Latest reviews

Andrew Dolan reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"What an amazing day! Jake is the most perfect teacher you could ask for. He brings a great energy, skill and expertise that sets you at ease and guides you to feel confident and create a spectacular bowl. I would recommend to anyone considering doing this but might be nervous to book with Jake, you are in safe hands and he will walk you through the whole experience. Love the bowl, the pen and the exceptional day. "

Sasha reviewed: Lampwork Beadmaking Half day Taster Class For Two

"What a lovely day! My daughter & I booked a half day to make some beads with Ruth. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. With absolutely no prior glass bead making experience we came away with a small number of really beautiful, fully formed, extremely precious beads! Ruth was wonderfully patient, very welcoming and gave great instruction. I've followed up this half day of lampwork with a full day just for myself..."

Kalypso Glass responded:

"Thank you Sasha, glad to hear you enjoyed your day and will look forward to seeing you again soon. "

Joy reviewed: Drop Spindle Hand Spinning Taster Workshop

"I had a wonderful time learning the drop spindle. Theresa is really knowledgeable and was able to quickly see where improvements could be made (and also dealt with having a left-hander!) By the end of the session, I'd not just spun a thread, but been shown how to ply two pieces together and now have a very respectable little length of wool for my weaving projects! (Also, thank you, Theresa, for the gift bag of wool and spindle - I've been keeping up my practice!)"

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. I am so pleased that you enjoyed your day and glad to hear that you are still spinning on your spindle. Keep up the good work. Theresa x"

Kate reviewed: Half-day Saori Weaving Experience

"Thank you Nicola, this is a fantastic introduction to Saori weaving. Nicola creates a warm and relaxed environment and offered great guidance. We went as a group of five friends we all really enjoyed the session, and all left happily with successful individual pieces. I highly recommend."

Peter reviewed: Mosaic workshop in Norwich

"A very worthwhile course with expert guidance while allowing me to feel comfortable with my choices. Relaxed warm surroundings with wide range of materials available. A positive experience. "

Mosaics by Fehmi Gökeş responded:

"Thank you Peter. "

Evie reviewed: Swans - Adult Beginners / Improvers Needle Felting workshop

"Natalie was a friendly, patient, and really pastoral teacher with all attendees. The class had a lovely feel, everyone was made to feel very welcome. The objective of the class was made clear from the start with an demo of what we were making in the centre of the table. The steps involved were explained cumulatively and Natalie was so careful to stress that everyone should go at their own rate. Also, needless (or should I see needleless!) to say that felting involves lots of sharp pointy objects. The health and safety was explained really clearly. "

Jane Marsh reviewed: Crocheting - Beginner - 2 Day - One to One

"Absolutely first class course with great "kit bag" for the new crocheter and brilliant follow up materials. Lovely peaceful learning environment too. Rachel is a very patient and articulate tutor. "

Ruth reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"This was a very rewarding day and as someone who feels they have no natural talent or skill, I came away with a beautiful basket and new skills, so a great success! And that was thanks to Marianne, our calm, kind and knowledgeable course leader. The Cowshed Workshop is an inspiring space being absolutely in the middle of nowhere, beautifully decorated and there was plentiful tea, coffee, fruit and cake to enjoy all day long - as well as the gorgeous roaming animals that drift in and out. All in all, a delightful day 😊"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you very much for your super 5-star review, Ruth! You deserve 5 stars as well, as I think you've got the creative vibe in your fingers and have an intuitive way of learning. I hope you'll go and explore what else you may not be aware of you've got in you. It's always amazing how one thing leads to another and before you know it, you're a craftsperson yourself! Look forward to seeing you and your friend back again, perhaps to weave some plant supports or lampshade!"

David R Boden reviewed: Two leather long stitch journals in a day

"Lynne is absolutely brilliant. Patient, warm, engaging and takes time to make you feel at ease and explains how to make the books in an easy to understand way. I could not recommend this course more highly. I came away energised, ready to make more books and keen to do her intermediate course."

Lynne Friel responded:

"Thank you David for your kind words. I really enjoyed the day and it's great watching people take away the journals they've worked so hard at. Using the rather special buttons that you brought made your journals very much your own. Hope to see you again in the future. Best wishes Lynne"

Susan Marshall reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"Absolutely brilliant afternoon doing fused glass. Julie was patient and full of helpful ideas. Lovely warm setting "

Julies Handcrafted Glass responded:

"Thank you glad you enjoyed yourselves . I had fun too . "

Mick Scothern reviewed: Couple - Blacksmith Beginners Experience Day

"My friend and I had a wonderful day with Richard, his passion along with his skill made it a joy to learn. He was happy to go as slow as required to impart the skills which enabled even a complete novice like myself to make a set of coat hooks which now take pride of place in my cloakroom. I thoroughly recommend this to anyone who has seen it being done and thought I’d like a try."

Shaz reviewed: 2 Hour Glass Beadmaking session for 2 people

"We had a super time with Julia. Never having done any glass work she was working with complete beginners and handled us well. So well in fact we have received a lovely bundle of our work in the post and I am absolutely amazed that my beads came out looking something like a glass bead! Would definitely recommend as a lovely afternoon."

Petra Stapp reviewed: Foraging Basket

"This was our second visit to Jonny and Becky for basketmaking and we will be booking again soon. My 80 year old Mum was determined to come back! They are both such great teachers. They are both infinitely patient and gracious and encouraging. At every step you are coached and enabled in the process. We came away with beautiful baskets and a sense of achievement. The second visit was good too as we have consolidated some of the techniques. Our thumbs were not so sore and neither were our shoulders - it's quite a physical craft. Don't deliberate - book it! You won't regret this. And if you can afford it, definitely book the lunch. It was excellent. "

Basket Making Malvern responded:

"It was so lovely to work with you both again Petra! You have made some very fine looking baskets and we'd be honoured to work with you again. Thank you Becky and Jonny "

Mick & Des reviewed: Couple - Blacksmith Beginners Experience Day

"This was booked by our better halves as a gift and we both thoroughly enjoyed the day. Richard’s communications before the courses prepared us well and we were warmly welcomed on the day. His obvious experience, knowledge and passion were well balanced against his relaxed teaching style and patience throughout the day. A great experience that we would recommend to anyone wanting to play with fire and hammers. "

Janet Pearson reviewed: Pottery wheel throwing & glass fusing 1-day course

"Hello, we had a lovely day with Sarah and Chris on a course for a day, completing glass fusing and pottery. We took our 10 year old daughter and she had a brilliant time. Would highly recommend both crafts very enjoyable and a worthwhile experience. Thank you Janet"

Sarah Greening Glass responded:

"It was lovely to meet you all - great creativity! Thanks very much for leaving a review "

Tony Grand reviewed: Slow stitching kit - wild pansy fabric collage

"The kit was beautiful and was very well received by the 10 year old daughter of a friend! It was good to tell them that I had seen you on Make It At Market!"

Mandy reviewed: Charcoal making and drawing at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I highly recommend this course. What a wonderful day! Knowledgable, friendly tutors - and amazing space and a lovely lunch. Thank you Mark and Kim I learnt lots and had fun!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Mandy Thank you for joining us and taking time to share your experience. All the best Mark, Cristina and Kim"

Liz Parry reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"I can thoroughly recommend a course with Alice, she is patient, excellent at explaining and passing on the information. I enjoyed a shorter course making a macrame pot hanger so thought I'd give the longer weaving introduction session a go. A great day, the time flew by and I'm now hooked on tapestry weaving! Many thanks Alice."

Chris reviewed: Create a willow sweet pea basket workshop (Eastleigh, Hampshire )

"A very enjoyable day...first time with Willow. Jacquie was great teacher, as well as being very interesting. I learned so much regarding this subject."

Willow and Crafts responded:

"Hello Chris I am glad you enjoyed yourself, and thank you for the lovely review. I look forward to meeting you again some time. All the best Jacquie"

Ash reviewed: Copper wire jewellery Workshop

"On arrival Kami was enthusiastic, welcoming and hospitable. There was an array of beautiful items to help inspire use to create our own piece, which was great as the session was geared towards what we wanted to make with her guidance. Kami was a very patient instructor showing us the many techniques we needed for the session. The two of us were making different pieces which meant there were different techniques at different stages of the process. Time seemed to fly by. We both ended up with our finished jewellery at the end of the session. We were so pleased with our efforts and with Kami’s instructions. A fab time. Highly recommended for creative novices like us. Thank you Kami. "

Mya Designs responded:

"What a lovely birthday surprise to spend some creative time together. You both had quite different designs in mind and great to see you achieve them. Ash you did great with hammering and forming your ring, and Kate, what a knockout design for your bracelet! I hope you'll continue to do more crafts, there's loads on this website. Thanks again for joining me. Take care x"

Sue Woodger reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"Marianne. I really enjoyed the day with new people and leaning a new skill. It was great taking time out of my life. I find it hard to do new experiences on my own thank you for making it easy."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Well done. Sue, for plucking up the courage to go and make your amazing basket. You stepped outside your bubble and had a lovely time! Hurray! May it encourage you to do that more often, just being bold and going for something you love the look of, trying your hand at something different, or perhaps at weaving a lampshade, or ornament, like a dragonfly, huge flower or sculptural item. It was a pleasure to have you on board. Wishing you lots of fun on your new journey."

Dave Shipley reviewed: Introduction to Woodturning - Full Day

"I recently attended the Introduction to woodturning - full day course with Rick. I have to say it was a great experience with a knowledgeable tutor. Rick was patient and explained really well to a complete beginner like myself on how to hold and use the tools and a lot more besides. He really is suited to teaching and does it well. There is a lot to take in but the payoff is coming away with a couple of completed projects which I feel proud to have produced ( although Rick got them over the line ). So if you are considering a course with Rick then do it you wont be disappointed. I am hoping to get back again at some point. Thanks Rick :)"

Rick Dobney Woodturning responded:

"Thanks for your kind review Dave, I'm glad you enjoyed your day. You are right to be proud of your pieces, you did well and covered so much in the day. I think the expression is "Rick helped me to get them over the line", this is typical for all students new to woodturning. I look forward to welcoming you back to my workshop in due course. All the best Rick"

Paul reviewed: Beginners 2 sterling silver stacking rings Jewellery course

"I had a great morning with Sarah making a couple of silver rings for my daughters. Sarah is both skilled and knowledgeable and has a great teaching style. She is also very friendly which makes the course really enjoyable. Highly recommended."

Sarah Madsen Jewellery responded:

"Dear Paul, Thank you so much for taking the course with me. Really lovely to have taught you and thank you for taking the time to write a great review. All the best Sarah 🤗"

Billie Hawkins reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"My parents had a truly wonderful weekend with Sebastian and found the experience very rewarding and relaxing. Great value for money, if you are interested in Stone Carving this is definitely the course to do especially if you are beginners."

Ruth Martin reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"If you want to learn any skills in plaster, Ed is the guy to go to! I worked with Ed for 4 days one to one to learn plaster sledging which was super fun. I came away with a really well rounded knowledge of the techniques, some prefect plaster models and a kit to keep practicing the skills in my own studio. I also picked up lots of tips and tricks for working in plaster generally just through working in the studio with Ed! Basically can't recommend him more, and you'll get some great conversations and coffees along the way! Thanks again Ed! "