Latest reviews

Sue A reviewed: Beginners Shibori and indigo dyeing workshop

"Really enjoyed learning all about Shibori dyeing with Lisa, tried out various techniques and came home with some fantastic pieces made during the session. Really love my silk scarf, napkins & tablecloth. Lisa is a great teacher, full of enthusiasm and is very encouraging . I thoroughly recommend joining one of her classes."

Lesley Rhodes reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"Very good day. John and Becky were very patient and helpful."

Jonti reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"Thanks so much guys for a fun, learning-full and memorable weekend. I think even better than I expected: chilled but as much tutoring as desired, friendly welcoming atmosphere, a desire to teach a skill that the tutors obviously enjoy. It was an especially nice surprise to find that a fully-booked course is still just a small number of people so there was never a time when I needed to wait for help. I definitely recommend!"

Joan Richardson reviewed: Introducing Macrame Knots and Intricate Designs

"I spent a very enjoyable afternoon learning about macrame with Mary. She is a very experienced and patient teacher and I can’t wait to start experimenting."

Martin and Matt reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Got this as a Christmas present and it was one of the best gifts I’ve had. Really friendly and helpful, put us right at ease. Suitable for complete novice, can’t recommend it enough. You will not be disappointed, certainly have the bug now! Thanks to Adrian and Debbie, a great experience."

Edward Z G Evershed reviewed: Oil painting day - In the artist's studio with Laura Andrew - Lincoln

"My wife bought me a place on one of Laura Andrew's Saturday courses for my birthday. I had done some painting since my retirement, and had been on some art courses, but it was very interesting to get some input from a different artist. Laura was very welcoming, provided an excellent lunch, and, more importantly, showed me how to approach painting from a new and refreshing angle. She showed me how to look at the subject in a way I hadn't used before, and how to see colour in deep shadow. She provided the flowers, etc, to create a still life, the canvas, and the paints - water soluble oil paints by Winsor and Newton, which I hadn't used before, on this occasion. When I was clearly coping with the subject, she left me to it, but when she saw that I needed help, she provided it. All in all, I had a very enjoyable day, I learnt a lot, and I would certainly recommend her courses, both to a complete novice, and to someone like myself who had already done a fair bit of painting."

Richard Buchanan reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Great fun great banter Fantastic teaching Skill for life Thank you so much??"

sonya woolley reviewed: Willow Hare Sculpture course with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Hare sculpting course Clitheroe. Amazing that we all came away with a finished piece. Such good fun and well taught. I am going back for the bird one in June -yay! Thanks."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thank you so much sonja! lovely to spend time with you. joe. xxx"

Pamela Rickard reviewed: Glass fusion workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"I had an amazing day with Cathy. The small class size meant that I had lots of one to one instruction and advice from her. She was able to tailor the day to me as a beginner whilst supporting others on the course who had some prior knowledge. I was able to design and make a dish and 2 coasters. I have had countless comments about them as they are so unique. This is a fun activity for individuals or groups of friends."

Glass By Design responded:

"Many thanks for this. So glad you enjoyed your day with us."

peter reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Anyone who knows me, knows I am a classic Taurean, a "Bull in a China shop" so attending a fine box making course was to say the least challenging. I thought it beyond my capabilities. However from the very first moment the whole course was a absolute pleasure, a small mixed group of strangers but all with a common goal to improve their skills. Mark is the most welcoming of people, he immediately gave us all the assurance to attempt making a range of boxes that we all thought were impressive and delightful to look at. He was always assisted by Jay who ensured that none of us were left unattended. They provided detailed explanations on many skills that are so simple when you know them but make a massive difference to the look of the finished article. I have no hesitation in recommending the course to anyone, regardless of your skills, you will learn more in these precious hours than you will in a life time browsing the internet."

Stephen reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"Fantastic day. Hard work, taught basic skills and then made our door foot scraper."

Anita reviewed: Stained glass beginners workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"This one day course is a great introduction to working with stained glass. It was hard work but very rewarding and lots of fun. I was amazed at how lovely all the finished pieces were at the end of the day."

Glass By Design responded:

"Many thanks - Yes, it is a pretty intensive day as the process can be a challenge. You all did really well and produced beautiful work."

Lindy Wildsmith reviewed: Lino printing landscapes

"Not only is Lee Wright an accomplished portrait painter and print maker he is a great teacher. His classes are held in a shared studio just outside Crickhowell, not far over the border into Wales in a glorious leafy valley. There are paintings hanging from every wall and stacked around the floor. The print room beyond is efficient with examples of Lee's evocative local landscape prints on show. There were seven of us on the course, some already had some experience of lino cutting and printing others like me were complete novices but Lee put us all to work straight away, providing the necessary tools and instruction. He was helpful and encouraging, knowing when to help and when to stand back. The day flew by but not before we all managed to complete 3 or 4 satisfying lino prints to take home. There was lunch of bread and soup and seemingly an unlimited supply of chocolate brownies and hot drinks to boost flagging creativity. The day was convivial, enjoyable and rewarding and I cant wait to do another course course. Thank you Lee!"

Lee Wright Artist responded:

"Thanks Lindy; glad you got a lot for the workshop. Lee"

David Harris reviewed: Beginners 2 full days knife making courses

"First class. Great location and easy to follow course. Good for beginners. Recommended."

Don Black reviewed: Beginners 2 full days knife making courses

"Thorough and informative. Ideal for beginners. The blokes know their stuff."

Darren Bryan reviewed: Beginners 2 full days knife making courses

"Great time - fun and informative."

Alan Bodell reviewed: Beginners 2 full days knife making courses

"Brilliant day out. Really informative and fun. Recommended."

Peter Harding reviewed: Beginners 2 full days knife making courses

"Highly recommended. Great day out - no need to worry about being a beginner."

Melissa wareham reviewed: Oil painting day - In the artist's studio with Laura Andrew - Lincoln

"So enjoyed every moment at Laura’s studio, there was a warm welcome on arrival and her warmth and encouragement never wavered throughout the quickest day I have known, ending with a picture we were all proud to take home. Thank you so much you have made me love oils now I know where to go with them! Would love to do it all again and soon."

Peter Lowther reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"For many years I have wanted an insight into the skills and knowledge required for stone walling. This course was absolutely brilliant for this. The instruction was clear and concise, making absolutely sure we all understood the basic principles, the need for suitable caution when working in close proximity with others and the various calculations needed to ensure the wall was proportioned to make it strong enough to last for many years. Our instructors and the support team of experienced stone wallers were excellent; always available to guide, advise and encourage. Whilst the course was quite physically demanding everybody worked within their own capabilities. Very proud of the end result, slept extremely well both nights and hope to be involved in the future in supporting the ever increasing demand for stone wallers."

Mr Nicholas Boyes reviewed: Lino printing landscapes

"How great to be able to spend a whole day indulging in my favourite hobby! Although I've been doing linocutting for a little while, I really appreciated Lee's willingness to share his techniques and experience - I came away with improved techniques and eager to do more! The venue is inspirational in itself - full of Lee's fantastic work, which he frequently referred to to illustrate learning points. The whole day was a good balance of tuition and hands on practice, and everyone came away with a handful of prints that exceeded their expectations. Great stuff - thanks Lee"

Lee Wright Artist responded:

"Thanks a lot Nicholas. Glad you learnt some new things from the day; keep up the great prints...Lee"

Chris George reviewed: A fabulous introduction to fused glass - one day course

"Fantastic time. Siobhan is a brilliant tutor very enthusiastic. Would recommend highly."

Richard Gavens reviewed: Green wood creative seating course (6 Days)

"This is a great course for relative newbie or more experienced woodworker. You set the ambition level with your own design and Peter will advise regarding the processes, timescales/workload needed and guide you through the stages. There is a big additional bonus from watching other projects progress alongside your own, so you have the opportunity to observe many more techniques and tools than you would use by yourself in the time period. There's a plethora of good tools available and an interesting mix of people besides. Thoroughly recommended."

Chas Walton reviewed: Green wood chair making - 6 day woodworking course in Devon

"This was my second green woodworking course with Peter. It was extraordinarily hard work and all the more rewarding for that. From the moment you arrive, you're in the world of wood, immersed in grain and knots, and grappling with tricky 3-D visualisations of how your growing pile of shaved timber pieces could come together to create a chair. The chair you come home with is all yours. That's the good thing about this course: you have to work at it. Peter is always there with tips, advice, tea, and biscuits – and on Friday evenings, a barbecue – plus a helping hand if things really start to go awry. That's where his experience counts: when you think you've taken a wrong turn, he knows how to get your project back on track. I've learned loads about the tools you need for green woodworking, and my finished chair is really comfortable."

Iola Medi reviewed: Weekend landscape painting in watercolours

"I learnt so much on this course as I was very much a beginner as far as watercolour painting goes. Georgina gave us plenty of watercolour technique instruction but we were also given the invaluable experience of painting outdoors on both days. This gave us the opportunity to practise painting freely, quickly and expressively. The remaining time was spent in the studio finishing our work and working on specific exercises in our sketchbooks. I would highly recommend."