Latest reviews

Tracey Bartlett reviewed: Natural Skincare Workshop: Moisturisers and Creams

"Myself and my daughter- in- law enjoyed the courses immensely, Nic is so warm and welcoming and imparts such amazing information about the ingredients and processes. We found the day to be fun and relaxing, and we came away some some brilliant natural soaps and skin car products.....that smell fantastic!!"

Boo Cottage Botanicals responded:

"Thanks Tracey for such a lovely review! So glad to hear how much you and Rosie enjoyed your workshop and we’re looking forward to seeing you for your next workshop very soon! Nic"

Alexandra reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 pottery / ceramics workshop for 1 person

"I had an absolutely amazing day being taught by Louise for the full day beginners ceramics course. The day was well planned and very fun, I was able to explore handbuilding techniques to create a pinch pot, coil pot and slab rolled works, with ample time left for having a go at throwing some work on the pottery wheel, which is definitely trickier than it looks :) but Louise was very helpful and I managed to throw a few good pieces! Louise was very professional yet relaxed and good company and I enjoyed her clear demonstrations and instructions. I also appreciated the way she provided pictures and samples as inspiration for my own work. Thanks for making me so comfortable and catering for me with a yummy vegan lunch, I felt so renewed by the chance to get creative! Alex"

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

"Thank you so much for your lovely review Alex! It was a pleasure spending the day with you in the pottery studio :-). You've made some really beautiful pieces and I'm just as keen as you are to see how they look when they emerge from the kiln! Especially the contentious coil pot ;-). We hope you and Edward continue to enjoy your time in the UK, and I'd be interested to hear what other crafts you have a go at during your stay. I'll let you know as soon as your pots are ready :-)."

Lynne reviewed: The Art of Journalling - a writing and bookbinding workshop

"Best course I’ve done online during these weird Covid times. Loved the combination of making something really lovely and the writing exercises which helped free up my locked down writing mind! Also really well constructed video tutorials. Well done Cass and Julie !"

Airtily responded:

"Thank you so much, Lynne. High praise indeed! I'm so pleased you enjoyed the workshop."

Lynne reviewed: Exploring Collage - workshop with Julie Galante

"This course was really fun. I’ve struggled with my writing recently but this tapped into another sphere of creativity and allowed me to let loose with interesting materials - I kept coming back to words and literary references which was also nice. And a lovely bunch of people to share a couple of hours with !"

Airtily responded:

"Thank you so much, Lynne. I love that your creativity was sparked by trying out new materials!"

Fiona Anderson reviewed: Sculpture workshop two days with Jo Garden Art in beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"Just completed a 2 day course with Jo and created a sculpture which is so much better than I could ever have imagined! Jo has a fabulously set up studio and working environment. Lots of sculptures giving you ideas and food for thought. Although, given a challenge of creating something different to what anyone else has done, Jo is up for the task. Can't recommend this course enough. Creative, challenging and definitely a huge amount of fun!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Fiona ;-) the weekend was great - lovely people and incredible work - well done on your 'lady in the wind'. Jo x"

Matt and Indi reviewed: Learn pottery with Marina - two-to-one course

"This course was absolutely brilliant! I bought this as a surprise for my girlfriend and we both loved it! We had 3 sessions, throwing, trimming and glazing and came home with some beautiful little bowls. Marina is such a great teacher; calm, fun, interesting and magic with the clay - we loved that she gave plenty of space to just get absorbed into making the pot, as well as great tuition. The workshop is also a really lovely quirky space and to top it off we also loved her dog poppy! We were both newbies and will definitely be coming back again! (My girlfriend is already planning on getting a pottery wheel in the garden!?) Highly recommend this!!"

Marina Randall Ceramics responded:

"Thanks Matt & Indi for this wonderful review! I'm so pleased you enjoyed the whole process of making pots so much and excited to hear Indi wants to continue with it. Am happy to offer advice and other recommendations. Looking forward to seeing you again. All the best, Marina"

peter Dell reviewed: Rag Rug Half Day Workshop - Hertfordshire

"Great course, presented really well and just a really enjoyable 3 hours."

Ragged Life Ltd responded:

"Thank you Peter, I'm glad you and your party enjoyed the morning learning to rag rug :-)"

Carolyn Claypole reviewed: Sculpture workshop two days with Jo Garden Art in beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"An amazing weekend with Jo at her wonderful studio. Guided by Jo, I have made a sculpture that I totally love! Thank you Jo for your work."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Carolyn - your Salute to the Sun was really lovely - so glad you enjoyed the weekend, Jo x"

Frances reviewed: Posy Basket

"A fantastic day spent learning to basket weave! I would totally recommend this craft course. Jane is a great teacher with great knowledge & experience. Thoroughly enjoyed it & her flapjacks & afternoon cake were an exceptionally lovely added bonus! Thank you Jane & I look forward to returning at some point."

Belinda reviewed: Needle felt a toadstool - online workshop with full kit provided

"My daughter's and I did the needle felted mushroom with Gwen. Absolutely loved it. The kit was superb and provided everything we needed. It was the first course I have done via Zoom and it worked out perfectly. Instructions and video link was clear, so we were easily able to follow and managed to get our mushrooms completed. Think I have found a new hobby. Thanks Gwen."

Gwen’s Felted Paintings responded:

"Thank you so much Belinda! It was lovely meeting you both and I’m delighted that you enjoyed it :)"

David Viner reviewed: Pottery Throwing (Group Discounts Available) Lessons in Worcester

"Being a novice, I was not sure what I would achieve in 1 1/2 hrs, but with encouragement and guidance from Chris I made 4 different pots of varying sizes, and they didn't fall over!! Excellent tuition throughout. Can't wait to see the final results. Many thanks Chris"

Chris Greening Pottery responded:

"Many thanks for the kind comments David. lovely pots - particularly the wide dish which definitely pushed the boundaries of clay v gravity! - great design to complement the form. They're now drying nicely and should be ready in about 2.5 weeks. Many thanks, Chris."

Wonderful afternoon reviewed: Taster pottery throwing lesson (various dates)

"We booked for a birthday surprise and she loved it. Jack was really friendly, super patient and a great host. We made three post each and it was really relaxing following the step by step instructions and creating something with your hands. Can’t wait to pick them up when they’re fired and glazed ?"

Dana reviewed: Glass fusing private class - fun taster class for beginners

"Amazing 2 hours. We really enjoyed this course. Sarah is a patient teacher. I would definitely attend again and have some more fun - I have my eye on a sun catcher :)"

Sarah Greening Glass responded:

"Lovely to meet you both - so pleased you enjoyed yourselves! thanks very much for leaving feedback"

Katy & Tom reviewed: Make your own wedding rings - Bristol

"We had a fantastic experience making our wedding rings with Lucy. The finished rings are perfect and look completely professional. We don't live locally so we had our initial consultation on Zoom but Lucy was really helpful and answered all the questions we had about the process. The bride's wedding band needed to be specially shaped to fit around an unusual engagement ring but Lucy was great at troubleshooting and making sure it was a perfect fit. We especially liked the fact that we could choose our own metal type, shape and finish so they were unique to us, plus we didn't have to share the workshop with other couples so we always got help when we needed it. The day itself was so much fun, we loved learning about the process and using all the tools! We also highly recommend Lucy's delicious homemade brownies."

Alison Roberts reviewed: Cancelled

"I was able to do this workshop with Shirley and a small a week early and found it to be extremely stimulating, especially the input on dramatic skies (mine are ok but not particularly exciting). Seeing her latest piece of work quite took my breath away and I'm really looking forward to experimenting."

Shirley Davis Dew. Art 4 All responded:

"Thank you so much for your praise Alison. I think your painting will be just as good when you have completed it. Carry on with the good work. It's allways a pleasure seeing how hard you try and the results you achieve. Shirley"

Helle McCollin reviewed: Introduction to traditional stained glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"Great day for beginners, knowledgeable and supportive tutor. COVID-19 secure environment. Kate was patient but kept everyone motivated and moving forward, giving extra support to those that needed it. I have been working with fused glass for 5 years but learnt something new about cutting. Really enjoyable and I will be back!!"

Megan Bradsworth-Cole reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Simon and Louise made me feel really welcome and the day course was really enjoyable. Simon was a patient and engaging teacher. I'm very happy with my creations and hope that I get the chance to try this craft again - I think I have caught the 'bodging' bug!"

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

"It was lovely to meet you, and we are so pleased you enjoyed your woodturning workshop. We hope you do indeed go on to make more lovely woodturned creations in the future. The pieces you made with us are fab! Thanks again for the super review."

Jill Alcott reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"Thank you Matt for a really great day. As a total beginner I had no idea what to expect, I didn't really think that I would be able to go home with a beautiful completed piece of stained glass! Matt showed such patience taking the small class of five through the tools, safety and techniques needed for the day. I recommend this class wholeheartedly and can't wait to do another. It was a brilliant day and I did go home with a wonderful piece of stained glass! If you are thinking about doing this class stop.. thinking and do it! You will have a really good day and have something beautiful to show for it when you leave !"

Kevin Anderson reviewed: Introduction to traditional stained glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"My daughter and I had a fantastic day thank you, the course was fun and informative with Kate our instructor taking everyone through each stage in a manner that made the day one that we will always remember. Many thanks"

Amy Foster reviewed: Introduction to traditional stained glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"What a fabulous day. Yesterday I did the traditional stained glass course with Kate. Kate was a excellent teacher, very thorough in all aspects. Nothing was too much trouble. Kate was very patient and happy to help out. Great at demonstrating all the different skills. This is a really lovely day course that I would highly recommend. I can’t wait to do another. The workshop was very Covid safe and clean, screens around each workstation. Thank you"

Jack Mortimer reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"This was the best weekend I've had of 2020! I personally love knives and bushcraft and always wanted to try and make my own knife, I had quite a specific idea in mind. I wanted to make a Sheep-foot blade that was a halfway house between a cooking knife and a woodwork / survival knife. Arian helped me to redesign the knife as the one sketch I came along with was a little large. He was completely correct with everything he said and was never pushy or rushed you along. You then decide whether you want a full tang or not and begin to create the blade. Once that is done you choose your wood (of which there is so much choice) and begin work on the handle. Making a survival knife we managed to make a sheath too which was fantastic! There was a lot of colour choice for the leather and string. The final product was great, I was very proud of what I made. If you are thinking of doing this weekend I 100% recommend it. Thank you Arian and Bear for a memorable weekend and a "friend for life"."

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Hi Jack, Thank you very much for your generous feedback. I very much enjoyed witnessing how you and others in the group came to very individual designs by developing your ideas and relating them to practical reality. It matters to me that you and others have the space to make something that is unique and respects your needs and choices. I'm glad that my guidance and approach helped you to produce something you're proud of and feel ownership of. Well done, and be in touch."

Maddie Longshaw reviewed: Blow a bauble at Chew Valley handmade glass

"Everyone was always happy to help as well as friendly and ensured we learnt and had a good time. We would like to say thanks to Angie Chris for always being quick to reply and for the experience because our baubles came out great! Would definitely recommend"

Chew Valley HandMade Glass responded:

"Thankyou for your review Maddie, so glad you enjoyed your time with us. Regards Angie"

Marie Wallace reviewed: Introduction to traditional stained glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"Kate was a great teacher, patient with nothing too much trouble and gave really good demonstrations of what we needed to know/do. The studio was well set out and very covid secure with screens around each bench and all tools etc cleaned. This is an excellent course and we all thoroughly enjoyed it and the process of making our pieces. I highly recommend."

Margaret reviewed: Introduction to Bookbinding with David Allsop November 2020

"My first attempt at book binding. I think Im going to record my family history in this. Dad would be proud on both counts.?"

Fiona reviewed: Introduction to Bookbinding with David Allsop November 2020

"A truly fascinating day learning how to make books from scratch....I need more practice! Would definitely recommend this course."