Latest reviews

Leora Honeyman reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"I had an excellent experience working with Ed to learn sledging skills. We produced a large form and I am very grateful to be able to learn from someone with Ed's level of skill. He was generous with his knowledge and very welcoming. I had a great time - a pleasure all round."

Alex reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day with Simon and I came away buzzing with enthusiasm for wood turning. I had already tried a few bowls on my own by following YouTube videos but was very aware I needed some more hands on instruction. Simon was brilliant at providing the sort of practical guidance you can't get from just watching someone else turn. He was also really good at explaining the 'why', helping me understand the theory so I could see why cutting in one direction would give a smooth finish, while the other leads to tearing. He sent me away with newly sharpened gouges and lots of practical advice on tools and materials which has already led to some Axminster purchases (you should be on commission Simon!) On top of that he's very easy to get on with - I enjoyed good company, was well supplied with refreshments and a very nice lunch. It was such a shame to go back to work the following day :-) Thank you Simon."

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi Alex, So glad you enjoyed the day and got so much out of it - it’s always nice to hear that another woodturner has joined the community! As ever, any questions you have, please get in touch and I’ll help if I can. Happy turning! — Simon"

Sue reviewed: Create a small random weave basket

"Had a great time, really interesting perspective and outcome. Very happy with my‘banana basket’"

Willow and Crafts responded:

"Thank you Sue it was a pleasure, I love that you put your own twist into your basket, random weaving allows the flexibility to play and add another skill which you can incorporate into your making :-) Jacquie "

Cassandra Jackson reviewed: Lampwork Beadmaking Half day Taster Class For One

"Brilliant four laid back hours covering the basics of bead making. Ruth was very friendly and informative and we were able to get our hands on some beautiful glass with colours we chose ourselves. Made about 10 beads, gradually improving the technique each time. Lovely lunch provided too. Highly recommend "

Kalypso Glass responded:

"Thank you Cassandra, glad you enjoyed yourselves. You made some really good beads too!"

Sam reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"Had a wonderful weekend with Sebastian and fellow stone carvers. An amazing space to create in, very inspirational and calming - no traffic noise and just the sound of tools on stone and bird song. "

Alexia Dawson reviewed: Wheel Throwing Workshop

"My 9 year old son and I really enjoyed this class. Kate has endless patience. We both managed to make bowls we were proud of and are thrilled with the end result after firing. Would recommend for all ages."

Orchard Grange Pottery responded:

"Thank you! I'm so pleased you like your creations :) Can't wait to welcome you back next week! "

Deborah reviewed: Japanese Marbling - Afternoon

"This short course was a packed intro to Japanese marbling. We covered all the basics and were given ideas for the future. I was very impressed by Brenda’s ability to devote attention to everyone in the class. "

Relaxation Through Art responded:

"Dear Deborah, thank you so much for your lovely feedback. I am so glad you enjoyed our Japanese Marbling afternoon, I look forward to maybe seeing how you progress with this wonderful relaxing craft...and to hopefully meet you again soon in one of our future arty workshops. Arty regards Brenda "

Roisin Cull reviewed: Maille making the traditional way.

"Really great course, even if you know nothing about Maille, we were shown the different types and the process from start to finish whilst encouraging us to have a go at each step Phil really knows his stuff and is very patient especially when we had the chance to make our own mini chain maille."

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks for the review, glad you enjoyed the course."

Christine Such reviewed: Screen Printing Course

"Really good tutor. Clear on the process of screen printing and took us through the stages. My ideas were way beyond my skills. However, by making the session open and working with us I was inspired by the tutor and enjoyed the class. By week 3 I felt I had achieved some skill and would love to do more to capture my ideas in print. A really great choice of class. "

Printmaking with Evelyn Polk responded:

"Hi Chris Thank you so much for this lovely review, I'm so glad you were able to get something out of the classes and have gained confidence. Would love to see you on more classes. Evelyn "

Mike & Avril reviewed: Lampwork glass making workshop in Nottingham

"Great experience, Rosie is a wonderful, patient teacher and a dedicated master of her craft. We both thoroughly enjoyed the day."

bden glass Ltd responded:

"Thank you so much Mike and Avril, you both showed such dedication to learning and improving throughout the session. A pleasure to teach and as always an enjoyable session for me too!"

Karen Burfoot reviewed: Skills - Ultimate power tools

"What a wonderful course. David is full of knowledge but never makes you feel like you are asking a stupid question. He teaches you safety, maintenance and what to look for. I would recommend this course for anyone and everyone. I left for home with new skills and shed envy! "

Alex Brown reviewed: Maille making the traditional way.

"Fascinating course. Phil was great! Going over the process from a bit of wire to making the rings, coiling them, then learning weaves with fun lil teaching aids. What made the entire experience that bit better was how Phil was knowledgeable and comes from a historical background so told us all sorts of fun facts and tid bits. I'm now at a stage of appreciation of the skills required, but also could make my own maille suit for reenactment or larp. Very chuffed. "

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Glad to hear you enjoyed the day and hopefully you'll be able to fix those holes in your shirt successfully now."

lydia baos reviewed: Quilting Weekend Break, Yorkshire

"Absolutely brilliant. Only 7 people, so a nice small group. The tutor was excellent, especially bearing in mind 5 of us were definitely novices! I did not feel pressured for time, nor lack of attention. The lunch was just about right - not too much so that we wanted to sleep in the afternoon, even if we had wanted to. Would recommend this one to anyone thinking of trying quilting. I have already told a few of my friends, and plan to attend more courses as and when I can."

Bee-spoke Quilts responded:

"Thank you for your kind feedback Lydia. I enjoy passing on the skills of this wonderful craft. I hope to see you again. Jacqueline "

Emma Thomas reviewed: Wooden Maille Construction Kit

"Super useful in helping me figure out how the maille was meant go together!"

Phil Parkes Maille responded:

"Thanks Emma, great to hear that you found them a useful learning aid."

Liz H reviewed: "Through the Garden Gate" - Machine Embroidery Workshop

"This is an excellent course and I came away with such confidence and an abundance of ideas to take me forward. I also have a picture I love and would have thought beyond my ability before this course. Jen is an excellent teacher and each participant was able to produce their own individual and different take on the principles by being guided and supported by Jen to follow our likes and ability….encouraged to be creative and ‘daring’. A fantastic environment to work in, the pace is steady but never feels pressured. Highly recommended. I will be back. Thank you. "

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"Thank you so much for such a lovely review Liz. It's always fascinating to see how people respond to the various techniques I demonstrate and it was wonderful that you embraced them all within your work. Your finished picture was a delight and I'm sure it's just the start of your exploration of the techniques we covered. I can't wait to see your work and skills develop further! Thanks again Liz, always a pleasure to share my studio space with you. Jen"

Christine Holloway reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"An excellent day. Plenty of support, help and encouragement. I am very proud of the two garden flowers that I made. I thoroughly recommend this course. Food is very good too. A lot of hammering is involved so you might want to bring some leather gloves if you are liable to blisters."

Rory Cowan reviewed: Woodturning for beginners

"2 Day course completed April 2023. All the admin for the course was well done and directions were good. I have done quite a bit of turning previously so this was by way of dealing with certain techniques I felt weak. on. Stuart quickly focussed on what I needed to look at and deal with and we majored on that. One concern I had was that we may find we didn't get on but that was fine and a more easy going chap would be hard to find. In particular I was keen to deal with bowl turning and deep boring and getting my own tools ground correctly - we did all this and more - so two days very well spent. Thank you Stuart."

The Scottish Woodturner responded:

"Thanks Rory. I'll be expecting to see your version of the Alibaba vase on Youtube iminently. Two good fun days. S."

Sadie Charles reviewed: Resin Cheeseboard & Coaster Workshop

"Wonderful experience! It was something new and different - we all had so much fun! Brilliant teacher also! We all very much enjoyed ourselves and I will definitely recommend to others! "

Georgie reviewed: Stained Glass Traditional (lead work) Method - Taster

"Really enjoyed this course, cutting involved straight and curved lines, grinding and piecing the glass together. Ruth is friendly and knowledgeable. Looking forward to another course with Ruth. "

KelZig responded:

"Thank you Georgie. I love it when couples join the courses, the dynamic is loads of fun. Can’t wait to see you again,"

Karen Armitstead reviewed: Lampworking Workshop: Taster Workshop

"Absolutely fabulous morning making beads for my trollbead bracelet. Suzanne was friendly, informative and professional. I can definitely recommend her glass bead workshops to potential clients. A must for bead enthusiasts. "

Suzanne Jewellery responded:

"Thank you so much Karen for your lovely review. So pleased you enjoyed your workshop. Suzanne x"

Lisa reviewed: Pottery throwing sessions on the potter's wheel in Norfolk

"This was a birthday present for my son and the whole experience was exceptional. The booking process was simple and when we turned up Pat was really friendly, patient, knowledgeable and encouraging. My son was thrilled with his present and has been telling everyone about it. We will definitely be booking again for other birthday presents! "

Pat Southwood responded:

"Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so pleased he enjoyed himself, he certainly has a talent for it!"

Niki R reviewed: Small outdoor plaster hare sculpture kit (30cm) with full video instructions by Jo Garden Art

"Absolutely loved achieving my first outdoor hare plaster sculpture! From the excitement of unpacking the kit, to watching Jo's wonderful video, browsing the comprehensive instructions, and then working through foiling the armature with my little message inside, applying Modroc, getting messy with the plaster, painting and finally gilding, it was immersive joy from start to finish. Thank you Jo, I'm going for the big hare next, can't wait!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Niki! Each stage is so different and the hare morphs through to when the gilt cream brings it to life. The large hare will be so much fun now you know the process 😊🙌 Jo x"

Sarah Reilly reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - Buy 3 days and save.

"Absolutely loved doing this 5 day course and plan to continue with new projects. Sarah is a brilliant teacher, as well as practitioner. She gives clear instructions, demonstrating and modelling techniques and checks your work to ensure you produce a quality product. The classes are relaxed and everyone is very welcoming. Sarah makes a wicked rocky road too! "

Jessica Beltrame l reviewed: Printing with Gelli Plates - pictures or memory book pages

"Did the batik painting course and thoroughly enjoyed it. The tutor was very knowledgeable and approachable. She showed us step by step the technique. I would highly recommend her."

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"It was a pleasure to teach you both for the day. Loved your art works and hope you get them framed 😉. Best regards Barbara "

Meher reviewed: One Day Stained Glass Foiling Method Course

"An excellent workshop! Cheryl is such a warm and beautiful person and a great teacher! Had a fantastic time in her company and got a great experience learning this stained glass technique and a beautiful piece to take home! Highly recommend her, will be back again to learn the lead method! "

Cheryl Powling Glass responded:

"Hey Meher.., I cannot tell you how proud I was of Aaliya And having you both here was a joy .. I really hope you come back .. thank you for your kind words xx 😘 "