Latest reviews

Jane Landsborough reviewed: Machine patchwork courses with Green Man Quilts

"Sheena is brilliant at conveying the common-sense approach while still encouraging to step beyond one’s comfort zone. She has the knack of congratulating success as well as focussing on areas for improvement. She’s full of hints and tips. I love my patchwork class - the fastest 2.5 hours of my week"

Green Man Quilts responded:

"That is so wonderful to read - thank you. It goes pretty fast for me too, and is always very enjoyable. You have really highlighted what is, in my belief, a core principle of teaching - common sense, lots of support and a decent amount of challenge! Thanks for being such a great student."

Kelly Goode reviewed: One day glass fusing course

"Great course with a great teacher, patient and informative! Had such a great day and a lot of flexibility with what I could make, with plenty of guidance. Location is nice, bright and airy. Thoroughly recommended!"

Pip reviewed: Watercolour on canvas

"The course was excellent and in a well lit studio on a beautiful farm. It was interesting and well prepared with materials all to hand. Liz's creativity and gentle encouragement really help to bring out the best. I was very sorry that family pressures prevented me from going back on the second day of her workshop but delighted that I managed to attend the first part, at very short notice."

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Hi Pip, thanks for such a lovely review and I am so glad you managed to join us. It's such a lovely way of working. Please keep trying it and hope to see you again in the near future!"

JUSTINE JOHNSON reviewed: Candle Making Workshop, with Afternoon Tea in Lincolnshire

"A lovely relaxed introduction to candle making. I'm very pleased with the 2 candles I made and brought home."

Beehive Wellbeing responded:

"Thank you for the review Justine, I look forward to seeing you again on a different workshop this month x"

Arlene Weekes reviewed: Machine patchwork courses with Green Man Quilts

"Nice small classes. Teacher is very attentive and helpful."

Green Man Quilts responded:

"Thanks, Arlene - I am really enjoying having you in the class."

Emma Hancox reviewed: Animal clay sculpture workshops with Jill Collier

"A fab workshop! I honestly thought when I first saw the rabbit we were going to make ”there’s no way I’ll be able to do that...”. But with Jill’s calm step by step approach, it’s turned out wonderful and much better than I thought! Although it may seem like a long day, it goes by so quickly. Jill has endless patience and so much vision so when you think it’s going wrong, she’s there on hand to help you and guide you in the right way - a benefit of the group size being small you don’t have to wait long at all for her help and can easily watch and learn from each other. All in all a wonderful day, I made something I am proud of and can’t wait to do another!!!"

Julie reviewed: Christmas Pudding - needle felting workshop with The Lady Moth

"I have attended three classes with The Lady Moth. Today I made a lovely little wren. I would highly recommend Zenia as a tutor. She is patient, encouraging and helps you through the tricky bits so that you feel happy with what you take home. The teaching groups are small and friendly. I look forward to booking another course soon."

Thirza reviewed: Candle Making Workshop, with Afternoon Tea in Lincolnshire

"Sharon is a lovely, chatty, open tutor. She puts a lot of effort in to the detail of the course, which is enjoyable, entertaining, informative and value for money. Thank you!"

Beehive Wellbeing responded:

"Thank you Thirza, nothing more worse than a dull workshop. :-) I look forward to seeing you again at another workshop this month. Sharon x"

Nicola reviewed: Wet felting expressive landscapes in wools and silks

"I had a lovely morning. Judi was very bubbly and a great teacher. We learnt lots of different felting techniques, with access to lots of beautifully coloured wool. Would thoroughly recommend. Thank you. ?"

Helen Isbister reviewed: Wet felting expressive landscapes in wools and silks

"Amazing day creating wonderful pictures. No experience necessary as excellent tuition given in a lovely, friendly environment."

Sally W reviewed: Wet felting expressive landscapes in wools and silks

"This was my first attempt at creating a felt picture, and am delighted with the result. A truly amazing experience. Judi explains patiently and clearly different techniques and offers lots of encouragement. The studio offers an abundance of wools and silks to use. Lovely relaxed atmosphere. The time just flies by, an inspiring 3-hours. Highly recommended."

Emma Norris reviewed: Glass Fusing & Slumping Weekend for Beginners & Improvers

"Loved every minute of it and could easily have stayed for another two days! Jude let’s you freestyle as much as you want while providing the inspiration and the help on techniques. It feels so creative yet very accessible. I left with lots of pieces I’m turning in to jewellery."

Karen Giles reviewed: OLD Silver clay jewellery taster with Anna Campbell

"A very big thankyou to Lynn and Anna for their warm welcome & the fantastic silver clay taster session - the perfect way to spend an afternoon! Really proud of what I created and still amazed by the alchemy of turning a piece of clay into fine silver. Already looking to book a space on the Introduction course!"

The Arienas Collective responded:

"Hello Karen You are most welcome, and thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. Anna and I are so pleased that you are proud of what you created, and that you find silver clay as magical a material as we we do! We look forward to welcoming you back for the full day beginners class, and I'm sure you'll love learning how to make a moulded shape, and how to set a stone in your silver clay jewellery. With best wishes Lynn"

B Schofield reviewed: Fused glass workshop at Talton Mill with Helen from The Butterfly Effect Studio

"I thoroughly enjoyed the day, which was a generous gift from a dear friend. It's the first time I've made jewellery but with Helen's encouragement, knowledge and skilled teaching I was delighted to end the day with some lovely unique pieces to take home. Very rewarding and therapeutic!"

Butterfly Effect Studio responded:

"Hi B, thank you for taking the time to review the workshop and so pleased you enjoyed it. I recognised that you were a little apprehensive initially but the creative thought you put into your designs was so impressive. Your sensitive use of colour and texture worked so well and the jewellery you created was stunning. I remember you mentioning that one set you made was going to be a birthday present for a friend and I’ve no doubt they would have been thrilled with your thoughtful gift. Thanks again for joining us."

Laura Davies reviewed: Linocut one day workshop: one to one

"I had an absolutely wonderful time on the course with Annette! I felt immediately welcomed and so at home, designermakers21 is an absolutely fabulous place with so many artists and creators under one roof. The class runs with just 2 students so we were very well supported throughout the day and able to learn the skills of lino cutting quickly. Annette is a fabulous artist and her work is such an inspiration. Both myself and the other student were given the freedom to create exactly what we had wanted and I have come away with a selection of fantastic prints. The difficulty is choosing which to hang on my wall! We were taught a range of cutting and inking techniques and had a great time using the enormous press! I couldn't recommend the course more, or a visit to designermakers21 for that matter! Thank you so much for everything Annette!"

Sue Jeffrey reviewed: Fused glass workshop at Talton Mill with Helen from The Butterfly Effect Studio

"I love Helen’s workshops. She has a treasure trove of materials and resources and when I’m lost for an idea Helen always has hints and suggestions to point me in the right direction. I’ve produced things I would never have thought possible thanks to her guidance and creativity. Highly recommended."

Butterfly Effect Studio responded:

"Sue, it’s always a pleasure to have your company at the workshops, your exciting experimentation of materials and techniques is so inspiring. I always look forward to your positive enthusiasm and your creations are such a joy to see. Thank you for your kind words and I’m so pleased you enjoy the workshops."

David Burrow reviewed: Introduction to Furniture Restoration - Cambridgeshire

"Fantastic 2 days with William. Not only is William a great guy and very easy to get on with but he has in-exhaustible knowledge. Best course I’ve ever been on and will certainly be going back to learn more from William"

Machine patchwork courses with Green Man Quilts reviewed: Machine patchwork courses with Green Man Quilts

"Sheena is an excelllent teacher, enormously supportive and encouraging. I've learnt so much and enjoyed the classes so much. Highly recommended"

Green Man Quilts responded:

"Thank you so much for a fab review. I am so glad that you enjoy the classes"

Jane Middleton reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"I had a great time working with a group of like minded, dog loving people under the excellent guidance of Denise. The atmosphere was relaxed and I was excited with my lovely little Lily the shih tzu! I would recommend Denise’s workshops without exception and I will definitely be returning."

Crafty Gal responded:

"Thank you Jane for such a fantastic review. Your Lily was SOOOOOOO cute, I was sad to see her go! Look forward to doing more needle felting with you, Dx"

Andrea Tudor reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"I loved these two days. As a complete beginner, at the end of day one I wondered how any of us would ever come away with a basket worth having, yet by the end of day two, like magic, we each had a log basket to be really proud of! The course was well planned and paced and Joe, as well as being a lovely person, is such a good teacher. She explained everything so well and so simply, yet not in the slightest bit patronising, just encouraging, reassuring and very complimentary about all our efforts. Thank you Joe, you've certainly kindled a little fire..."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thank you andrea! so glad you enjoyed your time. superb basket!! joe. xx"

Alison Laws reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"My sister has always fancied having a go at blacksmithing so we spotted the course and thought we’d give it a go. Everything was fab, from the warm welcome with a brew from Debbie to the continuous support from Ade and Andy throughout all the steps of the 2 projects. Lunch was tasty, and tea and cake was an extra treat. We were both able to create something that resembled what it was supposed to, although to be fair our definition wasn’t maybe as strong as the men managed because our striking strength was a bit softer, but we are both proud of what we achieved, so thanks to the entire team for a great experience - we’re considering the flower workshop (especially as it’s on our birthday!) Thank you for a great day!"

Karen McKenzie Budd reviewed: Pottery Throwing (Group Discounts Available) Lessons in Worcester

"We had a day with Chris and Sarah; pottery in the morning and glass fusion in the afternoon with a lovely lunch in the middle. Really great day and very highly recommended. Thanks both... We had such a great time. Looking forward to picking up all of our "stuff" in a few weeks ??"

Chris Greening Pottery responded:

"Many thanks Karen - I was very impressed how you and Stuart grasped the fundamentals and produced both technically and decoratively really nice pieces - I suspect there will be a very colourful tapas evening soon?! Best wishes, Chris."

Stephen Cain reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I am more than happy to add to Lucy's burgeoning list of five star reviews. Together with two dear friends, I learnt the basic skills of stone carving and managed to turn a nondescript lump of limestone into a passable and very recognisable (well I think so) moon-gazing hare. The three day course was well structured and well paced. Apart from being a delightful person, Lucy was a patient, talented and knowledgeable teacher. We all had such a good time and I can wholeheartedly recommend Lucy's stone carving workshop to all budding Rodins and Henry Moores ."

Tom Mayger reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Absolutely fantastic day, very welcoming and friendly bunch of people! A great couple of projects, going to see if I can build a forge in my garage without my wife noticing....! Would thoroughly recommend to anyone. Thanks to all the guys for their hospitality"

Rachel Stephens reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Jeffrey is a patient, knowledgeable and friendly instructor, who clearly loves his craft and sharing this with others. The day was fun and interesting, and I came away with something I'm proud of! Thanks for a fab day!"