Latest reviews

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

"A great day the forge with Adrian and Andy. I love the dragon coat rack we made, it now takes pride of place in my man shed. Debbie makes a great lunch, the cheesecake was out of this world. Would love to go again and learn some more skills. Am already wondering how to convince the wife to let me get a gas forge! Thanks for a great day."

Elizabeth Waller reviewed: Basket weaving for beginners - make a round basket

"We had a lovely day making our baskets and we had quite a sense of achievement at the end. We had two very usable baskets to take home and had thoroughly enjoyed our time with Emma finding out what goes into basket weaving and learning on the job. It was also a joy to meet the alpacas! Thank you."

Bob Douglas reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I had an excellent days tuition from Mark. He is easygoing and encouraging. Due to the days tuition, I have decided to go ahead with taking up the hobby. Mark has sent me lots of valuable information on getting started and also on wood turning clubs in the Midlands. If you are thinking about taking up wood turning I think Mark is best placed for starting you off."

June from Grantham reviewed: Embroidered landscape with words, with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A fabulous day of happy stitching and thrilled with the results- will be back!"

Claire from Grantham reviewed: Embroidered landscape with words, with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"An amazing day, a brilliant tutor. Great to Finish a project in a day. We will be back."

Val from Worcester reviewed: Embroidered landscape with words, with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A fabulous "slow" stitch day of happy stitching- learnt lots too! Thanks, I will be back!"

Giulia reviewed: Perfumery for Business

"THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!!! Zaga is an amazing teacher, she teaches with passion and it was beautiful spending one whole day with her doing two workshops. Now I want to go home to Rome and start my own business. Guilia and Thank you Zaga"

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

"I’ve done fused glass workshops as well as the stained glass course and absolutely love it! As a beginner it’s taken me a while to get the techniques right and thanks to Martins incredible patience and encouragement I am continuing to create lovely glass pieces I am very proud of. I highly recommend Martin McAssey Glass."

Marika Fox reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I had an amazing day at the forge with Mort. I had never done anything like this before, Mort was a great teacher and really knew his stuff. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to try something different, but it's also great for people who already have skills. There are only two of you, so you get a lot of one on one teaching. Thank you Mort."

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

"Martin is a brilliant teacher, calm, unflustered, clear when explaining different processes, patient, and always positive and affirming. The purpose built studio is equipped with everything needed by each student without having to share. This is a fantastic course."

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

"I have signed up for my third course with Martin starting in September. He has created a lovely relaxed place in which to study this craft. Always welcoming, friendly and patient, Martin encourages you, supports you and nothing is too much trouble for him. “Don’t worry, it’ll be alright, I can sort that for you” are words that spring readily from his lips, if things aren’t going as they should. I thoroughly enjoy the sessions."

Kamran Farooq reviewed: Two Day Stone carving course, Gloucestershire (Cotswolds)

"This course was excellent. The class sizes are small (3 people when I did it) and so we all got lots of time with Dave. The introduction to the tools and techniques was very thorough and we were then left to let our imaginations run wild. Dave was on hand to continually monitor progress and offer advice. Kaye, Dave’s wife was also on hand to provide fantastic coffee and cake breaks as well as massive lunches. Overall, I was very satisfied and pleased with my stone carving. I’ve still no idea what it is but it takes pride of place in my conservatory. Highly recommended."

Irit reviewed: Business candle making workshop - one to one

"In one word - Great. I already make Candles, and sell them, but I wasn't sure if I am doing the right things. Came from Tel Aviv Israel (was already in Scotland), and thought it might help me to improve. Well ....... say no more. Kerry was amazing. Knows how to teach, knew what I exactly needed to be a better Candle Maker. All I can say is a BIG thank You."

Elizabeth MacKenzie reviewed: Make a Swallowtail Hay Rake - one day green woodworking course

"An excellent day run by a knowledgeable and patient team. Lots of different tools to use and skills to learn but Pete explained each step and method clearly and was always on hand to assist without taking over. Cups of tea from the kettle over the fire kept everything running smoothly and the participants were delighted with their completed rakes at the end of the day. Thank you!"

John Kirby reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I arrived with some trepidation - I did a little woodwork in school in the '70s but since then only Ikea. But I was very quickly put at my ease and started to enjoy myself hugely. I learned a lot and am now ridiculously proud of the wooden box I made during the course - I have shown it to everyone! Thank you Mark."

Kathryn Shayler reviewed: Make a leather bag in a day workshop

"Enjoyed the excellent 'Make a leather bag in a day' workshop. I learned many new skills and now feel confident working in leather at home. Plus, I made myself a beautiful bag! Thank you Esther :)"

Leather Needle Thread responded:

"Hi Kath, thanks so much for this lovely review! Cheers! Esther"

SUSAN JERMY reviewed: Create Amazing Spaces, ReVamp & ReUse with ReVamp Boutique

"Sarah is a great teacher, very friendly and easy to understand with a well planned out day. This is an interesting course that helps give you focus and to learn more even if you are not doing this for a career but want to put into practice for your own home. As this was an introduction to Interior design it will be great if Sarah does any more follow on courses as there is some much more to the elements that we touched on. Very enjoyable day, highly recommend."

Helen Robertson reviewed: Mosaic and Glass Art 2 day Course

"My weekend at Pretty Rubbish Mosaics was wonderful. Maggie and her work and environment are so inspiring. Everywhere you look in the garden and the house there is something magical to find. Thank you Maggie for all the guidance and helpful tips. I can't wait to get "cracking" with my next project. I will definitely be back again for another course soon."

Angela J Smith reviewed: Glass Bead Making Workshop - For Two People

"Amazing course, thank you so much Julia for all your help and support, this has given me a new skill to further develop Kindest regards Angela"

Lynette reviewed: Silver clay workshop

"Joy is a fantastic teacher. Highly recomended"

Steve Lucas reviewed: Beginners Weaving with the Rigid Heddle Loom - at All in a Spin

"For a long time I have wanted to explore what was involved with weaving and to see if I might take weaving up as a new interest. The introduction to weaving course was just great and gave me exactly what I needed. Dunja's patience was helpful and her teaching skills spot on which made the learning experience enjoyable. Nothing was too much trouble. Loom about to be ordered and I shall be booking on the next level after I have had the chance to practice. A really great day."

Corrie Wood reviewed: Glass Bead Making Workshop - For Two People

"I really enjoyed the course. Julia was very informative and helpful and it was great learning something new."

Susan Jermy reviewed: Calligraphy Afternoon in Barleylands

"This is my second block booking with Julie and I thoroughly enjoy all classes we have. On every class I seem to involve and won't be hesitating to book again on to the next course."

Julie Chaney responded:

"Thank you very much, Sue. It's a pleasure to have you in the class and your Copperplate is coming along very nicely indeed!"

Susan King reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"The weekend course with Dr Leo was a superb lesson in how to live with bees in a sustainable and mutually beneficial way. I had read 'Keeping bees with a smile' and was very interested in the deep frames in the Lazutin hives, and this workshop showed how deep frames are the most logical and bee friendly way to keep bees and give them the best chance for overwintering in our climate. It was good to spend time with others who want to move away from the industrialised methods of bee keeping with the high number of interventions required, and move towards the bee-centric way. I would reccommend this course to anyone interested in bees as well as beekeeping, and thank Bees for Development for putting on this weekend, and providing a tasty and satisfying lunch each day. And as a bonus, Dr Leo's honey is absolutely delicious!"

David Schutte reviewed: One day, one to one stained glass course

"Thank you for a wonderful two days in your workshop. I learned so much, not least how to cut glass properly, and with your excellent guidance am amazed that my very first-ever stained glass window looks so beautiful. My family and friends are very impressed, and I can heartily recommend your course! David Schutte"