Latest reviews

Christine reviewed: Chainmaille - Half-Persian Bracelet

"I had a lovely afternoon learning how to make a chainmaille half Persian 4 in 1 bracelet. Wendy was brilliant and even though I hadn’t done this before, I was soon busily making a bracelet with Wendy’s guidance. I was delighted with the finished result and can highly recommend Wendy and The Little Craftery. Thank you for a lovely afternoon!"

Liz Dane reviewed: Enamelling on Copper Taster Day

"My daughters and I had a wonderful afternoon making jewellery. We all came away with beautiful pieces to wear. Teresa was fantastic and so helpful."

Louise Taylor-Steward reviewed: 1 day introduction to stone carving course

"Excellent one day beginners class. Nice small class size, seven people on our session which meant we all had plenty of guidance when needed. Great tuition, nice workshop space, and we both left with finished objects. Price includes the stone and lots of tea and coffee. All tools and safety equipment were supplied for the day and are available to buy should you become hooked. I suspect this could become addictive."

Karen reviewed: Candle making course (advanced) - in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, Sussex

"Had a fabulous day learning all things candles with Simon. He answered all my questions with knowledge and patience and I came away with some really great ideas and information. Definitely worth it!"

Sandra reviewed: Full day mosaic workshop for beginners - Meriden, West Midlands

"Anne Thank you so much for such an inspiring day at your beautifully situated work shop. Thoroughly enjoyed your hospitality to celebrate my Birthday with my friends and I’m sure my beautiful pot will be the first of many projects thanks to your patient teaching skills. Fantastic day! Sandra"

Flowerpot Mosaics responded:

"Thank you Sandra. I am really pleased you enjoyed your birthday treat! Anne xx"

Mim Barnes reviewed: Green wood chair making in Suffolk

"I have so enjoyed my week making a truly beautiful, elegant chair - from a log! Having started with no experience of the tools or methods needed, I finished the week feeling quite at home with a draw knife and spoke shave, and even felt well acquainted with a brace and bit hand drill! Stewart is a great teacher, providing lots of support and encouragement along with plentiful coffee, great homemade bread and clear instruction. It is an absorbing and satisfying way to spend a week, with an end product of which I am very proud. And if light entertainment is needed, there are the dogs! I'll certainly be going back for another go. Mim Barnes"

Kate Robertson reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Had a fantastic day, learned so much. I feel ready and inspired to carry on by myself and transform the pile of fleeces into piles of yarn!"

Rob Barnes reviewed: Green wood chair making in Suffolk

"What an excellent way to spend a week with wood. I had previous experience violin-making but this was a woodworking eye-opener with some roller-coaster moments. The top crest misbehaving was a drama for all of us. But what an achievement when it finally decided it was not the boss! Stewart is an excellent teacher and the cute dogs were a delight to work alongside. The chairs went from log to a final weaving day in no time, producing a fabulous seat design. There have been wows and gasps now we are showing off these chairs to anyone who visits. We went with the grain and I shifted from wanting a perfectly formed spindle to knowing what the wood wanted to look like. A truly unforgettable week and one with a stunning take-home prize."

Sharon Davis-Owen reviewed: Stained glass leading for beginners

"Just want to take the opportunity to thank Jamal for a truly wonderful day...my sister and I attended the one day leading course. To be honest, not really sure what to expect... possibly a ready to assemble stained glass kit? We could not have been more wrong ? cutting glass, cutting lead whilst receiving guidance from an informative and patient teacher. The icing on the cake.. I have my own piece of artwork in my kitchen that reminds me of a wonderful day. I would wholeheartedly recommend a workshop, trust me I'm not an 'arty type' and it did not matter as I thoroughly enjoyed the experience...Jamal explains the processes, provides assistance in a very genuine way. Many thanks ?"

Liz Cummings reviewed: Willow Framed Basket Making Day - Complete Beginners

"Thanks for a lovely day Victoria. You provided a very relaxed atmosphere, just right for learning and I'm delighted with my finished basket. I enjoyed the company of the other ladies which made it an interesting，friendly and fun day."

Martin Hart reviewed: A Practical Dry Stone Walling Workshop Central London

"A great day of learning and activity delivered by a true artisan and gifted tutor. Not overloaded at the start with information, but enough to quickly begin the building process. Appropriate and helpful advice where/when necessary, with practical input when (inevitably) we were unable to make progress. John made it possible to acquire enough of the basic skills and understanding to feel satisfaction with what we achieved, whilst also appreciating the gulf between that and what long years of practise and experience produces! Terminology was introduced as and when to complement the different stages eg initial layout, battering, hearting etc, with an emphasis on using and developing a 'natural eye' rather than relying on measurements or technology. Clear explanations of what constitutes a stable and aesthetically pleasing structure with the origins, benefits, variations, development and future of ds walling shared interestingly during the day. 100% recommend the experience."

London School of Dry Stone Walling responded:

"Hello Martin - Thank you for your feedback, i am pleased you found the day interesting and rewarding. From a 'cold start' to completion, time soon goes with lots to consider 'juggling the stones' You developed the 'eye', your own style and constructing those 'Cheek Ends' are just something else !! The feature will look great in the location. I will add a small reference plaque, listing it's content and names of those who participated in the construction. Take Care Best Wishes John"

Bonita Rogers reviewed: Woodturning courses in Norfolk

"My 12 year old daughter was interested in woodturning and had been given a grant from her school to do a woodturning course. It's quite hard to find a course for children but Nick was happy to tutor her. He suggested splitting the day course designed for adults into 2 half days as he felt it would be quite intense and a lot to take in for a younger person all in one day. She had the most amazing experience. Nick is a fantastic tutor. He treated her as an adult without going over her head. He explained everything so carefully and gave her confidence to make spindles with 'bumps' and 'grooves' the first week. The second session she made a bowl, practically on her own. Its very hard for an expert to know when to stand back and when to step in, but Nick had perfect timing allowing her to develop her skill. She would definitely like to return for more teaching in the future. I would thoroughly recommend Nick as he tailors the course according to the person and delivers such skill through excellent teaching."

Mike Day reviewed: Green wood chair making in Portugal

"I thought that the opportunity to follow Peter's Creative Chair Making course during spring time in a remote and beautiful part of Portugal was one not to be missed and I not disappointed. Previous reviewers comments are correct; Peter is a fine teacher and craftsman. In these 6 days under Peter's guidance we went from tree to chair and I learnt many new skills using tools I had never seen before, finally walking away with a beautiful piece of furniture. The small group was able to work outside taking in the views whenever we took a break. We also stayed on location in the craft village, self-catering in our own delightful traditional schist cottage. This was an experience that delivered on very level and will stay sharp in my memory for many years to come and has indeed inspired me to do more wood work."

Scott Robinson reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Excellent day out I would highly recommend it."

Toshi Beveridge reviewed: Willow Framed Basket Making Day - Complete Beginners

"With lots of help and encouragement from Victoria, I managed to finish a basket at the end of the day. It now sits proudly on the dining table. Thank you for a wonderful day."

Dorka reviewed: Beginners 2 sterling silver stacking rings jewellery course

"Had a really lovely and fun day with Sarah making 2 beautiful rings that I will treasure forever. Sarah and her husband are so wonderfully welcoming, I felt at home from the very beginning. Sarah loves her job and she was a fantastic tutor. She is funny and very friendly so the atmosphere was great. I am already thinking of going back to do another session with her! Highly recommended."

Doreen Duffin reviewed: Leather Home Accessories Workshop

"Had a lovely time crafting my valet tray under the expert guidence of Karen while enjoying the company of fellow crafters. Would thoroughly recommend attending a course or if you are looking for something different for a gift"

Shireen reviewed: Fine-furniture making course - floating shelf day course in Cheshire

"I had never done any DIY- type stuff before I did David's course except to drive a couple of nails (badly) into a wall, so I was a complete novice. David was a patient and attentive teacher, and gave me just enough space for me to find my confidence and rhythm while also giving me that extra push for when I slacked off. And I went home with a floating shelf that I am so proud of! I loved the rural setting of the workshop and found the whole day enjoyable despite having worked really hard."

Miss Karen Wright reviewed: Stained glass leading for beginners

"Where to begin, what a fantastic day, I made a stained glass panel from scratch! Jamal is a very patient extremely talented man. His work is second to none.,and you are left in awe of this very humble guy. I learnt to cut glass and lead correctly and keep my fingers, not easy when you are a left pawed person lol. If you get a chance book a course its worth every penny and more. The William Morris cups are a wonderful touch :)"

Joanna reviewed: Candle making workshops

"Lovely, informal day in a peaceful location. Angharad was very welcoming and full of knowledge. She explained everything well so I always knew what was going on. We covered lots in a relatively short space of time and I came away with lots of different candles. Thoroughly enjoyable day and really pleased with the candles I made. Already thinking about making some more at home."

Selina reviewed: Powertex fabric sculpture introduction session

"I cannot recommend this introductory course highly enough. Annette is generous with her time, knowledge and materials. I did not expect to achieve a completed piece in such a short amount of time. Beware this craft is highly addictive and I'm already excited to sign up to one of Annette's full workshops."

Jacki Brigden reviewed: Learn traditional rag rug techniques at Wool@J13

"I attended the one day course held by Jenni Stuart-Anderson at the Blue Ginger Gallery, near Malvern on 31 August. We were shown how to work both techniques and were soon given the chance to have a go ourselves. Were able to see examples of Jenni's work which helped us decide which technique we wanted to attempt first. The lunch provided by the Blue Ginger Gallery was a lovely home-made soup with freshly baked bread and the course itself took place in the small Summer House which provided a very friendly atmosphere. I enjoyed the day very much and found it very useful."

Jenni's Rag Rugs responded:

"I enjoyed the day too Jackie and I look forward to seeing your finished seat mat photo which I can put on the students' page of my website. Keep on progging!"

Biddy reviewed: Leather craft - returners follow on course

"A really good introduction to working with leather, I learnt so much in just two days. Thanks very much Bill."

Ian Watkins reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I did this course with my son (15yrs) and nephew (16yrs) and we had a wonderful day. Top marks to John, Spencer and Mark for pacing the day just right. The tuition was superb. Help was there when you needed it but we were all allowed to make progress with our projects at a pace to suit our skill levels. The team were very welcoming and there was not a minute of down time from the moment we arrived. In fact the tutors stayed late to let us fine tune our new creations before we left. The atmosphere is very much 'working forge' rather than 'classroom' and this suited us down to the ground. I would DEFINATELY RECOMMEND this course to anyone with an interest in blacksmithing. You wont get a more friendly atmosphere, you wont get more knowledgable tutors, and you wont get a better organised course anywhere else. We are all very proud of our new creations (two swords and a Viking knife) and we returned home to much admiration from the rest of the family! Top marks to Anvil Forge for a great day!!!"

Claire Hayes reviewed: One day introduction to glass fusing in Medway, Kent

"My mum and I had a wonderful day on the Beginner's course with Beverley. Both of us were brand new to glass fusing and what we were impressed by was how Beverley explained the science behind it in such a fun way. We were able to be very creative, both making three pieces each. We were incredibly impressed with the results and I'm looking forward to booking myself on an improver's course. It was a really enjoyable and artistic day and I'd recommend it to all."

Beverley Bunn Glass Art responded:

"Thank you Claire! It was lovely to meet you and your mum - so pleased you both enjoyed yourselves and even the 'science bit' was fun lol You both did amazingly well considering you'd never picked up a glass cutter before!"