Latest reviews

Sarah Kehaya reviewed: Making Fragrant Felted Soaps at Home- Free Online Felting Tutorial

"Just spent a couple of lovely afternoons making felted soaps guided by Judi's excellent and clear instructions! Really hepful photos to support the instructions. Despite not having done this before, I was very pleased with what I made and would recommend "having a play"! Helpfully, Judi was able to supply materials which came quickly and helpfully bagged up to keep them safe."

Felting in Devon responded:

"Dear Sarah Thank you for your lovely review and the delightfully felted soaps you produced. You really do have an artistic streak! I'm so disappointed not to have met you in person, but hope that one day, I'll have that pleasure. Until then, stay safe and well, and enjoy your close family. Very best wishes and warmest thanks. Judi x"

Claire reviewed: Beginners guide to container candle making

"I bought Kerry’s online Soy Wax Candle and Wax Melt Course. It’s amazing! So well laid out and easy to follow. Kerry has a very relaxed tone which makes for a very therapeutic course. Perfect for anyone just starting out. I’ve ordered all of my bits and bobs and can’t wait to get started!x"

James Woods reviewed: Beginner's DIY Hand Sanitiser Natural Soap Course

"I was looking for a long time for a fun and affordable natural soap course. I have just finished the online course - DIY Hand Sanitizing Soap and I enjoyed it so much! It's packed with useful information, easy to understand, and has a lot of video presentations and demonstrations. The course is self paced so I didn't feel pressured to finish it. I really recommend this course if you want to make easy natural soap from home from easy to come by ingredients. I can't wait to make the 7 natural soap formulas from the course."

Alana reviewed: Online Class - Beginner Rag Rug Techniques - Including Tools worth £26

"It was amazing to be able to learn a new craft from the comfort of my own home; no need to spend money on travel; no need to leave my small children for longer than necessary. All the tools and materials needed arrived before hand by post and we got rag rugging really quickly during the course. It is very satisfying and I am busy planning my first full rug :-). A tip; I joined by mobile phone which was fine but it was sometimes a wee bit hard to see what was going on. A tablet or laptop would have been a tiny bit easier. X"

Ragged Life Ltd responded:

"Thank you Alana, I'm so glad you enjoyed the course and got cracking straight away :-) Make sure you show us the finish product! Also, thanks for the tip to other online crafters."

Gill Rogers reviewed: Two day leather bag making course

"My daughter and I both had the most amazing time and experience on this 2 day leather workshop and came away with two fantastic leather bags!!! Can't believe how professional and beautifully handcrafted our bags look, so proud and all thanks to Sarah for her amazing talent, expertise and guidance, we learnt far more than expected from this traditional leather craft. The building and beautiful large studio is stunning, delicious lunch and generous servings of coffee, fresh fruit and cake throughout the day was brilliant!!! Thank you so much for everything Sarah, Tara and I absolutely loved every minute and had the best time ever, we will always treasure our handbags and will definitely be back to do it all again!!! All our very best wishes Gill & Tara xx"

Graham Mulholland reviewed: Bladesmithing experience day

"I recently did a one day course with Steve who demonstrated his love, incredible knowledge, craftsmanship, patience and teaching skill on all aspects of knife making. Steve's a great guy with an easy going personality and an inspiring nature. The whole day was brilliant with Steve providing support and advice throughout enabling me to take home the "sharpest knife ever seen in my household". Steve's love for his craft is infectious and has left me itching to see what could be achieved with more of his inspiring tuition - maybe a 2 day course once the world recovers from covid 19. Great day, great bloke - a 5* experience."

White Tiger Knives responded:

"Good morning Graham Thank you for your very gracious review. I've said it before, but it really does mean a great deal to me that whoever attends one of my courses goes away with a positive experience and let's not forget a wickedly sharp knife. It really is a pleasure to open up the world of bladesmithing to a wider audience and to show some of my basic skills because I do not consider myself a master in any aspect of knife making. I have to add that I have learnt quite a few things on the way with my interaction with students on my courses, every day really is a school day. The course days are always great fun, full on and I hope leave you wanting just a little more, thank you once again. ATB Steve"

Susanna Grant-Haysey reviewed: Online Class - Beginner Rag Rug Techniques - Including Tools worth £26

"In 2 hours I learnt a new craft, from start to finish. I feel that I have now got the skills I need to make rugs, cushions and more that will get me recycling my old clothes and creating modern art for my house. Thank you."

Ragged Life Ltd responded:

"Thanks for much for your kind words Susanna. We can't wait to see what you make!"

John Wright reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"The wood turning course with Cheshire Woodturning was a birthday present from my wife and what a great present. The 2 day course given by Ciaran was quite intensive but there was such a lot to learn and he was a great teacher. There were 4 beginner ‘students’ and we all surprised ourselves with the quality of the items we produced. Ciaran was friendly, helpful, informative, funny and hospitable keeping us well provided with tea/coffee. Lunch at the local pub was perfect. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I hope I can now use the lessons learned at home."

Derek reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"I did course 1 and then booked course 2 immediately afterwards, both courses are excellent and really bring your woodworking skills out. The people and the place is better than I could of wished for, I highly recommend this course. I now have a beautiful hand made table in my hallway, thank you very much Richard and Mark."

David reviewed: The complete basics of woodturning (2 days)

"I attended this 2 day course which was excellent. I was new to woodturning and so it was good that the course was so complete - ranging from health and safety, which tools to buy (or in some cases make), how to look after them and how to use them. All this supported by a thorough set of notes. Mark is a nice guy and very patient. He explains both the practice and, where necessary, the theory to provide a strong introduction to wood turning with lots of hands on practice. And what you learn is based very much on his years of experience and definite expertise. I'd highly recommend this to novices like me - and if you haven't bought the tools yet, wait to hear what he says."

Mel reviewed: Mini Willow Weaving Lesson

"Excellent. Really enjoyed it . Thanks ! Aprons might have been useful as covered in glue ."

Sarah reviewed: Mini Willow Weaving Lesson

"An enjoyable and relaxing afternoon . Clear instructions and good selection of materials . Chrissy was calm and helpful , and gave us free space for our own creative ideas."

Lynn reviewed: Mini Willow Weaving Lesson

"Great fun ! Time flies ."

Adam Stewart reviewed: 5 Day Professional Furniture Refinishing Workshop - Traditional & Contemporary

"I have recently completed both the Contemporary Furniture and Woodcare and French Polishing courses at OP Woodcraft. I have learned how to finish and refurbish old, new and damaged furniture using a variety of techniques including oiling, staining, french polishing, painting and more, bringing it back to life. I found the courses enjoyable and informative and they are well delivered by Oliver with clear explanations and demonstrations. Oliver provides course notes and is very helpful in answering any questions you have post course. I would recommend these courses for pleasure or business, they provide you with skills for life and the enjoyment of creation. Oliver has provided me the confidence in my skills to develop my own workshop and begin my own business going forward. I have gone on to complete the professional course with Oliver which provided me with further knowledge and skills to enable me to progress my business."

ian Joynson reviewed: Four day intensive beginners woodwork course

"I would recommend this course even if you have a lot of knowledge of woodworking as I thought I did. It taught me a lot about woodworking, planning, thinking, sharpening tools and having more patience."

S Downing reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"I can highly recommend Cheshire Woodworking courses and look forward to the next, whatever that may be! Ciaran inspires confidence, is not only passionate about his craft but also to teach it to others. I blame him for my obsession with wood! As a complete beginner I've developed woodworking and woodturning skills taught by Ciaran to have the confidence to tackle bigger and more complex projects. A real sense of achievement is gained from learning a new skill and having completed the woodturning course recently it is another string to my woodworking bow! The hands-on course, take-home pieces and skills learned inspire me to continue making things I'm really proud of and to try new things. Thanks Ciaran."

Julien reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"Not much more to say about this course nor Ciaran than all the other reviews are already stating. I had two excellent days and this experience just made me want to buy a lathe and start woodworking. Thank you again for this great course !"

Mike reviewed: Portrait painting in oils

"I applied to join this course with uncertainty as I was almost a total beginner in the art of drawing and painting. Over the course of the two days Karl spent time explaining step by step the whole process but also allowing you to experiment . I would never have imagined that I could have completed a portrait of my partner which was so like her. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 days and will definitely return for another weekend . Thank you Karl"

Peter Leopard reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"Having recently completed a two day introductory woodturning course, I found Ciaràn a most helpful tutor with a knack for explaining things logically so that the techniques taught made sense. Each session was carefully planned and prepared for so that there was no wasted time, the lathes and tools were all in very good order and help was at hand whenever required. I can thoroughly recommend this course for the beginner or rusty woodturner."

Beginner mosaic workshops with Joss Hughes reviewed: "Sparkle & Shine": beginner mosaic workshops with Joss Hughes, Peacock Mosaics

"I purchased 2 seats, 1 was for my Mother-in-Law for her birthday and the other was for myself. We both thoroughly enjoyed the course. It was well thought out, instructions were clear and questions asked or advice sought were answered promptly and supportively. The location was compact and bijou but we managed around one another. My only suggestion would be to extend the class by 30 mins-1 hour as none of the members completed their project (in-terms of grouting) for a myriad of reasons (mainly tile selection and figuring out a pattern). I would have very much liked to have grouted my piece in the safety of the instructor as currently it is still un-grouted (I need to find the time to do it and once I do I will share with Joss.) In addition the homemade brownie snack provided by Joss was just divine! I would book again to do another course with Joss it was time and money well spent. Thank you very much Justine and Barbara"

Susie Smith reviewed: Make a silver ring: one-to-one workshop

"Angela was a really good teacher, she explained it all really well and made the day easy and fun. I came away having produced something I was proud of and that I gladly wear. Overall brilliant experience."

Sara Azzopardi reviewed: Make your own wedding rings - Bristol

"Me and my partner undertook a wedding ring making course with Lucy. We were both slightly anxious about it being a full day course, but it absolutely flew by! Lucy is patient, knowledgable and a brilliant teacher. Me and my partner are completely different ends of the spectrum with regards to skill but Lucy gave us both exactly the level of teaching we needed. I am so pleased with how our rings turned out, I still can't quite believe we actually made them! Would definitely recommend Lucy to anyone and I intend to return for a jewellery day at some point!"

M Kendall reviewed: Glass Fusing with Enamels Taster Class - Make a Tealight Curve

"I attended a workshop to make a tea light panel. Knowing nothing about glass I didn't know what to expect. Steve's guidance is both interesting and clear, with lots of ideas and support as and when you need it. I don't normally like things I have made myself but this is an exception , I am delighted with it and want to do more! I really recommend anyone having a go!"

Rachel Edwards reviewed: Fused glass introduction 1/2 day at Kingcot, Worcestershire

"Lovely afternoon with Vicky who was a great teacher and very generous with her materials allowing us to make some really impressive items. I’d never tried glass fusion before but managed to create some pieces that I’m quite proud of in just a couple of hours. Great afternoon and a great new medium to play with. Thanks Vicky - we loved it!"

Stasia Jackson reviewed: Making a stained glass leaded panel

"I have attended two of Caryl's courses - Making Christmas decorations and Creating a leaded panel. Both courses far exceeded my expectations. Caryl is not only an amazing artist but an inspirational, patient and considerate teacher. Her courses are meticulously planned so that participants feel success at every stage. Caryl gives just the right amount of support to give you the confidence to try things out and feel a sense of personal achievement. Each course produces something of a high quality that is personal to the maker. My Christmas robin and star will be brought out every yea,r and my panel has taken pride of place in my home. I would highly recommended both courses to anyone thinking of trying something different and enjoyable. Oh, and an extra bonus, the lunch is lovely, and tea and biscuits plentiful."

Caryl Hallett Stained Glass responded:

"Thank you Stasia. Very kind of you to take the time and effort to post this. Caryl x"