Latest reviews

Richard Wriglesworth reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Very enjoyable day with just the right level of guidance & assistance i.e. shown how to do it and always around to check if one was struggling but let you get on and do it yourself. Nice lunch & homemade cake & biscuit selection plus much admired dragon coat rack and keyring at the end of it."

Phil Tolly reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"As a complete beginner with a lathe I didn’t really know what to expect from my day with Colin. His patience and excellent tutoring saw me leaving with a lovely bowl and egg cup and proud memories of an excellent day. Would recommend this course to both beginners and advanced students."

Devon Wood Crafts responded:

"Many thanks for this feedback, Philip. Much appreciated"

Gemma Lang reviewed: Craft Workshop: Learn to make silver art clay jewellery in a day (beginner)

"What a fantastic day! I had never even heard of, let alone used, silver clay before booking onto this course. Sally packed a huge amount into the day, and I feel a lot more knowledgeable and have picked up a new skill and taken home some beautiful earrings as well. And into the bargain she's a lovely, friendly and approachable tutor as well - even when dealing with someone as stressy as me!"

Yassamin reviewed: Felted Soap Workshop in Trowbridge, Wiltshire

"I have just spent a wonderful afternoon learning two different soap felting techniques at Cat’s idyllic studio. I bought this as a birthday present for my friend and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. The studio is set in Cat’s garden surrounded by beautiful countryside and behind her impressive vegetable patch which is also full of orange and blue flowers. We were greeted with the scent of lavender, geranium, neroli and many other fragrances from the cold pressed soaps that Cat makes. It was a halcyon afternoon under Cat’s careful but relaxed supervision We drank tea and chatted and felted three soaps each which is a relatively easy process to learn but there is every opportunity to be creative with your designs too. I can’t recommend this workshop highly enough."

Claire Weighell reviewed: Willow Hare/Rabbit Workshop

"Fantastic workshop, love my hare and pheasant. Victoria is a great teacher. Felt very welcome and loads of tea. Thanks Victoria, a great day out."

Angela Leon reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"Paula is an excellent instructor, makes you feel welcome, and she imparts the course in such a professional way that by the end of the course, you will feel confident enough to make the soap at home. She also is so generous that she accommodated my needs in gluten-free, preparing delicious scones and sandwiches. Definitely will be back for the next courses."

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Thank you for your review. I was lovely to meet you. I look forward to seeing you in the next course!. Paula"

Liz Fidler reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"My day spent at your lovely studio was wonderful. I was so inspired by this new craft and can’t wait to learn more. I even want to grow willow now. Thank you Joe"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thank you for a lovely review Liz! look forward to working with you again. joe. xx"

Cath J reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"Thanks Pip and Annie from us both for such an inspiring course in stone letter carving. Your teaching was excellent - we're so pleased with our pieces and what a great group and perfect setting; the food was a real treat too. After my house name I feel inspired to carry on and have a go at something else, maybe like the relief carving that Dave did. I might try that - if I manage to I will send you a photo! With thanks again, Cath."

Kelly reviewed: Glass etching workshop in Devon

"Did the glass etching workshop today. Really enjoyed it as Jenny was a very patient teacher and very helpful. It is a friendly environment to create your images on glass and easy to follow thanks to Jenny’s instructions. Refreshments were available throughout the workshop, particularly liked her brownies."

Sara Abbott reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Joe has facilitated a life long ambition to learn basket weaving, a wonderful and inspirational teacher, she is patient and yet firm and everyone comes away from her classes with fabulous work. Highly recommended!"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thank you sara! i have my 50 because of you: ) so happy you're loving weaving so much. xxx"

Kyle Boyce reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Went to experience blacksmithing with a few friends. We had a fantastic time. Mort is a great teacher, he has so much knowledge. Mort lets you choose what you would like to made and helps come with ideas if still unsure. He helped me make a wedding cake knife for our wedding next year. Really good day, would like to go back and try making something else."

Louise reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing Workshop by Clare Cosens

"Thank you so much for the very enjoyable workshop last Saturday. It was brilliant and I have told all my friends."

K & B reviewed: Glass blowing for beginners with Jon Lewis

"What an absolutely fantastic day from start to finish. Jon Lewis is not only a genuinely lovely guy, but is also a very gifted teacher. Cool, calm and collected the whole time, Jon guides you effortlessly through the processes needed to create marbles, colourful paperweights, festive baubles and vases. He is most definitely the reason we were able to take home work we were actually proud of. The day was challenging, exciting, surprisingly adrenalin-fuelled and really, really fun! This glassblowing day was a gift from my fiancé and what a wonderful gift it was! I have yet to stop smiling. Honestly one of the best days I’ve had in ages, and certainly the best arts and crafts course I’ve ever taken. Thank-you so much Jon!"

Richard reviewed: Hand forged rustic knife course

"Did the axe making course here with some friends. Friendly welcome and great, clear explanations of how to make the axe. Just the right amount of 'mick' taken whenever we inevitably screwed up. Thoroughly recommended."

Evan Williams reviewed: Glass fusing class - powders and enamels

"Having seen Sarah's work at a craft fair in Tewkesbury, I expressed an interest in the glass fusing workshop to my wife and this turned into my birthday present that year. Having no experience of working with glass I was a little apprehensive but Sarah made me feel welcome [I was also the only man in the group] and very soon we were all working together and practicing our newly discovered rudimentary glass working skills. Sarah found time to spend with us all and by the end of the day [we overran by an hour but that didn't seem to matter], we had all produced excellent pieces of glass art work. This workshop is a great introduction to using glass as an art medium and I would strongly recommend you taking the plunge and signing up."

Natalie Tanner reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"Such an amazing course, Iain and Dave were fantastic tutor's. I never realised how much hard work goes into forging a blade, I was really happy how my knife turned out, but I do wish we had more time to fine tune a few details. I would recommend this course to everyone interested in bladesmithing. Any future courses they decide to arrange, I will be more than happy to attend again"

Queendy Lam reviewed: 2 Day Leather Practical Skills Course

"This is one of the best practical skills workshops I have ever attended that far exceeded my expectation! The 2 days workshop is well structured with information of leather types, how to buy the leather, where to buy leather, tools and hardware, pattern cutting, what to buy for basic starter tools, and how to set up our online shop when we are ready. Richard is very generous in sharing his professional knowledge in making leather goods. In these 2 days, I learnt how to do saddle stitch, and a lot of other skills to make one card holder, two key fobs, and one belt. All the products are made under Richard's detail instruction and guidance. I always make mistakes and Richard is very patient to show me how to do better. He is a supportive and attentive instructor. The final products made from this workshop are in a skilful finish and probably I can sell them to customers! Besides skill learning which is great, a small class of 2 students is cosy and personal. We had good chatting time during meal breaks and the learning atmosphere is friendly and relaxing. Thank you for Richard's hospitality in providing tea, coffee and snacks. After attending this 2 days leather goods practical skills workshop, I possess the necessary skills to make other leather goods such as tote bag, wallet and tools bag as well. If you want to learn good practical skills to make leather goods, I highly recommend this 2 day workshop to you."

Janet Heaven reviewed: Hawkmoth Wood - Woodland Venue, North Yorkshire

"Our time spent at Hawkmoth wood today with David has been excellent. Whether arriving here with an interest in conservation, ecosystems, history, woodland management, alternative leisure pursuits or looking for artistic inspiration, this tranquil setting has it all."

Emma White reviewed: 6 Week Beginners Evening Stained Glass Course

"Thank you so much Gill for everything, I had such an amazing time and didn't want the course to end!!! Thrilled with my stained glass panel, it looks so beautiful hanging in my kitchen window!!! Looking forward to the Xmas decoration course in November! See you soon Gill Emma x"

Abigail Haase reviewed: Beginner's Traditional Stained Glass 2 Day Course

"I have had a wonderful time and so proud of everything I made and re-learnt! Thank you Gill, I will be back for more courses!!!"

Gill Barton reviewed: Fused glass workshops in Cumbria

"What a great day learning a new skill. Alison is a great teacher and obviously loves sharing her enthusiasm and creativity with us. Can't wait to see the fired pieces."

Lakes Glass-Cumbria responded:

"Hi Gill, it was great to have you on the course. I always look forward to seeing the work coming out of the kiln. I will start posting the finished items on my fb page @Lakes Glass-Cumbria once they are ready."

Pauline MacKinnon reviewed: Fused glass day course - beginners/intermediate

"Had a great day on this course a few weeks ago and Nicky was a great teacher - just the right amount of expert guidance and input with her artistic eye, whilst also letting you find & work on your own design. Lovely and relaxed, was completely absorbed in the activity and the time just flew by! I don’t think this will be last glass fusion course I do! Was very pleased with the two pieces I made and can’t wait to do more. I would highly recommend anyone to give it a go and it would also make a lovely pressie if you’re looking for inspiration. Thanks Nicky ?..."

Sarah Roberts reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I would highly recommend this course to anyone at any level with an interest in stone, or in expanding their sense of 3D making. I am a visual artist with no experience of stone work and was daunted at the prospect of it despite its seductive properties. Lucy breaks things down so easily and guides you through each stage of the process in an interesting and involved way whilst allowing you to have a real go and sense of autonomy with your own project. There were two beginners and 1 client who had been to 1 other session on our course who was very proficient, and she tailored things to each of us so effectively. Lucy welcomed us into her studio, treated us like royalty with her amazing spreads and cakes [and she got vegan stuff especially for me - ❤️] and we had a great time toiling productively, gaining skills and having such interesting conversations around the workshops. Beyond this, the whole experience is geared toward equipping you to carry on after the 3 days. Lucy carefully worked with us to help us ascertain which tools worked for us, to ensure we had mastered some basics and confidence, so when you leave the mystery around where to start, what to buy and how to set up your own toolkit is gone. I think her advice will probably save potential stone carvers a fortune in itself. I would definitely recommend this, its rare to meet makers who can be so openly generous with their knowledge, contacts and time. Book now!"

DANIEL MAIDMENT reviewed: Bladesmithing experience day

"A great day spent with Steve getting a very small insight into the skills needed to be a bladesmith. From choosing the style of knife, to forging, grinding and the final wrapping of the handle it was a fully hands on course. Steve gave us plenty of instruction and then let us loose only stepping in to help if issues/problems arose. When my blade didn't want to play at times Steve's perseverance and skills ensured I left with a blade I was totally pleased with. Relaxed yet professional atmosphere. Steve has a vast knowledge of the subject and an easy teaching manner I would happily recommend this course."

White Tiger Knives responded:

"Hi Daniel It was a hot full on day, but you were more than up for the challenges that the day threw at us. Sometimes with knife making it really seems that the knife doesn't want to play ball, but as you said with a little perserverance you created a beautiful and functional knife. I'm really glad that you enjoyed your day so much and are so pleased with the knife you created. ATB Steve"

Sharon Munsey reviewed: Batik painting in North Devon

"I had a lovely day with Bridget learning about batik. I had very little prior knowledge of the process and no hands on experience of it so it was all new to me. Bridget immediately put me at ease and welcomed me into her lovely rural home. Her light and airy studio has lots of examples of her beautiful work which was great to see. I enjoyed playing with the various tools and brushes and finding out how the wax moves on the different fabric before moving on to selecting a design to work on for the rest of the session. Bridget is a calm, friendly tutor and I felt very relaxed knowing that there are not really any "wrongs" just happy mistakes that can either be further worked on or learned from for next time. I appreciated the teas and coffees and the delicious home made soup for lunch whilst enjoying the sunshine and birds in her garden. After lunch it was back to my picture which I managed to finish. Bridget kindly provided mats and frames and a cellophane bag to carry it home in to keep it clean and safe. Whilst my picture isn't the best thing I have ever made I did enjoy the process and the experience. I highly recommend joining one of Bridget's workshops if you are interested in this beautiful craft. Thank you Bridget!"