It’s a bit wonky, not quite round and has dodgy paintwork, but it was made by me!

In case you’re wondering, I’m talking about my first bonsai pot.

There’s nothing like crafting something by hand.

The challenge, losing yourself in the focus, waiting to see how (or whether) it emerges from the kiln. Then using it in everyday life.

The same applies to wooden spoons, mugs, paintings, rings and more.

Here’s hoping something inspires you in this week’s arts and crafts special.

P.S. My skewy little pot’s going to be home to an oak sapling. How do your creations turn out? Tell me in the reader poll below.

Plymouth & South Devon

Sat 14th Feb | Make 3 Stacking Rings | Make South West, Bovey Tracey | £85

Tues 19th Feb | Cyanotype Crafting | Wembury, Plymouth | £14.25

Tue 24th Feb | Mini Hardback Handmade Books | City Business Park, Plymouth | £17

Wed 25th Feb | Evening Pottery Workshop | China Blue, Totnes | £70

Mon 2nd Mar | Bowls and Spoons Ceramics | City Business Park, Plymouth | £40

Wed 4th Mar | Clay Modelling Workshop | China Blue, Totnes | £50

Sat 14th Mar | Prints & Giggles, Mother-Daughter Creative | Stitch & Splodge, Plymouth | £55

Tue 17th Mar | Iris Fold Cards | City Business Park, Plymouth | £17

Fri 27th Mar | Introduction to Linocut | MAKE South West, Bovey Tracey | £75

Exeter & East Devon

Sat 14th Feb | Hand-Stitched Vessels | Exeter Phoenix | £58

Sat 21st Feb | Spooncarving Club | Axminster Tools, Axminster | £6

Mon 23rd Feb | Introduction to Abstract Painting | Exeter Phoenix | £135

Thu 26th Feb | Gelli Plate Printing & Collage | Exeter Phoenix | £135

Fri 27th Feb | Willow Flower Basket | Tiverton | £120

Sat 28th Feb | Textile Workshop: Fly the Flag | Exeter Phoenix | £58

Sat 7th Mar | Grayson Perry-Inspired Ceramic Vase Workshop | RAMM, Exeter | £50

Sun 22nd Mar | Spring Wreath Workshop | Park Life Heavitree Cafe, Exeter | £65

North Devon

Wed 14th Feb | Seed Pod Garden Ornament Pottery Workshop | ThePlough@StAnne’s, Barnstaple | £70

Thu 15th Feb | Spring Soap Making Workshop | The Plough@St Annes, Barnstaple | £45

Tues 17th Feb | Yoga Life Drawing Special | Studio KIND, Barnstaple | £12

Sat 21st Feb | Under the Sea Pottery Sculpture | The Walronds, Crediton | £62

Sun 22nd Feb | 🖊️ Printmaker’s Sketchbook Workshop | Studio KIND, Barnstaple | £60

Tue 24th Feb | Jewellery Upcycling: New Life for Old Beads | Bampton, Tiverton | £5

Sun 15th Mar | Spring Green Man Pottery Workshop | ThePlough@St Annes | £70

Sun 29th Mar | Origami & Paper Art Masterclass | Studio KIND, Barnstaple | £70

Devon Curiosities #94: Powderham Castle

No one ever accused this castle of being a dusty old pile.

Home of the Earl of Devon (who married a Baywatch star), Powderham has reinvented itself as one of Devon’s more entertaining and commercially successful historic estates.

This Grade I listed manor sits on the Exe Estuary near Exeter and opens for the season on Good Friday (3rd April).

Entry to the castle and grounds is around £16. There are free daily guided tours or you can wander the house and extensive gardens at your leisure.

Woodland walks loop out to the Belvedere Tower passing a working forge and American Garden, and The Rose Terrace has views over parkland, deer and estuary. Dogs are welcome.

Powderham is also a working events machine: in June you can hear international stars Lewis Capaldi and Alanis Morrisette and in July laugh along at the popular Comedy at the Castle gig.

Find out more

MEMBER POLL

Last week’s result

As winter comes to an end, you’re feeling:

• Ready for Spring - 82%

• Still hibernating - 18%

revdj says: “We love walking and seeing the flowers wake up, the lighter evenings and the brighter days”

kehicks says: “Need some blue sky and sunshine”

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED: 🌊 A £500 voucher for Ladram Bay Holiday Park, Budleigh Salterton, with a choice of private cottages, hot tub lodges, premium holiday homes or glamping tents and pods (2nd Mar)

NEW!  🍾 A 2-night stay for 2 at a new, dog friendly, adults-only spa hideaway near Barnstaple (15th Feb)

NEW!  🐎 A 1-night luxury stay for 2 at The Bedford Hotel, Tavistock, including 3-course dinner and hearty Devon breakfast (28th Feb)

NEW!  🍸️ 2 bottles from TORS Vodka: Elderflower Liquer and Triple Sec (28th Feb)

NEW!  🍓 1 of 15 sparkling mead prizes (2 flavours each) from Lyne Bay Winery (1st Mar)

🏖️ A luxury holiday at Golden Sands Holiday Park, Dawlish (1st Mar)

A 2-night stay for 2 at Bovey Castle with daily full English breakfast, a 3-course dinner, champagne afternoon tea, private Land Rover estate tour and one activity: golf, archery, shooting, off-road 4×4, or cider and sloe gin making. (23rd Apr)

Did you win something? Let me know

More competitions here

New member? Catch up here

🌞 Hooray. Daffodil Day!

🥁 Marching band goosebumps

❓️ What’s your guilty pleasure?

🌠 Do parallel universes exist?

That’s all for this week. Thanks for being a member.

NEXT ISSUE  Beekeeping for beginners

Andy, Esme and Lara