Latest reviews

Lea Harris reviewed: Beaded flower fairy workshops

"Nice relaxed day making lovely silk flower fairies they look amazing. I will definitely book again soon for a group workshop with some friends. I recommend this workshop 100%."

Scarlets Fairy Folk responded:

"..Sincere thanks for your lovely review Lea, the fairies you made came out beautifully. Looking forward to seeing you at your group booking. Kind Regards.. Scarlets Fairy Folk"

Lesley ABDOLHOSSEINI reviewed: Design, Carve & Print - Lino Printing Tote Bags

"Had a fun night and never expected to come away with a finished printed bag. Debbie made it all achievable, many thanks."

Janet Raine reviewed: Sitges Patchwork Festival & Barcelona

"Lovely location and good hotel on sea front"

Jennifer Wright reviewed: Sitges Patchwork Festival & Barcelona

"This was my first trip with Arena and it was great. I will be recommending them to friends and family"

Rosemary Kohler reviewed: Knitting in the West of Ireland

"The tutor and Arena staff were top notch! The project was fun and relevant. We had a great group of stitchers; I hope to meet all of them again."

Catherine reviewed: ‘Winter dream ' wool painting face-to-face textile art course in Worcestershire

"Thank you Raya for an excellent workshop. I love the new art of wool fibre painting that I started learning with you at my very first wool painting workshop. It is so relaxing, fun and addictive! I have really enjoyed working with natural fibres and creating wonderful colours and textures. I will definitely come to Magic Wool Art and Craft studio again to continue exploring this wonderful Wool Painting Technique. Catherine"

Cansu Kurt-Green reviewed: Beginner’s Soapmaking Workshop in Salisbury

"Catherine was brilliant, she is so enthusiastic about what she does and explains everything in such a nice detailed way. She is also very hands on and ready to help or answer any questions if you have them. She is ever so friendly and also the location is fantastic and shelves are full of soaps, so there is plenty to get inspiration from. There were only 5 people in the workshop, which was ideal. My and my friend made two batches of soap and we're looking forward to using them. Hoping to make more soaps in the future as well. Thanks a million Catherine, really enjoyed getting to know you and thank you for your patience."

Beth reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"The three day retreat was amazing! a wonderful treat to spend the time with fellow felters whilst challenging my felting skills with the help of the hugely talented Sophie Wheatly. All quality equipment provided, drinks and food were amazing! Would recommend."

All Things Felt & Beautiful responded:

"Thanks Beth! It's always lovely to see you and what amazing model you are going to make. Sophie x"

Hillie Bett reviewed: 2 Day Complete Lampshade Making Masterclass

"This course was everything that I had hoped for and more. Moji is a fantastic teacher, who explains clearly and well what is needed to make the three types of shades covered in the course. She is patient and kind and answers all questions and doesn't mind if you ask more than once!! She is generous with her extensive knowledge in all things creative and really helpful and insightful about how a novice, (like myself), can set up a business. The two days flew by and I cannot thank Moji enough for all of her teachings. Not to mention the delicious lunches. I was in my element and now have the confidence to go and create. Thank you Moji!"

Julie Mills reviewed: Freestyle stitching with Harriet Riddell

"Harriet is a lovely person and a good teacher. She provides guidance but ensures participants develop their own ideas. And her technique is fascinating and highly original. I loved the whole weekend. Phoenix Studios is a great learning space in a serene and rural location. James Ort (and his Mum) have created a wonderful learning space and having him participate in the class was a pleasure as well. I highly recommend both this venue and Harriet as a teacher. What a wonderful weekend it was!"

Ruari reviewed: Make a live-edge bench or table

"A great course for all experience of wood work. Ben is a great teacher and gives you the confidence to give everything a go unsupervised. You will surprise yourself with the end product achieved in a relatively small amount of time. Fantastic way to spend a weeknight!"

Rachel Smith reviewed: Freestyle stitching with Harriet Riddell

"I have been a fan of Harriet's since she embroidered my portrait as part of the affordable art fair in Bristol a few years back, and was fascinated by her technique. It was such a huge privilege to be able to learn from her at the Phoenix studio. Harriet's teaching method is fun and relaxed and I loved the way we began with drawing without looking and the free embroidery to music. James Ort the studio manager created a fabulous atmosphere of inclusivity, regardless of experience. This weekend has been my favourite of 2019 lovely people & a great learning experience ! Highly recommend this little Oxfordshire treasure."

Tracy reviewed: Lino cutting: beginners

"I found the workshop leader friendly and knowledgeable about the process she was teaching us. We left with a carving tool and a workshop pack with instructions and where we could purchase tools, lino and ink if we would like to carry on from home, found this a very useful idea."

Dan Bailey reviewed: Make a live-edge bench or table

"I honestly cannot recommend this course highly enough. Even if you haven’t an interest in woodwork / green woodworking, you are basically dead inside if you don’t find this course engaging, fun, challenging and absorbing. Ben is a natural tutor and he sets an excellent pace - which is no easy feat when leading a disparate class. His course draws you in and it is the perfect way to empty your mind of the detritus of the working day. As you might expect there is ‘instruction’ at times - which is absolutely necessary, but Ben is never patronising (even when novices like me ask really obvious / stupid questions) - and he never holds back on giving gentle guidance after you’ve forgotten what he just taught you. Ben encourages you to make the piece your own, clearly explaining the available parameters, and he shares his experience in abundance, punctuated with titbits of interesting and relevant knowledge. All of this is delivered with good humour and in a relaxed atmosphere. You won’t regret doing this course.…and the results are pretty spectacular - people will want to buy what you made!"

Sue Evans reviewed: Flower portraits - weekend art workshops in Anglesey, North Wales

"We had a really brilliant day - and learnt so much. A really inspirational tutor who gave me a totally new approach to plant painting and drawing. It was fun too!"

Tom Young reviewed: Make a Windsor chair

"I’ve been looking at doing a furniture making course for a number of years, and I’m really happy I undertook it with Ben. He’s really helpful from the outset, and a very good teacher who allows you the space to learn yet always being on hand if you need a little extra guidance. I’ve taken home an incredible chair, which I will enjoy for many years to come. I’d definitely recommend the course to anyone, and I can’t wait to sign up to another."

Callum Patterson reviewed: Make a live-edge bench or table

"A truly great course! Ben has designed a great course with the perfect mix of expert guidance and independance. The end product is so very satisfying because you'll know you did every step of the project. In a world where 5 stars is the norm for these sort of things I wish there was a 10 star option for Ben's course."

Luke Hagan reviewed: Make Your Own Wedding Bands

"The course was fantastic and Corinne was friendly, encouraging and an excellent host. Can't recommend enough."

Susan Gill reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"Julie was an excellent host and teacher. We had a fun afternoon making our items and they all turned out great. A top tip would be to go with a bit of an idea of what you’d like to make. We dithered for too long, but Julie’s advice and support was a great help. We’ve booked the Christmas workshop, it was that much fun!"

Peter lane reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I spent a great day with my grandson at the forge with Mort. As novices we enjoyed his knowledgeable and friendly style and the wide variety of tools and techniques he demonstrated. We had a go at lots of different techniques and Mort was always encouraging about our efforts. We both left the forge with completed projects, mainly on my part thanks to Mort stepping in towards the end to help finish off the piece. We learnt a lot and my grandson gained new confidence at achieving something he made himself."

Andy Baguley reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Fantastic day with Ian who was a great instructor with patient advice, tips and a good sense of humour. Thoroughly recommend Ian and the courses he offers... and I have a great stool and mallet too!"

Anthony Tacon reviewed: Lino cutting course - Laura Andrew Art Studio, Lincoln - Linocut lino printing

"I highly recommend Laura's course to anyone interested in taking up the art of lino cutting. I have read and absolutely endorse all the positive comments made in the previous reviews. As an absolute beginner I recently spent a most enjoyable day in her studio. Nice company, with an inspiring, patient and knowledgeable teacher. By the end of the day I had been shown and had followed all the processes and produced my own successful lino prints. All set to carry on with a most rewarding and relatively inexpensive hobby. What more can I add to convince anyone? Oh yes! Laura also provides excellent refreshments."

Katie Cheldon reviewed: Make Your Own Wedding Bands

"My partner and I had a lovely day. You won't be disappointed. Corrinne is lovely. Highly recommend!"

Daniel reviewed: Make a live-edge bench or table

"Such a great course with expert advice, tuition and expertise from Ben. We all produced wonderful benches and coffee tables...so satisfying. I’m looking forward to continuing in the very near future."

Jeremy Wyman reviewed: Two leather long stitch journals in a day

"Yet another excellent course from a Platinum Craft Course provider. We do lots of courses and this one is one of the best. We have the journals we made in pride of place in our hall for all to see and couldn’t have done it without Lynne’s careful help. Lots of interesting discussion, really good cake and excellent notes to take away if you want to continue. These notes have to be commended as they are clear complete and helpful. Downside is that we have now started looking at any leather item in a new light, wondering how many covers we could get out of a leather coat in the charity shop for example!"