Latest reviews

Samantha Kelshaw reviewed: Level 2 Advanced FURNITURE PAINTING Skills Workshop Intermediate/Advanced (1 Day) - Lancashire

"Great day with Jo Relaxed fun and really informative Would highly recommend it and look forward to the advanced course soon Samantha"

The Boho Shed responded:

"Thank you for your lovely comments Sam, and for travelling so far to the workshop. I just love those candlesticks! ?"

Andrew Luck reviewed: "2 Crafts in 1 Day!" pairs - woodturning & pottery experience

"Fantastic and most enjoyable day at Blended Monkey. I did the two in one, wood turning and pottery day with my brother in law. We had a great time, learnt a lot about both crafts and had a lot of fun and laughs. Simon and Louise are relaxed and patient teachers and we were both amazed how well we did in such a short time as total novices! I would definitely recommend the courses. Thanks Andrew and Kozo"

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

"We really enjoyed having you guys in the studios! You both created some lovely pieces and we all had a great time :-). We're really happy that you found the experience to be enjoyable and that you felt you'd achieved something - and that you certainly did! Well done! We'll let you know as soon as your pots are ready. Thanks for the lovely review!"

Tom reviewed: Mid Century Modern Refinishing & Restoration Workshop - All levels - 3 days

"What a brilliant few days with Ollie in his workshop in the Cotswolds. I arrived with only basic skills, clutching my tired-looking bentwood chair...and a tendency to reach for the power sander! I left with a beautiful chair - that I felt incredibly proud to have brought back to life over the three days - and a much deeper understanding of the techniques, tools and products to do things properly and to a high standard. The graft involved in hand stripping and hand sanding isn't a walk in the park but it's so fulfilling to move step by step through the process...and of course getting to the shiny-gorgeous stage which is the most fun! Ollie teaches you to be patient, as he himself is a very patient teacher. This attention to detail as you focus on a single piece for many hours, is very therapeutic, clearing your mind of everything in your busy life as you concentrate hard on every detail of the piece you're working on. Everyone I mentioned my course to - and when I've shown them the finished chair - has said "wow that's very cool". If you're thinking about booking up with Ollie for a special present for yourself or a loved one, just do it. Whoever is lucky enough to attend will learn loads, have a fab time and great conversation, and will come away with a real appreciation for beautiful furniture and things done properly."

Lindsay Russell reviewed: Make at home - fused glass wild flower meadow kit

"Spectacular service. Easy to order, quickly delivered, beautifully packaged with fabulous contents (nice little details such as return labels and stamps). We had a great time completing the project and can't wait to receive our fused glass!! Thank you so much, we will certainly order again."

Natalie Bullock Art responded:

"Hello Lindsay, Thank you for your fab review! :) Best wishes Natalie x"

Charles Milne reviewed: Beginners half-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Great course, Simon was very accommodating. I had done a little turning before so he was able to adapt his intended lesson to suit me. Loads of fun and I came away achieving exactly what I wanted. I fully recommend this course."

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

"Hi Charlie, Thanks for the review and glad you enjoyed your day. Any questions or issues, please get in touch. — Simon & Louise"

David. reviewed: Log Bottomed Willow Basket

"Excellent course run by top rate tutor. Good level of one to one tutoring and good pace to the day."

Su’ Thompson reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"This full day Lino cutting course with Judith was excellent. The venue is welcoming, peaceful and has plenty of light. Judith is a great teacher. She let’s you get on at your own speed after the basics are introduced but she is always on hand to assist. She pays full attention to the safe use of the cutting tools. Both of us on the course had brought images we wanted to have a go at but Judith could provide images if needed. It was also lovely to see Judith’s work. Refreshments were just right. All in all a relaxing day of learning and messy play."

Fletcher reviewed: Stained glass one day course for beginners: one-to-one

"We had a lovely day with Emma. She's a great teacher and made us feel relaxed and at ease. Thank you, Fletcher & Sirpa."

Kim reviewed: Jewellery Workshop - Make a Silver Ring

"Loved this ring making workshop. Sheila goes through the process step by step and there for support when needed. I found the class fun, relaxed and great value. I am also proud of the ring I decorated and made!"

Katie and Lauren reviewed: Aromatherapy Candle Workshop at Frill & Flounce, Afternoon Session

"Me and my daughter did the aromatherapy candle workshop at Frill and Flounce on Sunday 12th September. It was brilliant. The lady the hosted the event was really helpful, friendly and knowledgable, we had all the equipment we needed, the venue was great and we came home with 3 gorgeous candles each. Really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend."

Darn It! Workshops responded:

"You were both so lovely to work with! Thanks so much and hope to see you both again soon!"

Josh reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"Had a great day learning to forge a knife with some really good guidance helping me along the way. Really friendly team with some nice lunch included too. Would absolutely recommend to anyone that is interested."

Will reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"A brilliant day learning so much about forging. Great family team who run the day and lots of experience between them. A very hands on experience with the knife making and thrilled with the end result, a strong, useful blade that you made yourself. Thank you, will be back for the axe making!"

Maureen Brown reviewed: Two day wood carving course at Chillington Hall

"A great great course had a lot of help when doing this course but was finished at the end of the course. Geraint was a very good tutor and I learnt a lot. well done and thank you."

Amerton Arts Studio responded:

"Thank you for your review Maureen, glad you enjoyed it. Hope you had a good journey back."

Ed O’Mahony reviewed: One day Bag making traditional leather workshop (tote bag / side bag)

"I did the course on Saturday, I must say I really enjoyed it. Firstly Kingsley is an incredible craftsman himself. His work is really stunning,clean lined and beautifully made. He gives simple clear instructions and then let’s you get on with it, so you actually make yourself. The inevitable mistakes are calmly rectified and explained. I ended up with a great looking usable bag to take home. Super nice fella."

Sue Barrass reviewed: Glass fusing whole day private course

"My friend and I had a whole day glass fusing with Sarah, which was great. We made so many lovely things, which we will be able to collect in a few days. The lunch, which was also provided in the day’s course, was lovely and mostly home-grown. Sarah and her husband, Chris, who teaches pottery, are a very talented couple and good fun to meet. All in all it was a fabulous, creative day- thank you."

Sarah Greening Glass responded:

"It was great to meet you both and help you make some masterpieces in glass! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! Sarah"

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

"A long delayed present - covid has so much to answer for.... Alex was very welcoming and helped me transpose my basic sketch into an achievable project for the day, incorporating a wide variety of elements of the blacksmith's trade., and then exposed me to them one by one with simple demonstrations and patient encouragement whilst I attempted to follow them. The final product was prominently displayed at home after the course, which reflects the value placed on the results ... a fantastic day"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thank you for the great review, Mike. I'm glad you're happy with what you've made. All the best Alex"

Annabel Price reviewed: Make a silver ring: one-to-one workshop

"This was a wonderful jewellery making session in a very inspiring garden studio. I learnt new techniques and made a shopping list of all the equipment I need to buy! We made a lovely bracelet which I will enjoy wearing. Angela is a very kind and patient teacher. Thoroughly recommend this workshop."

Ruth reviewed: Log to Stool with Gedwood

"The most relaxing day I've had in a while, tuning out from the world in a stunning setting, and with a cracking wee stool to take home at the end of it. Ged is knowledgeable and patient, the course is well paced and the workshop is a pleasure to work in. Highly recommend."

Gedwood responded:

"Thanks Ruth. Hope you enjoy your handcrafted stool?"

Margaret Green reviewed: Machine made lined curtains

"I have completed a 1:1 session with Janet to learn how to use my new sewing machine and then more recently I completed a 1:1 day making a full set of lined curtains for my bedroom. I have wanted to do this for many years and Janet was both professional and knowledgeable. I was quite nervous and doubtful of my abilities but she explained and demonstrated things very well and has increased my confidence and my passion to continue to develop my skills. She is also very easy to get along with; so the day was great. Not forgetting the lovely, lovely lunch. Thanks Janet- I will be in touch to complete the roman blind course once i make a few sets of curtains xx"

Sarah reviewed: 2 Hour Glass Beadmaking session for 2 people

"My daughter and I had a great day with Julia. The course was fun and Julia was lovely ? The setting was fantastic and Julia explained everything we needed to know and was very generous with the materials. We are really pleased with our beads and would definitely recommend the course!"

Maria Smith reviewed: Saori Weaving taster session at Freeweaver Studio 1-5pm

"An absolutely wonderful experience. I came away enthused and excited and it has really changed the way i approach my weaving . Now looking at purchasing a saori loom to continue"

Jo Carobene reviewed: 'Bag in a Day' Practical Leather Course - Tote Bag

"Had a fantastic day with Georgie in her studio. Her expert tuition helped me create a bag that I am delighted with. I learned a lot about the construction of bags and a now have a greater understanding of leather. I’m looking forward to making more with Georgie in the future."

Hands of Tym responded:

"Thanks Jo, it was great to make bags with you and looking forward to welcoming you back one day. Georgie"

Shirley M reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop

"This was well worth the money. The teaching was fun and easy to follow. I left feeling very confident on how to make all of the examples of different candles made in class. I was also impressed with the handout pack we had to take away with all the info needed to continue with this little venture if desired. I will definitely attend all of the sessions, and recommend it to anyone interested in candle making or just acquiring a new skill. You wont regret it!!"

Bonita Candles responded:

"Thank you Shirley for your lovely feedback. It was a pleasure to have you there with us. I can really see your going to enjoy your candle making journey. Well done. xx"

Dave Bygrave reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Brilliant day out learning some basic blacksmith skills. Tea and homemade flapjack to get us in the mood then Adrian got us straight onto our first piece, showing us what to do (he makes it look so easy!) then letting us loose. You work two to a furnace and everyone gets their own anvil and tools, so there is no hanging around waiting for your turn. Adrian and Andy were really helpful and wandered amongst us making sure we knew what we were doing. Lunch was amazing - Debbie looked after us really well. By the end of the day I'd finished my keyring and coat rack and was knackered but really pleased with what I'd made. There was still time for more tea and home-made cakes. Its a great day out - just do it!"

Cindy reviewed: ‘Sunset in wool painting' interactive online course with live tuition

"Hi Raya, Thank you for a very informative and interesting workshop on Saturday. I very much enjoyed it and am very proud of my finished Sunset wool painting. Thank you for the newsletter link I hope to book onto another of your courses so will hopefully see you soon. Best Wishes Cindy"