Latest reviews

Jonathan Hickman reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I was an absolute beginner but had a great day and ended up with a bowl to show for it. Chris' tuition was excellent and he was very patient. Would highly recommend."

GINA CHAN MARTINEZ reviewed: Furniture upcycling workshop - 1 day

"Took my Nanna & Grandads side table (originally made by Mums 'Big Grandad') to be upcycled at an up cycling workshop at Pear Mill. Me & mum had loads of fun, (despite being completely useless at DIY, craft and domestic things, we gave it a 'try' at least whilst singing along to a bangin' Motown soundtrack, which helped with our beginners nerves ? ?) Love that the final product it's full of character & we sanded it down to proudly display generations of Sutton, Beckett & Martinez scratches, scuffs n scrapes while putting our own stamp on it with some masking tape deigns and Manchester Worker Bee Hexagons. Hannah, thanks for putting up with us and assisting us with our little mistakes and the finer details we couldn't manage ourselves and for accommodating us as a pair also! Highly recommend this course. Our table looks beautiful. Lots of compliments from extended family & friends."

Tread Softly responded:

"Aw what a lovely review ☺️ Thanks so much for coming guys, it was lovely having you both along. I thought you were very competent and I absolutely loved the family history behind this piece of furniture. I thought it was brill that you made a feature of the scratches and marks of human existence ❤️ And the nod to the Manchester worker bee with 5 hexagons linking to the generations this pieces had past between. Thanks for both being good sports, it was fun having you along ? Glad it’s rightly getting compliments!"

Julie Brock reviewed: Small needle felted animals or pictures

"Thank you Barbara for a most enjoyable day. It was my first time needle felting and Barbara was an informative, knowledgeable and patient tutor. I was pleased with my hare and my family were very impressed, in fact daughter wished she had come along with me! We'll be back at some point! I would highly recommend this course."

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"Thank you Julie, I am so pleased that you had a lovely day. Your a natural and Mr hare looked fabulous. Barbara"

Mary Curry reviewed: Needle felting workshops taught live online by Heartfelt by Heidi

"I so enjoyed this course and the teaching was excellent. Heidi helped when it was required, but left me to get on with it when there was no problem. It was great to learn a new skill on a pleasant environment and in such good company. I am very pleased with my felted robin and feel inspired to make other needle felted animals. Thank you so much Heidi"

Heartfelt by Heidi responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Mary and kind words. I am really pleased you enjoyed the workshop and felt inspired. I have several wonderful venues that I am lucky to use, which provide a relaxing and inspiring enviroment. Needle Felting is such a rewarding craft and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for it. I hope to see you again in the future. Heartfelt thanks Heidi x"

Tony Redpath reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"What a great day! Mort was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, supportive and a store of great stories! He looked after us brilliantly and made sure we went home with something we can really treasure."

Tracey Smith reviewed: The First Cut - lino cutting for beginners & rusty printmakers in Derbyshire

"Brilliant day. Relaxing, welcoming atmosphere and well-organised. Liz was a fab teacher and was very inspiring. As a 'rusty printmaker' it was a great way to rebuild my skills and confidence. Can't wait to play some more at home."

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Tracey, Thanks so much for taking time to review your day and glad you enjoyed your workshop. A lovely way to start your half term break and lots of time to try some new designs. Best wishes Liz Wellby"

Diane reviewed: Collagraph Printmaking with Megan Evans + self catered accommodation

"We had a really lovely morning with Megan at the Bromyard Lock Up. She is clearly experienced, and encouraged us to experiment for ourselves and simply engage with the process. We created some wonderful prints and felt truly inspired by the session, and look forward to spending time with Megan again soon. Her lovely warm personality shines through, so whether you are highly artistic or new to artwork (like me) I thoroughly recommend her workshops. Thank you so much Megan"

Megan Evans - Artist responded:

"Thank you Diane this is so lovely to hear! I will send across my Christmas workshop dates and see you again soon. So glad you enjoyed the session :-)"

Anne reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"What a lovely day! Ruth was a fantastic host and teacher. My friend and I learned so much in just one day and feel very inspired to go on with projects of our own. Definitely recommend this course."

Angie Hatchett reviewed: Japanese book making

"This is the third course I have done with Lynne - she is an excellent tutor, endlessly patient and it was quite an honour for me to be at her first Japanese book workshop with Jayne. I came home with three pretty little books, two softback and one hardback with a hinged cover and have already thought of so many uses for making more! I felt that the three of us overcame a couple of small technical difficulties by bouncing ideas off each other and it was a thoroughly enjoyable day which just whizzed by. I have already recommended Lynne's workshops to friends and hope to do another myself in the future."

Kellie Farley reviewed: Creating a Viking knife an introduction to forging and knife making at Bearded Pig Forge

"As fans of the TV series ‘Forged in Fire’ I thought this would make the perfect Christmas gift for my boyfriend and let’s just say it didn’t disappoint. Spike is extremely knowledgable in his field and clearly very passionate about what he does. He also makes a mean BLT! My boyfriend and I are complete novices, but with Spike’s teaching were able to make some great knives. What a fantastic day and a unique experience. Thanks so much Spike."

Sally reviewed: One day salt or pepper mill woodturning course one to one.

"What an enjoyable experience! My husband and I spent a very happy day making a candlestick and a bowl under Bill’s incredibly patient guidance and tuition. His teaching style was perfectly adapted for each of us - husband quite competent and knowledgeable about tools and making things by hand, me fairly hopeless! - and we ended up with two attractive pieces we are both rather proud of. It was relaxed, but definitely engrossing, throughout. A really good day I would definitely recommend."

Sue & Andrew reviewed: Introducing Macrame Knots and Intricate Designs

"My partner Andrew & I both had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon learning Macrame with Mary. Mary taught us some of her in depth knowledge of Macrame in a very relaxed atmosphere, she was extremely patient and made us feel very welcome with tea and biscuits throughout the afternoon. We both left feeling we had gained huge confidence in wanting to make more Macrame products and cannot thank Mary enough for her inspiration. Would highly recommend this course."

Tracy Hallett reviewed: Upholstery course - bring your own project

"had the pleasure of meeting Polly on a Tv show we did a few years ago, so when I found out she was running workshops at her fabulous studio in stunning Cornwall , I lept up at the chance of meeting up with her again . Wow how fortunate was I, totally blown away by the location with stunning views situated in the coastal town of Falmouth. Polliander was the studio of dreams with bundles of inspiration. Having never taken on nor having the knowledge of upholstery Polly gently reassured me with great encouragement that I would be able to upholster a chair within the few days I had planned to be with her. Well Polly was an absolute professional, so passionate and knowledgable , every class delivered emphasising the deep sense of understanding and patience required for each process one has to achieve before moving onto the next to achieve such an authentic craft. I was amazed at what I had achieved and thoroughly enjoyed myself, and to top it all Polly provided lunch. Polliander is a studio like no other, welcoming and inspirational, deliver by a true passionate professional , Polly is amazing, I would recommend anybody to visit Polliander , meet the gorgeous generous Polly and learn a new skill"

Mick Armstrong reviewed: Premium experience package dry stone walling for beginners

"An excellent introduction to dry stone walling. Carl is a patient and helpful instructor, who gives clear and helpful advice with humour and purpose, explaining in simple terms the rationale behind the advice. The lunch was very good and filling."

Carole H reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I was lucky to have two dry days in October for a bit of a break from work visiting Lucy to continue on my bangle project. It has two mounts for stones positioned between silver wire so there is a need for intricate filing, grinding and sanding. Lucy Introduced me to the benefit of riffler files and I decided that I needed these in my life! Her help was invaluable in choosing the correct ones from her suppliers catalogue and letting me order straight away for quick delivery to my home. The sanding was proving tricky until Lucy inventively devised a tool with plastic from an empty yoghurt carton and double sided sticky tape to stiffen the emery paper. This proved to be the answeer to getting into the nooks and crannies. Thank you Lucy for another two brilliant days."

India reviewed: Linen weaving Edinburgh

"Would thoroughly recommend this fantastic weaving course."

will reviewed: Linen weaving Edinburgh

"Great weaving classes right in the middle of town."

Claire reviewed: Linen weaving Edinburgh

"A super thorough introduction to weaving - covering all the steps and very flexible concerning what you'd like to learn - walk out ready to have a go at home."

Andrew Browning reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"I have now completed the beginners and the intermediate course and my only complaint is that there are no more to do! From absolutely no knowledge at all, John managed to extract two pieces of carving from me, which really are all my own work. This is due in no small part to Johns teaching style which gives everyone the confidence to have a go and with an emphasis on the fundamentals. Great teacher and a very relaxed and enjoyable course."

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Thank you Andrew, so glad you enjoyed the courses. We may well include an Advanced weekend course in the future. Kind regards John & Carol"

Katherine reviewed: Linen weaving Edinburgh

"A fantastic introduction to weaving!"

Emma reviewed: Linen weaving Edinburgh

"really inspirational"

Phil Ratcliffe reviewed: Stained glass for beginners one day workshop

"Enjoyable and practical weekend course, conscientiously delivered by Sharon Campbell. Inspired to the next level 9week evening course to learn more about this fun and rewarding craft. Recommended!"

Manchester Stained Glass responded:

"Hi Phil, thank you so much for giving such a nice review. Really glad it inspired you to the next level. I look forward to seeing you again and the design you want to make. Sharon :)"

Jane Hill reviewed: Silver jewellery workshop for all abilities with Jude Karnon

"One of my best days ever! A really relaxed day with expert tuition - I’m thrilled with what I made! This was my first attempt at jewellery making and it certainly won’t be the last - I’m so excited and inspired! I thoroughly recommend this workshop - endless cups of tea, a delicious lunch and lots of information and help when needed - the day flew by! Thanks so much Jude!"

Jude Karnon Jewellery responded:

"Jane, what a lovely review - thank you. You did incredibly well for a first attempt and glad you have the jewellery making bug. I hope to see you again very soon for some more jewellery making. Jude"

Sarah Pendle reviewed: Fused Glass workshops at Bere Alston, near Tavistock, Devon

"Thank you Wendy! Amazing resources, very well organised and friendly tuition. I was inspired and thoroughly enjoyed the whole glass workshop experience."

Julia Bayly reviewed: Making a stained glass art hanging

"I bought this course as a birthday present for my 80 year old mum as something to do together; both of us loved it. Caryl's instructions were very clear giving us plenty of time to practise the techniques before choosing our project. She gave us useful advice regarding making choices on contrasting and complementary colours and glass textures and was generous in allowing us to use unusual glass in her collection. She was especially helpful to my mum, who has shaky hands, and we both came away with items of which we are both very proud and display at home. A lovely lunch, including vegan items for another lady on the course. I'll be returning for another project, with my mum! Thank you, Caryl."