Latest reviews

Bill Ashbee reviewed: Introduction to leatherwork – Belt making workshop

"This course is ideal for the novice. Tutors Wendy and Clive deliver hands on tuition which is both highly knowledgeable, sympathetic and they are both prepared to spend what time it takes with each student individually. They are both good fun too! To be able to make a great belt in the time is a reflection on their teaching skills. I'd never thought I would come away with such a stylish completed product! Excellent value and a wonderful day out. Which of their Courses will I go on next ????"

Evancliffe Leathercraft responded:

"Thank you for your review. We are really pleased you enjoyed tbe belt workshop. You could try our one day pouch workshop to make a pouch to hang from your new belt. We also offer atwo day bag workshop or if you want to let your artistic talents show our half day stamping, embossing & wet moulding workshop is good fun and we think good value for money!"

Lucy reviewed: Willow Garden Structures (1 day) in the Peak District

"I had a wonderful time making a willow obelisk then dragonflies and willow wind spinners. Eddie was brilliant as a tutor - really helpful, patient and clear and also very encouraging! The setting was lovely and we were all made to feel very welcome and the food provided was delicious, especially the homemade brownies! Thank you for such a memorable day - I loved it!"

Zantium Studios Ltd responded:

"Thankyou, Lucy, for this happy review. Glad to hear you had fun on the course...and liked my brownies (- I have finally discoverer the best recipe!) We are very lucky to have Eddie Glew teach here for us."

Kath and Keely reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"Had a brilliant day, made lots of items, great teacher and nice friendly group, also a very nice lunch. Can't wait to visit again."

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

"An absolutely amazing course, made even more special by the magical setting of being on board a narrowboat in a beautiful place. This is perfect for beginners; but I also feel that if I did it again it would be just as good as I now know the basic techniques and could work on a range of other designs. The group (maximum of four people, each with their own workstation) are taken through making an initial piece with copper. This will enable practice in the techniques of making jump rings, cutting wire and sheet metal, bending wire, filing, threading beads, closing jump rings, stamping, drilling and polishing. From there you have the basic techniques to choose from a range of items to make. Any extra techniques such as soldering are then taught as you go. It was lovely to see how four individuals can all be given the same starting point and the same tools, yet their own creativity produces such very different pieces. Things to know on a practical level: Parking is plentiful and good instructions are supplied. You will walk for a while over grass through a garden to reach the boat, so take good shoes and a coat. Tea and coffee is in plentiful supply and comes with a piece of cake about halfway through the morning. Take a packed lunch. Hygiene is great, there is a fully equipped kitchen right by the workstations and a fully equipped proper bathroom down the corridor. No knowledge is required, all materials are supplied. You will come away very happy, with a copper beaded keyring for your first piece and a beautiful piece of silver jewellery that you made yourself, whether a bracelet, pair of earrings, pendant or ring."

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you Lynn for your very comprehensive and kind review. Jonathan"

katy reviewed: Create a ceramic animal sculpture with Twisted Earth Ceramics at Ilkley Manor Studio

"I booked this course for myself and I was not disappointed whatsoever. Richard talked us through the making of an owl and he was an excellent teacher. Richard provided a great relaxing atmosphere which really encouraged everyone's engagement and creativity. I really enjoyed this course and would recommend it to anyone, even those who would never usually consider any arts and crafts workshops. Just a fabulous 'time out' workshop to take you away from your day to day routines."

Jenny Day reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"What a fantastic day! Thank you so much Mark and Jill for providing such an inspirational course. Your enthusiasm, thoroughness, patience and support gave me great confidence and I was so proud of what I achieved. And to be working in such magical surroundings in the middle of a bluebell wood. It was a very full day, so much excellent advice on techniques, types of wood, tools, health and safety.Thank you too Christina for a feast of a lunch and cake! I could not recommend this course enough. This would make a memorable and superb gift. Just loved it."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"It was a great day, so glad I held the class outside - the weather so much better than the forecast. Glad you enjoyed it all. All the best Mark"

Diane Holland reviewed: Seedheads, grasses & flowers, 1 day free motion machine embroidery workshop

"A fantastic course, very well run and with loads of instruction and tips. I really enjoyed the day and came away with a beautiful picture. Great value too."

Lida rouabah reviewed: Fascinator making workshop, Leeds

"Rachel is lovely and very good at presenting her workshop as well as providing extra tips for those who want to carry it further. A thoroughly satisfied customer here!"

Catherine Hingston reviewed: Creative pre-wedding workshops in Derbyshire

"I had a lovely time with Liz and my daughters. It was very relaxed, and great fun. I now feel I have learned a new skill. The time was just right and lunch delicious. I can really recommend this. Something very different."

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Thanks for passing on your thoughts. It was lovely to work with you all. Hope you are getting on well with making your paper flowers - looking forward to seeing the photos in July. Best wishes Liz Wellby"

Daniel reviewed: Blacksmithing for beginners - one day taster

"This course was great. It has a relaxed atmosphere with lots opportunities to get involved and make some cool pieces to take home with you. Aaron is very knowledgeable and is willing to help if you get stuck or have any questions about the forging process."

Steph and Helen Mobbs reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"What an adventure we have had. Excellent clear instructions for us first time jewellery workers. We have thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, from designing, making and stretching our creativity. We are reluctantly leaving the boat feeling very proud of our creations - many thanks. A fabulous day out thank you! Helen and Stephanie"

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you Helen - what a giggle we had too! A great day and lovely to meet you and Steph. Jonathan"

Jo McCann reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"What a lovely day and what a lovely lady Jo is. I had a great time and will be enjoying the items I made for a long time. Such great value for money. Would highly recommend ."

Adrian reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"Excellent course. Extremely knowledgeable instructors who made the course interesting and enjoyable too. Ample drinks throughout the day and lunch was thoughtful too. Highly recommended."

Adrian reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"Excellent course. Extremely knowledgeable instructors who made the course interesting and enjoyable too. Ample drinks throughout the day and lunch was thoughtful too. Highly recommended."

Charlotte & Chris reviewed: Nigel Hobbins wood carving and tool care classes

"My husband and myself had ourselves a fantastic day with Nigel in his workshop. Being a complete novice to woodcarving, I was delighted to take home a lovely relief carving of a leaf that now has pride of place in my living room. Nigel was an excellent and attentive teacher and we would happily recommend his sessions to anyone looking into trying out this fascinating craft. The lunch provided was excellent and we were able to sit out in the sunshine to eat, along with plenty of tea and cake to keep us fueled throughout the day. We even got to have a look at the sea of bluebells currently growing in the wooded area behind the workshop too. All in all, a cracking day and would happily attend again."

Amy Adams reviewed: Sewing retreat: patchwork magic with Charlotte Newland at Muncaster Castle

"What a wonderful retreat in a beautiful location!"

Carl reviewed: Mixed Media Painting Workshop in Brighton Seaside Home

"This was a great day of experimentation and play. It was great to use some mediums I had not used. The relaxed atmosphere meant that ideas and experience was shared well."

Graham Deakin reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"My wife gave me the bench making experience as a gift. In fact we worked together on it. Ian has everything ready and supplied some lovely oak pieces for the seat and back. We used ash for the legs and chestnut for the back supports. We used traditional hand tools to do the shaping and smoothing. The result was super and now sits proudly in our garden. Ian was helpful and patient. Our arms and shoulders were aching, but we had a rewarding day and a bench that should outlive us. Thanks Ian."

Jennifer Silver reviewed: Saturday Silver Clay Jewellery Workshop at Ransom's Pavilion, Hitchin 9.30am - 12.30pm

"I attended a beginner's silver clay course and I thoroughly enjoyed it, all the required materials were supplied and the advice given was great. I was very pleased with the results and have worn the pendants I made, I even got compliments from people who didn't realise I had made them."

Tuuli Parker responded:

"Lovely to hear that people were impressed with what you made! I'm so pleased to hear you enjoyed the workshop and really appreciate you taking the time to leave a review."

Jodie King reviewed: Saturday Silver Clay Jewellery Workshop at Ransom's Pavilion, Hitchin 9.30am - 12.30pm

"Absolutely loved this class thank you so much! Got so much out of it and so pleased with all the jewellery I got from it!"

Tuuli Parker responded:

"That's so great to hear! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, it's greatly appreciated :-)"

Joe Weston reviewed: English Longbow making in Cumbria

"I had a great weekend with Tony making a longbow at Ynot Coppice. It's a great experience camping out in the woodland and using traditional tools to make your longbow. Tony is a very encouraging and knowledgeable teacher and is always on hand to help keep your project on track. He also has an excellent knowledge of the manufacture of bows and their importance as weapons in years gone by. I had no previous woodwork or archery experience but still managed to make a bow I was very happy with and to shoot a few arrows at the end of the course. I'd highly recommend this experience for anyone who enjoys being outdoors and would like to learn a new skill."

Carol Ward reviewed: 'Applique & stitch' discovering Machine embroidery: a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"A thoroughly enjoyable day working with the very talented Sarah Ames. I loved seeing her beautiful workmanship and she was encouraging and patient in ensuring we all produced some amazing work. It was great to meet so many interesting people and we were made to feel very welcome in Annie’s home. Thank you ?"

Carol Ward reviewed: Felt art -(wet felting )with Debra Esterhuizen, Appleby , Cumbria

"Debra’s enthusiasm is contagious; I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop! Seeing all the lovely completed works and array of yarns and threads in the studio is exciting and informative. Debra is encouraging and helpful, generously giving lots of ideas and materials in order to produce work to be proud of. Well worth a visit, this perfect venue has a wonderful cafe and handy car park(have £3.30 with you) ?"

Carly Atwill reviewed: Lampworking Workshop: Full Day Beginners Workshop

"Suzanne is extremely knowledgeable and takes the time to explain the finer details of the craft, in a way that was easily understood. She was extremely patient and guided us through the course with the upmost care, which was illustrated by the fabulous beads we produced. I couldn’t believe just how many we managed to make. I would thoroughly recommend this course."

Suzanne Jewellery responded:

"Thank you for taking the time to review your workshop. So pleased you enjoyed your day. Suzanne"

Steve reviewed: Blacksmith experience day in Bristol with Joanna Williams, Fire Iron Art

"I had an amazing time on a Blacksmith Experience Day at Underfall Yard with Joanna - she’s a fantastic teacher with a good balance of direction and freedom to make mistakes and learn from them, and I left with a surprising number of useful creations! Great birthday present :)"