Latest reviews

Anne Breese reviewed: Vintage pots

"This was a fabulous course, every thing explained and it looked stunning when I had finished it. I can recommend this course to anyone, especially when at this bargain price."

Erika Steinvorth reviewed: Ecodyeing - a full day introduction to leaves, rust, heat and fabric alchemy!

"I highly recommend this course. Judy has a great way of sharing her knowledge and still gives you the space to explore your own ideas. The end results are excellent!"

Christine reviewed: Paper Marbling Class Full Day at Portsmouth Museum

"I thoroughly enjoyed my one to one session and was more than pleasantly surprised with the results. It was the start of a journey with Ebru ; a learning experience which was : challenging, rewarding and therapeutic. I can't wait to start experimenting with my new hobby kit."

James Mouland Ebru Studio responded:

"We had fun didn't we Christine and surprised your partner with your progress, can't wait to see what you produce at home with your new kit!"

Dianne Goacher reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"This 2 day course was excellent. Jason was friendly, helpful, funny and a great teacher with plenty of patience. You get to choose everything from materials to design and I love my bag - just what I wanted. Hopefully be back in Sept for embossing/carving course. Thanks Jason"

Lee reviewed: Pottery throwing sessions on the potter's wheel in Norfolk

"I purchased a two hour taster session (for two people) for my daughters 16th birthday. I wasn’t expecting my daughter to take me along with her but I’m so glad she did, we had a wonderful time. Pat was so welcoming, knowledgable and clearly passionate about pottery. She was a fantastic tutor, patient and tailored her assistance to our individual needs. I thoroughly recommend this experience and expect we will look to do it again soon. We are looking forward to collecting our fired and glazed pots to see how they came out. Her studio is perfectly placed for a visit to Salhouse Broad too, so we did that afterwards and bought ice cream!"

Geeske reviewed: Glove making workshop

"Dear Vajira, I am so glad that you've collected all the knowledge that I wanted and now I can start using :) Thank you so much for that! It was worth the 14 hours (back and forth) journey on the cold boat we travelled on from Holland. It's nice that you have all the samples, even with quirks, and that you are interested to develop your skills during the workshop yourself. We've learned a whole lot in 3 days, and now I feel like I want to experiment at home, and I'll send it to you when I've finished them! Hopefully you'll hear a lot from me. And then when I'm stuck with a problem, I'm sorry but I'm going to bother you ;) and take the next workshop next year and year after. It's quite exciting to go on from here. Thank you so much! Geeske"

Peiris Designs responded:

"Hi Valka and Geeske, You are welcome!! and thank you both for your lovely, long and detailed feedback. It's my pleasure to teach you two enthusiastic students. I was so happy to see how enthusiastic you both were at the workshop and the beautiful gloves you made were amazing. I"m also glad that you've learnt about construction. I'm more than happy to answer any question you have re glove making in future- just drop a message or call me. It's interesting to see how you develop new ideas and overcome difficult construction problems of glove making- it's very challenging. You are welcome to learn again in advance glove making workshop. Also it's a pleasure spreading this rare technique and glad it is learnt and used by others. Thank you both for participating! Vajira x"

Valka reviewed: Glove making workshop

"Valka came all the way from Holland to learn glove making with Vajira ******** Thank you for your support. When I ruined my pattern you kept smiling and silently glued and fixed my glove :) Thank you for sharing your experience and all the little hacks that make the glove special. ***** ***Valka***"

Peiris Designs responded:

"Hi Valka, It was my pleasure to teach you. You've come a long way to learn and I'm glad that you've got everything you need to make beautiful gloves. Yes those little tricks makes your whole journey different. They are just amazing. I love sharing it all with you! Your gloves are so neat and beautiful. I really enjoy seeing them become 3D with your beautiful stitching. Looking forward to see some beautiful gloves. Many thanks! Vajira"

Jane finnimore reviewed: Explore your Creativity in Enamels - an introductory morning of enamelling for 2 people

"We thoroughly enjoyed the session with Christine. We learnt a lot about enamelling and, with guidance, we made a pendant and a brooch. It was a relaxing, fun morning and we left with our jewellery and a great sense of achievement. Thank you Christine."

Nadine Tabberer reviewed: Ecodyeing - a full day introduction to leaves, rust, heat and fabric alchemy!

"Judy is a great teacher. She is extremely knowledgeable and I learnt a lot. I loved the final results. It was really exciting when we unwrapped our fabrics to see what we’d produced. Our samples were gorgeous."

Eleanor Rogerson reviewed: Blacksmith experience day in Sheffield

"Thoroughly enjoyed my day. David is an excellent tutor - he has the impressive ability to make genuine positive comments when you do something well, plus he's very patient and explains everything so you learn why as well as how. At first I was nervous and so couldn't hit anything with a hammer, but he was understanding and in the end I came away with a bottle opener and a hook (very proud of them). I would recommend this course to anyone wanting a good taster in blacksmithing (though remember to take plenty of clothing, it is not warm in there!)"

Barry Jensen reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Brilliant weekend. Attentive instructors and a professional outcome. Can't wait to return and try other boxes or items.."

Kim Archer reviewed: Beautiful Batik

"Another terrific course at Art in the Barn! Beautiful surroundings and great space to work. Alison is very experienced in many specialist design and craft areas. Batik on paper was a whole new process for me. Really enjoyed experimenting and learning how to use this technique and new tools in several different parts of the session. Incredible colours and effects! Thoroughly enjoyed the day and would highly recommend this course and many others run at Art in the Barn."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Kim, Thank you so much for your feedback , it was great to have you on the course, really pleased you enjoyed the day. Best wishes Alison Butler"

Michele Bennett reviewed: Learn how to create classical and contemporary sculpture in clay

"If you are interested in art and enjoy the challenge of learning new skills, I highly recommend this course. Dean is a skilled professional artist and accomplished tutor. He is generous with his time, and the classes are relaxed and informal in a lovely rural setting."

Vaska T. reviewed: Wild pottery workshop - dig your own clay in the woods, bonfire/clamp kiln firings

"It was so lovely to be able to work together communally and use our physical bodies to dig, knead, mould, sweep, build, blow, and wait! I really loved it and felt my body just relax and actually take up more space, sit more sturdily and feel more solid! It was an effect I wasn’t expecting! Thank you so much again - for providing such a beautiful space with your energy, and for sharing these valuable crafts and techniques with us. What you do is so important."

Eilidh reviewed: Pineapple pimping & Bubbly in Brighton

"Something totally different and unique. Charlie the host is great and makes you feel more than welcome in her very cool space. Totally recommend any of her experiences especially pineapple pimping."

Diane C reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"I would thoroughly recommend this course. Jason is passionate about leather and is an excellent teacher. He is very patient and with his guidance and help I went home with a very special bespoke leather bag. Everything is to hand in the quirky workshop in an old mill overlooking the canal."

Rachel reviewed: Pineapple pimping & Bubbly in Brighton

"A perfect hen do activity! We all really enjoyed getting creative in Charlie's lovely studio (with the help of some pina coladas!) and it was a great way to start the weekend. Charlie was so welcoming and friendly!"

Becca reviewed: Headdress course at the Maker Station

"Had a lush time making a floral headdress for festivals, parties etc. Really lovely venue, friendly and welcoming and well worth an hour trip to get there. Thanks Kal for being so lovely."

Lucy.gilder@hotmail.com reviewed: Lino printing landscapes

"A brilliant day! Lee is friendly, knowledgable and was a fab teacher. Learnt so much and on the look out for the next one!"

Bea Downs reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"I recently did the two day course, what an amazing experience. I wanted to do something completely different to my day job, i wanted to do something creative and challenging, this course gave me everything I wanted and so much more. On the first day we were introduced to all the tools we were going to use and the beautiful leather, I remember thinking "can I really do this?". With the guidance and support of the very patient and encouraging Jason and Louise I made the most gorgeous bag that I will treasure always. Thank you both so so much for a fantastic weekend."

Brenda Stafford reviewed: ColourWheel art classes for adults - Maidenhead - Thursday

"What an excellent class!! Top notch teaching, very organised with everything supplied. Just show up & everything is at your station. I have attended for 3 years now & wish I found this class years ago..... No where else compares to this class. Everyone is friendly & we have lots of laughs & banter. I highly recommend this class, give Rene a call & she will set up a free taster session. Come & see for yourself. Why not? Brenda S"

Hayley Reed reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"I attended the two day workshop, with no prior experience of leather work and it was truly amazing. Jason is completely passionate about leather and has a relaxed, comfortable approach to imparting his knowledge and skills. I made a wonderful bespoke bag which I will treasure for years. I would recommend this course for anyone who wants to experience working with leather - it’s a totally enjoyable and rewarding experience - thanks Jason."

Linda Stone reviewed: Contemporary Furniture Refinishing & Upcycling with Woodcare - 1 Day Beginners

"I finished my first workshop course at OP Woodcraft on 2nd July. My teacher Ollie has a wealth of knowledge and tailored the course to fit my specific needs. I wanted a hands-on class that would teach me the best ways to strip, prime, paint and finish my MCM furniture. I drove away that afternoon knowing how to work with the recommended products and what equipment I should be using to get the best results. I now have more confidence to start working on my collection. Thank you, Ollie, for sharing your knowledge with me."

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

"I had a lovely morning on this course and learnt a lot. Simon was great!"

Perry Touzel reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed this Box Making Course. Very experienced course instructors were a fountain of knowledge that will no doubt be invaluable for moving forward with other woodworking projects. Not only did I come away with an exceptional box, I had a great weekend in the beautiful Lake District."