulturist achieving Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture. Changing direction recently to pursue his other passion - working with wood, Andrew says “my election as a member of the Devon Guild is a great honour and encouragement to my work”
Like many artists and craftsmen Andrew finds inspiration in the natural world and his work celebrates the beauty within his chosen medium, “natural materials link us to our environment and can give us a sense of calm and stability”

View Here

The Capital of Craft Podcast with Cathryn Gwynn

Craft Festival Wales Special

I met Cathryn Gwynn at her home studio in Cilgerran, a village near Cardigan in West Wales. 

Her early life in Cardiff led her to a career in writing, editing and finally teaching at Preseli School. She later began an access course in art, leading to a degree in Textiles from Carmarthen School of Art in 2020.

Text, texture and textile: three words which reflect sher practice as a mixed-media artist. She is drawn to thread, pen, ink and paper and work somewhere on the cusp of these materials.

Cathryn Wynn will be giving an illustrated talk about her work at The Capital of Craft at Craft Festival Wales at Cardigan Castle. 

Her work is part of an exhibition of 8 important Welsh makers at Canfas Gallery in Cardigan. Woven, curated by Suzi Park from Cambrian Wool, runs from September 5-October 5th. 

Craft Festival Wales September 5-7, 2025

Listen here

Award Winning Festivals

Since 2003 we have run multi-award winning Festivals in Bovey Tracey, Devon, Cardigan and Cheltenham. In June, we host the UK's best loved and finest contemporary Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey featuring over 200 curated makers. Hosted in idyllic parkland on the edge of Dartmoor. Complimented by an dazzling number of workshops, demonstrations, masterclasses, talks, family activities, street theatre, live music and feasting! In March we head to the beautiful Regency town of Cheltenham, presenting 100 makers at Craft Festival at the Town Hall. In September we will be hosting our first Craft Festival Wales at Cardigan Castle.

View here