Latest reviews

Fran reviewed: Needle Felting Workshop - landscape pictures

"A great morning. Pip is very organised, goes through everything very thoroughly and answers all questions. Excellent preparation for starting a new hobby!"

Kel H reviewed: Creative Mosaic Making in-a-Day!

"Brilliant 2 hour workshop, lots of beautiful bits to chose from...ceramics, glass, beads, tiles. Lisa-Marie is a great tutor, relaxed atmosphere, lovely work-room, can't wait to go again!"

Heather Raisin reviewed: Paint & Create - Adult Christmas decoration art workshop

"Excellent workshop. Lovely tutor and great atmosphere. Really enjoyed the experience."

Paint & Create responded:

"Hi Heather, Thank you so much for your lovely review and for letting me know how much you enjoyed the workshop . I really appreciate you taking the time to write it. Best wishes Josie . "

Phil Garrett reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"This was an excellent course, I was able learn a great range of skills. There is a lot of work to get done in two days but Peter and Toby explain everything very clearly and I felt i had the time I needed to complete everything. It was really great to come away with a stool that I had made myself."

Chris F reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"A fantastic intro to epoxy resin pouring. Thanks to Richard for all his help and expert knowledge. The workshop is a great space to work with everything you’d need to start learn about resin pours."

Jeanette Pezare reviewed: Furzie's Needlefelt Workshop - Somerset

"Michelle was lovely & was a fantastic tutor, i learnt so much & it has given me lots of ideas & a new enthusiasm as i was feeling stuck with my felting. "

Richard Surma reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"I wish to express how impressed, happy and buzzing I am after spending a day with the Blended Monkey team - a superb experience throughout. The communication through appointment set-up was exceptional, the team friendly and responsive. The day I spent in Simon's artistic and extremely patient hands was thrilling to me - as someone who needed to unlearn a load of self-taught nonsense, Simon put me right carefully, without rushing and indulged my incessant questions like he was enjoying himself..I certainly was. Without a pause, Simon basically put together a bespoke day to guide me through the things I was interested in (if it aint a Bowl...I aint interested....)...but firmly informed me of the things I had to get right like some Zen/Guru of wood...The techniques I have come away with have my hands aching to get to work and my brain alive with plans for my next project (probably a bowl...). The facilities are excellent, clean, safe, peaceful and robust...lunch was great and I have a sneaky feeling the scones were homemade....yummy. Follow-up notes and links are immediate and arrived the day after my course and useful stuff like items in Simon's workshop for safe storage of tools included also, notes are simple, clear and easy to follow......I'm going back, tool sharpening course first....I think. Cant thank Louise and Simon enough for a great experience but even more for lighting a fire under a hobby I have had for about a year now have been enjoying greatly, and now am having trouble containing my enthusiasm for. First class all round."

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi Richard, Immensely grateful for a heartfelt review and look forward to seeing you again soon. Happy turning! — Simon"

Liz Simpson reviewed: Mastering Pen Making.

"An enjoyable, relaxing day spent with Derek making a beautiful fountain pen. There is a wide selection of pen types and woods to choose from and he guides you through the different options to help you end up with what you would like. Derek is extremely knowledgeable and gives you confidence in using the cutting equipment, lathe etc and it gave me an appreciation of how much work goes into the process of making a pen! Can thoroughly recommend this experience."

Assynt Pens responded:

"Well done Liz. Great work, and a cracker of a pen. I’m so glad you enjoyed the experience. "

Lesley reviewed: Needle felted Dogs and Cats in Hebden Bridge

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day needle felting and creating a model of my dog Tom. The time whizzed by and Geraldine was a great tutor, very calm, knowledgable and approachable. Lovely venue too. Thanks so much."

Bev Nation reviewed: Fused glass workshop - Plymouth

"A very reasonable price for 3 relaxed and enjoyable hours. Sheena explained everything really well beforehand. We were given a wide variety of glass shapes to choose from and were able to copy her designs if needed. A welcome cuppa and yummy cake made the morning complete. A really lovely course for 6 people which I have already recommended to my friends. Christmas decorations done ✔️ "

Animac reviewed: Watercolour Workshop with Claire Waltier MacGillivray

"Really enjoyable and very instructive morning with Claire. Valuable insight into approach to watercolour from a very experienced professional artist. I was inspired to pick up paints and brushes again. . The venue was excellent and thanks to Hannah for hosting. Tea and cake much appreciated "

M. Hayward reviewed: Create gem-inspired stones: polymer clay workshop

"Meeting Elizabeth and attending this course at Elizabeth's lovely studio was an amazing experience. Elizabeth and her husband were both very welcoming, Elizabeth is very patient and generous with her teaching. I highly recommend Elizabeth's course/workshop. "

Elizabeth Sadler Jewellery responded:

"Thank you very much for your kind words. It was such a pleasure to meet you and show you how to make ‘lapis lazuli’. Now you know how to work with polymer clay I am sure you will go on to make some beautiful jewellery."

Hannah Boot reviewed: Introduction to table loom weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury - Two day workshop

"I had an absolutely fabulous time on this workshop. I've been weaving on a rigid heddle for a few years and wanted to try my hand at weaving on a shaft loom. It was as great as I expected and Ellie was a fantastic tutor. Had a great time. Thanks Ellie. 🙂"

Jim Ferguson reviewed: Pen Making Course (1/2 day)

"A great day and a very interesting course. Derek is very helpful and gives you the confidence to operate the machines. There is an extensive selection of pen types and materials to choose from and at the end of the course you will leave with a working pen made by yourself. Thanks Derek. "

Assynt Pens responded:

"Thank you very much Jim. Glad you enjoyed the experience. "

Diane Shillito reviewed: Mandala Creation Drawing Workshop in the Peak District

"This was a brilliant workshop session. Tamsin was created a relaxed creative environment and was really supportive through the whole process of making my own mandala. It was absorbing and enjoyable "

Tamdala responded:

"Thankyou for your lovely review Diane. It was a pleasure to meet you and I am so pleased you enjoyed the workshop. x"

Naomi reviewed: Glass blowing course - taster

"What a wonderful course!! Steve and Angela were both so lovely, informative and encouraging. I was fortunate enough to be on my own, so I had so much expert tuition. Angela took photos so that I could have them to remember the experience. I absolutely loved my time with them. Thank you so much for an amazing experience!! Highly recommended 😊"

Chew Valley HandMade Glass responded:

"Thank you Naomi for taking the time to leave a review for us. It was a pleasure to meet and work with you. We are so pleased you enjoyed your time with us yesterday. You have definitely got an artistic flare for glass, I have just posted your creations which you should be very proud of. Regards Angie and Steve "

Jane and louise reviewed: Fused Glass Flowers Wave or Candle Holder Workshop

"We had a super day at the fused glass workshop, gentle , and without pressure. We learnt a lot and our tutor answered questions without making you feel stupid. We would recommend to everyone a lovely way to spend a morning. Ps I had no skills but I'm proud of the result !"

Rebecca Shillito reviewed: Half Day Potters Wheel & Clay Hand Building at The Crafty Potter, Heskin

"It was my first experience using the wheel and Hannah was fantastic, explaining everything & supporting me throughout! I had a great time - thank you!"

The Crafty potter responded:

"Hi Rebecca Thank you for your fab review- you did awesome, it was a pleasure having you in the studio xx"

FandA reviewed: Circular Sock machine one to one lessons

"We arrived with a non working sock machine and left with one that worked. Julie's husband was very patient and got the machine working by the time we left. We were able to complete a pair of socks on Julie's machine. However, on the domestic front, all was not well. During the time we were there, we were only offered one drink, and I had to supply my own tea bag as the promised beverages were not available."

Circular Sock Machine school responded:

"Thank you for your review. I would like to return your ribber disc that my partner is modifying for you, however I don’t have your postal address. Please message me privately with your address and I will post it back to you. "

Jonathan Rounce reviewed: Line & Wash ... 'Painting buildings in the Landscape' with John Harrison ...a Quirky Workshop at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns

"My wife, Catherine, and I attended John Harrison’s wonderful workshop and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience - the teaching, company, the catering & the fascinating location. As a pure pen & ink artist I had never dabbled with colour/wash and so was nervous, but John soon put me at my ease with his inspiring examples of bringing pen and ink to life with colour wash. His book too is a very useful reminder of how to perfect this wonderful art form. "

Julian Morgan reviewed: Mig Welding For Beginners Introductory Day Course.

"Thank you Tony for an excellent day of training. We learnt so much that will give us the safe and correct way how to set up and use the MIG equipment. Best wish Julian"

Newport Wrought Ironwork responded:

"Thank you for your positive comments, I hope you continue to develop your welding skills in your own workshop. It was great meeting you both. Regards Tony "

Faye Lockwood reviewed: Jewellery Workshop - Make a Silver Ring

"I took my mum to her ring making experience and honestly we had such a lovely time. Sheila was excellent, she was really patient and explained everything well. It was a safe and clean workspace that was very obviously looked after well. We had a blast and came away with some lovely pieces. Well worth it!"

Paul Brock reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"1to1 Wood Turning Oct 2024. What a super fun day with Simon in the very well equipped workshop. Simons knowledge and patience led to achieving results to be proud of. Just to show that at the age of 76 it’s never too late to learn new skills."

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi Paul, Thank you for a lovely review; it was great to spend the day with you and so glad you enjoyed your stay too. — Simon"

Sian Davies reviewed: Confidence with tools for DIY beginners

"Finally! An introduction to DIY in the most fabulous of workshops with a great instructor. Matt was so welcoming, had the most fantastic day. I only wish I’d done this type of course years ago as would have saved ££££’s in handyman costs for the most simple of tasks. Matt was also patient and understood the nerves of sawing something for the first time! Since that day I’ve fixed my shed using wood filler and put up some shelves. Changed door handles, got my Dyson fixed onto the wall. I got some decorators chalk and sorted out my skirting boards and sealant in my bathroom around the bath and sink. I’ve even been practising drilling holes into old bricks and pieces of wood. Would highly recommend to anyone thinking about a day with Matt to get it booked. After some of the disasters I’ve seen some male friends attempt with DIY I think the blokes should get themselves booked in too! Thank you Matt for giving me the confidence boost that I can do house jobs myself. And do them well. "

matt boysons responded:

"Hi Sian Thank you so much for your review, I think I might print it and stick it up on the wall in the workshop to remind me I'm on the right path. I'm thinking seriously about running a more advance course next spring, if I do I'll certainly let you know. Thanks again for your kind words and for being such a big part of what was a great day for all of us. Matt"

Caroline reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"I thoroughly enjoyed the linocut course. Judith explained everything thoroughly and I’m so pleased with my prints. I’m really looking forward to putting what I learnt into practise. "

print paper stitch experiences responded:

"Thank you Caroline, your landscape prints were beautifully cut and printed, I'd love to see what you create in the future!"