Latest reviews

Derek Chapman reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"Fantastic 2 day weekend knife making course. Graham, David and Decklan know their stuff, plenty of equipment and patience so no waiting around. Left on Sunday with a knife with handle and sheath. Also booked in for the following Wednesday and Thursday for one to one course with Graham. Graham is a fountain of knowledge on metallurgy, furnace work, quenching and just about any thing to to with bladesmithing. I have been collecting knives for years and have a small forge at home and have attempted to make a few knives to be fair they were rubbish and ended up in the bin, the knife I made on Thursday I would be proud to add to my collection. I'm sure I will be going back to Vlakvark Forge to learn more at a later date. If you have any interest in knives or knife making, book yourself on to this course, you will not be disappointed."

Aimee reviewed: Pottery classes in Teesside

"I enjoyed the pottery class, it was a great way to try pottery for the first time and find out how enjoyable it is! Would definitely recommend."

PoppyRose responded:

"Thank you Aimee, so glad you enjoyed your taster! your planter looks great. Best wishes, Louise"

Rhona McGonigal reviewed: Making a mosaic with slate

"The creative possibilities were endless- a really enjoyable class! The small class size was ideal as we all got the right amount of input. Thoroughly recommend!"

Kate reviewed: Bespoke Contemporary Fine Art Encaustic Wax Workshop.

"Thank you Lyn for a most informative and enjoyable day. Considering my friend and I were absolute beginners, I was delighted to end up with such an accomplished finished product. Lyn is patient and flexible whilst covering all the basics, and her enthusiasm shines though it all. She has inspired me to have a try at home. I thoroughly recommend trying one of Lyn's courses."

Contemporary Encaustic Wax Workshop with Lyn Kirkland responded:

"Dear Kate and Mel, Thank you for your review of the workshop. It was a pleasure to meet you both, and I was seriously impressed with your finished work on the day. Do keep in touch, would love to see more of your encaustic work, Take care Lyn"

Barbara reviewed: Making a mosaic with slate

"Thoroughly enjoyed this half day course. A great introduction to the joys of mosaic making. Rachel is a superb teacher, patient and also really helpful with design ideas and techniques to try. The time flew but we all completed a lovely slate tile, each beautiful and different from each other's. Highly recommend giving it a go!"

Mitch Tiisler reviewed: Embossed pewter box workshop

"Mel is very welcoming and personable. She is clearly very creative with a wide range of knowledge across many medias, and open to sharing her knowledge when asked. Made to feel at home (provided some nuts and hot drinks). We were given lots of guidance and step by step support alongside a wide range of examples/resources. A very simple method to pick up within minutes of Mel's explanation and trial/test piece; and then the rest of the session to be creative and make it your own. You take a wooden box, colour the clasp and hinges, and remove the corners in prep and paint it whatever colour you like. Then you draw out your design and begin embossing on the pewter sheet. You also use a pattern for the surround on a separate piece of pewter. Then we treated/coloured the pewter and then cleaned it to your required shine. Finally sticking the pewter bits to the box. We also got a tour of the building while we were waiting for the pewter to be treated, which was lovely to see all the creativity. A wonderful day. Would recommend."

Mitch Tiisler reviewed: Beginners stained glass workshops using copper foil.

"Jo has a vast amount of knowledge to share. The day was well organised and gave us some creative freedom alongside a structured task. It consisted of two creations. The first being four rectangles to practice and understand basic skills/process. The second we were give advice and shown examples, and given freedom to make what we liked with the provided colours and shapes. Great day."

Mat reviewed: Home Scented Workshop with Wirral Candle Co.

"I went on this course last year with my mum. It was a great day out and we learnt a lot about scent testing and blending. The tutor was amazing and the environment was so unique."

Wirral Candle Company responded:

"Aw, thanks so much for coming & supporting a local independent business. Hope to see you on more creative workshops at The Wirral Candle Company ?✌?"

Jill reviewed: Making a mosaic with slate

"Had a brilliant morning with Rachel. She was really knowledgeable and explained everything clearly. Had great fun making our mosaics and Rachel helped us come up with ideas and finish our masterpieces in time! Thank you!"

Carolyn Rapolas reviewed: Glass fusing workshop - 1 day

"100% recommend this class. It's fantastic, relaxing, fun, creative, I could go on and on. Jill and John are very friendly. Their studio is a little piece of heaven, full of glass "candy" to create your own masterpiece. Jill is an amazing teacher, with a passion for her crafts. Thoroughly enjoyed and hope to come back again."

Fired Glass responded:

"Thank you Carolyn for your positive review. We are so pleased you enjoyed the session and we made you feel welcome and relaxed. We would love to see you again in the future. Regards John and Jill"

Sue reviewed: Stone carving - Carve a garden planter or bird bath in Bath stone – a two day creative stone carving workshop with Zoe Singleton

"I loved this course and I'm delighted with my stone planter. Zoe was positive and helpful throughout the course. The lunch was terrific. Thanks very much. I look forward to joining you again for another course in the future."

Michelle winstanley reviewed: Furniture Painting Workshop (levels 1&2 techniques covered) in Warrington, Cheshire

"I had an amazing time both learning new techniques and brushing up (pardon the pun) on previously taught skills. This was my second experience of the level 1 course, and I was delighted to realise how much more I learnt. The entire day was so much fun, led by an extremely accomplished artist who was so generous in sharing her vast knowledge and experience. Joanne purposed to divide her time between all 8 of us so brilliantly, guiding and advising with ideas personal to each person, and perfectly appropriate to each piece. We all had a fabulous time of bonding throughout the day as we practised the various exercises. We all came away with a greater understanding of approaching furniture restoration, along with transferable skills for future endeavours. We also came away with a finished product that, to my mind, were of a very high standard. I can highly recommend Joanne’s workshops. You will never see a piece of furniture in the same light. A joy!!"

The Boho Shed responded:

"Thank you so much for your really lovely words Michelle. You are doing such a fantastic job of all your painting projects. You're very talented and creative. Your biscuits were delicious btw! Thank you!"

Dino reviewed: Pottery classes at The Ceramic Studio Brenchley Kent

"Ceramic Studio = absolutely stunning. Really love the atmosphere, the help, guidance and the range of pottery. Tutors are excellent, helpful and always ready to engage in whatever unusual project I come up with next. A real pleasure to be able to go here and the highlight of my week."

Elaine Smith reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Thank you James for the most enjoyable and rewarding weekend in years. It all seemed very daunting at first but you were a terrific teacher and with your unending patience and encouragement before we knew it were weaving with confidence! I now have a beautiful hand woven designer (me} scarf that I'm so proud of."

Janet Brown reviewed: Woodworking - Workshop/Taster Day - Coat Rack

"I really enjoyed the taster day at Dovetail Woodworking, as it had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Having not done any woodworking since school, I had no idea what to expect but Steve is a very good teacher and made the experience very enjoyable. Would definitely consider doing another course there."

Dovetail Woodworking responded:

"I'm glad you enjoyed the experience and picking up some woodworking tools again. Steve"

Beth Carlton reviewed: Monthly beginners sewing class - Weds evening

"Got so much confidence in my sewing thanks to Tansy. Excellent course and would definitely recommend."

cheeky sew and sew responded:

"Thank you for your review, building skills and confidence is exactly what we aim to do. I'm so pleased you liked the course. Happy Sewing!"

Diane Brooks reviewed: Fine Silver Keepsake Business Course

"I have had a wonderful day learning how to make keepsake jewellery. Amanda is an excellent teacher and wonderfully patient. I can thoroughly recommend this course."

Everlasting Love responded:

"Thank you Diane, it was a pleasure meeting you. You should be proud of the pieces of jewellery that you made. All the best for your future venture."

Mary Molloy reviewed: Making a mosaic with slate

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course. Everything was explained very well with lovely mosaics that Rachel had made in the room for inspiration. All the materials required were to hand and I thoroughly recommend it."

JoAnne Hughes reviewed: Box or tub making

"Having studied under several master saddlers over the years, a skilled craftsperson doesn't automatically translate to be a skilled teacher. Nigel is both a consummate craftsman and a generous and articulate teacher. His knowledge is extensive, from historical references to the relative merits of pricking irons - I can listen to him all day! I wish I could have spent longer at his well-equipped workshop as one day wasn't really enough. I would heartily recommend this course!"

Gaynor Eldon reviewed: Autumn block printing workshop

"I spent a wild, wet Saturday learning to Lino print with Rachel. Everything about the day was excellent from the venue, Rachel’s teaching style and enthusiasm for printing and the supportive nature of the group which was fostered by Rachel. There was a good mix of teaching technique and ‘having a go’ and Rachel was on hand to advise and encourage without being intrusive. I finished the day with 4 lovely napkins to use on Christmas Day and a new found hobby! I enjoyed the day so much I went out and bought cutting tools and Lino to print my own Christmas cards and wrapping paper! I would highly recommend a workshop with Rachel."

Jeff Halse reviewed: Carving Woodland Beasts

"Jason was very informative & willing to pass on his knowledge. He was very encouraging to everyone pitching his teaching to their ability being supportive to everyone."

Vivienne Hemingway reviewed: Woodcarving with sculptor Jason -handtools -gouging and whittling

"Attended the wood carving course a few weeks ago. Jason teaches with just the right mixture of instruction with the various tools, showing you how to achieve a particular effect, and just letting you get on with it. It was a lovely relaxed atmosphere in an inspiring workshop, and we all got help when we needed it. I was amazed at what I could achieve in a day from having had no prior experience. Thank you Jason - I will be back!"

Jason Thomson - Sculptor responded:

"Thanks for a lovely review Vivienne! A great day all due to your fellow course mates and yourself for working so hard. I look forward to seeing you again!"

Kat reviewed: Candlemaking workshops for beginners in Hastoe, nr Tring

"Having done the basic candle making workshop with Anne, I felt confident that the advanced candle making workshop would be just as interesting and I wasn't disappointed. Anne patiently showed us how to place wooden wicks and explained their burning tendencies, explained how to choose wicks for multi-wick candles and demonstrated the cooling time of beeswax. I now have several gorgeously scented candles and wax melts! Very happy!"

Liz Rowan reviewed: Monthly beginners sewing class - Weds evening

"I was a complete beginner- had never even turned a sewing machine on and was very nervous! By the end I was confident in setting up and using one and was happily making bags and cushion covers etc. Tansy is kind, patient and very knowledgeable. I loved all the tips she gave us about how to make things easier. Thank you so much!!"

cheeky sew and sew responded:

"Thank you for your review, building skills, knowledge and confidence is exactly what we aim to do. You've come on in leaps and bounds with your sewing, you've definitely got the sewing bug. Happy Sewing!"

Laura Gilbert reviewed: Make a footstool workshop

"The whole session was fantastic. I wanted to do this course because they provided the chair which just made life easier. The process was fun, well taught and I love what I made. And I love a good fish and chips lunch - supporting a local business as well. Top marks. The shop is a delight and the course is structured in a way that gives you nice rests from various tasks to have a coffee or visit the shop. I'd highly recommend it. The teaching was top class and Steph was wonderful - perfectly pitched, helpful, constructive and just lovely frankly. If you're thinking of this, go for it. So much fun!"

La Di Da Interiors & Gifts responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review and being a model student! Hope to see you again soon"