Latest reviews

Ben Glazebrook reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"An absolutely brilliant day! My wife bought me this as a birthday gift and it was without doubt my favourite present in 34 years. The location is naturally really beautiful, and what Mark has done there serves to accentuate the surrounding environment. We spent the whole day learning around a campfire, under the canopy of a parachute that is nestled within a woodblock - I felt completely detached (in a good way) and de-stressed shortly after arriving. You couldn't ask for better instruction. Both Mark and Jill are incredibly talented, very personable and great teachers. The whole day was well paced, low pressure, fun and enjoyable, while still being highly productive. The training on the day, the advice given and the follow up information also set you in a great place to carry on spoon carving on your own. I must also mention lunch - a lovely home cooked meal, enjoyed around the table in Mark's home. Absolutely delicious and great of them to cater for me as a vegan. I can't rate this course highly enough! Ben"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Ben, Thank you for such a nice review. It was a great day spent with lovely people, so glad you enjoyed the day. ATB Mark, Cristina and Jill"

Karen Hyde reviewed: Handspinning - for beginners and improvers - Saturday afternoon Sessions

"Arrived a complete beginner and left feeling confident I have the knowledge to develop spinning skills taught by the two expert tutors today. Covered a wide range of material in four hours. Now I need to practise at home before booking another course to build on what I have learned."

Kate Harrison reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"My boyfriend booked this course for us as a surprise for my birthday, and I can honestly say it's the best gift I've ever received! Bob was an excellent teacher, with incredible skill, endless patience and a clear passion for the craft. He guided us in building a basic foundation of skills and tool use, which stood us in good stead for the crafting in the afternoon. We made bottle openers and amazing Viking style knives, and I can't stop looking at them, I can't believe I made that! I've had an absolutely fantastic day, Bob creates a lovely atmosphere, with lots of tea and banter and made us feel comfortable straight away. I really can't recommend this course enough. Thank you Bob!"

Kirsty Scott reviewed: Wire wrapped ring workshop

"Thoroughly enjoyed this course! Great range of materials provided and a lovely relaxed environment. So pleased with my end product thanks to the excellent demonstrations by the course provider. Will definitely be going back to more courses."

Evancliffe Leathercraft responded:

"Kirsty, Thank you for your review! We are really pleased you enjoyed the workshop."

Fran O'Higgins reviewed: Contemporary bench making weekend course

"Fantastic weekend! I'd never done any wood craft previously and I was a little apprehensive about the course. However, I shouldn't have worried and I had a wonderful time. Ambrose was knowledgable and patient. The setting was picturesque and food amazing. Aiden was also massively supportive and helpful. I have a new woodwork obsession..... I would definitely recommend this weekend course."

Jean reviewed: Raku pottery workshop with Pris McGirr

"Really enjoyed this class. Thank you Pris. Love my little pots. Love the way they catch the light."

Julie reviewed: Fun with Felt Flowers

"I had an absolutely great time on this course. Nancy is an excellent teacher and explained all the techniques in a clear and simple way. I was delighted with the 2 flowers that I made and I am looking forward to trying to make more on my own."

Claire Trout reviewed: Can't crochet, won't crochet?

"Yvonne was brilliant. Patient and friendly. Was a few hours well spent ?"

helen blackburn reviewed: Wire wrapped ring workshop

"Absolutely loved this course.... Great tuition given in a friendly fun way with a lovely range of craft materials to use and choose from. Refreshments given throughout to keep us going and a lovely group environment for relaxed chat and sharing of ideas and creation. Would happily give a 5 * recommendation and was only sorry that it came to an end all too quickly. Thank you Wendy and Clive. :) x"

Evancliffe Leathercraft responded:

"Helen, Thank you for your review! We are really pleased you enjoyed the workshop."

Fiona scott reviewed: Wire wrapped ring workshop

"Brilliant course thoroughly enjoyed it."

Evancliffe Leathercraft responded:

"Fiona, Thank you for your review! We are really pleased you enjoyed the workshop."

Justine Theobald reviewed: Screen printing beginners workshop

"Lara immediately makes you feel welcome as you arrive, by offering tea and introducing you to the other people in the class. Then Lara tells you about what her work entails and how our morning is planned out. We instantly get down to drawing our designs and cutting them out and sorting our designs ready to print. I had never done screen printing before and I had the most enjoyable morning creating and printing onto a tea towel which I sent to my Step Mum in Canada. I can highly recommend this class and I intend to return."

Julie reviewed: maltese limestone carving at mount pleasant gardens

"I cannot recommend a better antidote to the stress and hassle of daily life than to become absorbed in transforming stone for hours, lost in a beautiful setting. Andrew's guidance and support to explore the stone, in the way each person wants, works so well. Thank you."

Chrissie Harding reviewed: Fused Glass Lantern Workshops

"This was such a fun afternoon. Something different in the craft world and you don’t need to be artistic to achieve a result, although it helps! Basic level can be achieved by everyone and Tracey makes it so interesting. Thank you so much for broadening my artistic horizons Tracey! Will definitely be back."

Jan johnson reviewed: Glass appliqué mosaic workshop at Cakebread Studios, Central Manchester

"Extremely enjoyable day at Cakebread Studios with Tracey and Caroline making a glass on glass mandala. The ladies are both excellent tutors.Very clear and concise instructions and tips and on-going support throughout the day. All necessary tools and equipment were provided along with an extensive range of glass to choose from to make the mandala. I would definitely recommend this as a fun and creative day. You will learn a lot and have a beautiful piece to take home with you."

Tracey Cartledge Artist responded:

"Hi Jan Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review and very pleased to hear that you found it a valuable experience. We really enjoyed your company and seeing your design come to life in gorgeous colours and textures of beautiful glass. All the best, Tracey"

Anthony Green reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"Bought the day course for my partner and myself for her birthday and the day exceeded my expectations. The day is packed full of learning and application. Unlike other courses you get to make multiple objects in increasing difficulty, and even get a choice of different options in the later glass pieces. Ricky was a fantastic teacher, was highly personable and very engaging. My partner absolutely loved this gift and the sculptures we made arrived in the post safe and sound. All in all, I can't recommend Ricky or his glass blowing classes enough!"

Clover reviewed: Raku, Saggar, Barrel & Horsehair Firing Weekend Workshop

"It was a great weekend in Devon for me. Apart from two full days of learning a variety of alternative firing techniques, I also enjoyed excellent hospitality from Abi and Alison. It was like a craft retreat holiday for me! The course is suitable for a wide range of abilities, from total newbies to potters with some firing experience, we certainly had taken a lot home. Highly recommended!"

Alison and Abi Firing Workshops responded:

"It was lovely to meet you Clover, so much fun and laughter and potting talk, very pleased you enjoyed it so much. Alison and Abi"

Sabrina reviewed: Glass fusing workshop - 1 day

"Attended a fantastic workshop in March, where I learned new skills for making beautiful dichroic glass jewellery. Jill is a fantastic tutor; her workshop is a tardis of tools and materials and she spared none to help me design and create a beautiful pendant that I am constantly asked when I wear it: "where did you get that from?". I was made instantly at home in Jill's beautiful studio; it's a lovely space to work in and you'll see plenty of examples of this talented lady's artwork. The thing I liked most about the workshop was Jill's ability to facilitate and help me materialise the ideas I had in my head, using her detailed knowledge. I came away with not only a beautiful piece of art that I can wear and am proud of but also the feeling that a lot of knowledge was imparted and I felt I had really learned something by doing. And I must add, it's incredibly therapeutic to do an activity like this for a few hours. I'm definitely booking in for another workshop (when they become available, as Jill is very popular!) Thanks, Jill and hope you'll be running more workshops soon!"

Fired Glass responded:

"Hi Sabrina, thank you so much for your positive review and I'm pleased you are wearing your handmade jewellery with pride. We look forward to seeing you again in the future for more creativity. Kind regards Jill and John"

Hannah Rockey reviewed: Weekly dressmaking classes with Go Deer

"Saj is an excellent teacher with a wealth of knowledge to share. I attend her dress making class weekly and have been for a year. Starting as a complete beginner I have learnt a great deal and really benefit from her teaching style. I highly recommend Saj’s courses."

Janet murison reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"Fabulous weekend course. Enjoyed every minute. Didn’t think I would be able to achieve what I did, or enjoy it so much! Relaxed course run effectively by Sebastian. Recommended very highly."

Jane Thomason reviewed: Weekly dressmaking classes with Go Deer

"I attended a Go Deer course and found it extremely helpful and enjoyable! Saj has a knack of pairing a calm and friendly atmosphere with hard work and concentration. So I would highly recommend Go Deer courses."

Go Deer responded:

"Thanks Jane! Your project was such a lovely one... hope he enjoys wearing the lovely dungarees!"

Jo-ann Harrison reviewed: Introduction to summer millinery - evenings - Newcastle NE1

"Comfortable surroundings, great company, excellent tuition and very relaxed atmosphere, highly recommended and have booked another course."

Margaret Woodliff Wright Millinery responded:

"Thanks Jo-Ann - I’m so pleased you enjoyed the course. You made a lovely tonal headpiece and I’m delighted it’s wetted your appetite to learn more Millinery and that you have signed up for The Introduction to Winter Millinery! See you very soon. Margaret"

Amy Joy reviewed: Pottery / ceramics wheel throwing full weekday

"I had a wonderful day getting to grips with the basics of pottery, having been booked a place on the workshop as a birthday present. Lorraine was a wonderful teacher, and took us through how to throw, turn and decorate our creations. The pots came out looking amazing! I would book another workshop with Lorraine without hesitation. Having tea, coffee, and cake available to us throughout the day was a really nice touch too. Lorraine also has some of her work for sale at the studio - I couldn't resist buying a cup or two for myself! Thank you so much!"

P Talbot reviewed: Children's needle felting workshop. Great for birthday parties and groups

"This was a fantastic workshop for my daughter’s birthday. Communication prior to the day was great, including directions & what to expect. Elaine ran an absorbing workshop which we all really enjoyed. The instruction was excellent & very encouraging. We all now have very sweet felted rabbits (as we were able to take home spare wool to add some extra finishing touches) & are keen to try other animals too! Thank you"

The Woolly Rabbit responded:

"It was an absolute pleasure and I'm so pleased that you have been inspired to explore needle felting further!"

Hannah Thompson reviewed: Baby moccasin making day class

"Such a fantastic course, Rose could not have been more helpful. I felt very relaxed but also really challenged myself, learning new skills and coming away with a beautiful pair of made to measure baby mocassins. A thing of beauty I will treasure forever. Thank you Rose."

Rose Choules responded:

"Thank you for coming Hannah, and for the sweet photo of your son in his new moccasins - he looks like he's enjoying them! Hopefully see you again."

Elaine reviewed: Fused Glass Lantern Workshops

"I highly recommend this course. Tracey is brilliant at teaching and is so patient. I thoroughly enjoyed my course, its excellent value for money and was really happy with my finished design. I’m hoping to do another before Christmas, so that I can make gifts for friends."