Latest reviews

25 Jul 18'

David Neale reviewed: Make a Swallowtail Hay Rake - one day green woodworking course

"An truly excellent course which I thoroughly enjoyed. Pete certainly knows his stuff and, while he taught in an informal manner, his knowledge of green woodworking was exemplary. All of the tools were in very good condition and the cutting edges were impressively sharp. Copious tea and biscuits were conjured up at regular intervals. It was quite a hard day's work, but very rewarding and I ended up with a most impressive rake to take home. I would thoroughly recommend this course and fully intend to do another course with Pete and Jackie in the future."

25 Jul 18'

Natasha White reviewed: Make and decorate a ceramic bowl in one session

"Josie is the best kind of teacher - a huge wealth of experience and skill combined with an open mind and encouraging approach that enables you to create your own unique piece. I learnt so much in this morning session and yet the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. Josie guides you gently while you are hand building your ceramics, never imposing her ideas but offering suggestions and ideas for shape and decoration that will inspire you to make your best work. Once made, the pieces are fired in her kiln for you to collect later. Her studio is a wonder: full of her own lovely work, it is the ideal creative environment. A great course and helped me create a lovely bowl that I am proud to own. For beginners and the more experienced, this is one of the best ceramic events I have been to. I would definitely sign up again. I am delighted to give it five stars!"

25 Jul 18'

Donna Martin reviewed: Stained glass weekly classes in Sheffield (South Yorkshire)

"Excellent course with good support and guidance from Martin who is a great teacher. He is always happy to help with your ideas and share his knowledge/tips . Very enjoyable and returning for a third course."

24 Jul 18'

Cerys Evans reviewed: Mosaic applique with the Cheshire School of Glass

"With the help of Jenny I made a fantastic Owl on a slate back which is going on the wall outside my kitchen outside. I'm chuffed to bits with it!"

24 Jul 18'

Stacey Shepley reviewed: Mosaic applique with the Cheshire School of Glass

"Brilliant course! I'm totally shattered, but loved every minute of this 2 day course. Jenny is a lovely teacher. I will be back."

24 Jul 18'

Tina wheeler reviewed: Introduction to glass fusing at the Cheshire School of Glass

"I am so excited to see the results tomorrow. Ive had a great day and feel like a kid again. Jenny was so inspiring and helpful. Jodie thank you for your kindness and input as well. I will definitely be coming back. My family will be getting lots of Glass presents from now on, unless I like them too much to give away."

24 Jul 18'

sian owen reviewed: Surface Techniques in Glass with the Cheshire School of Glass

"I didn't want to go home. What can I say? The course went too quickly. I have wanted to work with glass for such a long time, now I have found Jenny , I/m going to come back and do the rest of hers and Steph's courses at The Cheshire School of Glass. We all got on so wee as a group and I think we will all stay in touch, which is a bonus. Thank you for a fabulous time and the scones!"

24 Jul 18'

Anne Marie and Gary ledger reviewed: Introduction to glass fusing at the Cheshire School of Glass

"This has been a really brilliant experience. Jenny was so generous in every way. Please keep us on your books for other courses. I'm particularly interested if you do a pate de verre course as we discussed."

24 Jul 18'

Peter Hoare reviewed: Build a Bowl Lathe & Learn to Turn

"I had a great five days with one to one tuition. The first day was spent forging two bowl hooks, a new and very satisfying experience. The next three days were spent constructing a very sturdy bowl lathe, the bed and poppets being of kiln dried three inch thick ash. The tenons for the legs and uprights were shaped with 1 3/4 and 1 1/2 Veritas tenon formers in a cordless drill, another new experience for me. The matching round mortices were drilled with hand augers, strenuous exercise. The last day was particularly satisfying, turning a bowl with the newly constructed lathe and the newly forged bowl hooks. The work was sustained with deliceous lunches and cake for tea. The instruction was excellent."

24 Jul 18'

Carol Bladon reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Enjoyed a wonderful day learning some of the basics of forging and came away having learnt a larger variety of skills than I might have expected. Chris explained each step of the process before demonstrating and then advising my attempts, as necessary. With such expert tuition it was then very satisfying to know that I had completed all the work myself. Thank you very much, Chris for your time and patience and a very enjoyable day."

24 Jul 18'

Sandra reviewed: Silver clay beginners course - Lori Ridgway

"Such a lovely morning! Lori is so friendly and generous with her time, expertise and tea and biscuits! I loved every minute, so inspiring."

24 Jul 18'

Graham Urquhart reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Great guidance managed to produce a reasonable spoon and no injuries! Amazed at the fine detail possible with an axe and hard to stop trying to improve the effect even when we were really finished. A fantastic introduction to spoon carving, or to hand carving in general. Great guidance on tools and their maintenance too."

24 Jul 18'

Harry Gwatkin reviewed: Three day blacksmithing course

"In September this year I will be going to study Blacksmithing and metal work in Holme Lacy College. A tutor from the course reccomended Pete Smith to me, Ive done 3 three day courses with Pete. Throughtout the days I was with him I learnt so much more from what I knew from the beginning. He is an amazing person, very understandable, but also an excellent teacher, I am really grateful of how he's helped me on my journey to become a blacksmith a little easier, and that I recognize the differences of metal, or certain temperatures for certain bends etc."

24 Jul 18'

hazel mackenzie reviewed: Hand-Spinning & Natural Dyeing Retreat, Highlands, Scotland

"What a fantastic week we had on the dye to spin course with the amazing Rosie. Great company, great surroundings as well as learning new skills The week was made by Rosie. She is really an exceptionally gifted facilitator who worked so well with the group and made it fun...even the hard bits It is the fourth course I have done with her ....fortunately I am not a gifted crafter and so no doubt will come back again to sample the special magic that Rosie weaves!!"

24 Jul 18'

Denise Nordenhall reviewed: Fused Glass workshops at Bere Alston, near Tavistock, Devon

"A thoroughly enjoyable day, in a beautiful environment. Learnt a great deal. Really pleased with my finished piece. Wendy was a joy to spend the day with."

24 Jul 18'

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

"I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Wendy's studio is light and airy, a very pleasant space to work in. Wendy is well organised and attentive. The day was well planned and carefully tailored to give an individual learning experience. You will just love the glorious colours of this beautiful medium."

24 Jul 18'

Jack Underdown reviewed: Fused glass workshops in Cornwall

"Great introduction to working with glass! Was thoroughly enjoyable and well organised. Loved the freedom to do what we wanted! All in all a really wonderful day! Thank you!!!"

24 Jul 18'

Susan Tutton reviewed: Fused glass workshops in Cornwall

"Very enjoyable!! Good price for the day, and happy with all that I achieved. Did not think that I would finish a dish ready to send back when I get home after a lovely holiday. Very friendly and helpful."

24 Jul 18'

Jasmine Tutton reviewed: Fused glass workshops in Cornwall

"A really great introduction to quite a tricky, but really fun craft. The teaching was really helpful and everyone created something unique and personal at the end. Well worth the money and I would definitely do it again! Thank you, Jaz x"

24 Jul 18'

J Tutton reviewed: Fused glass workshops in Cornwall

"Really enjoyed the day. Tutor was a great amount of help and went through the different processes in detail. The ability to do whatever we wanted meant the end result was perfect. Jarrod"

24 Jul 18'

Rebekah reviewed: Fabulous felt picture 2 day masterclass near York

"I learnt new ways to wet felt and learnt how to add details to my work with needle felting too. I particularly wanted to learn how to produce more detailed pictures. I learnt a lot in the two days and feel like I can take my felting to the next level now. I am looking forward to completing my piece and producing something I can really be pleased with. Bridgette is very talented, knowledgeable and friendly."

24 Jul 18'

Elaine reviewed: Blacksmith for a day with Adrian Woods: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"An excellent day in the blacksmith artis workshop with Adrian & Andy, with friendly people, being taught traditional skills to produce something worth while to taking home to be proud of... a well set out Sculptured course building up techniques and confidence through out the day, and to top it off we where we’ll looked after and fed with delicious food home cooked by Debbie couldn’t of asked for more. Would I recommend this course YES Would I buy this course as a gift YES Would I come back YES YES YES"

24 Jul 18'

Sr. Zoe reviewed: Making a Handmade Belt with Nigel Armitage

"Yesterday I had my third lesson with Nigel and came away with new skills and growing enthusiasm for the craft. Nigel is an excellent teacher and a great communicator, taking time to explain the theoretical and mechanical underpinnings of the work so that the understanding needed to tackle a new project is in place... this is not rote learning, but laying foundations for creativity and adventure! We worked on 'upping' my stitching by exploring some different irons and weight and type of threads. We made a brief sally into stitching with and awl...(I think I'll stick to stitching irons where ever possible!) We then went on to make a belt from pattern to finish! A great day!"

23 Jul 18'

Julie Edwards reviewed: Introduction to glass fusing at the Cheshire School of Glass

"I have never worked with glass before. I loved it! Jen taught us to cut glass and how to create stencils. We learnt about compatibility and what to use and what not to use! Jen gave us loads of notes on firing the kiln too; I don't have a kiln yet, but I think I will get a small one after doing a few more courses with Cheshire School of Glass. We were given a discount voucher for another course which I intend on booking now. Thank you for a great day."

23 Jul 18'

Julie Pain reviewed: Paint a Zentangle leaf man plaque

"I am Julie whose Zen man is pictured here. I have no experience in this type of art and basically it is doodling on a plaque. Thought I may have bitten off more than I could chew, but once I got into it the time flew by! I couldn’t wait to see my final efforts and was amazed how it turned out - took it to work to show off and they all wanted one! Gave them Saz’s number! Time to fit in a lunch from the superb cafe next door, but hydration kept up with tea and coffee with homemade biscuits on day I went - thanks Saz. Takes a good 4-5 hours but well worth it - and relaxing. I slept well that night from concentrating on doodles - who’d have thought it? Having my Zen man featured shows you don’t have to be an artist to have a go with what I think is a good result - he looks fab on my pergola post at home."