Latest reviews

Sue Bloxham reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"I ended up having this course on a one to one basis which was excellent as I was able to go at exactly the right pace and take into account what I already knew. Mark helped me use and assess my own router and the bits I had been given. We covered and practised all the various techniques and he shared lots of useful tips, waiting for me to make copious notes for later reference. I highly recommend it."

Pete Hopkins reviewed: Leather craft for beginners and improvers

"What an excellent course. Everything is provided and I walked away with my own, handmade passport case (to be cherished.) Slim makes the work enjoyable and has so much patience (he needed it with me!) Coffee and biscuits were good too Thanks Slim......"

Ross Leather and Wood responded:

"Thanks Pete for you lovely comments. It was a pleasure working with you. You did an excellent job. Looking forward to working with you again soon. All the best Slim."

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

"My wife surprised me with this course and it’s probably the best present I’ve ever had. Alex is a great teacher, very skilled and takes time to explain not only how to blacksmith but also theory behind metal working. On the one day course I made a fantastic garden lily sculpture which I will treasure in my garden. Fantastic experience and something really unique to take home. I hope to do another day soon!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Karl, Thanks for the great review. Hope your Lily birdfeeder looks good in the garden. Alex"

Jo Woodley reviewed: Glass Fusing for beginners

"What a fabulous day! A treat to be in a creative environment with an awesome experienced and patient teacher. And to come home with 2 pieces finished that I don't mind giving house room to at all is a total bonus - brilliant value for money, interesting, stimulating, thoroughly enjoyable all round. Thanks Gigha!"

Robert Spinks reviewed: Everlasting pumpkins- 1 day sculpture workshop using Pal Tiya Premium

"A very informative and fun workshop. As a complete beginner when it comes to sculpting Joe and Bob were very helpful and friendly. I felt like I left the venue having made 2 new friends. I would definitely consider doing some more workshops with these 2. Can not recommend enough!"

Stuart Hughes reviewed: Bladesmithing experience day

"What a fantastic day! From the minute I arrived Steve was on hand to make me feel very welcome and enthused for the day ahead. With safety always at the forefront of his mind he was able to expertly guide me through the entire blade making process from picking the style of blade I wanted through to the finished article. At each stage I was provided with every opportunity to impress my own ideas on the design of the blade. Throughout, Steve was on hand with expert guidance to ensure that the end result would be something I was going to be extremely happy with. The day was also made all the more enjoyable with some engaging chat along the way, in fact I am already looking at when I can book my next course. A really enjoyable day and highly recommended. Thanks Steve."

White Tiger Knives responded:

"Hi Stuart I'm really pleased that you enjoyed your day so much. It was full on, but we tried some different techniques and a couple of design tweaks that really put your mark on the blade that you created. I'm glad that you're as happy with your finished man blade as I was. I'm sure when you present this to your son that he'll be honoured to call this custom blade his own. I look forward to our next excursion in the workshop. ATB Steve"

Nickey reviewed: Furniture upcycling workshop - 1 day

"Had a fantastic time on the upcycle course. Hannah is friendly, welcoming and a great teacher. She taught us thoroughly one stage at a time which I thought was great! Loved it, would definitely recommend ?☑️"

Tread Softly responded:

"So glad you enjoyed it Nickelle! Your bedside was so cute ? and very creative. Thanks for coming X"

Mark Sanders reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"My son and I have just finished this wonderful course. We were both complete novices to knife making and we started off with a certain degree of apprehension as to whether we would achieve anything vaguely resembling a knife! However this was soon put to rest by the very relaxed.and informal atmosphere in the workshop. Arian is an excellent (and very patient) tutor with a wealth of knowledge and skill which he used to guide us through all the stages of producing our knives. Our confidence soon rose and we became completely immersed in the whole process and enjoyed the plentiful supply of tea and biscuits! Special thanks to Arian for helping my son to incorporate a lambs horn from one of our own sheep into the handle of his knife- a real personal touch. Would have no hesitation in completely recommending this course to anyone no matter what your ability level. You will not be disappointed!!! Many thanks."

Sarah preston reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"Had a brilliant day, comfortable and relaxed with a great teacher. Great taster day , I think I have the bug. Hope to attend soon again as Lucy managed the impossible and kept my attention all day!!!!!"

Julie reviewed: Candle making course (introductory) - in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, Sussex

"This was a Birthday treat from my children and it was the best fun. With Simon's great sense of humour and 5 happy participants, we all had a fun filled morning combined with learning from a true craftsman. 5 gold starts from me."

Nina reviewed: Pottery classes in Teesside

"Family with 3 kids (13,13,10) did a taster course. We were taught how to make a pot on the electric and hand wheel, Louise made it look very easy! She was great with the kids letting them try things and helping try to create what they wanted without taking over. Great experience. Thanks Louise."

PoppyRose responded:

"Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so pleased you all enjoyed your sessions, your pots look great. Well done. Best Wishes, Louise"

Lara reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing Workshop by Clare Cosens

"Attended a two hour Saturday workshop in Clare’s lovely studio, Clare made us welcome straight away and we got stuck into making our own prints. The two hours went by very quickly and the time was well structured with lots of chance to practice and ask questions. Would definitely recommend this course to anyone who enjoys trying out a new activity and Clare was a great teacher."

Kirsti Leljak reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Thank you for today. Really enjoyable experience. Relaxed, fun and great cake! Loved making a ring and having the freedom to be creative. Thank you"

Gill Thomas reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"I was nervous initially as I didn't know what to make. Jonathan gave us plenty of time and ideas to help, and I feel really pleased with my creation!"

Dan Milner reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"A beautiful environment and a superb tutorial from from Jonathan that will suit all abilities. I am leaving with a ring I would've happily paid more for, than the course cost. We all really enjoyed the experience."

Alison Blackburn reviewed: Free-Machine Embroidery 2 Day Workshops with Joanne Frankel Contemporary Textile Artist

"My friend and I treated ourselves to this course as a joint birthday present and we loved it. Joanne was a superb tutor and took us through all the stages of creating a design. We left with worked up samples and - more importantly - the confidence to use the techniques and inspirations in new pieces in ways we could not have imagined. A relaxed atmosphere, lots of materials to play with - and mid morning cake!"

Lynn Milner reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"We had a wonderful ring making experience with Jonathan, he was so welcoming and patient. I really enjoyed learning the techniques and my finished ring is just what I had hoped for. A brilliant day, thank you!"

Val Rosbrook reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"Thank you Pip for a wonderful 3 days. As well as the lettering techniques I really enjoyed the design element and it was great that you brought so many resources with you for us to take inspiration from. I thought, before I arrived, that I had an idea of what I might have worked on - an autumnal theme maybe, but it turns out that it can be the stone itself which helps decide. I loved working on the river stone and the challenges it gave. I've continued working on it at home and will send photos to Annie once complete. I've also been able to pick up 2 of the books from your list and have been working on my lettering on paper as well as practising serifs on the reverse of a piece of limestone. Tuition was great and it seemed that everyone took home something to be proud of. It's always nice to get to know the others on a course as it progresses and as usual Annie's hospitality and that of her helpers made us all feel welcome (and well fed). Thank you"

Greg Lloyd reviewed: Animal clay sculpture workshops one day

"I booked Connie's workshop as a birthday present for my fiancé. It turned out to be a really wonderful present and one which we both thoroughly enjoyed. Connie is such a lovely person and her welcoming, warm nature made for a day that was really fun and relaxed. She is very talented and guides you every step of the way. We couldn't believe the quality of the sculptures that we were able to make, both being complete novices. Would highly recommend this workshop to anyone!"

Connie Fielder Ceramics and Crafts responded:

"Hi Greg and Claire thank you so much for your warm comment. It was a pleasure meeting you both and very impressed with your sculptures. Look forward to meeting you again when you return to glaze them."

Rosie Davies reviewed: Introduction to wet-felting: handbag, iPad case or something else!

"Lovely day with Cathy thanks very much. Very pleased with my felt bag and tuition. Cathy was really friendly and gave me delicious lunch too. Great workshop. Rosie"

Laura Potterton reviewed: 1 day introduction to silver jewellery making

"This course was fantastic! I was a little nervous going on my own, but the course was just three of us and Jonathan made us feel really welcome and comfortable. The course itself was fun, and I came home with a lovely pair of earrings I crafted myself. Having never done silver jewellery before, I learned absolutely loads and had enough information to go home with so I could set up my own little workshop... Jonathan makes every effort for you to feel comfortable providing much tea, coffee, home made biscuits and a home-made lunch! It was a perfect day. I will definitely go on another of Jonathan's courses and recommend you do too!"

Jill Duncan reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"A wonderful day- great setting, company and teacher. All aspects a pleasure to be part of. Will be booking another course with Dawn. The time flew by but I left with a real sense of achievement and having learned a new skill I can now use with confidence."

Jacquine Lefebvre reviewed: Linocut printing workshop in Warwickshire at Bonds Lifestyle

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day at Bonds doing linocut printing with Alix. She’s very easy to talk to and fun. And she is a very supportive and interesting teacher. I found the process really exciting, and although I worried that I was a bit slow Alix assured me it would all be fine and it was! The people in the group were all lovely and we just chatted away while we worked and had a nice lunch. The actual printing was thrilling. My design just suddenly came to life before my eyes and it was just so satisfying doing a run of prints. All the other designs were beautiful in their own unique way. A lovely day!"

Alix Almond Art responded:

"Hi Jacquine, thank you so much for your lovely review and kind words. I am so pleased you enjoyed your day and you should be really proud of your starling print; there is something magic about making your first prints (to be honest it never goes away and is always exciting!). Really looking forward to seeing what you create in the future. Thank you again, Alix."

Linda Logie reviewed: 2 day course to learn illuminated lettering at Swallows & Artisans, Lake District

"Very good instruction. Many techniques were explained clearly and carefully by Sarah, with all materials provided to try out a wide range of gold and metal illumination. The venue was excellent with Karen ensuring a pleasant lunch and delicious homemade cake and biscuits kept our concentration and energy levels intact!"

Marc McDonnell-Jenkins reviewed: Make your very own crossbody/messenger bag

"I have done quite a few craft courses over the years, but this was by far the best course I have ever done. Richard is a fabulous, patient teacher, and a wonderful person. We started off with a bit of leather making history, and a walk through the different types of leather, before we started to discuss our requirements with regard to bag design. And then the real fun began. Richard left us alone to do every stage of the process, keeping a careful, watchful eye over us in case we started to go 'wrong'. At no point did I feel that I was under pressure which added hugely to the experience. Each stage of the process was described very well, and we were given the opportunity to practice each stage on pieces of off cut leather before attacking our own bag. Everything you would need to complete the bags was available, as was a huge variety of leathers and threads so that each design is completely unique, which is a real bonus. The workroom was very cosy, and encouraged a real family atmosphere which made conversation with my fellow crafter very easy. At the end of the day we came away with a bag that could easily be seen on any high street selling for a very good price, and left us with a massive sense of pride and amazement at how well we had done. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone, of any ability, with Richard's help you will come away with a bag to be proud of and perhaps a desire to become a bag designer/maker just like I have. Thank you Richard for the best day I have had in many years."