Latest reviews

Martin shep reviewed: Blacksmithing one-to-one North West UK

"This is the second time I have been on a coursewith bob .I enjoyed it so much the first time I went away and bought myself a forge and anvil.After a year on my own I am producing some nicework .I have just had a day with bob learning the basics in the art of making horse shoes , there is a lot involved in just making one shoe , but with bobs patience and guidance, by the end of the dayI was getting the just of it . I can’t recommend this course enough you will thoroughly enjoy it guaranteed ."

Debbie reviewed: OLD Silver clay jewellery taster with Anna Campbell

"Had a great 3 hours at this introductory workshop. Lynn was a friendly hostess keeping us supplied with snacks, hot drinks and Anna is a very experienced qualified jeweller who guides everyone through the silver clay process and so inspired me that, within a week, I’ve already booked another of her full day workshops. Go along, give it a try!"

The Arienas Collective responded:

"Thanks for your lovely review Debbie. We're so glad you enjoyed your workshop, and are looking forward to welcoming you back for the full day course with Anna. I hope you'll enjoy that just as much - and learning those new skills of mould making and stone setting! Best wishes, Lynn"

Julia Salter reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"I had a great day on Saturday now have much more confidence to try new projects. Really liked the relaxed and informative way ran the course. Lots of inspirational ideas and help if you wanted it. Would definitely recommend the course to anyone thinking of doing the course."

Helen Best reviewed: SAORI freeform weaving 2 day beginners' course

"My journey with SAORI started when I came across weaving work by a a previous student of Amanda's. The beautiful work led me to contacting the student who kindly introduced me to her loom and the magical world of Saori weaving. I contacted Amanda and soon had organised to attend a workshop ran at the Village hall in Napton. Amanda is a very inspirational teacher and I quickly began to create my own woven cloth. In the lovely colourful surroundings of yarn in the ideal relaxed setting of the village hall. I own Alpacas and want to incorporate their wool into the loom work. I am so excited to be the owner of a hand made loom which has been made in Japan. I am travelling up to visit Amanda to collect it and spend time with her on her getting to know my loom workshop. I already have many ideas and am looking forward to my journey ahead."

Eugenia reviewed: Make your very own clutch bag/small tablet device case/sleeve

"It was brilliant. Richard was really patient. He gave us clear instruction and guide us all the way. We were given a lot of information about leather and how to make other projects."

Tracy Playle reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I’ve known Mark for a few years now as I’ve been on other courses that he runs (all of which I HIGHLY recommend). But this course was outstanding. I had such a wonderful weekend. Mark is so skilled and brilliant at explaining things and not making you feel stupid when/if you make a mistake. You get to add some of your own personal touches and ideas too. The box I’ve come away with is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever made and I already have friends and family wanting me to make one for them now too! I need to send them on the course. Thanks so much Mark! Will be seeing you again soon."

Claire Storey reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"I purchased the workshop as a present for my 2 daughters and myself. We had a great day. The workspace was cosy and the group is small so you get plenty of tuition. Alice is lovely and a great teacher. We have learnt how to,produce a weaving from start to finish so we can now practice at home. We are planning for more workshops to progress further and produce more advanced weavings"

Sophie Green reviewed: Lino Printing Day with Oxford Linocut Workshops

"A lovely afternoon. Claire explained everything so carefully and clearly and I was so happy with the cards I made!"

Linocut course with Claire reviewed: Lino Printing Day with Oxford Linocut Workshops

"Claire was very welcoming, calm and very clear in her teaching approach, and very encouraging of everyone in the class. The venue was beautiful - a lovely old barn - that felt very arty crafty. Lovely to be able to take cards home that we'd created. Thank you for a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon."

Donna Robson reviewed: Glass etching workshop in Devon

"Such a wonderful day. Jenny is a great teacher (and cake baker!) A lovely space to work in and a relaxing atmosphere. Would definitely recommend."

Jenny Ayrton responded:

"thank you Donna!"

Moira Fletcher reviewed: Kookie Cats Needle Felting workshop

"A very useful workshop in a lovely environment. It has renewed my desire to learn more and master the skill. The number of attendees was just so not too many. A very friendly group."

Heartfelt by Heidi responded:

"That's wonderful to hear Moira and thank you for taking the time to write a review. I am so glad you enjoyed the workshop and it has proved useful to you and given you the confidence to move forward. Wonderful too that you will be joining us for another workshop, I look forward to working with you again :) Heartfelt thanks Heidi x"

Laura reviewed: Lino Printing Day with Oxford Linocut Workshops

"A great course in lino-cutting. Great instruction, guidance, advice and support meaning all of the attendees produced lovely cards they were proud of. I will definitely be coming again. Super cake too!"

Nathan reviewed: Four day intensive beginners woodwork course

"A really great experience. Learning to work with wood is one of my bucket list skills and this woodworking course by Ciarán at Cheshire Woodworking launched me on my way. The course was a great blend of theoretical and practical - Ciarán firstly introduces you to a topic, explains the details, answers questions, performs a demonstration and then sets you off to practice. He guides you step-by-step through everything you need to know, from tools to techniques, to wood types and joints, etc. Every question was answered! This all culminates in you building a piece of furniture. I was a total novice but there were a couple of more experienced students in my class and they expressed that, like me, they were constantly learning. Ciarán managed the class so as to ensure that no one was left waiting or wanting - each individual progressed at their own pace. The class was a mixture of men and women of various ages, all of whom were very friendly, fun and chatty – there was a real sense of comradery in the class. Ciarán is a lovely guy, very friendly and welcoming. He developed an immediate rapport with all students. Most importantly, his skills as both a craftsman and teacher were equally impeccable. He has a few great Irish turns of phrase that add to the enjoyment of the course – keep an ear out! The greatest testaments to the quality of the course are that: a) every day the students arrived early and departed late because we were enjoying ourselves so much – the days fly by!! b) I will be booking onto another course and I know that other students from my course are doing the same. Cheers to Ciarán"

Sam Browne reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"My father Tom Browne was a stained glass artist and extremely familiar with leaded lights - designing them and making them. As a Christmas present our daughter booked the two of us in for a one day session with Jamal. An inspired choice because the day was simply superb, and we both enjoyed every minute of it. Jamal is highly skilled but guided us both well, taking into account our 'newness' to the task. It was a day to remember!"

Kathryn reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"Along with other reviews I have read, Sarah was an excellent tutor of her craft. I thoroughly enjoyed my upholstery session on Saturday. Training environment is perfect and it was good that the class was small allowing plenty of time to explain. Lunch was another another perk allowing time to get to know others on the course. I would recommend this training to anyone think of this as a career or as a relaxing one off session."

Chris B reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"Excellent and flexible! I was totally happy with all aspects of the course. Dave and his assistant were very good indeed! *Review written at the welding facility on 19/01/19, hard copy kept at premises."

Stephen B reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"Friendly and informative. Perfect for a novice. *Review written at the welding facility on 19/01/19, hard copy kept at premises."

Lewis B reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"A great introduction to welding and the staff were very helpful and friendly. *Review written at the welding facility on 19/01/19, hard copy kept at premises."

Allen K reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"The course was absolutely fantastic! I would say there is nothing to improve on.Thank you very much, Dave. I have learnt a lot and had a great day. *Review written at the welding facility on 19/01/19, hard copy kept at premises."

Rob reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Wow. What a wonderful day, I am still smiling about the experience two days after the event. Chris is such a great teacher that by morning coffee break I no longer cared if I messed up during the process, I was having such a great time just being there. I shouldn't have worried because despite my cack-handedness, with Chris' expert tutelage I produced a beautiful bowl that I can be proud of forever. I cannot recommend this enough. Chris' approach is spot-on - gentle, encouraging and of course knowledgeable. The task is challenging but achievable so the satisfaction of making something both useful and attractive is immense. Thank you Chris"

Rob Cliff reviewed: Two person 'Have a Bash' at Blacksmithing course in Shropshire

"What a brilliant day from start to finish. Jake's teaching style was very informative and yet relaxed, putting me at ease straight away. Looking around the forge at some of the pieces Jake has produced, I thought there was no hope for a complete novice like me, but by the end of the day I had managed to make a poker, amongst other things, that I was truly proud of. I've spent the last week saying to anybody and everybody I've met "Let me show you my poker". Jake is really easy to get along with, conversation just flowed all day, and he never tired of answering my numerous questions. Really keen to have another day's blacksmithing. I cannot recommend Jake highly enough, he deserves to go far. Many many thanks."

Gilly reviewed: Sandcast glass with wire inclusions

"This course is simply great! It may seem a little pricey at first glance, but it does include food for two days (which is all delicious) and you come away with not one, but three, pieces (unless they crack). There is a limit on the size of the class and it also includes the assistance of the local glass-blowing expert and his kilns. Jenny is an extremely gifted, calm and patient teacher and I echo the sentiment of another reviewer that she is generous and open to share her experience and knowledge. You can't fail to learn and the outcome is amazing. One of our group was returning for the second time and I am tempted to do Christmas scenes later in the year! I am going to look up her etching course anyway. Despite being able to do the process now (with all the help!) she does wonderful commissions too. Good luck Jenny, you're a star :)"

Jenny Ayrton responded:

"Thank you Gilly! All intact so far!"

Mrs Lott reviewed: Introduction to Soft Pastels 10-week face-to-face art course in Kidderminster West Midlands

"First lesson today! So excited! Started Fundamental Art Skills Course with Raya.......who knew there was so much to know about art equipment!? Who knew you could make so many different marks with a pencil showing movement, anger, passion, sensitivity, form, tone, etc? I will never call a pencil “just a pencil” again! This is the information everyone should be taught when beginning an art course .....so why have I never been shown? My favourite part of the lesson was releasing my “inner child” to enjoy and be free on paper! Bring on lesson TWO, but in the meantime for just a few minutes every day I will make lines……...?"

Rob reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"An enjoyable day with other like-minded types spent creating a small willow sculpture under the expert guidance of Kate at her workshop/home. From thinking I'd never be able to create anything at the start of the day, at the end I had a pheasant which actually looked like a pheasant!....It was a lovely space to work in, and we all enjoyed the lunch provided. All in all an informative and fun day, as well as producing a unique piece of craft to take home and display."

Rob reviewed: Creative metalwork and welding, scrap metal sculpture.

"As a total beginner this workshop proved to be just what I was looking for, providing a safe introduction to the type of tools and techniques available to use in creating metal sculptures. There was plenty of equipment and scrap metal raw materials to choose from, and advice, instruction and creative suggestions were provided when needed to help everyone achieve their chosen metal project. A very enjoyable and productive couple of days...."