Latest reviews

25 Oct 15'

Kelly Bacon reviewed: Crochet workshop - Benny Rens Creations

"I loved Bethany's class. She was super helpful and provided a variety of learning material for different abilities. I am super happy to say I have just finished my very first granny square! Will be looking at attending another class soon! Thank you!!"

25 Oct 15'

Michael Hall reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"I last did woodworking at school over 40 years ago and, although I enjoyed it, was never very good. Now, following retirement, I signed up for this course in the vain hope of being able to measure, mark and cut accurately, and produce an ottoman style footstool (hah!). I’ve just come home, five days later, with a beautiful ottoman style footstool constructed in oak, and am sitting writing this with my feet comfortably on said stool and feeling very proud of myself for the first time in years! This is due entirely to the instruction I received from Mark and Richard, which was perfect. There were no questions too stupid and they were excellent at making me feel capable. I was introduced to a wide range of techniques, using both hand and power tools. With only four pupils on the course each of us could progress at our own speed and I never felt rushed at any stage. In fact, it made a great change being able to take my time! The lunchtime chats (not really lectures) and ‘group huddles’ were very informative, ranging from discussions on how to use screws (no Birmingham screwdrivers here), through tools to buy and setting up a workshop. As others have said, if you’re thinking of doing this course, stop thinking and sign up! You'll love it. I’ve come away ready to start creating with the tools I currently have and looking forward to the next course in a month’s time. Need to sharpen my chisels first, though."

24 Oct 15'

Sarah Carruthers reviewed: Felt slippers - felt-making workshop with Debra Esterhuizen

"friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with very good instruction. Would definitely go back again."

24 Oct 15'

Lynne Riley reviewed: Felt slippers - felt-making workshop with Debra Esterhuizen

"It was a lovely day, very relaxed despite the elbow grease!! Debra was a good teacher and guided us through the whole felting process and passed some useful tips for when we do our next pair of slippers at home"

24 Oct 15'

Andria DSouza reviewed: Mosaic one day workshop for adults with Caroline Jariwala, Birmingham

"When you decide to let your inner child out to play I suggest you take yourself right up to Caroline's mosaic workshop. Had a fun day learning to mosaic, everything from the introduction to the tools you can use, Tile cutting techniques and then on to assembling your mosaic and grouting. 5 of us sat around this big table with our protective gear on in this cosy room eating yummy cakes as Caroline took us through mosaic-ing. We laughed, we shared stories, destroyed (tiles) and created our own mosaics. A day we'll spent. Some of the instructions were jumbled or lost in our laughter but Caroline is a hands on teacher and was always at hand to save the day. I would definitely recommend indulging your creative child. Thank you Caroline for the experience."

24 Oct 15'

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

"This is a really worthwhile course and I can't recommend it highly enough. Held in beautiful surroundings, the day was well structured and the pace spot on. We started with looking at the fleeces and then moved onto hand carding, looking at the spinning wheel and then finally onto the spinning. By the end of the day all three of us on the course had produced our own skein of yarn which for me was a complete surprise and I am still buzzing. Dunja was very patient and encouraging throughout and I can't wait to do more courses with her. Thank you for a truly inspirational day!"

24 Oct 15'

Anthony Ball reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I attended Marks one day course for beginners and found Mark very welcoming.The whole day was most enjoyable and has given me to the confidence to attempt my own projects. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn the art of woodturning but lack knowledge and confidence."

23 Oct 15'

Ben Sylvester reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I enjoyed the one day introduction to blacksmithing so much, that this is my second time visiting. Alex is knowledgeable and keen to pass on the experience that he has. I would thoroughly recommend this as a day out as there is something elemental and relaxing about clouting red hot metal and turning it into something useful and beautiful."

23 Oct 15'

Yvonne smith reviewed: Fused glass taster (afternoon)

"I shall be on my 3rd visit to one of gen's classes next week, taking friends and family on each occasion. It is a very good and creative experience, gen is an excellent teacher, she explains what can be done with all the different materials in a very relaxed manner, so you can really enjoy what you are doing.And the end results i've found to be really exciting. I would definitely recommend trying one of gen's classes, and they make excellent presents too."

23 Oct 15'

Mike Bailey reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"This course was a fantastic experience, and I got a useful object out of it afterwards! It was very informative, hands on and concise. Chatting over tea and biscuit breaks were also an absolute pleasure, and a great way to recharge and cool down before returning to the heat of the furnace. I'm definitely going to try to pursue this as a hobby from now on, seeing as I've had such a positive experience with it right off the bat! 11/10 would strongly recommend even to people who have never considered blacksmithing before."

23 Oct 15'

Liz Mitchinson reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"I have attended two workshops with Sophie at All things Felt and Beautiful, apart from excellent tuition in Needle Felting, the day is an opportunity to relax, meet new people and enjoy lunch in the beautiful surroundings. It was suitable for the complete beginner and those of us that had done it a little before. I will be going back!"

22 Oct 15'

Gill Cox reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"A brief chat changed my unrealistic expectations into a plan that was achievable in a day. No, I couldn't manage to turn out a full size replica of the Tour Eiffel, but I could create an amazing piece of garden art. Learning the basics of fire and tool management I began to turn a flat piece of metal and bar into something with shape, form and texture. Alex was encouraging, knowledgeable and adaptable, not to mention patient. He watched and waited for me to achieve the action, suggesting alternative methods, rather than stepping in and taking over. I don't know how you can call a day relaxing, when you spend 8 hours on your feet, swinging a hammer, pounding away, but it was just that. Beautiful surroundings, charming tutor and a truly unique object, an amazing day. Regrets? Absolutely - the day job getting in the way of returning every day. Will definitely be back. Thanks Alex for an inspirational day"

22 Oct 15'

Tine Hagen Dalgaard reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"Two days of inspiration and confidence building. I am a handbuilder and have very little experience on the wheel. I worried that this course would be too difficult for me, but found that David explain everything in a brilliant and easy way. And helped us on the level we where at. These two days gave me the confidence to go home and continue working on the wheel. David is an amazing potter. I could watch him all day long. Came home with plenty of pots in all sizes. AMAZING"

22 Oct 15'

Susan Robinson reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"This is such a great way to spend a day that I have been twice! and I took my neighbour this time as a birthday treat. Sophie is just a delight, welcoming, encouraging and very skilled. The surroundings are beautiful, the food delicious and to be with a group of lovely women learning a new skill was heart warming. I am looking forward to doing some wet felting next, having made a bear and a female head so far - the possibilities are endless it seems with felt. Thanks again Sophie."

22 Oct 15'

Chris Caple reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Fantastic day. I was a complete beginner to blacksmithing and I don't have much experience with any type of craft but I came away feeling like I had learnt some new skills and that I had made something half decent! The food was top notch and Adrian, Debbie and Andy were all very welcoming and pleasant company. It was clear that Adrian really knows his craft. I couldn't recommend this course more. Thank you."

22 Oct 15'

Rosey Bennett reviewed: Rag Rug Full Day Workshop - Hertfordshire

"I attended Elspeth's course recently, and had a really enjoyable day with her and a small group of other ladies in a beautiful setting. I learned a lot and was greatly inspired by the examples of finished pieces dotted all round us. Elspeth is lovely, and a very good teacher. We also had fun, and all in all it was a great day. I thoroughly recommend it. I have shown my hotelier in Greece how to do this while on holiday, and she is now hooking away like crazy! Marvellous."

21 Oct 15'

Dan Green reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"I was a complete beginner going to the course and it was fantastic, I will be recommending it to everyone. Jason's passion and enthusiasm is infectious and he gave extremely honest and helpful advice and tips (including where to source tools / leather). The studio is great and there's a really relaxed atmosphere, Jason was a brilliant teacher and was happy to answer all the questions we had, he was open with how he went about his business and got started which was very encouraging. if you're looking for a course for yourself or a present for someone, book this!"

21 Oct 15'

David Stephenson reviewed: Introduction to Glass Fusing with Enamels - Full Day Workshop

"I had a great experience on this one day course with Steve and five others. I am not artistic, but with Steve's help and support I managed to produce a very good sunset picture looking westward from our caravan at St Justinnian. In addition to the above I produced two smaller pictures and two tea light. Steve is a very good communicator and can translate your thoughts to a piece of glass: his help and incouragemet is infectious. This day with Steve Robinson Glass was a gift, worth every penny."

21 Oct 15'

Chas Blundell reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"Alex was an excellent teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed the course and learnt everything I need to get me started, and more. I came away with lots of things that I never thought I would be capable of making. Alex made it not only informative but also very interesting. I would definitely recommend him to complete beginners and look forward to returning for a second course once I have put what he taught me into practise. Thanks Alex, I look forward to my return trip."

21 Oct 15'

Hugh Jones reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My wife treated me to a one-day blacksmithing course with Alex as a birthday treat. An excellent decision! Alex is a patient and encouraging instructor. He keeps you busy for the full day,which all adds to the sense of enjoyment. I went home with a delightful triple candle holder, which now has pride of place on our dining table. A wonderful experience, and highly recommended."

21 Oct 15'

Jim Green reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My one day course at Chalkpit Forge was a Christmas present from my wife, following a visit to a smithy in Devon where I was allowed briefly to try out my skills with a hammer (neglected for 60 years). Alex Smith treated us to a most rewarding day, making a new design of candlestick, with me as striker and my wife as artistic director! Alex's easy teaching manner and superb skills at the hearth and anvil made the day memorable. And I now have a unique candle holder to light us to bed!"

21 Oct 15'

Annette Phillips reviewed: Candle making workshops

"What a wonderful day! I had really looked forward to my candle-making day with Angharad and I was not disappointed in the least. We had fun making candles from several different waxes, Angharad is very knowledgeable and obviously loves her craft and is eager to share her experiences. No question was left unanswered and I came away from the course with an eagerness to carry on at home, knowing that if I needed advice Angharad would be at the end of the phone or an email to help. The workshop is set in an idyllic location with no distractions from traffic. I would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn or brush up their candle-making skills."

20 Oct 15'

Cathy reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Elaine is patience personified - kind, helpful and fun with the most wonderful way of bringing the story of Rumpelstiltskin alive. As if by magic, beautiful skeins of wool appeared from nowhere. My efforts were somewhat more lumpy and erratic, but as a first timer I was pretty proud of the day's handiwork. And can't wait to try again."

20 Oct 15'

Liz Shields reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"I attended Ashleigh's weaving class last Monday and Tuesday. I had just bought a rigid heddle loom and I thought this class would be a good chance to have practical help in how to use it - and I wasn't disappointed! I learnt how to warp up, how to weave plain weave and how to weave some other techniques too such as clasp-weaving and the use of the pick up stick to create patterns and how to read and interpret a weaving pattern. Ashleigh shared lots of other tips and advise too which no doubt came from his many years experience as a professional weaver. Ashleigh was very attentive, but also sensitive to times when I just needed to be left alone to weave at my own pace! Lunch on the first day was included in the price of the class and consisted of a soup and sandwich lunch with tea or coffee at a local cafe. There were plenty of eating places in Blairgowrie to try out on the second day, and I chose one just over the road from Ashleigh's studio. Blairgowrie is a very pleasant little town, and I was able to explore the local shops during the lunch hours and also take a walk along the riverside paths. Altogether this was a very interesting and enjoyable two days, and I learnt a lot about weaving. It was well worth the cost and the journey from my home town of Liverpool to attend."

20 Oct 15'

Pam Smart reviewed: Mosaic on Acrylic Suncatcher Workshop in the Cotswolds - Gloucestershire/Wiltshire/Oxfordshire Borders

"A superb and worthwhile course! Fantastic teachers with a wealth of resources to pick from."