SOME years ago, the campaigning environmental charity Common Ground published a booklet exploring the idea of souvenirs and the difference between trinkets and geegaws – nylon tartan, plastic scallop shells – mass-produced on the other side of the world, and locally produced crafts that carried a connection to their place. If you are in Devon this summer, and looking for something to take back as a holiday reminder for you or a gift for a friend, pop into the galleries and shop at MAKE Southwest in Bovey Tracey.

Founded as the home of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, MAKE South West, in a historic water mill in the pretty town on the edge of Dartmoor, is now the base for many of the south west’s craftspeople with galleries showcasing groups and individual makers.

The retail gallery directly supports local makers – all profits go back into supporting craftspeople and creating craft education opportunities in the Southwest.

The seasonal main exhibition, the summer show, running to 10th October, focuses on new approaches by the galleries’ members. MAKE Southwest has more than 250 maker members, representing many craft disciplines and at varying stages in their careers from student and graduate to established artists.

There are two other exhibitions, In Praise of Small Things, a collaboration between printmaker Anita Reynolds, jeweller Lucy Spink and metalsmith Rebecca Walklett, running to 5th September, exploring the bond between the three makers and a shared connection with the moorland and coast of Dartmoor and West Penwith; Moon Jars of Dartmoor, running to 19th September, features work by Maker Member and environmentally conscious ceramicist Imogen Taylor-Noble, co-created with her students in her Dartington Estate studio.

Moon Jars originate from the Korean ceramic tradition of the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted a remarkable seven centuries, 1302 to 1910. Originally made from porcelain, they are known for the strength and asymmetry of their form, being made from two separate halves (originally rice bowls), which are later joined together. Imogen and her students wanted to explore this traditional form using materials foraged from the Dartmoor area, as a nod to Dartmoor’s historic links with ceramics.

As well as the exhibitions, MAKE Southwest has a packed programme of summer workshops for children and families,

Pictured: A porcelain deep sea espresso mug by Taja, in the retail gallery; Hand-painted textile by Jane Witheridge in the summer show; moon jars by the featured maker, Imogen Taylor-Noble.