Latest reviews

Ruth Middleton reviewed: Rag rug/rag wreath making day in North Herefordshire

"Great course very inspirational"

Isobel reviewed: Christmas willow wreath workshop Hemel Hempstead

"Helen's workshop's are a real treat. Spending the day with friends and making new friends whilst creating a beautiful, unique wreath. A lovely day spent"

Helen Reeley Gardens responded:

"Thanks Isobel-would be great to see you again!"

Ron Irving reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Another cracking day with Adrian and Andy at the forge. Bit more tricky and a lot more hammer work than the other courses but made a pretty good set of tongs, a punch and a drift. Learned some more techniques as well. As ever the hospitality and food were spot on. Roll on the two day design and make course!"

Diane Cross reviewed: Introduction to felting techniques with Gill Baxter

"Had a lovely enjoyable day at GillyGetsCrafty work Shop Class, Wet Felting. Very Friendly and professional . would love to do more courses in the future. Diane Cross"

Claire reviewed: 2 Day Silver Jewellery Making Course - Ely

"I did the two day course this last weekend and it was fantastic. I was a bit apprehensive beforehand, having done various crafty things before but never trying jewellery making so wasn't really sure what to expect, or if I'd be able to come away having made anything I'd be able to wear. I need not have worried as the course was fantastic - Jonathan clearly knows his craft inside out and is a lovely friendly, supportive tutor. We covered everything I felt I needed as a complete beginner, from what kit would be useful to start out at home to different materials, thinking about designs and even having a nosy at some beautiful gemstones. Refreshments were provided over both days, with no issues catering for me as a picky vegan type. I've come away with a couple of lovely pieces which I've already been wearing and making everyone admire, along with enough knowledge to feel like this is something I could start to try myself at home. Fully intending on booking in for another session in the not too distant future and would highly recommend this course to anyone interested."

Lucy Thiara reviewed: 2 Day Silver Jewellery Making Course - Ely

"I really enjoyed the two day jewellery course I had with Jonathan. He was very knowledgable and approachable. I came away with enough information to start making silver jewellery at home, and a helpful list of tools needed. Lovely homemade lunches and biscuits were also provided by his partner in their home which was a nice touch. I’d like to book another course with Jonathan in the near future for sure!"

Jaki Summerfield reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"My 17yr old son had the best time on the half day course. It was everything he hoped it would be, the instructor (Bob) was so friendly, he made the experience so enjoyable. My son came home with a piece of ironwork that looked so professional, something we'll have many years of use. He'll definitely be returning for further education."

Ann Sutherland reviewed: OLD Silver clay jewellery taster with Anna Campbell

"I attended a workshop as part of a family group with ages ranging from 13-75. We all had a great time, made some unique pieces of jewellery, and would recommend this workshop to anyone. Lynn was fantastic, arranging everything for us and welcoming us into her home. Anna is a brilliant teacher, keeping things relaxed but informative, and we really appreciated her rushing back from Glasgow to run the workshop for us! The location is great, too. It's a very easy 5-10 minute walk from Waverley. Can't wait to go back and learn more!"

The Arienas Collective responded:

"Hi Ann! We were delighted to welcome you and your lovely family to The Arienas Collective: it's always special to see different generations getting creative together. What a fabulous range of silver clay jewellery designs you all designed! Anna and I are so glad you all enjoyed the workshop and were happy with the unique jewellery you made. Well done to everyone, and we hope to welcome you back here very soon. Best wishes, Lynn :-)"

John Bennett reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"I had a wonderful Sunday at this course, we all enjoyed making sun catchers. Very relaxing, satisfying and creative day."

Swanwick Studio responded:

"Thanks for your lovely feedback John You are an absolute star :-)"

Luke Abbott reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I attended Lucy’s stone carving course at the end of September of this year-and found as usual the course highly relevant and progressive. As I begin to understand how stone masonry and carving works, Lucy’s skills in coaching seem to know no bounds as she coaches from the inside of the processes demonstrating her immense know how and experiences which of course are infectious. The comradery over the weekend with other members of the workshop was absolutely uplifting too as were the wonderful array of meals we enjoyed over the 3 days together. I have now attended 4 of the weekends with Lucy in an effort to gain deeper skills in the art of working in stone as well as the craft of the mason. Lucy is just a brilliant teacher and coach who knows for each of us the next steps in increasing our skill set. Ever patient and forgiving too! I will continue to attend in the future as I know I will be able to increase my skills under her master’s eye. It is also highly relevant for us on the workshop that examples in the studio made by Lucy are true works of art and incredibly inspiring. I cannot recommend her course highly enough to anyone who has an interest and passion for working out how to make stone blocks breath life and meaning."

Deborah Lea reviewed: Christmas willow wreath workshop Hemel Hempstead

"Fabulous course with lovely trainer. Plenty of choice of resources so could put our own style. Really relaxed atmosphere and everyone in my group came away with a beautiful wreath."

Helen Reeley Gardens responded:

"Thanks Deborah-your group always produces original work!"

Andrea Bennett reviewed: Let's start! Mastering sourdough the starters

"Have been making sourdough every other week after the confidence your demonstration gave me!"

Learn Sourdough responded:

"I'm delighted you're fired up. Thank you for your review. I look forward to seeing you again at other Learn Sourdough events."

Philip and Elen reviewed: Let's start! Mastering sourdough the starters

"Many thanks to Sharon for a wonderful Saturday morning sourdough masterclass, it was a great way to learn the art of sourdough, with a totally enthusiastic and committed teacher. There was also the benefit of a friendly team of fellow participants, keen to help and exchange ideas, while tasting the fresh made sourdough. We have progressed from little idea of sourdough, to going away with so much knowledge and very keen to actually make sourdough products with the starter ingredients supplied."

Learn Sourdough responded:

"It was a pleasure meeting you both. Thank you for your outstanding review. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the event. It was a lot of fun wasn't it. I look forward to seeing you both again at another Learn Sourdough event. Sincerely, Sharon"

Mandy da Silva reviewed: Let's start! Mastering sourdough the starters

"Great session, loads of very good and useful information given in a very clear fun way . Easily understandable. Lovely free samples too. Well worth the money."

Learn Sourdough responded:

"It was a pleasure meeting you. I'm delighted you enjoyed the event so much. Thank you for taking the time to review it. I look forward to seeing you again at future Learn Sourdough events. Sincerely, Sharon"

Angela Corbet reviewed: Let's start! Mastering sourdough the starters

"I've just done Sharon's "Let's Start! Mastering Sourdough Starters" session & can highly recommend it if, like me, you've had umpteen unsuccessful attempts at raising your own consistent & well-behaved "fridge pet" of the sourdough variety. She demystifies the whole process & explains the science behind it. You get to start your very own starter, and learn how to raise it, care for it, store it and revive it to peak activity when you need it. There are copious notes to take home, though it's worth also making your own as ideas & questions pop up. (Plus some very worthwhile vouchers for local & online shops and a dough scraper too.) Not to mention trying out her very excellent bread with a variety of intriguing toppings! All in all, a very interesting & worthwhile session."

Learn Sourdough responded:

"I know you're going great guns with making sourdough bread since coming onto 'Let's Start!' I'm really delighted for you. Thank you for your terrific review. It will surely inspire other 'sourdoughers' to book. Sincerely, Sharon"

Jane Planner reviewed: Let's start! Mastering sourdough the starters

"Stuart and myself had a great time. Your talk was so interesting and has rekindled my interest in both sourdough and fermented foods. You are an excellent speaker."

Learn Sourdough responded:

"I'm flattered by your kind comment. Thank you. I'm delighted that you've rediscovered the wonderful and delicious world of fermentation. Sincerely, Sharon"

Rebecca Jacques reviewed: Let's start! Mastering sourdough the starters

"Attended Sharon’s sourdough workshop today which not only comprehensively explained the process of making a sourdough starter (and walking away with my own) but also spoke about the gut microbiome. This included the opportunity to sample really yummy sourdough bread with lots of local spreads and oils as well as an amazing homemade probiotic spread. Really fab, enjoyable and informative few hours. Highly recommend!"

Learn Sourdough responded:

"Thank you Rebecca for your exciting review. The gut microbiome and real sourdough bread go hand in hand. I'm truly delighted you enjoyed my event so much. I know you've booked onto one of my other events. Thank you. I look forward to sharing more of my expertise with you and helping you progress smoothly on your sourdough journey. Sincerely, Sharon"

Celia Irving reviewed: Let's start! Mastering sourdough the starters

"Great! Having done Sharon’s, ‘Sourdough Extravaganza’ my appetite was whetted for more information about the starter – and this course provided it in spades! A wealth of information, entertainingly presented, with lots of hands-on experience. Highly recommended!"

Learn Sourdough responded:

"Thank you for your splendid review. It gives me a lot of pleasure and satisfaction to read how much you are enjoying my sourdough events. I'm looking forward to hosting a private sourdough event for you in the new year. Thank you sincerely for booking with Learn Sourdough, Sharon"

Paul & Carmen Nash reviewed: Let's start! Mastering sourdough the starters

"Very interesting. Sharon outlined the details of starters for sourdough in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. A really excellent course. We can recommend thoroughly."

Learn Sourdough responded:

"Thank you for your splendid review. It was a pleasure meeting you both. Thank you again for coming all the way from Shropshire to Dorset especially for my event. I'm bowled over! I look forward to meeting you both again at another Learn Sourdough event. Sincerely, Sharon"

Alison Shardlow reviewed: Christmas willow wreath workshop Hemel Hempstead

"I went to Karen’s wreath workshop with my mum and a friend – and what a morning it was! The choice of different greenery and other things meant that everyone could create something that was really personal. With Karen’s guidance and support the challenge of moulding the willow was quickly overcome by all three of us. The result was a beautiful decoration for my door which brought many comments – as well as disbelief that I had made it myself! Thank you Karen"

Helen Reeley Gardens responded:

"Thanks Alison. You're right about the personal touch-no two wreaths are the same."

Martin Gard reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thanks for a great day of tuition at your workshop. The pewter lidded box looks wonderful in my display cabinet. More important to me was the help you gave me to unlearn many of the bad habits I have developed over the years. I am practicing every day the things you have taught me until they become second nature. Thank Sue for the wonderful lunch, the soup was fantastic."

Serena James reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I’d booked a one day course as a birthday present for my partner (something we could do together) based on all the positive and amazing reviews - we were not disappointed. Despite our late arrival (multiple train issues), we were still able to produce 6 practical and usable dishes each, which I think is a true testament to Matthew’s teaching skills. This is a fantastic course to do as you really learn to appreciate the level of skill required to master a truly beautiful craft. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on the course and can’t wait to receive and use our handcrafted dishes. I highly recommend this course with Matthew; he’s a fantastic teacher and I will definitely book again for another session."

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Serena and Sandro, It was a pleasure to teach both of you and see you both progress throughout the day. Your pots are now drying ready to be fired and glazed. It would be a pleasure to have you both back on the course again in the future. Best wishes Mathew"

Danial Farahabadi reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I did a one day, one to one blacksmith course with Alex which was a present from my fiancée. This was my first ever time blacksmithing and I made myself a dragons head door knocker which will be going on the front door of my house. I would like to say thank you so much to Alex for all his help and direction. He is an amazing teacher and an extremely talented blacksmith! I had such an amazing time, and blacksmithing is definitely something I would love to do again!"

Danial Farahabad reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I did a one day, one to one blacksmith course with Alex which was a present from my fiancée. This was my first ever time blacksmithing and I made myself a dragons head door knocker which will be going on the front door of my house. I would like to say thank you so much to Alex for all his help and direction. He is an amazing teacher and an extremely talented blacksmith! I had such an amazing time, and blacksmithing is definitely something I would love to do again!"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Danial, thanks for the great review, it's much appreciated. Glad to hear you'd do it again. Many thanks Alex"

Madeleine Chandler reviewed: Silverclay beginners jewellery workshop in Newcastle upon Tyne

"I had a really enjoyable morning making silver clay jewellery with Claire. The course began with Claire explaining all about silver clay, showing some examples and suggesting ideas. Claire then demonstrated the techniques needed before I started on my own project. The time went so quickly and the atmosphere was relaxed. I went away brimming with ideas for my next project, so I will be back! Many thanks."

ToDot Handcrafted Goods responded:

"Thanks Madeleine! Looking forward to see what you make in the future!"