Latest reviews

Hilary Griffiths reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"Attended a one day willow weaving course making a curlew. Rachel is a wonderful host providing a warm welcome on arrival to a wonderful renovated barn. I was very reassured that all measures in line with covid regulations were in place andIi was able to completely relax and enjoy a fantastic course with Phil at the helm encouraging us all that we would be able to make a willow curlew by the end of the day! - and he was right! Homemade biscuits quiche and cake all made by Rachel really made me feel so looked after and it was the best day I have had since March! Really well worth going on. Thankyou Rachel for making me feel very welcomed."

Donna Chamberlain reviewed: Painting animals in watercolour

"Liz is a wonderful teacher: engaging, enthusiastic and encouraging. The course covered some basic and more advanced techniques with lots of time to practice and experiment. I would thoroughly recommend Liz’s courses to any one who loves watercolour"

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Hi Donna, thank you for such a lovely review. I thought your otter was excellent and meant to take a photo, along with the silhouettes - but didn't. If you share on social media tag me and I with 'love' it! I am so glad you have booked on more courses. See you soon!"

Emily Trenwith reviewed: Beginner's Patchwork and Quilting Course

"I'm reasonably confident with my sewing machine thanks to the Sew Forest of Dean "Learn to Love Your Sewing Machine" course, but was worried I wasn't precise enough to do patchwork. She's helped me with my cutting and piecing skills, and I've now made cushions, and a baby quilt. Feel like I'm now ready to tackle my first grown up quilt, I've learned so much! Thank you Jen!"

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"You have some great ideas for your projects Emily, I'm so glad I've been able to help you gain confidence and to get you started with them. Your bookcase quilt is going to be stunning, I can't wait to see it finished."

Emily Trenwith reviewed: Learn to Love your Sewing Machine

"Jen is an excellent teacher, with a passion for needlework that's infectious. She explains things very clearly, has endless patience & creativity, and will get you excited to use your sewing machine! Love going to the studio for some sewcialising, and looking forward to my next course. Highly recommend this lovely lady."

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"Thank you so much Emily, it's always a pleasure to spend time with you in the studio x"

Jak Christon reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience in Grassington (3 hours)

"I just had my foot in the door, had a forge and a make shift anvil at home but not a clue on how to blacksmith besides hitting hot metal till it moves. I received this experience for my birthday, and it was one of the best gifts I’ve received. Richard is an excellent blacksmith, he explains things very clearly and he is very patient. I entered his workshop knowing very little about how to blacksmith and left knowing a lot about moving the metal, from where to strike on the anvil, how to position the metal and hammering techniques. During the time I spent with Richard we made a knife, key chain and a bottle opener. Thanks Richard I can now continue at home practising what he taught me. I would highly recommend booking time with him."

Jackie from Ledbury reviewed: Hand embroidered flowers - mini books- with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"Another lovely workshop. Very relaxed but learnt so much again. Thank you."

Ruth MacArthur reviewed: Candlemaking workshops for beginners in Hastoe, nr Tring

"A lovely morning spent with my daughter, while Anne taught us about candle making, very informative. We made a variety of candles, coloured and scented, which be brought home. A real pleasure to meet Anne, can’t thank her enough."

Susan from Gloucester reviewed: Hand embroidered flowers - mini books- with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"A lovely relaxing and inspiring day. Good to have structure to the day with clear instructions when needed."

Paula Loveday-Smith reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"I took the one day hare sculpture course - what a wonderful day with a super teacher - would highly recommend. Thank you Jo!!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thanks Paula ;-) Fabulous hares were made and a great group to work with! Hope all goes well with the kits you purchased (photos please ;-)) Jo x"

Alison reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Felted Pictures Workshop in Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"Great felting workshop with free form embroidery. It was a brilliant day I felt I had accomplished loads . Melanie was a fantastic teacher sharing her knowledge and experience. She also plied us with tea/coffee and cake all day . Well worth the money ."

Ann reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Felted Pictures Workshop in Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"The wet felting/free motion embroidery course was fabulous. There were loads of sources of inspiration and Melanie was a great teacher....informative, helpful and relaxed. We loved it. We’ll be back."

Kate reviewed: Mosaic Craft Kit - Unicorn

"I bought this kit as a birthday present for my daughter (obsessed with unicorns) and it arrived very promptly and beautifully packaged. Can't wait to now see her reaction when she opens it (and also to spend an afternoon happily crafting together)."

Montet Designs responded:

"Lovely! I hope you both enjoy creating the unicorn together : ) Many thanks for your purchase."

Caroline N reviewed: Make your own natural beauty products

"Fab session this morning with Lucie! My friend and I have learnt a new skill! So glad! On top on this Lucie is very kind and flexible. She explained very clearly all the steps and taught all the ingredients' properties to let us tailor our beauty products. I would highly recommend her sessions!"

Anais reviewed: Make your own natural beauty products

"Don't miss it- an exciting one and a half hour experience, with Lucie. Lucie was very knowledgeable, able to answer numerous questions. Don't forget to book one day before your arrival. Lucie is more than flexible and will arrange a session for you. Product range is wide and we could just pick the ones we were interested in learning how to make them. Thank you so much for this hands on session, we will come back soon!"

My Slow Experience responded:

"Thank you for your kind review. Hope you will enjoy using your very own beauty products. Happy to have met you. xxx"

Sheila and Paul Child reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"We thoroughly enjoyed our two person Wood Turning Beginners course with Simon and are delighted with what we took home. We made a beautiful bowl, a butter pat press, a light pull and two honey dippers, the latter being the result of our first practice pieces. It is amazing how a square block of wood becomes cylindrical with just a few, carefully guided, moves. Excellent, patient instruction and an altogether very interesting and satisfying experience with real, tangible, output. We learned a lot. The lunch provided was also excellent and just what we would have chosen had we been asked for a preference. We were looked after extremely well and it was just 20 minutes from home. Could not have been better."

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

"Sheila/Paul, So glad you enjoyed your workshop as much as I enjoyed meeting you both. You were lovely to teach and I'm glad you're pleased with your creations. Once lock down is over, I must go to Canada and see the bears fishing for salmon! :)"

Daniel Cox reviewed: Pottery Throwing (Group Discounts Available) Lessons in Worcester

"I bought this course as a present for my girlfriend's birthday - safe to say, we both loved it! As true beginners, this course was perfect. Chris is clearly extremely knowledgeable and a very good tutor. Chris gave fab hints and tips throughout the pot-making process, while still allowing us to keep the pots looking like our own - a tad wonky :P With Chris' help we were able to pick it up very quickly and come away having made and decorated a succession of fantastic looking bowls, which we can't wait to pick up and display with pride in the coming weeks! The social distancing/PPE guidance and measures put in place by Chris were more than adequate and allowed us both to enjoy the evening without concern. Bonus points, we stumbled across a fellow geologist!!! Thanks again, Chris, for a fabulous evening - we will certainly be returning! Cheers, Dan & Charlotte :)"

Chris Greening Pottery responded:

"Hi Dan & Charlotte. What a wonderful review - I'm blushing (an Orthoclase feldspar pink of course...)! It was a great session and it is always lovely when people thrown themselves into the session. I'm also always impressed when people start off (quite rightly) trying to work out where the hands and fingers go but very quickly get to grips with the processes. Really well done - the pots are now drying nicely and will be in the kiln in a week or so for the first of the two firings and glazing. Best wishes, Chris."

John reviewed: Sourdough workshop

"I really enjoyed this course; it was fun and well paced covering each stage in the process both in practical skills as well as the underlying theory. The location is lovely and luckily the weather held out so we could eat the delicious breakfast and lunch outside. Due to Covid we wore visors which worked very well...I felt safe and comfortable all day and often forgot I was wearing one. I came home with several different loaves of very tasty bread and 2 starters which means I can now bake bread instead of the brick like substance I produced before. I would definitely recommend this course and the fact that half the attendees had been on previous courses speaks for itself. Thank you so much Helen."

Claire reviewed: Botanical Candles with Leah Chapman at Cambridge Art Makers

"It was amazing! We both really enjoyed it and Leah was great – we’d love to do more!!"

Jennifer Cawdron reviewed: Frame Baskets, 2 days with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"I enjoyed making the square basket. It was a very different type of basket to ones I have made before and was clearly explained by Phil. The venue was a very pleasant space, with plenty of room and light. The food was excellent."

Nicola Pentland reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience in Grassington (3 hours)

"I booked an afternoon with Richard for my husband as a gift - best decision ever! He had an amazing time and was so impressed with the knife that he made. Two weeks later and he's still raving about it! He said Richard was really knowledgeable and had a real gift for explaining things really clearly, and declared it the best gift he'd ever received! The booking process was easy and all communication from Richard was spot on. The photos he took were an unexpected and much appreciated touch too. Thanks Richard, you really gave him a great experience! We wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone - actually, we already have! All the best x"

Thomas Harper reviewed: Make your own shavehorse with Gedwood

"I decided to go on this 2 day shave horse course after doing a log to stool course with Ged and had a great time. I didn’t have a huge amount of experience with green woodworking but the course was easy to follow and Ged has a wealth of knowledge about green woodworking which he is happy to share it, as well as make recommendations about tools etc. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, the course is well worth it."

Gedwood responded:

"Thanks again Thomas. I love teaching how to make the shavehorse. Its such a great skill building course both for me and the student!"

Thomas Harper reviewed: Log to Stool with Gedwood

"The idea of making a piece of furniture starting from scratch with unprocessed greenwood is something quite special in this modern world. Reset, relax and relearn a much forgotten skill that most would have known a century ago. Leave not only with a great piece of furniture but a wealth of knowledge provided by Ged and the skills and confidence to go on and create other things. This was a fantastic course and great value for money. We use the stool every day."

Gedwood responded:

"Thanks for your kind words Thomas. And good to know your stool is being put to use!"

Jeff reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I attended the course looking for two outcomes: improve my limited woodworking skills and have a box to take home. Both were achieved. The box designs allowed a lot of creativity and personalisation and this along with the knowledgeable support of the tutor made for a great course. I picked up a lot of useful tips in a very relaxed environment. I would really recommend this course; enjoyable and full of help and support."

Craig Robinson reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Great experience!! The lads made us feel welcome and explained everything expertly! We came out with a couple of pieces made by us with excellent support. Lunch was delicious!!!"

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Craig I am pleased you enjoyed the day , and the lunch! I will pass the message on to the Lads , I know they enjoy being told about the comments. To see photos of the day you will need to visit our website best wishes John"

Laura McBride reviewed: Pottery & Ceramics Ad hoc sessions, Learn when you want

"Mum and I had a lovely experience with Geraldine. The premises were ideal for mum as she has mobility issues. Geraldine helped us through the whole process of our clay sculpture and made it fun and enjoyable. Would definitely recommend."

Geraldine Francis Ceramics responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, it was lovely to meet you and I am so pleased you enjoyed the experience, I will be in touch when the sculptures have been through the firing. Kind regards Geri"