Latest reviews

Sarah B reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"What a brilliant day! As a complete novice to pot throwing, I had no idea what to expect, but with Mathew's excellent teaching I made a lot more pots then I had envisaged! I cannot recommend the course highly enough."

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Sarah, Thank you for your review, you clearly have a natural ability with the clay. Your pots are now dry and will be fired throughout this week, ready to collect later next week. Best wishes Mathew"

steve lowden reviewed: Timber framing courses

"The course was most enjoyable with very competent teachers who were friendly, patient and helpful and pushed for excellence. Alan, Connor and Sid clearly love their pure craft and take every effort to pass on this passion. The food was great and the outdoor woodland setting and evenings around the camp fire very relaxing. I even came back with a sun tan in May."

Catherine Flint reviewed: Acrylic paint pouring for beginners near Ilkley

"I really enjoyed this course, had a lot of fun and would love to have another go. It has inspired me to buy some paints and have a go at home. Kylie is knowledgeable and enthusiastic. A lovely, messy way to spend a few hours!"

Hello Crafter responded:

"Thanks so much for the lovely review Catherine and for your valuable feedback when you picked up your art work!"

Sara reviewed: Textile landscape workshop in Dorset

"Imogen’s landscape workshop was inspiring. She is patient, generous and there if you need guidance and instruction. If you want to just get on with it, she allows you the space to do just that."

Rachel reviewed: Beginners sewing workshop - Garden sewing party with afternoon tea!

"Attended Beth's beginner's workshop yesterday, it was fab. Was a little nervous as a complete novice, but couldn't have had a better teacher. Beth is super patient and knowledgeable and takes time to give you confidence. Can't believe I left a few hours later having made a cushion cover and make up bag! The course is run from her lovely sunny sewing room. Beth also provided a lovely lunch. With just 4 of us the course is just the right size to enable you to have nice chats with other learners whilst you sew ! Highly recommended !! I hope to attend Beth's dressmaking course next."

Lou H reviewed: One day pottery course with delicious lunch included. Learn how to use the potters wheel!

"Went along as a complete novice. Dave is a good, patient teacher and by lunch time I was starting to 'feel' the clay. Lovely elevenses cake, delicious home made lunch. I couldn't decide which of the many (I made about 20 pieces in the end) pots I wanted to keep... 3 comes in the price so ended up paying for a few more! There were only 7 of us so we all got lots of personal attention. Totally recommend and I will be doing again!"

Madeline reviewed: Complete Beginners Sewing - Day course

"Thank you for the amazing workshops you have provided the last couple of weeks; I am thrilled with all that I have made under your guidance and patience, and it has given me the confidence to try other projects on my own."

Philippa reviewed: Felt Pictures-Painting with fibres - intro to 2D wet felting/felt making

"Recently spent a very pleasant afternoon with three other women, learning to wet-felt with Heather. What a lovely way to spend the day - learning, nattering, practising, nattering, eating, practising, nattering... so therapeutic... just how women have bonded for centuries. Heather is so welcoming, fun, caring and knowledgeable - it was a pleasure to be in the company of someone who clearly loves what they do, as much as teaching it to others. I've always wanted to take up this art form, but it's not until you get up close and personal with it, that you appreciate exactly how much time, effort and skill goes into each and every piece. Thank you Heather for everything that you taught me. My friends and family are well impressed with my finished product. Would highly recommend your courses to everyone. Inspirational."

Amanda & Philippa reviewed: Learn to Felt - An Introduction to Felt Making in Birmingham

"We had a lovely day with Emma, learning about shibori techniques and producing samples to show the results. Emma took photos of the process as we were going along throughout the day, which was really helpful to look back on after the day when trying the techniques on your own. She also provided some great information at the end of the day as a reference source, which was also really helpful. Emma guided us through the process without doing it all for us, and as there were only 2 of us in the end (there should have been 4), we each got plenty of advice and attention. A relaxed and enjoyable day learning about an interesting process which we hope to use in future projects."

Susan Pearson reviewed: Beginner's spinning

"Thank you Cathy and Jean for a great day of spinning at one of Black Sheep Wools workshops. I had a great time yesterday and learned a lot. Cathy and her mum (Jean), are very patient, and certainly knowledgeable about their craft, and I would recommend them to anybody. I am now a lot more confident about my spinning after only a few hours with Cathy and Jean, and I actually took a skein of usable yarn home, which I spun myself at the workshop."

Lazykate Textiles responded:

"Thanks Susan, It was a lovely to spend the day with you, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely review."

Heather Miller reviewed: Experimental Monoprinting (includes gelli printing)

"Very inspired and excited after a wonderful day mono printing with Ruth. What a lovely environment to work in. Ruth explained the techniques really well and we had a great time exploring them. Plenty of space and materials to use. The day went so quickly! Ruth was a great host, lunch, cake and tea was delicious. I thoroughly recommend this! Looking forward to booking another course in the near future."

Tina Etheridge reviewed: Mosaic art day course at Ruby Button Studio Norfolk

"As a complete beginner I had a very enjoyable day with Lynn and Sophie at Ruby Button Studio. I was made very welcome and the whole experience was a perfect introduction to mosaic making. Lynn and Sophie explained things very clearly and were patient and encouraging. The cake and lunch were delicious too! I came away feeling enthusiastic and keen to have a go at making more mosaics. Brilliant!"

Brett Sharpe reviewed: Timber framing courses

"Coming on to this course I only had a little timber framing experience. This course was absolutely amazing and reached all of my expectations. I flew in from Canada for 2 weeks of the course and learned many important things about how to properly build a timber frame. Alan and the family were delightful to be with and made me feel right at home. I can't wait to go back to Canada and build some timber frames of my own using the skills I have gained on this course! Cheers, Brett Sharpe"

Amanda Abbott reviewed: ‘Seaside Cottage Sculpture’ workshop, using driftwood and recycled materials, North Yorkshire.

"Fantastic day, relaxed and informal. Well organised with lots of choice of materials and beautiful driftwood. The organisers were obviously very knowledgable and creative, and had a genuine passion for using reclaimed resources. It was the perfect mix of demonstrations and handy tips whilst letting us experiment and get completely submerged in our individual pieces. I would recommend this course to anyone looking for a unique experience in a quaint and relaxed surrounding."

The Seals Whiskers responded:

"Thank you for your review, Amanda, we are so pleased you had a great day and enjoyed creating your works of art."

Sue Whitehead reviewed: ‘Seaside Cottage Sculpture’ workshop, using driftwood and recycled materials, North Yorkshire.

"Thoroughly enjoyed the coastal cottages workshop today. Mel and Debbie created a lovely relaxed atmosphere, with clear instruction and tuition. There was an abundance of hand made individual cottages and buildings to choose from and paint with lots of bits and bobs to bring your coastal scene to life. Kept us thoroughly absorbed all day with beautiful scenes to take home. Would definitely recommend this workshop."

The Seals Whiskers responded:

"It was lovely to meet you, Sue, We are so pleased you enjoyed your day and created such a beautiful sculpture."

Melanie Boocock reviewed: ‘Seaside Cottage Sculpture’ workshop, using driftwood and recycled materials, North Yorkshire.

"Thank you Debra and Melanie for a fantastic day. Everything was perfect. I am really inspired to make lots more. If the sun had been shining at the end of the course, I would have been tempted to drive straight to the sea to add to my already extensive collection of beach finds."

The Seals Whiskers responded:

"We are so pleased you enjoyed your birthday present and created such a lovely driftwood scene. Thank you for taking the time to review the course, happy driftwood hunting!"

simon ford reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"Sue was fantastic! I attended the course having no previous experience. I was able to throw and hand form bowls and small vases after completion and feel as though I have gained insight into the whole process of producing ceramics. Apart from the practical skills I was also taken through in great detail the theory of pottery from mining your own clay and recycling to firing and glazing. If you want to learn the art of ceramic production you could not do better than a course at Fired Thoughts."

Yolanda reviewed: Felt art and meditation holiday / Retreat on the Isle of Coll.

"A joyful week in restful surroundings, which allowed for creative thinking, doing & being! Debra has a friendly approach & natural ability to share her felting skills at a pace to meet the needs of individual participants. The wild abandon out of the box thinking activity was an interesting experience that I enjoyed. The meals were wholesome & a lovely introduction to the local regional cuisine. My achievement of the week was leaving with a beautiful felted silk scarf and connecting with some inspiring & talented women. ??"

Louise Kitchin reviewed: Seasonal hand tied bouquet

"Well worth it! Mary chose such beautiful materials for us to work with and has a lovely gentle and relaxed teaching style. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommended this workshop. The bouquet I came home with is absolutely gorgeous, can't wait to see the peonies open up, and it's already settling into itself now it's back in water at home and looking even better !!"

Mary Hill Studio responded:

"Hi Louise, Thank you so much for this lovely review. So glad you enjoyed the workshop and your beautiful flowers!"

Greta Willett reviewed: Silver clay jewellery making

"Yolanda and John instantly provide a very warm and friendly atmosphere. Yolanda is an excellent teacher giving clear explanations, expert help and advice when needed and with full encouragement and support to try everything yourself. Everything was included, even the superb lunch and tea - and I went home with beautiful, unique silver pieces, hand crafted by me! A magical day!"

Verity Wake reviewed: Introduction to summer millinery - 1 day - Newcastle NE1

"I took part in this course with no previous experience. Margaret was really friendly and helpful, the course was very enjoyable and I would recommend it to anyone! I came away learning so much about millinery and appreciate all the skill and work that goes into each headpiece! Thanks Margaret x"

Margaret Woodliff Wright Millinery responded:

"Thank you Verity - it was a pleasure teaching you my “Introduction to Millinery” course, and your tonal headpiece with soft ivory & pale blush lillies and peach leaves is very pretty. I can’t wait to see the images of you wearing it later in the summer! I am so pleased you enjoyed our sessions and look forward to seeing you in the winter when we will move onto felt for a winter headpiece."

Toni Pincott reviewed: Conscious Interior Decor; For holistic living

"An excellent day of learning how to properly set out both floor and elevation plans and build them flexibly to test out ideas and layouts. Tuition was very hands on. I also benefited from working alongside other class attendees, hearing and seeing their ideas on both mine and their own layouts."

Lizzy Whitehead reviewed: Stained glass leading for beginners

"My 11 year old daughter and I had an amazing day with Jamal. He is an amazing artist and craftsman and was skilled in showing us the steps needed to create leaded glass. We were amazed at what we could create in one day. Huge thanks."

Melinda Smith reviewed: Modern calligraphy (full day workshop) - Hampshire

"Well structured course, great teacher, well resourced - really enjoyable day."

Gloryletteringstudio responded:

"Thanks Melinda, glad it was a good day!"

Bobbie Rummery reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Back for another awesome day, had a brilliant time and learnt how to accomplish really unusual patterns on square bar and also ended up with a very nice poker along with a few patterned items. This is the second day of training with Mort and learnt even more than the first time. The training gives a good insight to the skill these guys have. To come away with hand forged items is amazing. Would not hesitate to recommend firebird forge and Mort to anyone who wants to start a great new hobby or profession, beware it’s addictive, you will want to go back time and again."