Latest reviews

Zö Christien reviewed: Candle making course (introductory) - in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, Sussex

"My sister and I took Simon’s course last weekend. We had a fantastic time! Simon was great and such a good teacher. He clearly knows his stuff! I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn a new craft or start a new vocation. Thanks so much."

Tiziana reviewed: Two day needle felting a wired armature animal

"Karin's workshop is amazing. You can't go wrong in choosing it. I was so impressed by her website and her Facebook page that my friend Xica and I went all the way down to Hereford from Edinburgh to take the course. We were not disappointed. Karin knows how to teach. She shows you the basics and leaves you to do it on your own with all the support that you need to make another one when you are back home."

Paul Keane reviewed: Basic plasterboarding and finishing course

"Great course, with clear and helpful direction from David. I have gained a good understanding of basic Plasterboarding and filling and now feel fully confident in tackling my dining room ceiling! I am also very envious of your amazing workshop David! Paul"

Jo Hogan reviewed: Pottery Course in Orpington, Kent

"Have just completed an "Introduction to Throwing" course and learnt more in 1 week with Sophie than in 10 on a previous Adult Ed Course! Class size is small, enabling personalised tuition in a sociable environment. Sophie is an excellent teacher, breaking down techniques into manageable steps and providing timely feedback and encouragement. I have already signed up for a second throwing course and would like to explore hand building too. Thank you Sophie & the Clay Room"

Sandra Coombes reviewed: Pottery throwing course, Aylesbury

"A great beginners workshop to attend and enjoyed the experience immensly even though I went solo and slightly out of my comfort zone, especially as I have arthritis in my fingers, but Charlie was so patient, enthusiastic and explained each stage in detail. Can't wait to see my 3 pots fired and ready for the next stage of glazing them."

Charlie's Pots responded:

"Hello Sandra Many thanks for the feedback. It was lovely to meet you yesterday and I am happy that you enjoyed the day. Look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks to do the glazing. Best wishes Charlie"

Jessica reviewed: Mixed media workshops in Staffordshire

"Recently attended an Alcohol Ink and Doodles workshop with a group of my friends and it was absolutely wonderful! We had such a fantastic day and Mandy is just terrific. We enjoyed every minute and came away with a lovely piece of artwork. We are all looking forward to booking with her again and cannot recommend highly enough!"

nick carter reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"Excellent course, very knowledgeable, super tools, excellent experience, lots of one-on-one time. Really cares about high quality training and an excellent finished product! Definitely recommend"

Iain Sutherland reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A very enjoyable day, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The instructions were clear, concise and to the point. I feel it is necessary to have reasonable manual dexterity to get the most out of the day."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Thank you for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed the day. You're right a reasonable level of manual dexterity is required but no super human skill or energy... ATB Mark"

Karen reviewed: Needle-felt a Hare - with Annis McGowan. A 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Dear Annie and Annis Just a note to thank you for hosting such a fantastic day yesterday and making us feel so welcome and at home. I drove home smiling all the way with a very smart hare on the passenger seat of whom I am very proud. Annis taught the technique so well and her preparation was excellent and as discussed worth a lot more than £18!!! Lunch and refreshments were lovely (thank you also to Claire) and the whole day flew by. I have definitely caught the felting bug and am already planning a new project using the skills learned. A fabulous day, thank you all of you, Kind regards Karen"

Mags Donaldson reviewed: Alien spoon carving

"I really enjoyed this course. Alan is a great teacher - lots of information, good techniques given, but in a lovely informal way. He even provides lunch and cake! While I am a spoon newbie and have never done knifework before, I did end up with something that actually is useable as a spoon! Really pleased with the course and great value for money. Thanks, Alan! I look forward to a future in carving slightly better spoons."

Robert Jefferson reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Enjoyed my Christmas present :-) A very pleasurable learning experience. I would recommend the course to anyone. Thank you for a great day."

Angela Corlett reviewed: Needle felting with Virginia

"Once again I had a really enjoyable time learning this addictive new skill. A clear initial demonstration was followed by knowledgeable encouragement and guidance and the provision of a wide range of fantastically coloured wools that inspired and enabled the completion of a needle felted picture that I can't wait to frame and hang on my wall. A relaxing, friendly and enjoyable morning. Thank you Virginia."

Michelle Foxall reviewed: Residential two day monoprinting and collagraph print workshop

"Thank you Ruth for a really inspirational and immersive printing course! I’ve been looking forward to doing this for a while and the weekend didn’t disappoint. Two days gave me enough time to learn new techniques and apply with some experimentation. Ruth is a very patient, calm teacher, she gently coached me to experiment and try things I wouldn’t have thought of. I’m really chuffed with the results and prints I came away with. Perfect studio setting and house, with great food (loved the mustard salad leaves from Ruth’s garden) and a very comfy bed for an overnight stay. I will be back !!"

Kelly Pritchard reviewed: Contemporary bench making weekend course

"Such a great couple of days learning a range of traditional hand-tool techniques and crafting a beautiful bench to take home. The group was small enough to ensure quality input from Ambrose (our instructor) and help was always at hand if required. Great fun and lots to learn in a relaxed and informal environment."

Emma Connor reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"Had a fantastic day yesterday making my first ever felt dog. Sophie is an incredible teacher who is very generous with her encouragement and in sharing her knowledge and tips. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble and the day passed by in a flash. I can’t wait to come back and learn some more about felting in this lovely, welcoming setting."

Peter reviewed: All inclusive artisan baking weekend in Devon

"I did the residential bread making course with my friend Hattie. We both had beautiful double rooms, all meals (proper delicious) included as well as the odd bottle of wine. It was just us. Wow it was great! A great break too, which is what I needed just as much. It's like going to the home of a friend's friend who really knows their stuff and has been persuaded to give you full on attention as a special favour. I don't know where else you can experience this. Frankly, I hadn't a clue where to begin and now I'm done with shop bought. Got sent home with an e-copy of their books, a boot full of different breads and crackers, a new love of pizza, my own sourdough starter and a grin as wide as a french bread basket. And oh! the memories. Cannot recommend highly enough. Unique and more than worth it. Peter, Selsey, May 2019"

Luke Mansell reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Right - I am reviewing this course having accidentally (and independently) decided to try spoon carving. I had already watched loads of YouTube videos on the subject and already purchased a basic tool-set; I had even beaten a couple of spoons into existence.... Luckily, I was still conscious enough to realise that I might not know everything about the subject and signed up for this course - and thank goodness I did. The setting is beautiful and entirely conducive to the job in hand (for an absolute beginner (which I really am) or someone pretending to have a clue (which I was). Mark and Jill are: a) lovely people, b) deeply, deeply knowledgeable and committed to the whole green woodworking movement/spoon-carving thing and c) lovely, lovely people - and I thank them both for a fantastic day from which I gained new knowledge and an affirmation that I had connected with something that is important and, for me, a grounding experience. If you have just fallen in love and want to share an amazing experience or if you are bored, lonely, frustrated and have indigestion or if you are young, old or anywhere in-between or, like me, just want to learn - do this course! If you only enjoy the walk in the wood and the veggie soup it will be money well spent; but I guarantee you will get much, much more from the day - thank you Mark and Jill !! Luke x"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Luke, Thank you for the review. Youtube vids can be great as long as you watch the right ones. Hopefully the links I sent you will help develop your technique further. Great spoon from you on the day, we have high expectations for you and look forward to seeing your next creations. TTFN Mark"

Cora Gartland reviewed: Introductory pottery wheel throwing taster sessions

"I recently attended a free short workshop on the Hey Clay day with my children. We really enjoyed the session, Lorraine was very helpful and patient. We came away inspired to try more!"

Woodsetton Art Pottery responded:

"Many thanks for the great review. Follow me on Instagram or Twitter to hear about more open for all ages and new evening courses coming up etc. Best regards Lorraine"

Elaine Beale reviewed: Pottery throwing course, Aylesbury

"I had this as a birthday present from my son and daughter-in-law. I did not have a clue what I was going to do. I had a great time. Charlie was very patient and very good at explaining things. I managed to make 3 pots and can’t wait to go back and glaze them."

Charlie's Pots responded:

"Hello Elaine Thank you very much for that. It was a pleasure to meet you and Leeanne yesterday. Look forward to seeing you for the glazing. Charlie"

Craig reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day) (2 people)

"I really enjoyed my day of turning with Graham. He was very welcoming of a complete novice to wood turning, very patient in his instructions and always willing to help."

Freya Jacklin-Edward reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"Sophie is amazing! I’ve been on a couple of her courses and I have loved both of them. She is so clear in her explanations and encouraging throughout the day, I’ve learnt so so much! Her work is exquisite and she is so generous with her knowledge and time. I can’t wait to go back!"

All Things Felt & Beautiful responded:

"Thank you Freya - it's always a pleasure to see you and your mum! Such lovely people - and GREAT needle felt models xx"

Julia reviewed: Pottery Course in Orpington, Kent

"I did two terms at a different pottery, but learnt more in 5 weeks with Sophie. She is an excellent teacher with a lot of patience. I’m doing another throwing course with her in August, then I want to continue doing general pottery in the future with some hand building and sculpture as well as throwing."

Alison Lawn reviewed: Premium experience package dry stone walling for beginners

"This was a fantastic 2 day course in Edale. With just a small group of eight people it was friendly and fun. In two days we achieved so much, deconstructing an existing piece of wall and rebuilding it from scratch. Carl was an excellent tutor letting everyone work at their own pace. It was wonderful to learn with such an expert craftsperson. We've built a wall which will stand for 200 years and it was a pleasure. The wallers lunch was good too!"

Marta Tejerina reviewed: Leather Crossbody/Messenger or Tote bag

"You really have to do this leather workshop!!!!!!. It's so much fun, and you can almost do everything you want. You can really create the handbag that you like and you can choose the colour of the leather too, as the leather is included in the price of the workshop ,which I thought made the price very fair. Richard is a real master in doing handmade leather items and he will teach you all you have to know. He will also give you good tips and information on where to go and buy tools and leather as well as "a little present". The place is very, very nice and the atmosphere is really relaxed. I can recommend it to everybody and you don't have to be an expert to produce a really nice handbag. Just try and you will have so much fun that you will want to go to another workshop!!! Thank you Richard for such as fantastic time and for my bag!"

Juliet reviewed: Art & print club: a creative informal group meeting once a month to draw, design and print with graphic designer Jane West

"It was a fabulous day. Really enjoyed it."