Latest reviews

Alistair reviewed: Basic blacksmithing course

"Attended this course for a friend's birthday and had a great time. Jos and Gary were both polite, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. They managed to guide the four of us through making some simple but great-looking blacksmith's knives in the time we had. The instructions were very clear and both Gary and Jos were very patient and took the time to explain what was happening, as well as helping with all the equipment and stopping us making any mistakes. I can't recommend this course and location enough if you have any interest in blacksmithing, its a great day out, really fun, and you get the satisfaction of taking home something you've made yourself!"

Thomas Love reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience in Grassington (5 hours)

"An absolutely fantastic day. We spent 5 hours forging away and came away with some great pieces we were really proud of. Richard is a great teacher! He taught us many of the core techniques that we could then use to work on our projects, and was always on hand to help and advise. We both came with custom ideas and Richard helped us break them down into understandable steps so we could work on them all the way through to completion. Couldn’t recommend this course more highly! "

Sheena MacDonald reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"Really enjoyed this course. A great hands on course. Ashleigh was great at explaining each step and leaving you to practice before moving onto the next pattern. Lovely start with coffee whilst talking through the set up of the loom. I personally had never done any weaving and came away with a good size sampler. My day was very much tailored to my capabilities. Time flew by which is usually a good sign. Came away feeling I had achieved and learnt a lot. I have dropped hints that I'd be happy to receive this gift again. ;)"

Kath reviewed: Pottery taster courses in the South Downs

"We thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hour course, Rowena explained the techniques carefully and made sure we ended up with very respectable looking bowls; we achieved more than we expected. Really happy "

Lyn reviewed: Create with a gel printing plate in Derbyshire

"Another enjoyable day in the Slipper Studio with Liz. Very clear tuition, a useful handout and with a small group plenty of individual attention. I came away with a huge pile of prints, some complete, some to work on further at home - Gelli plate printing is definitely addictive. Thank you."

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Lyn, Good to hear from you and thank you for letting me know about your workshop at The Slipper Studio. It was good fun working with you both, and in particular seeing you understand how you both might use this technique for your individual creative pursuits. I imagine this technique will be taking up a fair amount of your time! Best wishes Liz Wellby and Bert (happily walking on all 4 feet) "

Karen reviewed: Gel plate printing starter kit with handmade A5 gel plate, instructions and videos

"Lovely kit. Bought it for my son's upcoming gcse photography exams. Well packaged and easy to use."

Bev Evans Art and Print responded:

"Thanks for the feedback Karen! I hope he finds it useful."

Cath Baynton reviewed: Wild flower and copper foiling workshop

"Had a great morning doing craft glass with Ffion. She had a superb collection of pressed flowers and leaves and the process of making the frame was very satisfying. I would highly recommend."

Monika Mathur reviewed: Beautiful Batik

"A relaxing day with a focus on creating something beautiful using the medium of batik. Plenty of opportunity to make different designs and then use your favourite one on fabric by the end of the day. Plenty of refreshments throughout the day. You will feel both pampered and relaxed and come home with plenty of beautiful creations to display proudly in your home. Thanks to Alison and her colleague for such a wonderful day. Can’t wait until the next one. "

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Monika, It was great to meet and work with you. You produced some lovely work exploring different flowers using batik and dyes, the results were stunning. I think you have much to explore here, so looking forward to working with you again soon! Best wishes Alison "

Mary Brookes reviewed: Weekly pottery/ceramics classes

"Lovely afternoon. Alison was very welcoming as were the other potters! Had plenty of help to start making a cylindrical vase which should be completed by week 4. Tea/coffee provided, cosy workshop with parking outside. What more could you want?"

Jackie reviewed: Needle-felting: 3D Spring Chickens

"This course was such a lot of fun. We found the setting very inspiring, surrounded by all sorts of beautiful things. The teacher, Anne was perfect, calm and helpful, let us create what we wanted….or indeed tried to do. A joy"

EJaRt Creative responded:

"We are so pleased that you enjoyed your needle-felting workshop with Annie. We love to see what wonderful things people create. Thank you for taking the time to leave us your thoughts and we hope to see you again at EJaRt Creative in the future."

Pearl reviewed: Colour Design Texture

"Great day had, well looked after, lovely stock and helpful staff. Enjoyable workshop at a good price"

Aztec Kreative Studio responded:

"Thank you Pearl for your review pleased to hear that you had a nice time at the Colour design Texture workshop. Hope to see you again on another workshop we have listed or perhaps there is something specific you would like to have a go at always happy to help. Karen Aztec Edenbridge"

Helen reviewed: Crafter's Retreat - Solihull

"The workshops were excellent and the tutors were amazingly patient and encouraging. However, I found my eyesight not to be good enough for close work, such as for the chain mail bracelet and for part of the beadwork. I really needed a magnifying lens and, perhaps a daylight lamp might have helped too. I never quite grasped the chain mail 'rabbit ears'. I don't know if there could be a demo with extra large rings. I had difficulty handling the tools for this project....The rings kept shooting off in all directions. Never mind- it was all good fun. I really liked the mosaic work as it was entirely up to us how we completed this."

Jolly Super Things responded:

"Thanks so much for the feedback Helen! We're just planning the next retreat for Spring 2024 in the Cotswolds. Hope to meet you again soon. Kind regards, Jennie"

Kathryn reviewed: Glass fusing private class - fun taster class for beginners

"We (3 of us) did the glass fusing taster session on a rainy horrible day, it was warm and cosy in Sarah’s workshop. We had great fun with lots of different materials to create our pieces with. Sarah was very knowledgeable and helpful when we didn’t quite know what we were doing. We had a great time and would recommend this session to anyone. "

Sarah Greening Glass responded:

"A great way to spend a rainy morning! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review."

Janet Schofield reviewed: One day fused glass course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

" What a wonderful day and fabulous host! Paul was extremely informative, attentive and helpful and made the day really interesting, as well as fun, for all 4 of his enthusiastic, novice students for the day. We all felt, under Paul's expert tuition, that we had achieved something rather special. So, thank you Paul - it was well worth that 2 hour journey to reach you."

North Norfolk Stained Glass responded:

"…… and thank you Janet for travelling all this way to do the class! Thank you also for your kind review, I really enjoyed your company and we all had a good giggle :) I have fired your projects and they have turned out perfectly- I will send them on to you early next week. Thank you again, Best wishes Paul"

Sanghamitra Chaudhuri reviewed: Flamework (Lampwork) - Making glass beads for beginners

"I did the Flamework beginners course. Enjoyed the experience thoroughly with Toni. Toni is an excellent teacher. She is very patient and guided me throughout the process of making the beads. She showed me different techniques that can be used to make the glass beads. She has given me details of books and materials required to make beads. I would highly recommend anyone who is interested to join this course. Enjoyed the day and I will be going back to do more. Thanks once again Toni. "

Natalie Olson reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"A lovely fun day and I took home a sun catcher I’m proud to hang in the window. "

Nathalie and Stuart Taylor. reviewed: Private or private group silver jewellery making / silversmithing workshop half-day at Silver Designed Personally

"We had a fantastic morning silversmithing with Sara ! So nice to be guided by an understanding and wonderful teacher. Simply can't recommend learning with Sara enough. Very much look forward to attending again soon. Nathalie and Stuart."

Silver Designed Personally responded:

"Thank you so much - It was such fun to work with you all, and loved all your gorgeous jewellery .... I hope you had a fantastic lunch as well. Look forward to seeing you again and really appreciate you taking the time to write me a review. Sara"

TJ reviewed: Seaglass jewellery workshop at Sea & Solder, Dorset.

"Incredible course with an awesome teacher - patient, knowledgeable and creative. Absolutely fantastic experience for all levels, loved it. "

Liz LR reviewed: Bronze clay duo 'Hare' & 'Sleeping Cat' sculpting kit

"I purchased the two Sleeping Cat sculpting kits for a collegues leaving present. It came very well packaged and the kit looked to have everything needed. Jo was really lovely and accomodating!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Liz - really happy to change kit contents to suit and glad the parcel reached you in time for your colleagues leaving presentation. Jo x"

Jon Seed reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"A superb day from start to finish. Adrian, Andy and Debbie were all very welcoming and I can not recommend doing this course enough! I will be going back and hopefully taking friends with me. The instruction had the right amount of demonstration and supervision whilst also just letting you crack on and hit things with a hammer. The food was delicious and over all this course is exceptional value for money. "

Anne reviewed: Beginners/improvers glass fusing workshops in Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire

"My daughter in law and I attended Carole Pollock's glass fusion course last weekend, which we both thoroughly enjoyed. Carole was very knowledgeable and so helpful and friendly, putting us all at our ease. There were five of us on the course, all first timers, yet we all managed to complete 2 or 3 separate pieces each. I am already hoping to have another go at this fun craft with Carole."

Gore Tree Studio responded:

"Thank you Anne, so glad you both enjoyed the day :)"

BILL reviewed: Woodturning for beginners

"I arrived at the course as an apprehensive Senior Citizen hoping to learn a new hobby in woodturning and was Not disappointed Due to the Professionalism of Stuart the tutor I left at the end of the 1st day Elated with basic skills which enabled me to turn a small piece of an oak tree, giving it a new life as a lovely polished bowl Stuart gives you 1 to 1 tuition in a relaxing experience at your pace and enables You to do what You want to do within his planned programme. The tuition is all about You and Stuart moves your development skills forward at each stage I highly recommend that you join the course if you have any interest in Woodturning as I am already looking forward to the next day of my course as for my Hobby It Is On Way"

The Scottish Woodturner responded:

"Thanks Bill. Glad you got so much out of day one!"

Sally M reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I would highly recommend this to anyone who either wants to look at making jewellery for the first time, or someone who wants to improve their existing skills or learn a new jewellery skill. Lucy is able to tailor the course to you, which in my view is invaluable. She is very good at listening and suggesting new ideas or ways to do something, whilst drawing on a huge amount of experience. She is very patient and encouraging and has really helped my confidence. Photos of my work and reference materials have been spot-on, and the workshop is a lovely environment in which to spend the day. Already planning my next visit!"

Exclusive Jewellery responded:

"Thank you Sally. You have lots of potential and did really well on your day here. Best wishes Lucy"

Gail reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"Richard is a great tutor. Explains everything in a clear and concise manner, easy to understand way. I enjoyed this ‘Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop’ and look forward to attending ‘Part 2 - Resin Finishing’ workshop."

Gill Embling reviewed: One day fused glass course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"What a fantastic day I had yesterday with Paul, my friend Deb and the two girls from Cambs. The course was so informative and interesting and Paul was a very patient, kind and easy going tutor with a good sense of humour. And of course we all produced a lovely piece of fused glass at the end of the day. I would definitely recommend this course and am sure I will do another one with Paul at some point in the future. The soup was pretty good as well! Thanks Paul. "

North Norfolk Stained Glass responded:

"Hello Gill, many thanks to you and Deb for coming on the class and your kind review. I have fired your pieces and they have turned out splendidly! See you soon Paul :•)"