Latest reviews

Phil reviewed: Premium experience package dry stone walling for beginners

"For anyone considering this course for a fun day out, a gift for a family member or friend or if you're considering dry stone walling as a potential career then this is perfect for you! I met the most amazing people during my experience and had such a laugh whilst learning the craft in a relaxed and beautiful setting. The whole two days was at just the right pace to take in the different stages of walling with plenty of tea breaks and I must add the food was absolutely stunning! All this wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for Sharon, Carl and Ed who were extremely welcoming and eager to pass on their own knowledge. Thank you and I really do hope to see you all again soon at a DSWA Derbyshire branch practice weekend. "

Ali McGregor reviewed: Trio of Silver Stacking Rings: Silver Jewellery Making

"Excellent. A thoroughly enjoyable course. Nina was very informative, willing to help and a very approachable tutor. I finished the day with 3 well made rings thanks to Nina's tutoring. I would well recommend this course and looking forward to another Nina workshop. "

Iasthai Original responded:

"Thank you so much Ali! It was a pleasure to have you and very well done on your beautiful rings ?? I hope to see you again soon! Love Nina"

Jude Glide reviewed: Creative metalwork and welding, scrap metal sculpture.

"I loved the course however I ran out of time & didn't finish my project. Unfortunately I cannot afford another session to finish it. I arrived on time & felt a lot of time was wasted at the beginning with over an hour of instructions. We didn't actually start 'working' until 1115am. I believe I would have finished with that extra time. My suggestion would be to bring your own picture/drawing with you. I also think we could have had better guidance around time management. I didn't know how long things would take & would have hoped for more guidance/help. Overall I was disappointed with the outcome. "

WTF Workshops responded:

"Hi Jude, We’re both sad that you came away from the workshop feeling dissatisfied. Our aim is that everyone enjoys their time with us, comes away with new skills, and hopefully a wonderful sculpture too. We both really enjoyed having you on the course and we loved your dragonfly project. We recall that you made a decision not to rush to get it finished, and you told us you wanted to come again to spend more time completing your project at your own steady pace. Unfortunately you must have realised after you left that can not afford to do this. We feel it’s a shame that we weren’t aware that you wanted more help, as if we had known you weren’t able to come back we’d have jumped onto your project with you and made sure you took home a finished piece. Managing time for people is always difficult, as each project is bespoke and each participant is unique. It’s quite common for there to be a rush at the end of the day, but we’re always happy to help people out to finish off. We’re keen to try and improve the overall experience for future participants, so thank you for your constructive criticism regarding our introduction at the beginning. The introductions did take longer than usual on Saturday, as the other participants were keen to ask questions, which is welcomed. We understand that this was frustrating for you as you were keen to get started. We have found that doing a group introduction to the workshop at the beginning of the day saves time later on. Again, apologies from both of us, and I hope you have positive experiences on other craft activities in the future. Felix and Annie"

Vikki reviewed: Two day stone carving course at Middleton Hall

"Middleton Hall is a lovely location to do this 2 day stone carving course and the weather enabled us to be outside for both days (8-9th Oct). Miranda the tutor is excellent and provides 121 guidance and encouragement. It was a great experience, you knew you’d spent 2 days carving and I was really pleased with my efforts. "

Amerton Arts Studio responded:

"Thanks for your review Vikki, glad you enjoyed the weekend - we were lucky with the weather!"

Y reviewed: Macrame - Plant Hanger

"This was a great introduction to macrame. Instructions were very clear and Wendy was very patient. It was a really enjoyable experience "

Ruth reviewed: Barnaby Bear kit

"My Barnaby Bear kit arrived safe and sound with great communication from the seller - haven’t had chance to make him yet but the kit looks great quality . Great communication from Craft Courses also and very helpful when I needed a refund on another course ?"

Tracey Hurran reviewed: Natural Cold-Process Soap Making

"Wendy runs amazing craft courses. They are small and personal with lots of time to ask questions, have fun and take home something special. The soap making was very well run. All the items were laid out ready, lots of ingredients to choose from, a well written booklet to take home, relaxing atmosphere and Wendy explains very clearly what needs to be done step by step. Looking forward to seeing my bar develop into soap. Should end up with 6-7 bars of soap, wonderful for presents. "

Anne reviewed: Learn the Potters' Wheel in a Weekend

"I’ve just completed the weekend pottery course and it was fabulous. For a start, the drive through the most stunning landscape of Dartmoor to reach Powdermills was just incredible. There were three of us on the course, all beginners, and we began the day with our own lovely cafetière of coffee and a chance to get to know each other. After Joss had outlined what we’d be doing over the two days we headed for the wheels. We watched Joss demonstrate building a cylinder before sitting down to have a go ourselves. Joss was a joy to be around, as were my two fellow emerging potters. There was lots of laughter! I very much liked the way that Joss taught as she was thorough, going over the detail of how to do what we needed to do and answering all questions. She was relaxed and funny and so very helpful. She was always available, noticed when I needed help and responded immediately finding something good about my work to praise and celebrate even when I felt I was failing at the task! There was never any pressure to keep up and we just kept helping ourselves to fresh clay and moving on to create the next pot. In-between Joss added more demonstrations so that we were building our skills to create bowls and vessels of various shapes, handles, spouts and lids. It was a fabulous weekend and Joss was my perfect teacher. And my fellow learners were great fun! I’d do it all again tomorrow if I could! "

Powdermills Pottery responded:

"Wow, Anne, thank you! Great to work (and giggle) with you all - definitely a group of expert handle-makers as well as throwers!"

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

"I attended a day course with my grandson. He made a replica kunai (a ninja symbolic knife/trowel) and I a birdbath. Alex was very good at helping us to do things for ourselves and very good at correcting things which didn’t go perfectly so we felt we had made them ourselves. Both of us absolutely delighted to learn about forging and the physics of metals and we went home proud owners of unique constructs. Thankyou Alex"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Mark, thanks for your great review, it's very much appreciated. It's also great to hear you both had a nice day and enjoyed the experience. It was interesting and delightful to meet you both. Many thanks and regards Alex "

Gerard Cassidy reviewed: Etching class

"An enjoyable day with 4 of us doing an etching and printing proofs, Evelyn was always on hand to offer friendly advice and guidance. Would recommend to anyone for an interesting artistic day. "

Printmaking with Evelyn Polk responded:

"Thank you Gerard for the lovely review. I'm glad you enjoyed your day. All good wishes Evelyn "

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

"This is the second one day sea glass workshop I’ve done with Sea and Solder and I couldn’t recommend it more. Jules is a brilliant teacher, so knowledgeable about silversmithing, encouraging and patient! The class size is perfect, maximum of 4 people so Jules can spend time with each person as and when needed. I absolutely love the pieces I’ve made and get so many lovely comments about them. "

Lyn Griffiths reviewed: Mokulito Printmaking at Home - Woodcut & Lithography

"This course is excellent with well made videos and many suggestions for future developments,which is exactly what I wanted.The materials box was beautifully packaged,arrived quickly and provided all the specialist needs.Wouldn’t hesitate to do more of Scarlett’s courses."

Scarlett Rebecca responded:

"Thank you Lyn, that's so kind of you! I'm so glad you're enjoying your explorations in printmaking. I'd love to see your work sometime. Happy Printing!"

Sarah reviewed: Introduction to fused glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"I would definitely recommend this course! No previous experience is required, Martin is very good at explaining what to do, giving advice and help when needed. The time flew by as we were shown the different methods, and then made our pieces. I can't wait to see the finished items."

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you ?"

Helen reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I thoroughly enjoyed the two day course with Mark, who is an excellent teacher. I left with a beautiful and unique box, which I will treasure! Thank you, Mark!"

jill padwell reviewed: Rag Rug Workshop - Full Day - York

"A really relaxed and enjoyable day and I came away eager to complete the rug I had started in the class. All the materials are extremely good quality and the big balls of blanket wool I bought are a dream to handle. Advice was given individually throughout the setting and it was fun to see different ideas taking shape. we were warned it would be addictive and I absolutely agree"

Ragged Life Ltd responded:

"That is so great to hear Jill, thank you. You were a pleasure to teach :-)"

Melanie Coates reviewed: Pottery and decorating day for two

"I did the full day Pottery course with Marina with my sister at the weekend. We learned how to throw a couple of bowls on the wheel, to then trim them and finally to decorate - we are very excited to see finished articles which we will collect in about 4 weeks. Marina was very welcoming and patient. She showed us what to do but made sure we had a go at every stage but also that we had finished product to decorate. If you are looking for a fun day to see if this is for you I would highly recommend this course."

Marina Randall Ceramics responded:

"Thanks so much Melanie for the lovely review? it was lovely having you both too. Will keep you posted when pots are fired Best wishes Marina "

Rachel S reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"A lovely relaxing day held at the right pace, as we learned something new. Our group were amazed that our beginners efforts all looked like hares! Highly recommended. "

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Rachel ? Always strange how the same hare wire armature ends up so differently by the end of the day! Very much enjoyed your company, Jo x"

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

"Would give this 10 stars if I could ! Really fantastic day . I took my daughter as a bday present and we both left with rings we were delighted with . Jules is lovely and an excellent and encouraging teacher . Not only is the day fun and informative you end up with something you will love at the end of it ! Class size was small (4) so easy to learn and fun to meet other people . "

Sea & Solder responded:

"Thank you so much for this lovely review Helen. I'm so pleased to hear you had a lovely time. Well done on making such beautiful pieces of jewellery, it was great to meet you both. Jules "

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

"Spent a great day and had a wonderful time producing my "lilly" Alex is an excellent teacher and was able to combine demonstration with allowing me to try things and feel confident. Would highly recommend Roger"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Roger, Thanks for your great review, it's very much appreciated. Really glad to hear you enjoyed making your Lily and are happy with the results of your hard work. Great meeting you. All the best Alex "

Lillian Owen reviewed: Pottery/ceramics wheel throwing (full day)

"What a great taster course, Lorraine is a lovely lady and an excellent tutor , I’m definitely going back for more asap Thanks Lorraine "

Lindsay Lowe reviewed: 2 Hour Glass Beadmaking session for 2 people

"My daughter and I had a truly fantastic day yesterday learning how to make these beautiful glass beads. Julia is a brilliant tutor, she is incredibly tallented and patiently guided us throughout the session. We can't wait to receive our beads in the post and really can't thank Julia enough for a wonderful, creative experience. I can highly recommend this course. "

Lara Stead reviewed: Introduction to Epoxy Resin Block Casting

"The course with David was excellent, he was very thorough with every step and was super informative! It was a fabulous day out and we really had a wonderful time. Couldn’t recommend enough as a great new skill with an excellent teacher leading you through it!"

Hand forged Yorkshire responded:

"Many thanks for your very kind review Lara, I really appreciate it. So glad you both enjoyed the day, me too!! It was an absolute pleasure having you both in the forge and your designs turned out fantastic, well done"

Michelle and Rebecca reviewed: Beginners Silver Jewellery Course

"I agree entirely with the previous reviews. My daughter and I had a fabulous day. Mark is a fantastic tutor and we left with some lovely pieces of jewellery. Mark is very clear with his explanations/demonstrations and is very helpful throughout. There was no rush for us to leave and we were able to complete all our projects. I would definitely recommend this course - it’s very good value for money and a great day out, as well as learning some key jewellery skills. My daughter and I are very keen to return and make some more jewellery. "

Dandelion Silver responded:

"Hello Michelle, thank you for the kind review, I'm so pleased you both had an enjoyable day. You will have to let me know if Rebecca's friend liked her 'lizard ring'. Hope to see you both again in the near future. Mark"

Kerry reviewed: Modern Rag Rug Techiques Workshop at The Craft Barn

"I enjoyed the simplicity and ease with which I could go at my own pace and 'have a go'. I've been enjoying working on my rag rug at home as I was able to buy the tool I needed to carry it on. "

Darn It! Workshops responded:

"Thank you so much Kerry for your lovely review! Glad you're enjoying it."

El reviewed: Furniture Painting Workshop (levels 1&2 techniques covered) in Warrington, Cheshire

"Jo has created a course which gives a brilliant introduction to furniture painting. The small class means that you get lots of one-to-one attention. Jo really listens to your ideas and it was great to see mine come to life with her encouragement and help. For a complete novice, I left the course feeling I could give more if this a go now that I’ve got a much better idea of what I’m doing! Good company, good food and good fun, thank you."

The Boho Shed responded:

"Thank you so much for your kind words El. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the workshop and look forward to seeing what you create at home. ??"