CraftCourses helps people experience the joy and satisfaction of making and doing all across the UK, and beyond.

Supporting crafts since 2011

Hands forming a vessel on pottery wheel
Est. 2011, CraftCourses connects people with thousands of craftspeople & artists all across the UK, who teach their wondrous skills!

We have a massive choice of in-person workshops, live online classes, online courses, kits, and a handcrafted shop offered by our large community of independent artisan makers.

Our mission is to help people experience the joy and satisfaction of making and doing, as our 40,000 plus reviews from happy customers can testify.

Based in Pembrokeshire, we are the UK’s largest creative experience site; from glassblowing to blacksmithing, printmaking to pottery, sculpture to photography, there is something for everyone!

Our gift vouchers and cards make a unique and memorable present, redeemable against anything on the CraftCourses site.

Our team on the office terrace in Pembrokeshire.



Who we are?


For eleven years now we have been dedicated to supporting artisans, craftspeople, arts centres & colleges across the UK, with our excellent customer services, marketing and software.

We have a passion for doing some good in the world and sharing the many wonderful benefits of being creative and hands-on.




Do you teach or make?


For our large community of makers/tutors, we offer an effective and efficient way to share your fascinating skills with the world and earn significant additional income.

Read what our tutors / makers say about us here.

We are free to join, with no listing fees, we take a commission only when we deliver a fully paid up customer to you. The commission is 10% if you are using our 'instant' model and 12% if you use our 'on request' option for bookings & orders. We also have widget software, which our engineers can install for you, to help you keep all of your bookings and orders in one place - and these commissions are just 4%.

All Makers are welcome to join our teaching/making community by registering here.



Contact


We love to hear from you! You can contact us by telephoning 01239 805080 and our lines are open  9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m weekdays, or emailing contact@craftcourses.com.

Our team:

Kate Dewmartin

Kate Dewmartin

Founder

Likes: family, friends, nature, music
Dislikes: timetables (and times tables)
Favourite craft: leatherwork

I grew up in leather, paint and wood-workshops as my parents were rocking horse makers. After several years of marketing roles in France and London, in 2011 I set up CraftCourses from my home in West Wales. Making and doing is good for our health and happiness. Whilst creating beautiful and useful things, we relax, we go into a natural ‘flow' state. Later, we get enormous satisfaction from knowing; 'I made that’. Our purpose is to help as many people as possible access that fantastic feeling. My role at CraftCourses is to create an excellent and useful platform for makers, at both the learning & teaching end.

Daisy

Daisy

Customer Service & graphic design

Likes: Wild flowers, good coffee, dogs, beach and forest adventures with loved ones.
Dislikes: Flying birds, Narrow cliff path walks.
Favourite craft: Has to be weaving but would love to get my hands on some clay and try pottery.

As a textile weaver, I understand first hand the positive and therapeutic benefits that come from making. I feel very fortunate to be in a role where I can support both the students and course providers of CraftCourses, helping individuals find the perfect craft experience. My role at CraftCourses: to provide excellent customer service to our students and course providers via phone and email.

Niki Rathmell

Niki Rathmell

Editor

Likes: Dog agility training, writing silly poems, where I live
Dislikes: Cold showers (sorry Wim Hof)!
Favourite craft: Fimo clay - favourite makes are my colourful nativity and Christmas decorations!

Being fascinated by art & literature I love the creative element of this job; it’s a real pleasure to work with such a lovely community of makers! I have the perfect blend of skill and experience for CraftCourses. I've lived in many countries, and most recently spent a decade in Australia where I developed a deep appreciation of Indigenous art and Aboriginal dreamtime. My role at CraftCourses is to write and edit the weekly newsletter and blogs, edit site content and answer the phone when it rings!"

Lewys Evans

Lewys Evans

Software engineer

Likes: Gaming, Dungeons & Dragons, comics, building computers
Dislikes: Food, my whole extended family using my Netflix account
Favourite craft: Woodwork & D&D figurine painting

I live in the middle of nowhere in Pembrokeshire so it was a very pleasant surprise to find such a wonderful coding position so close to home! The team here is small and very friendly. I am a Computer Science graduate of Swansea University. My role at CraftCourses is to test, develop and build new features to improve the overall usability of our platform.

Tom Protheroe

Tom Protheroe

Junior Software Engineer

Likes: Gaming, socialising with friends, ice cream
Dislikes: Early mornings, coffee
Favourite craft: Pottery, painting, guitar

Learn as much as I can and help the more senior members of the dev team build and test new features. I live in a small town in Carmarthenshire. After a brief time at uni and a few years working a job I wasn’t fond of, I got the opportunity to join the CraftCourses team as a Trainee Software Engineer through the Kickstart Scheme. I resumed my higher education in 2021 with the Open University and hope to finally obtain my degree.

David Bowen

David Bowen

Consultant engineer & site daddy

Likes: Computer games, animals, Sweden
Dislikes: Cats jumping on me when I’m asleep
Favourite craft: Figurine painting, wild foraging in my new homeland

I am passionate about solving problems and building smooth and sustainable software. I won the Welsh web finals aged 16 which led me to representing the UK in the Web Design category at WorldSkills London 2011, where I gained the highest scoring Medallion of Excellence. It was at WorldSkills that I met Kate and soon after began building the first iteration of CraftCourses. As luck would have it, I was also based in West Wales, though have since followed my partner Sandra to Sweden. My role at CraftCourses is to build, develop and maintain the website.

With over 30,000 reviews we needed a way to give our star Makers & Tutors the recognition they deserve. Browse the UK's most popular creative tutors & makers from the award-winners below

Platinum award:

Gold award:

Silver award:

Bronze award:

Recent reviews

28 Mar 23'

John Ware reviewed: Two People - 6 hours Introduction to welding course

"Recommended for anyone wanting to get into welding as a hobby. I attended on Friday 24 Mar with my son at the workspace in Bordon. We had a great day and started with the basics on arc welding, then MIG and then using TIG for the last few hours. Roger has excellent knowledge on technique and providing lots of tips on understanding weld results. My son followed up with some MIG welding on the weekend and the difference was amazing- we are now making a dinosaur sculpture from scrap. Recommended for anyone wanting to get into welding as a hobby."

28 Mar 23'

Amanda Keddie reviewed: Terracotta clay plant pots at Brockhole on Windermere

"This is the best £45 I’ve spent in a long time. Despite having absolutely no artistic talent I thoroughly enjoyed producing not 1, but 2 pots! Rosie was excellent, giving really clear instruction and being supportive with help and advice when asked."

28 Mar 23'

Bib reviewed: Two day Leaded Stained Glass panel making.

"Loved everything about this 2 day stained glass course. Created something that I'm really chuffed with that's now hanging in our house. Laura is an amazing tutor. Very kind, fun & patient ! Learned a lot and her own work is beautiful. Would definitely recommend this course and Todmorden x"

Laura Barnes Crafty Fox Studios responded:

" What lovely feedback! I think stained glass craft really suits you. The piece you made reminds me of church windows with the intensity of colours you chose. I'm delighted you enjoyed Todmorden, it's a special place. You've cheered me up on a rainy morning! Thank you."

28 Mar 23'

Gwyn reviewed: Pottery & ceramics for young people with Geraldine Francis

"Thank you so much for such an informative session. The kids had a great time and we really appreciated you letting them choose what they'd like to do and helping them make some great pieces!"

Geraldine Francis Ceramics responded:

" Thank you for your review, It was lovely to meet you all and I am so pleased the children enjoyed it. I will be in touch when the work is ready for collection. Geri"

27 Mar 23'

Gail Jones reviewed: Beginners silver jewellery course

"What a lovely day! It was the first try for me and my friend at jewellery making and I don’t think we could have chosen better. Mark is such a good teacher, he’s so skilled and knowledgeable about all and everything to do with his craft and that workshop is equipped with everything you could ever need! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and feel quite proud of the rings and earrings we managed to make. The whole day was really easy going and Mark and Terri are so warm and friendly. I would thoroughly recommend this workshop, and hopefully we’ll be back soon! "

27 Mar 23'

Kate reviewed: Potters wheel throwing for beginners Dimbleby Ceramics Trentham Stoke-on-Trent

"This was the first time I had even handled a piece of clay never mind used a potters wheel. I had a wonderful day and achieved far more than I could have imagined. Matt was a fantastic teacher, his instructions were clear and easy to follow and he was extremely patient. Would highly recommend this day course. "

Dimbleby Ceramics - Beginners Studio Pottery Courses responded:

" Hi Kate, thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It was wonderful to see you progress throughout the day gaining confidence with the clay, applying new skills and creating lovely forms. Best wishes Mathew"

27 Mar 23'

Pam and Jonathan reviewed: Beginners 1-day pairs woodturning workshop

"A great course for two novice woodturners. Simon’s teaching style was perfect for adult learners. Theoretical aspects were covered and sat well alongside the practical work. Demonstration of techniques was excellent so we were confident to get stuck in and have a go. Feedback and intervention was timely and appropriate. The atmosphere was very relaxed and we never felt pressured or hurried and the well equipped workshop made an excellent environment for learning. A lovely lunch and plenty of refreshments throughout the day. We were pleased to each go home with two lovely turned pieces and are confident that with plenty of practice and the help of Simon’s notes they’ll be the first of many."

27 Mar 23'

Glynn Unsworth reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I attended a second box making course with Mark and again thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Mark took us through the process step by step and helped us individually throughout the process. Mark also gave us lots of tips and advice informed through years of practice. If you’re anxious and not sure about signing up for the course, as I was, go for it, you’ll really enjoy it."

27 Mar 23'

Karen reviewed: Scented soy candle making kit - vegan-friendly

"Lovely gift/present, beautifully presented and a great price. Excellent communication with the seller, gift arrived quickly and well packaged. Highly recommend. "

27 Mar 23'

Olivia reviewed: Glass painting taster day

"Hi Derek, I had an amazing time I can’t thank you enough! It was great to meet other creatives and to try a new craft, I’d definitely like to work with glass more 😊 Thanks again!"

Derek Hunt Artist responded:

" Hi Olivia, it was great to work with you on the glass painting course, and so glad you found it valuable. 🙏🙂"

27 Mar 23'

Sheren reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"Japanese style chopping board course was a excellent opportunity to learn new skills. Pete and Jacqui were brilliant hosts, taking time with each student to ensure they understood how to make the boards and how to work safely. Amazing the quality of the boards a complete novice can take home, definitely recommend this day. "

27 Mar 23'

Simone reviewed: Fused glass window wreath

"I enjoyed attending the course. Linda was helpful during the course and I love the glass wreath I made. It was only a bit rushed towards the end but Linda is planning to make the sessions longer, which will be much better."

27 Mar 23'

Malcolm Graham reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Very well run and enjoyable instruction / participation course from DSWA Lancashire Branch. Paul and Chris provided excellent information and support before and during the course, with support from a number of volunteers over the two days- thanks to Paul, Gill, Bev, Cathy and Lee. Tearing down the 210 year old millstone grit wall under instruction gave a good view of how the original had been constructed and where failures had occurred. Consideration of how the stones were sorted, laid down and managed was a key area that would not be obvious if you were working alone; that and the careful method of assessing the placement of stones during the build are key areas of the craft. Equipment and safety procedures were well covered and the group was generally very careful throughout the build. There was a great feeling of value when we could look back at the section of wall that we had constructed following the DSWA rules. I have to thank everyone present for the convivial and supportive environment which led to success. I shall be joining DSWA now and looking for practice meets in Wiltshire area."

27 Mar 23'

Marion and Fabby reviewed: Glass Bead Making Workshop - For Two People

"Julia imparted her expertise in a clear easy to follow way. The studio is set up well so that there is plenty of space to work. We were delighted with what we were able to produce under her tutorage. Her skill is incredible and the beads she produces are gorgeous. We would love to do this course again in the future."

27 Mar 23'

Eileen V reviewed: Explore block printing on Textiles in Hampshire

"Thoroughly recommend. A very enjoyable day in a lovely setting. Alison and Liz are excellent teachers even for complete novices like me!"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

" Hi Eileen, It was lovely to meet and work with you. As a novice, you made great progress throughout the day and produced some lovely work . Happy printing ! Best wishes Alison and Liz "

27 Mar 23'

Liza Malby-Tynan reviewed: Introduction to Leatherwork

"This course was by far the best course I have ever done. Cathy was incredible - a fantastic teacher and so easygoing. She had already worked out how to make the item that I wanted to make, printed pictures and selected the right leather. She showed me all the techniques to make the item and I left with a very very beautiful thing. I can't recommend this course or Cathy enough. "

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