Latest reviews

10 Jan 16'

Rhona Harrington reviewed: Felt a landscape

"Had a great day full of fun and inspiration. Learnt so much and it left me inspired to do more Felting. As Sarah honestly tells you right at the beginning of the day, Felting is Addictive so join at your peril!! I was pleasantly surprised to end the day walking out with two completed pieces of work and having learnt the basics feel confident to experiment at home. Looking forward to the next day Course and hope to seeing some of the lovely people I met yesterday at Carmel."

10 Jan 16'

jane Evans reviewed: Felt a landscape

"Great! Such a tonic on a dismal January day. So much colour and so much fun. I hadn't expected to come away with so many fantastic samplers of my own work. It was such a relaxing day - a total switch off from work and massaging the felt is so therapeutic. Thoroughly recommended and I can't wait for the next course. Well done, Sarah!"

10 Jan 16'

Vicky Hutchinson reviewed: Silk painting workshops

"I booked this course for a Xmas present for my mother in law & aunt. We had a really great day learning a lot about painting on silk. Bridget was really attentive & taught in an easy way to understand. She was really good at helping you lose your inhibitions & just experiment with design & colour. We will definitely go back. Great coffee, homemade soup & cake. We were made to feel really welcome & comfortable."

10 Jan 16'

Leigh Ayland reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"A good day out for the whole family (ie me, wife, two teenage boys of 13 and 17). We went straight into actually making stuff - no tedious health and safety obsessing! Pretty physical, but you really don't need huge biceps - it's all in the technique, demonstrated with deceptive ease by Col. There is the added advantage of being located right behind the farm shop in the village - superb locally produced food, both for lunch and to take home for tea!"

10 Jan 16'

Amy Fryday reviewed: Pottery throwing course in the South Downs National Park (one day - one-to-one)

"An absolutely fantastic experience. I went with my husband for a 1 day course in the studio with Rowena where we learnt and made so much. Rowena is really top rate teacher. I would definitely recommend to anyone and will certainly be returning."

9 Jan 16'

Jennie Horton reviewed: Full day introduction to glass fusing course.

"A wonderful start to 2016, being creative and attending a day course in Amanda workshop. We created some beautiful things, and learnt much about her particular style of glass creating. It was like being in Aladdin's cave, with so many beautiful materials to choose from to make something very individual. As well as being helpful and supportive, Amanda also makes it fun and very convivial. And the lunch....... wow. Thanks for a great day."

9 Jan 16'

Mike reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"Spent the day on this excellent course. Ricky is an excellent teacher, explaining all the techniques carefully and constantly providing tips to make sure that the art work was achieved to a high standard. He was very patience with an old person (me) a took time to adjust the techniques that enabled me to produce good work. I can whole heartedly recommend this course. A wonderful day full of interest and skill."

9 Jan 16'

Doug Human reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Turned up with great trepidation, put fully at ease and was led gently into a great day. As an MS sufferer, my hands shake quite considerably, and at one time I felt that I would not be able to continue the days course, but, George, very adaptable showed me various methods to overcome this difficulty, at the end of the day, a brilliant result with my bowel that I had made to prove it. It was not just a woodturning course, it was also a day of "understanding wood" Georges lovely wife, was a great hostess, tea/coffee and a nice lunch. thank you for a wonderful experience Doug Human"

7 Jan 16'

Jane Holding reviewed: Handspinning workshop

"What an amazing day. Diane and her brother were brilliant, so knowledgeable and patient. The location at Blaze Farm is superb and with lunch and refreshments included, the value of this course is wonderful. I came away with three skeins of self spun wool and felt very proud of myself. I would highly recommend anyone interested in this type of crafting. Thank you for a brilliant day."

7 Jan 16'

Margaret reviewed: Handspinning workshop

"Excellent course which I would recommend, and as a complete novice found the tutor Diane very patient, helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks also to her brother for his support during the day."

7 Jan 16'

Freya Perry reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"Thanks Alice for your patience on the evening weaving course I did with you, especially as we were all into different ideas!!! It was a great havin git over a series of weeks.... and it was so lovely to be able to follow my heart with my chosen colours and wools -- and yet learn a new techinique. I loved my final piece and it will be made into a part of a bag!"

7 Jan 16'

Catherine reviewed: Craft your signature home fragrance brand: Personalised Workshop

"I attended this class with a friend and found Zaga to be very personable. She has an extensive knowledge about both the science of making candles and the industry and I feel that the course was the perfect entry level introduction to the whole process of making candles. I have also already fully utilised the candle we made in our lesson (lovely) :)"

7 Jan 16'

Susanne Mason reviewed: Soap making

"I attended a skincare workshop with Diane - and it was excellent! I got to make and customise my very own cream and lotion, and take it home with me when it was ready. Diane's recipes are foolproof and very kind to your skin. Since then, I've only been using my self made skincare. I had good fun on the course, and would recommend it to anyone thinking of trying something new!"

6 Jan 16'

Sharon Berry reviewed: Mosaic one day workshop for adults with Caroline Jariwala, Birmingham

"A small group and I managed to almost complete my project. Caroline said it would be OK to go back to get the piece grouted as it will only take half an hour. Plenty of tea and coffee on hand. Lots of colours to choose from and lots of help from Caroline. Surprised how tired I felt by the end of the day. Would recommend if you are feeling creative."

6 Jan 16'

Judith reviewed: Spoon carving course (1 day)

"This half day course was a Christmas present - and it proved a perfect day out for my sister and I and her 23 year old son. It was great to get away from the crazy commercial feel of Christmas and spent the day together carving our spoons. David was a great instructor, sharing his knowledge and showing us different cuts. We were all very impressed with our finished spoons and have continued carving after the course. We highly recommend this course."

6 Jan 16'

Cat reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Enjoyable way to spend a day but also very inspiring because of Sakeena and her stories. I will leave with a lot of knowledge and skills. Amazing day."

6 Jan 16'

Niamh (Ireland) reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Sakeena was an excellent tutor - she was clear, demonstrative, firm and an excellent teacher. I loved how she checked our understanding at the end. She also did all of the above with an enjoyable sense of humour. Thank you so much!"

5 Jan 16'

Richard Ford reviewed: Kitchen knife making course

"A fantastic course, three days completely removed from normal day to day life, focussed on creating something beautiful and useful."

5 Jan 16'

John Wood reviewed: Kitchen knife making course

"Just brilliant fun, this is all about doing it yourself. Hard work for those not used to handling tools. The grinding is the worst, such control required, so easy to go wrong, so good when you have done something to be proud of. Owen, thanks, you make sure that all of us do have a knife to be proud of. This was my second course at Bushfire Forge, and will not be the last. I used mine to carve the turkey!"

5 Jan 16'

Peter Mace reviewed: Kitchen knife making course

"I really enjoyed this course. The forging of the initial shape of the blade is hard work-be prepared for 4 to 6 hours of hammering-and the grinding to shape takes a bit of concentration. But Owen gives enormous support and encouragement,and it clearly is hugely knowledgeable, and willing to share this. I've ended up with a knife I'm very proud of, and though Owen had to do bits of it for me (I was not to be trusted with some of the grinding!), I legitimately can claim it as my work, and achieving somethingI never thought I would/could"

5 Jan 16'

Helen S. reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"I spent two days with Ed who was more than happy to tailor-make the time to meet my needs, more around the design/construction of press moulds than moulds for slip casting in this case. I left with a much clearer understanding of the techniques of mould making and two useful moulds into the bargain. Ed is a great listener and communicator and as a result a very good teacher. I think he has found his niche, which is good for the rest of us! He is also a very skilled designer and maker, useful on an ongoing basis for more complex projects. Even in wild December, the setting of the craft barn is really beautiful and I would recommend the trip for anyone looking to get away from if all to focus on improving their skills with the help of an expert teacher. Thank you Ed!"

4 Jan 16'

Laura Rabin reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"Had a fantastic day, Ricky was a great teacher and allowed me to choose the pieces I wanted to make. He explained some of the different techniques used and how you could get different effects with the colours and bubbles as well as shaping and pulling glass. The class was limited to 2 people which meant that you always had something to do or concentrate on. I would definitely recommend this course, the location was also great."

4 Jan 16'

Nick reviewed: An introduction to wood turning with Gregory Moreton (2 Days)

"An excellent two day course both my daughter and I both learnt a lot and are keen to carry on the craft of woodturning."

4 Jan 16'

ladylidders reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"Brilliant day - can't recommend it highly enough. Only two people on the course at one time, so you get lots of time to learn and create some pieces! Ricky is an excellent teacher, patient, approachable and has a good sense of humour making the day really fun."

4 Jan 16'

Sandra Worton reviewed: Mosaic one day workshop for adults with Caroline Jariwala, Birmingham

"Had a brilliant day at Bilston Art Gallery! Caroline explained everything really well and made the day relaxing and creative. Wonderful introduction to making mosaics."