Latest reviews

15 Mar 17'

Mac reviewed: Whittling course

"Landed a place on Martin's course 12th March - was exceptionally impressed with his approach to tutoring safe knife handling and the cuts used to remove material & achieve the desired form. The day is well structured with enough pauses to let the lessons bed in & your hands recover between the core skills & project pieces. Throughout the day you are observed & guided with quick warnings whenever you stray into doing anything remotely risky and helpful pointers to get you working in the safest/most effective way come thick & fast. Lunch being part of the package was known to me before going, but, what a lunch!! (not the stale sandwiches & canned desserts you'd normally expect - Martin served us a very good, wholesome and home cooked lunch topped off with delicious cake) I'd strongly recommend the whittling & knife-skills course to absolute beginners as well as those that are comfortable with knife-work & looking to hone their technique... Personally, I'm already looking at dates to see when I can return to attend the longer course that covers spoon-carving!"

14 Mar 17'

Carol reviewed: Beginner's Candle Making Private Workshop - Marlow, Buckinghamshire

"Sarah was a fantastic teacher and it was such fun making candles and finding out about the process and ingredients. Truly inspiring and great fun. Thank you."

14 Mar 17'

Coral Milborrow reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A thoroughly enjoyable day. Started with no experience if machine embroidery but with great tuition, guidance and encouragement from Julie was soon creating my first quirky embroidery picture. I came away having learnt so much more than I expected and have some of Julie's enthusiasm for continuing and developing this technique. Once again .... Thanks Julie."

14 Mar 17'

Margaret Grieve reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"I m still floating from a wonderful day spent in Trumpet with Julie and five other co -machine embroiderers .She gently took us through the various stages of producing a not - half - bad sampler which l feel quite proud of.Above everything,we had a stimulating day and l feel confident that l can produce more work adding my own quirks. It really has kick -started a new interest and much more exciting than just making curtains for my home. Thanks Julie . P. S. Lovely homemade food ."

14 Mar 17'

Jo Gresty reviewed: Necklaces, handmade beads, ancient fresco-style, papiermache recipe

"Thoroughly enjoyable, relaxing and well tutored. It is a course most people could continue do at home as the materials are inexpensive. If a course is good the end result reflect this fact and all those on the course made successful necklaces. I would recommend this course to all who enjoy jewellery making."

14 Mar 17'

SUSAN GLENDINNING reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"Wonderfully practical for a total novice like myself. I had very little confidence(and nearly didn't go) as this is a totally new arena for me. Kevin came too and he did the sanding and painting. The very small class (3 of us) was perfect as I think if there were more people, it could be irritating I you had to wait for help. Wonderful homemade cakes and flapjacks served too! We left at the end with some pretty passable creations: a wrecked footstool destined for the tip became a rejuvenated piece that will sell; a tatty cheap chair with an upholstered seat looks amazing now with a new lease of life - and a boring brown nest of tables began to become interesting again with paint and decoupage applied! Highly recommend this course and can't wait to go again! Hope to take some others with us next time as it was such fun, so perfect for a corporate small team-building day out. :-)"

14 Mar 17'

Melanie reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I really enjoyed my day blacksmithing with Alex! It was a fun day and I learnt a lot. Alex helped me make a large poppy sculpture on a one day course and I took away some ideas to use in my job as a goldsmith as well. Amberley is such a lovely place to spend the day and I would highly recommend the course to anyone!"

14 Mar 17'

Sian evans reviewed: Lampwork Glass Bead Making Workshop, Stourbridge

"I really enjoyed this course...Sarah was an excellent teacher and was really pleased with my finished beads. Would recommend the course as a present for a loved one or friend."

14 Mar 17'

Karen Bown reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"Wow! What a fantastic weekend I've just had on this clay animal modelling course with James Ort, I can thoroughly recommend it. The weekend is a brilliant mix of demonstrations and practical, hands on modelling. We were talked through every step, from making an armature, applying clay and the firing process - and we were helped along the way by James and his lovely assistant Alison. We were made to feel very welcome and encouraged at every stage - I cant recommend this course highly enough! If I didn't live over 3 hours away, I'd be here all the time!!! Cant wait for the glazing session now!"

14 Mar 17'

Chris Gardner reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"I had my Blacksmithing experience this weekend. What a great day! Colin was an excellent host & teacher with a wealth of knowledge that he is happy to share. I would recommend this course to anyone. Colin has a whole array of things you can make, each teaching you a different technique & if you have a specific Project (as I did), he will go out of his way to make it happen. Many Thanks Colin, I will be looking to do this again."

14 Mar 17'

Jayne Gutteridge reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"I would thoroughly recommend this workshop. Julie is a very patient teacher, no matter how many times I forgot something and had to ask her, she would say – “that’s why I’m here”. Julie’s enthusiasm and love of basket making is very contagious. With her very clear step by step demonstrations I made a basket I am very pleased with, and am proud of myself for such an achievement. I have found myself looking at other baskets and really appreciating the amount of work and time it took to create them, and am able to recognise the patterns used. Although there is a lot to learn and do there was no pressure, everyone worked at their own pace and we all finished our fantastic baskets together. A really enjoyable day – thank you Julie."

14 Mar 17'

Amy Cavanagh reviewed: Mindful Mosaic workshops with Dionne Ible - Bedfordshire

"I really enjoyed my weekend course that I attended. As a complete novice, my every need was tended to. There were plenty of books to look at at to get ideas and inspiration and all the equipment you need to create your piece. Dionne was as attentive as you needed her to be, happy to let you get on with it and there to help when you got stuck. I came home with a lovely piece to be proud of."

14 Mar 17'

Les Connelly reviewed: Blacksmithing Introductory Workshop - One Day

"This is an excellent introductory day to basic blacksmithing. The course was limited to 3 persons and with 2 instructors on hand you couldn't go wrong. Within 10-15 minutes of arriving we were heating up our metal in the furnace and taking our first tentative steps into shaping a hook. Then later in the day as our confidence and ability improved we progressed to a very presentable candlestick holder. The instructors were approachable, patient and knowledgeable always on hand to assist you and I cannot recommend this excellent introductory day to an age old craft enough so thanks to Stuart and Mark."

14 Mar 17'

Chris Arthurs reviewed: Blacksmithing Introductory Workshop - One Day

"A really enjoyable and productive day. Ideal groups size. Trainers (Tutors / Instructors ?) had a good balance between standing back while we practiced : and stepping in, gently but firmly, when in danger of making a complete hash. With result that we all came away with presentable products and self confidence intact ! Good venue with parking charges included and discounted snack lunch option."

13 Mar 17'

Nathan Webster reviewed: Vintage china and glass mosaic house number sign workshop, Stourbridge

"This is an excellent class. Sarah is very friendly and I learnt a lot from her. I am very pleased with the heart I made thanks again!"

13 Mar 17'

Nathan Webster reviewed: Glass Engraving Workshop, Stourbridge

"What an excellent course. If you want to learn something new and make some beautiful things, then this is the course for you!"

13 Mar 17'

Nathan Webster reviewed: Half or Full Day Fused Glass Workshop, Stourbridge

"What an excellent course. If you want to learn something new and make some beautiful things, then this is the course for you!"

13 Mar 17'

Nathan Webster reviewed: Fused glass, crushed glass dish workshop, Stourbridge

"What an excellent course. I made a few things that I was really pleased with. It was such a relaxed atmosphere and I was made so welcome. My tutor had tons of patience with me and her enthusiasm was infectious. If you want to learn something new and make some beautiful things, then this is the course for you!"

13 Mar 17'

Nathan Webster reviewed: Fused Glass Bird Workshop, Stourbridge

"An excellent course. I made a lovely bird. It was such a great studio environment. I was made so welcome and Jane had tons of patience with me and was very enthusiastic. If you want to learn something new and make some beautiful things, then this is the course for you!"

13 Mar 17'

Nathan Ty Webster reviewed: Fused Glass and Metals Workshop, Stourbridge

13 Mar 17'

Nicola Tomlin reviewed: Intermediary Glass fusing workshop with Laura Hart of Hart Glass

"Thankyou very much Laura for a wonderful day. Something I've never thought of doing and unless a friend had invited me would never have experienced it. We were given guidance for every aspect of glass work and although I found it daunting to begin with, and had a fear of making massive mistakes, I loved every second and the time went so quickly.I was also thrilled with what I achieved in a very short time. Great lunch too. Thankyou so much for a brilliant day."

13 Mar 17'

Janet Grove reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"A fantastic day with Dunja in the Brecon Beacons. I have attended many courses over the years and I have to say that this was the most enjoyable and helpful course I have ever attended. Dunja is such an excellent teacher and has inspired me to purchase my own wheel. I am collecting it tomorrow, Oh happy day!"

13 Mar 17'

John reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"I spent the day wood turning with Stephen, in the morning spun a small bowl and in the afternoon a larger bowl. Stephen has years of experience as is willing to share his skills. The studio is fantastic, lots of interesting looking wood, tools and projects. He was good at demonstrating a technique and the allowing me to do it on my own. I thoroughly enjoyed the day look forward to my next bowl."

13 Mar 17'

Carol Ibbetson reviewed: Beginners Weaving with the Rigid Heddle Loom - at All in a Spin

"I had a wonderful day learning to weave in this spectacular location. I was a complete beginner but learnt so much during the day with Dunja's help. To cap it all I went home with a beautiful scarf which I have worn most days since! I have definately got the bug and after some practising at home on my newly purchased loom I would love to return to 'All in a Spin' for a more advanced course. Thanks Dunja for a really lovely day."

13 Mar 17'

Frances Pye reviewed: Beginners Glass Fusing 6 Week Course

"Sarah is an excellent tutor. Not only is she very knowlegeable, but she is also patient and great at multi-tasking when we are all working on different projects."