Latest reviews

Clive reviewed: Footstool making workshop - weekend

"Had a great couple of days making a footstool - exactly the introduction to upholstery I was hoping for! Jay is a great teacher - knowledgeable, patient, and I always felt we were going at the right pace. Ended up with a very professional-looking footstool!"

sinem reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"I've just completed Anne's course. Although I watched a lot of videos about mosaic, her explanation is completely different. Very clear, understandable. I am looking forward to getting my amazon order and I want to start asap. Thank you!"

Making Mosaics responded:

"Oh thank you. I’m so pleased to set you off on your wonderful journey! Do have a look at mosaic workshop and other dedicated mosaic suppliers."

Sally Pugh reviewed: Kiln Fired Enamelling with Katie Sanderson. Half day workshop

"Myself and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed our half day enamelling with Katie yesterday. Being complete novices, we were carefully and effectively guided through a truly creative experience and we both come away with 2 pieces we designed and made ourselves! It was a lovely gentle atmosphere and the time flew by. I would be very keen to do the same all over again! Thank you, Katie."

Tracey reviewed: Introduction to Beaded Jewellery - West Sussex

"Two and a half hours just right to produce a necklace and many earrings. Lots of choice bead wise and as little or as much direction as you need. Drinks are offered and atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Would recommend especially if you've got some birthdays coming up. Tracey"

Ann reviewed: Introductory pottery wheel throwing taster sessions

"Bought a 2 hour taster session for my bestie’s birthday and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Lorraine is very welcoming and friendly, she is an excellent teacher and we are planning to go back. We both made 4 pots which we have left for Lorraine to professionally finish for us. Can’t wait to see the finished items!"

Carol Page reviewed: 6 week photography course Barnsley

"Had a great first lesson in a very relaxed atmosphere with some lovely people. Charlotte made everyone feel at ease and welcome. We were all of different ages and ability and Charlotte was very patient with each and everyone of us. Cant wait for next session"

Charlotte Elizabeth Photography responded:

"I'm glad you enjoyed the first session Carol. It was so lovely to meet you, I'm looking forward to the next few weeks and helping you improve your skills!"

Richard reviewed: Crochet all abilities 2 x 2hour lesson

"Nicole, was amazing, she really took her time to ensure that I had picked up the basic stitches. I had wanted to this for a long time and she has given me the confidence to start on my crochet journey. Im using this as a tool to help control some anxiety issues I am facing and I can say it really takes your mind off things. Also being a man Nicole made me feel complete at ease. I am looking forward to progressing and hopefully make some items and feel more creative. Thankyou Nicole"

Just My Cup Of Crochet responded:

"Thank you such a lovely review Richard. It was a pleasure to meet you and to teach you. You picked up crochet really well and I’m really pleased its helping with your anxiety. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review."

Helen reviewed: Paper Making - Hand Made Recycled Paper

"My niece and I had a fantastic time with Wendy on the paper making course. My niece has declared it the best craft course she has been on. Wendy was very patient and clearly described and explained the steps in paper making. We both made 4 lovely pieces of paper. Thank you Wendy we both look forwards to coming back and trying a different craft."

Kate Toch reviewed: Irish Weave, 2 days with Anna Turnbull in the Yorkshire Dales

"I've thoroughly enjoyed a few willow and wood courses at Broadrake - a stunning location, lovely hosts Rachel and Mike, great teachers Phil Bradley and Anna Turnbull. The latest basket, with a Catalan base and an Irish Weave is beautiful, Anna provided all the materials and an abundance of patience and encouragement. I love my finished basket and I need more practice so I'll be back. Thank you to everyone involved - always good to work with other willow enthusiasts from beginners to experts :)"

Broadrake responded:

"Hi Kate, It was lovely to have you back for the start of the 2022 workshop season at Broadrake. Great to see a new weave being mastered by a lovely group of weavers!"

linda baker reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"A thoroughly enjoyable, good fun day. Warm welcome from Jonny & Becky as we arrived at their beautiful Worcestershire countryside home. Homemade flapjacks and hot drinks were waiting for us. Spacious craft studio for us to work in with access to drinks all day ( I do like a cup of tea when I am working). Tuition was superb, group and one to one, with Jonny and Becky working with everyone. I was nervous to start with as I had never done basket weaving before, I needn't have been, everything was demonstrated and explained clearly through out. Time flew, and I found myself very chilled and relaxed as I was totally absorbed in what I was doing. I would absolutely recommend booking lunch as it was delicious. We sat on the balcony patio enjoying the amazing views surrounding the house. Becky mustered us all back to work after lunch (it was glorious sunshine and after eating Becky's homemade cake as dessert I think a fair few of us were ready to stay in the sunshine). The afternoon whizzed by as we continued with our weaving. By 430pm we all had constructed the most amazing baskets. I have a new found respect for wicker basket makers and a couple of blisters on my thumbs in sympathy for their trade. I would highly recommend this course, it is a good fun day out, I leant new skills, gained a knowledge on willow and had a fun time with Jonny, Becky and the rest of the weavers on the course. I love my basket and couldn't wait to show it off when I got home to the family, who I will admit were surprised by just how good it is."

Basket Making Malvern responded:

"Thank you Linda, that's lovely to hear. We both really enjoyed working with you and think you all made fantastic baskets. It was great to meet you and thanks so much for coming to us. Jonny and Becky"

Liz Venn reviewed: Create with a Gel Printing Plate - Mono Printing Without a Press

"Really enjoyed the course and have lots of ideas for further prints. Excellent teaching of group and individual help whether you were a beginner or more advanced. Came home with a whole pile of prints. Liz and Alison are very friendly, kept us well supplied with materials for printing and also hot drinks and nibbles! Barn is in a fabulous setting. A lovely creative day to get away from it all."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Liz, Lovely to hear from you and we really appreciate you taking the time to tell us about your day. We are really pleased you enjoyed your day exploring Gel plate prints; you created some great pieces and it was lovely to work with you again. Happy printing Best wishes Alison & Liz"

Antonio Rangel reviewed: Key skills for converting vans into campervans 2 day course

"Hi Mr Scott, My name is Antonio, I'm planning to do the course on May this year. One of my questions is in the course do you teach how to cut the roof? and do you provide a certificate please. Regards Antonio"

Black Paw upcycle project responded:

"Hi Antonio to answer your questions we cover cutting holes in your van for things like electrical hook ups and windows. but we don't cover doing the roof. we also don't do a certificate. but we do take photos you can show off to others after the course. If you have more questions please email me as this link is really for people who have already done a course with us and want to leave feedback thanks Scott"

Lisa reviewed: Kiln Fired Enamelling with Katie Sanderson. Half day workshop

"I had such a fun and informative day today amid the beautiful countryside of Gloucestershire. Katie is an outstanding teacher - a natural! She was careful to explain about the health and safety aspects and went on to explain the basics, traditional techniques as well as cutting-edge techniques too. She had examples of all the different stages so that we could touch and see, and so that we knew what to expect as we built up the layers of enamel. She carefully demonstrated the different stages in a way that kept you interested and engaged. She was mindful to ensure we were all making work quite quickly and magically ensured there was never a queue for the kiln. She built our confidence in the medium whilst ensuring we were also working safely. In Katie's half day workshop the materials were supplied and she had everyone's work station all organised prior to us arriving with a rainbow array of enamel powders, small glass nuggets and millefiori. There was a wide range of copper blanks to choose from too. Katie was kind enough to allow me to incorporate my own design and guided me in how I might get my desired result. Loved it and booking up again!"

Amanda reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience in Grassington (3 hours)

"Amazing day. Richard is very knowledgable and patient. A Christmas present that the whole family really enjoyed. Thanks Richard we have knives that we can use daily that remind us of a great day."

Helen reviewed: Pottery throwing day course in the South Downs

"It was such a fun, interesting and relaxing day. Rowena was very patient and a fabulous teacher! Thank you! Helen"

Karen reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"What an excellent day I have just had with Sarah. I am a complete novice and Sarah has been so patient, and kind, her immense knowledge, calm and clear explanations and instructions, as well as her positive and sunny manner have helped me to achieve an immense amount on my first foray into the complex world of upholstery. I have so enjoyed it and will certainly be returning for more."

Jane Hughes reviewed: Silk Painting Class - A Fun Day with Constance

"I had a fabulous day with Constance and was lucky to be the only one on the course so had 1:1 tuition. The venue was excellent, what a treat to travel through glorious South Shropshire. Constance was well prepared for my day with everything I needed and we had such a lovely day together. I made 3 pieces of silk work learning new techniques in the process. I am absolutely thrilled with my outcomes and will be ordering a set of equipment so I can carry on learning at home. I can’t thank Constance enough for her time and expertise. We chatted as we worked, what a lovely lady. I thoroughly recommend this course and a huge thank you to Constance for a very special day."

Crafts and Kits responded:

"Thank you for your review Jane, I much appreciated your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the day, I certainly did and your hellebore silk painting was fabulous. I think you’ve found your medium, you are a natural with silk painting and I’m glad that you are going to pursue silk painting further."

Edd Curbishley reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Really great day with Simon, he made the day relaxing, educational, informative and inspirational, great facilities I have total workshop envy now !"

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

"Thanks, Edd! Should motivate you to get in the shed and do a tidy-up :) -- Simon"

David reviewed: Two-day woodcarving for beginners

"A thoroughly enjoyable beginners course covering as much as you could take in. Will is an exceptional tutor, knowledgeable, passionate, supportive and fun. Time flew by and I would very much like to continue with this learning experience. Many thanks Will."

Cathy reviewed: Lino printing landscapes

"Just had an excellent day with Lee, who took myself and 2 other novices through the process of creating a landscape using lino print. Whilst it felt like a really relaxed day we all managed to create a multi layered lino print that whilst bearing some resemblance to the pictures we had brought along as inspiration, also had our own interpretation of the landscape. A great introduction to lino print, and sufficient knowledge transferred to enable us to be able to develop this further if we wish."

Rosey reviewed: Paper Making - Hand Made Recycled Paper

"We had a great time with Wendy learning how to make paper. She was very friendly and informative and made us feel very welcome in the space. There were loads of great options in terms of what we could include and it was really enjoyable. Great that we could take home the mould and deckle so we can carry on making at home"

Bex Gibbs reviewed: Stained Glass Copper Foil Taster Workshop

"I had a wonderful morning learning how to make a stained glass feather. Anthony is a great teacher and so encouraging. I very much recommend this workshop to anyone wnating to try out stained glass art."

Glassic Crafts responded:

"Hi Bex, I am glad you enjoyed yourself, you did amazing well done to you Regards Anthony"

Judith reviewed: Double-Sided Lampshade Making

"I made my beautiful lampshade yesterday. I received all the help I needed and the result is a professional looking lampshade. Wendy is extremely nice."

Jon C. reviewed: Tuesday Evening Pottery Classes w/c 20 June

"A delight. In fact so good, I (and another person) went round for a second introductory course, as that was the only time available that suited me. Informal weekly meeting under Julie's helpful, enthusiastic guidance. Even though this was my second introductory course, she had thoughtfully changed the course content just enough for us to be encountering new challenges at every lesson. Thoroughly enjoyable!"

Helen Sutcliffe reviewed: Saddlebag workshop

"I did the Sneakers workshop with Eli. The results were amazing and I get comments on them every time I wear them. Don't be daunted , Eli is there every step of the way to ensure you get a fantastic result, cannot reccommend this highly enough."

Love and Salvage responded:

"thankyou so much xxx"