Latest reviews

Melanie Dewhurst reviewed: Weave a scarf in a day - handloom weaving

"Brilliant course. Anne was an excellent teacher. Absolutely everyone on the course finished their scarf all individual and all fantastic. I am now feeling the NEED for a loom...?"

Vicky Ludbrook reviewed: 1-to-1 tailored course with one of the UK's leading glass artists Jennifer Barker, at the Cheshire School of Glass

"This was a really great course. If I can afford to I will do it again. It was information overload! worth every penny. I came away with so much knowledge and ability after such a short space of time. I've just purchased my kiln , so I'm all set to go. I couldn't have done it without Jenny Barker's help at Cheshire school of Glass."

Helen Thomas reviewed: 1-to-1 tailored course with one of the UK's leading glass artists Jennifer Barker, at the Cheshire School of Glass

"I have learnt more than I ever expected. Jenny is one of the only tutors in glass who is willing to really tell you how to start up in glass. She is generous and open with knowledge. I have been to other glass schools around the country and found Cheshire School of Glass to be in a different league in every way."

Michael Fielding reviewed: Saturday jewellery tuition - choose your project!

"A wonderful teacher and a lovely guy. Such an interesting person and a such a fine jeweller. My thanks to my daughter and son for a birthday present I will remember and cherish for many years to come."

Mary reviewed: Christmas festive foodie workshop

"I have been to many courses over the years but this ranks as one of, if not the best, I have experienced. Yolanda and John were very welcoming and generous hosts. Yolanda was an excellent tutor and the day was packed with exciting Christmas themed food to make. The lunch was also delicious and had the choice of drinks all day. Definitely on my wish list to return and try another of Yolanda courses. The whole day was excellent from beginning to end."

Kate King reviewed: Introduction to oil & acrylic painting with Laura Rich at Sculpture by the Lakes

"Guy has developed me from a complete beginner to producing artwork my friends want to buy! Guy’s workshops attract fascinating creative people from all over including Kenya. He generously shared his painting techniques that he acquired from his father and new ones he has developed himself. His partner Andrew gave illuminating presentations on the science behind art. Both Guy and Andrew have a wonderful sense of humour which ensures that the painters remain positive even when painting each hair on a leopard’s spots! The Retreat was where we based ourselves for the painting. We warmed ourselves and dried our paintings around the toasty logfire. From our easels we could see deer in the water meadow and a kingfisher hunting. I am already looking forward to the next workshop."

Art & Inspiration at Sculpture by the Lakes responded:

"Dear Kate - thank you for your lovely review and so glad you enjoyed the course and the venue, and the food! I know Guy is planning another workshop towards the end of August next year so we will keep you up to date once we know for sure."

Rhona Hobson reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"Absllutely brilliant. Lucy is super knowledgeable, creative and flexible. She listens to your ideas and gives you fantastic improvement ideas. Lucy is encouraging and easy to get along with. Cannot wait for another day because there will be another."

Jane Burgess reviewed: Stained glass for all at the Cheshire School of Glass

"I thoughly enjoyed my weekend creating a stain glass window. It was intensive but such fun and Steph is an excellent teacher and so knowledgeable. I am thrilled with my window and it looks fantastic hanging up. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn something different."

Natalie Walshe reviewed: Christmas festive foodie workshop

"This course was brilliant from beginning to end. We stayed in the hosts on site accommodation which was amazing and then started our course bright and early. We made a huge selection of Christmas foods led by Yolanda and couldn’t believe the vast amount of delicious bits we left with. If her attentive and friendly teaching wasn’t enough we were fed and watered with delicious food and beverages all day by her lovely partner. I couldn’t recommend these people or course enough and will definitely be returning to learn some more skills... and eat some more grub. Thank you again for a wonderful addition to our family Xmas tradition. Natalie"

Linda H reviewed: Exploring the beauty of butterflies: two day workshop with Mary Ellen Taylor at Sculpture by the Lakes

"Very difficult to find a local acrylic painting course, and was delighted with the quality of the two day course with Andrew. I agree that maybe either shorten the tasks to fit them in, but as we need all the essential elements maybe just add another day instead! :) The ease which Andrew teaches the elements of the course using his personal techniques, colour palette and finish gave us the confidence that we too can achieve a painting we can be proud of! Well done Sculpture by the Lakes, more of the same please!"

Art & Inspiration at Sculpture by the Lakes responded:

"Dear Linda - So glad that you enjoyed the course with Andrew here at Sculpture by the Lakes and you will pleased to know he is already talking about a return trip, hopefully next year, and this time a course run over three days!"

David Cooke reviewed: 1-to-1 tailored course with one of the UK's leading glass artists Jennifer Barker, at the Cheshire School of Glass

"An excellent course with a wonderful , knowlegable tutor. Jenny gives 100 %. You come away with a vast amout of work and so many ideas. I have bought a kiln and Jenny has guided me through doing everything , including picking the right kiln and what to use. Jenny made sure I understood the firing of glass thoroughly, so I didn't feel daunted when I fired it on my own. A really worthwhile experience."

Robyn Domer reviewed: 1-to-1 tailored course with one of the UK's leading glass artists Jennifer Barker, at the Cheshire School of Glass

"An excellent course with a wonderful , knowledable tutor. Jenny gives 100 %. You come away with a vast amout of work and so many ideas. I have bought a kiln and Jenny has guided me through doing everything , including picking the right kiln and what to use. Jenny made sure I understood the firing of glass thoroughly, so I didn't feel daunted when I fired it on my own. A really worthwhile experience."

Sue Greene reviewed: Landscapes and seascapes at the Cheshire School of Glass

"This was a really fabulous course. Lots of information given about how to create foreground and background of land and seascapes. Jenny made everything so lovely for us all. The finished pieces were really wonderful. I think we were all blown away with the results. Excellent course."

Lauren Marsden reviewed: Hand forged rustic knife course

"Bought it as a gift for my partner and it was a great experience. Everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. They made me and my friend feel welcome to stay even though we did not do the course. It was a great day out and would highly recommend it to anyone."

Angie & Christine reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"We attended this course Sunday 25th November 2018 and were a little apprehensive as we had not done anything like this at all. It was easy to find and we were greeted at the door by Julie. We were there to make the Christmas decorations and everything was out ready for us to start straight away. Julie explained what everything was and what it was for. She was constantly on hand with advice and her instructions were very clear and easy to follow. Julie was also a very good host as we were given plenty of coffee and a lovely mince pie. I would highly recommend a visit. Great fun!! Thank you Julie"

Caro reviewed: Introduction to oil & acrylic painting with Laura Rich at Sculpture by the Lakes

"A very inspiring few days with an amazing artist. Wish it had been longer."

Art & Inspiration at Sculpture by the Lakes responded:

"Dear Caro - thank you for your kind comments and we are already thinking of another course with Andrew and this time over three days."

Paul burbidge reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"Great place to go Forge your first knife.From start to finish. Good instructor to learner ratio. Only small groupes so you have plenty of time on each every stag of making your knife. They work at your your speed and your ability. The facilities are great as well, well-equipped modern workshop. Even when things go wrong They spend time with you to correct your error, because I didn’t listen ?. I took my knife and sheath to a friend and he asked where I bought it,he didn’t he didn’t know that I had been on a course. The quality of the instruction and materials made it that good. It’s just a shame I can’t put photos on here from start to finish. Go and have a great experience. Many thanks to Graham, Dave and Decklan who one day will be a master craftsman himself no doubt ."

Paul burbidge reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Great place to go Forge your first knife.From start to finish. Good instructor to learner ratio. Only small groupes so you have plenty of time on each every stag of making your knife. They work at your your speed and your ability. The facilities are great as well, well-equipped modern workshop. Even when things go wrong They spend time with you to correct your error, because I didn’t listen ?. I took my knife and sheath to a friend and he asked where I bought it,he didn’t he didn’t know that I had been on a course. The quality of the instruction and materials made it that good. It’s just a shame I can’t put photos on here from start to finish. Go and have a great experience. Many thanks to Graham, Dave and Decklan who one day will be a master craftsman himself no doubt ."

Elode Hersee reviewed: Beginners Arm knitting workshop - make a chunky knit throw, Newbury

"I came to this course with a friend as it was a really good evening. I love the blanket I made and Sophie was very good at teaching me as I had never knitted before. I love the boat it is so cute and cozy and I would love to do another course with Sophie again <3"

Forest and Dot responded:

"Thank you Elodie for a lovely review!"

Caren Draper reviewed: Lino cutting in Rye, East Sussex

"An excellent introduction to lino cutting. I attended with a group of friends and we throughly enjoyed ourselves. Came home with a folder full of prints and inspiration to continue at home."

Robert Kemp reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed the day' course with Ian. He is a really friendly guy with bags of experience, enthusiasm and encouragement. It was very satisfying to make the stools and mallets from raw wood with basic hand tools. Both stools look great at home and are useful furniture to have a round. I would recommend this course."

Hilary Thomson reviewed: Make a Christmas wreath with Nikki Brown

"Fun and relaxed workshop with vast choice of materials for making Christmas wreaths. I was really pleased with the finished result. Lovely lunch in the cafe and good mooch around gift shop afterwards. Excellent day out."

Be A Garden Maker responded:

"thank you Hilary"

brenda moss reviewed: Surface Techniques in Glass with the Cheshire School of Glass

"This course was outstanding. It was both well executed and inspiring. I was taught some vital skills to set up my own workshop. The quality of the pieces we made were beyond my expectations. I was delighted with the results. Jenny is very welcoming and gives her all to the people who come on the class."

Kim Guest reviewed: Exploring the beauty of butterflies: two day workshop with Mary Ellen Taylor at Sculpture by the Lakes

"A lovely setting to hold a course. A course designed for beginners demonstrating techniques rather than accomplishing a finished piece. Andrew Denman was an excellent tutor who not only made the course interesting and informative but gave so much of himself rather than just demonstrating. I felt I learned a lot and this has course has started me on my journey with acrylics. The food in the cafe is excellent. Unfortunately bad weather stopped us being able to visit the gardens but in good weather this would certainly have been another attraction. However, we were able to visit the gallery where Andrew and Simon were holding an exhibition. Entrance was free. Overall an excellent course and I will certainly be interested in visiting again."

Art & Inspiration at Sculpture by the Lakes responded:

"Dear Kim - thank you so much for your very kind comments and so glad you enjoyed Andrew's course and the exhibition in the new Barn Gallery. I know Andrew will be back to teach another course, hopefully next year, but we will keep you up to date on any new dates as they come up. Sorry about the weather, it was rather wet!"

Ian Murray reviewed: Photography Days

"I wanted to express my sincere thanks to Sue and Richard at Art by Camera for the thoroughly enjoyable two days I had. It was a privilege to have the insight of two passionate photographers - all to myself! Their approach ensures that learning and working with the camera doesn't have to be intimidating and their style made me feel comfortable and at ease which made my learning experience both informative and FUN! I still can't believe that within an hour I had been able to produce an image that I had only seen in books until that point, and it didn't stop there, even though the weather didn't play nicely - the days were very flexible and personalised to meet my interests. I learnt so much over two days and that was undoubtedly down to a clear and interesting style of delivery, which allows every opportunity to ask questions and seek advice. The Craft Courses voucher was a gift which in turn has given me memories and skills for life. Anyone thinking about attending a course with Art By Camera shouldn't hesitate in booking. Sue and Richard are most highly recommended! Many thanks!"

Art by Camera responded:

"Thank you, Ian, for that very nice review, for your enthusiasm about learning, and obvious joy from the images you were achieving. It will be nice to see you again if you come north on holiday. We'd love to hear how you get on!"