Latest reviews

Stephen reviewed: 3 Day beginners Fused Glass crash course - Silver Zebra studio Cheshire - Est 2004 by one of the UKs leading glass artists

"Fabulous! We have been on several glass workshops here & each time found it value for money, relaxing, beautiful lunches & we made some really great projects. My wife was hesitant to go on a glass course but with Deborah’s guidance we soon got into it. She’s a fun knowledgeable tutor & doesn’t skimp on materials. There’s a box of off cuts you can help yourself to if you have a bit of spare time to have a play & I made 3 extra coasters We have just booked onto the Xmas workshop."

Gilly Young reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I have always loved the idea of carving spoons so was thrilled when my daughter gifted me Dave's course. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and am totally hooked! Dave was the perfect host and a patient teacher, it was really special to be taught by such a skilled craftsman. I would highly recommend Dave's course."

Angie Hamilton reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"I spent a lovely morning at Kerry’s candle workshop. Would highly recommend to anyone who is thinking about making their own candles. Kerry is lovely & happy to share all her top tips that she has gathered over the years. The materials supplied for making your candle are beautifully set out & the tea & lemon tarts were very welcome! Thank you for a lovely morning- I would definitely recommend this workshop!"

Kira reviewed: Taster pottery throwing lesson (various dates)

"We organised a taster course for a friends 30th Birthday and we loved it! Jack was very welcoming, friendly and patient!! Excellent teacher and I hope to be back soon!"

Jo Butterworth reviewed: Sea Glass Jewellery at Cowshed Creative, the Lake District

"The location of Cowshed Creative is beautiful and the venue is roomy & homely. George is an attentive host - providing a good selection of drinks and delicious food (all homemade by the looks of it). We felt welcomed from the moment we arrived until the workshop ended. The course was great too; we learnt so much in a day and all came away with some beautiful jewellery. The only improvement I can suggest would be to make it a two day workshop, so that you could make more items and perfect the various techniques we learnt!!"

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Many thanks Jo for your lovely comments and helpful feedback. Will definitely look into the possibility of a 2 day workshop next year."

Ruth reviewed: Paper craft and card making workshop

"I attended the 10/8/19 card making workshop and have to say, thoroughly enjoyed the session. As a complete novice I found it friendly and very informative with Debbie making sure I didn’t feel left behind at any stage. I produced 2 lovely cards, learnt so much and enjoyed it enough to want to book on the next one. Thanks Debbie."

Laura reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"We had a great day with Jamal last week. He was super informative & made the whole thing really wonderful. He gave us a detailed history of Stained Glass in the UK & how a giant window is made from start to finish. We were then walked through all the tools & equipment needed and then walked us through our own piece. We all love our final products & the course has given us more confidence in giving it a go at home. His knowledge is expansive & makes for a great tutor! Would highly recommend!"

Larisa reviewed: Make nipple tassels & bubbly in Brighton

"The experience with Charlotte was a unique one, friendly and very welcoming. Myself and my friends had the greatest of time with creating our own personalised shapes but under the gentile supervision of Charlotte. Champagne, home made sweets and a lot of mutual exchanges of stories made the class and experience to be truly enjoyable, kind and genuine. I recommend you do this class and undoubtedly you will not regret it. You will have a blast!! :)"

Sue Astbury reviewed: Abstract Landscape with Award Winning Artist Catherine MacDiarmid at Cowshed Creative in the Lake District

"Really enjoyed this course. Catherine was a great tutor, providing lots of guidance and encouragement. The venue was a lovely building, good location, but a little cramped for the activities. Food provided was generous and very tasty. Overall good value for money."

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Thanks Sue for such positive feedback. You are right, we will definitely increase the table space for painting activities next time and provide some easels. Hope to see you again."

Mike Parroy reviewed: Weekly morning stone carving sessions in Somerset with Sculptor Kate Semple

"Kate is a simply wonderful teacher. I am not a natural artist but she managed to get me creating in stone something of which I was proud. She is enthusiastic, funny, hugely skilful and very kind. Go on her course because you will love it."

Ian Wilson reviewed: Make a shave horse at Sallerton Wood

"Just spent a couple of very enjoyable days at Sallerton Wood making a shave horse. The wood is a lovely place to work, the framed buildings are an inspiration as well as being very in keeping with the whole weekend. The workshop is well equipped and the pace just right - getting on with it without feeling rushed. Andy is a knowledgeable and sympathetic teacher who helps you when you need help and lets you get on with it once you've got the hang of it. As others have mentioned tea facilities and cake are excellent and the camping was very relaxing of an evening. Learning green woodwork in an idyllic setting is an absolute pleasure so I'm looking forward to booking up the six day chair making course soon! In the mean time I'm off to start using my new shavehorse"

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Than you very much indeed for posting your enthusiastic review, Ian. We're very pleased that you enjoyed the course and environment at Sallerton Wood, and we look forward to welcoming you back there for a Chair-making course. Enjoy using your new shave horse in the meantime!"

Joanna Kin reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"I really enjoyed the soap making course. It was very informative and professional and at the same time Paula is very warm and welcoming lady. We were treated to a home made afternoon tea while Paula was still teaching us. I am now confident that I can make my own soap with the knowledge I have gained. Before the course I have watched many YouTube videos but I can honestly say that without the course I wouldn’t have a clue what to do. To anybody who is hesitating - go on book a course I highly recommend it! Thank you so much Paula."

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Thank you Joanna, it was a great pleasure teaching you. Good luck in your soap making journey."

Julie reviewed: Beginners’ Stained Glass, One Day Course, Llandeilo, Wales - archive

"This is a fantastic course! Simon is a very knowledgable, enthusiastic and patient teacher who knows his subject inside out. We were all thrilled with what we took home. (Especially as they were all our own designs) I shall be back for more. Thoroughly recommended!"

Anon reviewed: A year of preserving

"It has been a most enjoyable day"

anon reviewed: A year of preserving

"All of it was really good, nice to have preserves to take home."

Sandie reviewed: Stained glass weekly classes in Sheffield (South Yorkshire)

"A lovely day out! 6 of us took a bespoke Tiffany course and everyone was pleased with the work they did. I definitely recommend taking these classes, the tutors are excellent."

chris reviewed: Introduction to copper foiling workshop

"Sharon, is very knowledgeable and helpful. The studio has a lovely warming atmosphere. Thanks for your help, I enjoyed meeting you."

Manchester Stained Glass responded:

"Hi Chris, Thank you so much for your review, I am very glad you enjoyed the being in the studio and found the course helpful. It was great to meet you too. Sharon :)"

Anon reviewed: Make a Chestnut Garden Gate - one day course

"The chestnut gate making course on Sunday was very good. Please could you pass on my thanks to Mike for his excellent tuition - it was a very enjoyable day!"

Anon reviewed: Make a Chestnut Garden Gate - one day course

"We attended the course on Sunday and had a great day, it was perfect and we are so proud of the gates that we made. Mike was so patient and supportive, the lunch was great and you even arranged for just the right weather!"

Roslyn Pittoni reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"Theresa has so much enthusiasm for her craft that it spills over onto you. Her handouts were just what I needed to start off my journal on the fleeces I have collected. There was a good balance between technical and practical. My problems with carding were answered. I also learnt a different way of spinning to my technique I use already. All in all a great day with a lovely tutor in a fabulous setting."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Ros. I am so pleased that you enjoyed your day and found it informative too. I always say it but it never feels like work to me when I know that somebody else has enjoyed their spinning. As for your individually styled technique, don't stop! Crafting is all about your expression and enjoyment although a few 'extra tools' in the bag are always handy! Do keep up the good work. x"

Julie Williams reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Hi there, I attended the oval basket course at Lytham - ecopod on Sunday 1st September, 2019. It was an amazing experience and Julie was an excellent teacher. Julie is very knowledgeable about all the different aspects of basket making and made it a fun and interesting day. It was my first basket weaving adventure and would certainly recommend it to others who are thinking about signing up for a workshop. I was so happy with my basket and can't believe how professional it looks. Great day!"

Pip Cottage responded:

"Thanks for your great response and glad that you enjoyed the day. Your basket was very good, especially for a first basket, I really like the flow and shape. Enjoy your basket and thanks again, Julie (Pip Cottage)."

Meryl Davies reviewed: Wheel thrown mug workshop

"What a brilliant afternoon! I'd booked a private lesson for a friend, whose birthday it was that day, and myself. Jack is an excellent teacher - neither of us had done any pottery since school days but we created three pots each! Can't wait to get the finished articles back. Wonderful venue, very friendly welcome and expert tuition. Would definitely recommend and definitely want to go again!"

Sally P reviewed: Relief Carving in Stone with Pip Hall ...a 3 day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Dear Pip, We both wanted to say a big thank you for the wonderful weekend we spent with you, beginning to learn how to letter carve. We had a really great time despite the achy muscles and heads crammed to bursting with new knowledge. Neither of us realised just how physically tiring it would be and I certainly hadn’t banked on brain overload by day three! You’ve definitely turned us into fledgling carvers, keen to do more, so internet purchases will be made in the next few days, if not this evening. It was certainly a very different journey home, with lettering and stone leaping out at us from every angle. Thank you so much."

Sally p reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"Dear Pip, We both wanted to say a big thank you for the wonderful weekend we spent with you, beginning to learn how to letter carve. We had a really great time despite the achy muscles and heads crammed to bursting with new knowledge. Neither of us realised just how physically tiring it would be and I certainly hadn’t banked on brain overload by day three! You’ve definitely turned us into fledgling carvers, keen to do more, so internet purchases will be made in the next few days, if not this evening. It was certainly a very different journey home, with lettering and stone leaping out at us from every angle. Thank you so much."

Hannah Day reviewed: Photoshop - an artist's guide for beginners

"I've just returned from 3 days of excellent tuition from Shelly, with lots of ideas and a vastly increased level of confidence in using Photoshop. We received a very warm welcome into Shelly's lovely home, and were fed extremely well! Highly recommended."

Shelly Perkins Wildlife Artist responded:

"Thankyou Hannah for being such a great student and thankyou for your lovely comments!"