Latest reviews

Pauline Oldfield reviewed: Stained glass weekly classes in Sheffield (South Yorkshire)

"A great course for beginners, or even as refresher course. Something new learned every week. Individual equipment which is good, lots of help from Martin who is an excellent teacher. A very motivational course. Definitely returning with a new project."

Ingrid reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"Brilliant workshop, a must to do. Alice is a great teacher and very helpful. Looking forward to the new weave and natter group Alice is starting"

William Gibson reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Crazy brilliant course!! I barely know where to begin writing this review there's so many good things about it! I'll start with the area, the location of the woodwork course I attended was situated just outside Presteigne - a lovely small welsh town which has everything you need; spar shop, pubs, petrol station and friendly locals. The course itself is held practically completely outdoors in an open timber frame structure (with a roof for shelter) emerged in a picturesque woodland. The entire process uses traditional methods of manufacture using manually operated tools and machinery - no artificial power is used at all. I found this fascinating and very inspiring. I didnt think it was possible to produce such beautifully crafted furniture with no powered machinery. The steam bending I found particularly stimulating alongside the wide range of processes taught on the course. The ecofriendly approach is very refreshing even down to the toilet, a luxurious hole in the ground. Throughout the process of making the chair Ben was an exceptional tutor. A knowledgable, patient, down to earth geezer who's easy to get on with and clearly passionate about the subject. He gave clear instructions throughout and never grumbled to give a helping hand. Decent cook too, looked forward to every lunch with delicious soups and baguettes. I mentioned at some point Foxs crunch cream biscuits are the best and he actually brought a pack in the following day, absolute legend. At the end of the course I couldnt believe the chair I produced, I cant stop sitting on it, its given me a great sense of achievement and wellbeing. Bottom line is I had a great time and learnt a great deal while on the course. I highly recommend whether youre into woodwork or not; it's great to be working outdoors in the fresh air and learning with a group of great people. If youre even remotely considering this course, do it! You wont regret it!"

Sandi Lee reviewed: Throwing & hand-building pottery workshops £64 per person for 2 hour workshop

"Can highly recommend a course with Catherine, we've had a wonderful morning learning how to use the potters wheel (Catherine, you make it look so easy) and to make our own little animals - can't wait to see how the hedgehog, chicken and french bulldog look after firing. An excellent tutor, an excellent course. Thank you so much, Sandi, Pat and Elaine"

Cathy Phillips reviewed: Stained glass weekly classes in Sheffield (South Yorkshire)

"Classes are fantastic. Martin is a great teacher with a lot of patience and gentleness. I feel a real sense of achievement and he has helped me find skills within me that i didn't know existed. Looking forward to September already."

Christine Seager reviewed: Julia Triston Workshop - Analysing Colour

"Julia’s course was good - she is a good tutor and very encouraging to all students regardless of their level of knowledge. However, the course was well overpriced. The facilities were poor. Similar courses cost less in fully equipped studios."

Ian Clay reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course which was extremely informative, interesting and very well presented with lots of good humour thrown in. I was astonished at the number of amazing techniques and tricks of the craft that we were taught which all go towards the efficient and fault-free making of any item. I have done a little leatherwork in the past but Bill raised me to a whole new level!! Keep up the good work, Bill."

Emma Stalker reviewed: Glass Bead Making Workshop - For Two People

"Julia was brilliant showing us how to make from a basic bead shape to adding some deciration. Very patient and a good tutor. Will be going back for more lessons in the future to build up our knowledge can't recommend highly enough!!"

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

"What a delight to get along to glass class each week. Martin is an excellent teacher who gives each of us the individual attention we require - from first timers to ambitious glass artists we each get just the right amount of support and encouragement. And at half way through each class he brings us a cup of tea - what's not to like?"

John Cole reviewed: Sunday afternoon watercolour painting florals - with Artist Laura Andrew

"I am a complete novice, but Laura worked with me and encouraged me and at the end of a fantastic day I came away feeling very satisfied. This is an excellent course and I have no doubt that with Laura's expert guidance you would gain a lot whether novice or professional. Everything is provided for you to work in wide range of mediums and from the outset you are encouraged to try out techniques, to experiment and to "be brave". It's a wonderful day with an excellent teacher and guide, and represents tremendous value for money, I thoroughly recommend it."

Lisa Heller reviewed: Stained glass weekly classes in Sheffield (South Yorkshire)

"Martin's class has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding classes I have ever attended. Martin's teaching style is perfect fro a group of adult learners with a varying amount of knowledge and expertise, from those who have been working with glass for years to those who are complete newcomers. He gently facilitates learning whilst at the same time teaching the various aspects of the craft and keeping a safe environment. Martin is careful to teach thoroughly the best techniques - which he has acquired over decades of working with glass, but at the same time allows students to follow their own style of work. From "Well done you're finished, are you pleased with it?" to "Hold it up, and I'll take a picture", those of us who have experienced that feel the same kind of delight that Bake-off contestants experienced when Paul Hollywood shook their hand."

Andrew Allberry reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Impossible to praise this course highly enough. A truly special, highly rewarding experience. Enjoyed every minute of it. As well as an obvious master of his craft, Ben is an outstanding teacher - the essential ingredient which so many courses fail to offer. (Plus he's a really great bloke to spend a week with.) He knows just what and how much guidance to give; a helping hand and an inexhaustible supply of expert knowledge and experience when you need it, yet essentially leaving you to get on with it. As a result I feel that really learned my stuff, and I came away with a huge sense of achievement - not to mention a beautiful chair. The setting is beyond beautiful too, and if you stay on site as we did (very highly recommended indeed) the whole thing adds up to an unforgettable week."

Helen reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Thanks Bill for a great weekend on Introduction to Leather Work. I learnt so much in the two days, cant belive what we achieved in that time. Bill is an excellent teacher, learning by practice, made a lovely belt on the first day. The knowledge and information on designing and making a pattern was very good which was transferred to creating, in my case, to a sleeve for tablet. Hope to go again!"

Nick Booth reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"It is difficult to believe that someone who has always been clumsy and imprecise with wood can be taught to make a beautiful hardwood box (in oak) that looks and feels fabulous. Mark enabled me to do that in two days on a fantastic box-making course which was well run, allowed us to work independently, learn how to use hand tools and machine tools, and feel more confident doing previously impossible projects at home. A great course in a great location, highly recommended."

Bella reviewed: Beginners Candlemaking for Two - Anglesey, Wales

"Loved this workshop! Attended the beginners workshop with a group of 3 friends on our holiday on Anglesey. We were made very welcome by Anita and learnt all about candle making using different waxes. We all got to choose our own scents and colours and at the end of the session came away with our very impressive looking candles. We all liked that it was very hands-on, Anita is super friendly, and the old schoolroom studio is like something out of Beatrix Potter! Will be coming back in the autumn!"

Donna Murtha reviewed: Basic to advanced knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"This is an amazing workshop – well worth the money, and for such a good cause! Although I’ve been knitting for number of years, I’ve always wanted to learn to crochet. I’ve used numerous YouTube videos but just never been able to pick it up. Ann is fantastic. By the end of the session I could crochet (although I will admit, I still struggled with holding the yarn correctly, but that was simply because I could not wrap my head around it – no fault of Ann’s at all!). Ann took me through the basic stitches, and even provided written instructions to take home – amazing. She also gave me some really useful info about reading American patterns which I’ve always been confused by in the past. By the end, Ann had me crocheting a basic granny square – thanks Ann! I went home, had a practice and can even hold the yarn correctly now! ha I cannot say enough good things about this workshop – lovely, patient teacher, great venue, and I came away with skills I’d not been able to grasp for years. If you are thinking of learning to crochet or knit, you can’t go wrong with a lesson with Ann :)"

Leeds Central Faith and Light responded:

"Thank you, Donna, for your kind words. I am glad you enjoyed the workshop and found it useful. Good to hear you have found a way to hold your wool to your satisfaction. Keep up the good work with the granny squares. I will send you details of the Just Grand Crafters group. Ann"

Selwyn Runnett reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"This is the second course I have attended where Dr Sharashkin was the Speaker and Trainer. Again, it was excellent. I started keeping some of my honey bees in horizontal hives last year. So this Course enabled me to learn some of the more detailed points of the techniques involved, whilst also providing a refresher on the overall principles. Dr Sharashkin's detailed practical and scientific knowledge is superb. I came away with a comprehensive list of improvements that I will be making to how I manage my bees both in horizontal hives and in conventional vertical hives. The techniques taught on the Course are the foundation stones for ethical and sustainable beekeeping for the future. I would recommend this Course to anyone who questions conventional beekeeping techniques and wants to learn about alternative bee-centred alternatives."

John and Deborah reviewed: Candle making workshops

"What a wonderful day! Angharad is a lovely person and an excellent teacher. We never dreamed we would learn so much in one day and make some beautiful candles of our own to take home with us. The day went at our own pace and Angharad’s instruction was straightforward but detailed and all our questions were answered and explained. Her enthusiasm has inspired us to start making our own candles at home. The beautiful location and lunch were a bonus. Highly recommended. x"

Paul, Lauren and Charlotte reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"This was a great experience. We were three complete novices but we were hands on within minutes, practicing and creating metal tools only a mother could love. Under Colin's gentle and patience tutelage he guided us through the basics of forming mild steel on the anvil. We made all the common mistakes like melting off the bits we'd just fashioned but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Colin made the day, he was witty, chatty, generous with his knowledge and very self-effacing which hid an excellent artistic creativity judging by the various commissions and work on display. We left with a variety of implements whose construction gave an insight into not only how skilled blacksmithing is but also how rewarding and useful owning some of these skills can be. Excellent day and would thoroughly recommend it as either a group bonding experience or as an individual wanting to sample the profession. The small group numbers are very conducive to both these goals. Top marks from all of us."

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

"A fantastic day! I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. Thank you."

Pauline reviewed: A night (or morning/afternoon!) on the tiles: a 2.5 hour taster mosaic course

"My friend and I were given a evening with Fiona making a set of coasters, we had a brilliant time and so much fun. Thank you so much x"

Margaret Crook reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"I went to a half day workshop with my 2 daughters. A new experience for us and a thoroughly enjoyable one. Maddie is a lovely lady, great teacher with a wealth of knowledge and with her guidance and enthusiasm, we all achieved more than we hoped for. It was a great fun day, really absorbing and therapeutic. I'd thoroughly recommend going to one of Maddie's workshops to anyone who wants to try something different as well as those who want to improve their skills. I'll definitely be back to do more!"

Philippa Sibert reviewed: M

"Have recently spent a full day mosaic workshop with Maddie. Was very impressed with the studio facilities. With plenty of input from Maddie I felt confident about using all the materials provided and there was lots of inspiration that helped me to see what was possible. I was able to have access to a wide variety of materials which enabled me to work out my ideas without limitation. Would thoroughly recommend these courses for beginners to those who are more advanced. There is always something to learn whatever your ability and Maddie has all the skills and knowledge to enable you to achieve your goals and work through your initial ideas and make a completed project."

Helen reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"Fabulous day out. Skilled tutor with bags of enthusiasm and a great, supportive nature. Would thoroughly recommend attending one of Rachel’s workshops."

Swanwick Studio responded:

"Thank you Helen. I hope your panel is now in pride of place ? you did a great job with beautiful colours & have given a lovely & thoughtful review. Thank you"

Melinda reviewed: Percher hat making - blocking for beginners millinery workshop

"Fantastic facinator workshop, nice venue, lots of parking, excellent explanation and demonstration by a very experienced tutor, covering all techniques with a wide range of examples to inspire. I created a work of art and will be wearing my showpiece facinator at a wedding next week. Delighted I signed up and would recommend the course."