Latest reviews

Yvonne ( Redditch) reviewed: Embroidery Hanging-"Stitch for the Soul" with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Another really enjoyable day and another masterpiece! Thanks for a great day!"

Alex williams reviewed: Embroidery Hanging-"Stitch for the Soul" with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A fabulous way to spend a day! Such an inspiring teacher and environment- you won't want to leave! I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and can't wait to come back. Thank you!"

Marianne (Cheltenham) reviewed: Embroidery Hanging-"Stitch for the Soul" with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Thank you Julie for another fabulous day of learning new skills with new people. I hope to be back again soon."

Susan (worcester) reviewed: Embroidery Hanging-"Stitch for the Soul" with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Another delightful day with Julie, designing and having fun. She is so encouraging and supportive. The Tigley Textiles studio is like a sweetie shop!"

Carole reviewed: Pottery 6 Week Classes

"I did this course and now I'm hooked! The introductory course gives you a real insight into all aspects of pottery making. You get the opportunity to experiment with the different methods of making a pot and because classes are kept small, you are helped every step of the way. Joan is an inspirational teacher who is happy to share her vast knowledge and experience. I now go on a weekly basis and am really enjoying learning new skills and learning how to be creative with with slips and glazes. I would highly recommend this course and the classes to all levels."

Janice C reviewed: Beginners blacksmithing course - 3 days

"I went on this course with five friends to celebrate one of my friends sixtieth birthday. When I told people how I was spending part of my half term I was met with unsupportive comments of basically I would never be able to produce anything. How wrong they all were. I produced four highly useful implements which have been shown with pride and received much admiration. The said objects now take pride of place on my fire hearth and in my garden. I cannot believe how absorbed I could become on creating something out of metal but my emotional well being at the end of the course was something to be celebrated. I had ‘hammered’ to my hearts content relieving every ounce of pressure - marvellous. Can I recommend this course? Unreservedly and Peat was the best tutor you could ask for along with Tom his very patient helper."

Brian W reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"A friend recommend I go on the Allied Welding 1 day welding course. I thought the course content was interesting and informative and the day itself was informal and enjoyable. Very happy with the the course. *Review written at the welding facility on 17/03/18, hard copy kept at premises."

Steven B reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"My employers sent me on the course and what a great day it turned out to be. The course was run really well, I learnt a lot, and would recommend to anyone who is interested in learning to weld. Thank you. *Review written at the welding facility on 17/03/18, hard copy kept at premises."

Ellis J reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"An excellent beginner course which provides a great intro into the Arc and MIG welding. A concise handout sheet of the content covered would make a great improvement to the course content. *Review written at the welding facility on 17/03/18, hard copy kept at premises."

George B reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"Saw the course advertised on the internet and thought the course was very good. The tutor gave excellent explanations when covering the content to the group and when instructing 1 on 1 in the welding bay. *Review written at the welding facility on 17/03/18, hard copy kept at premises."

A Sutcliffe reviewed: Glass Bead Making Workshop - For Two People

"Had a lovely afternoon, time flew by, I learned the basics of lamp working, and can't wait to learn and practice more. Julia is a good teacher, she gave me background info as well as the practical knowledge needed. Would definitely recommend the course ."

Keith Prince reviewed: Beginners blacksmithing course - 3 days

"I cannot recommend this course highly enough. For three days, myself, my wife and four friends were happily absorbed in the process of making things that we would never have thought we were able to achieve given our novice status. Peat's relaxed and helpful style of teaching made it a joy from start to finish and I still can't quite believe I managed to make so many different, useful objects in such a short space of time. A memorable experience!"

Tim Davis reviewed: Build a Bowl Lathe & Learn to Turn

"What a hoot!!! Four days in Adrians world renowned and envied workshop with the man himself. How can you beat that? By making an utterly fantastic bowl lathe to take home. Then what? You get to make a bowl on it under Adrian’s expert tuition. Excellent tuition, hospitality, cake and craic. Fantastic course. Thank you so much."

Jenny Partridge reviewed: Introduction to Spoon Carving

"Excellent course, pitched at the right level for a complete novice like me, but flexible enough to cater for more experienced woodworkers like my husband. It was immensely satisfying to create a spoon by hand after axing out a section of a log. Chris has great enthusiasm for his craft, and is very knowledgeable. He shares his passion freely and kindles a love for woodcraft in others. Lainey, Chris’s Mum, provided delicious soup and cake to add to a perfect day. Thank you very much."

Yoke Lunn reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"I booked with Jonathan as a refresher course, having done some silversmithing some years ago and lost confidence through lack of practice. I couldn't have wished for a better day! He was patient, good humoured, and encouraging, helping me punch out silver shapes, texture and shape them and solder them into earrings. Altogether, the day was so relaxed and inspiring, I can't wait to get started in my own studio. I would highly recommend a day on the Silver Jewllery Boat to anyone interested in silverworking."

Claire reviewed: Beginners sewing and quilting at Spools and Scissors Suffolk

"From the moment I arrived at Tracey’s gorgeous cottage I had a most enjoyable day. Tracey was a great teacher who was very calm and patient with me being a beginner and gave me lots of great advice. I still can’t quite believe I made such a beautiful tote bag. A lovely day not forgetting the yummy homemade banana cake."

Jo Brook reviewed: The eating spoon with JoJo Wood

"This was a thorough and well paced course led by someone who knows so much intuitively as well as technically about wood and spoon carving. I left feeling I had been given grounded and tested techniques which if I can adopt will mean my spoon making will produce successful spoons…looking good and functioning for purpose. I am hoping it means if I continue to make more and more spoons I will progress and begin to develop my style based on these techniques."

Richard Walker reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day) (2 people)

"I have always wanted to do more woodwork, and recently acquired my own lathe. Having acquired one I realised the thought of pointing a very sharp instrument at a spinning piece of wood was very daunting. I booked myself onto Graham’s beginners course, and turned up on the day wondering how much I would learn. Graham was very patient with my lack of knowledge, however, I soon got down to work. By lunchtime I had turned my first bowl! After lunch I sanded and polished my bowl, of which I was quite proud. I learnt a few other turning skills, and started on a round box. This was a really enjoyable day, and I now have the confidence to get going on my own lathe. Once I improve the skills Graham has taught me I will be booking myself onto the intermediate course as I am eager to learn more."

Sam and Hannah reviewed: One day silver jewellery designing and making workshop

"We would highly recommend the silversmiths day with Bridget. It has been a really interesting way to learn new skills, get creative and make a unique item for yourself, partner, family member or friend . It will also make it all the more memorable for the person you give it to, adding that personal touch. Bridget was welcoming and friendly and made us feel at ease quickly whilst being great at teaching too!!"

Bridget Bradshaw Designs responded:

"Thankyou so much for your review. It is very much appreciated. You were both a delight to meet and showed some great silversmithing skills. It was a pleasure for me to be able to help you bring your designs ideas to life..and to see the sence of achievment made my day with you both worth while. Your both welcome back anytime you wish. Kind Regards Bridget"

Graham Reader reviewed: Introduction to leatherwork with Armitage Leather

"Having just started leatherwork, I found and viewed most if not all of Nigel Armitage's YouTube videos, I then subscribed to his Vimeo channel. You would think that this would be enough to start your own projects, well it is to an extent, but I decided to contact Nigel and book a 1-day course with him. Nigel is a good tutor on video and even better when when one-to-one day with him. His style is to tell you what he needs you to do and possibly demonstrate a technique but lets you gets on with it while observing and, sometimes commenting, but he is always asking you when the task is finished what YOU think. A great day of learning which enhances the video learning. Now though I must put into practice the small tweaks to my leather stitching and design work before asking for another one-to-one. A great day, a great tutor, well worth doing."

Wendy Jago reviewed: Leather long stitch journal / artist's book (beginners)

"Absorbing and rewarding day! Lynne made us very welcome and the small group size meant that we had plenty of individual attention and support. The structure of the day was spot-on, with clear step-by-step demonstrations and illustrated hand-outs so we could go on to make more journals at home if we wished. Everyone had their own set of tools so nobody was held up in a queue! Even the coffee and lunch breaks were placed appropriately between different stages in the process. Plenty of choice of leather, thread and elastic so we could make our books truly personal. The whole structure made it inevitable that we would succeed: brilliant! I've already booked to learn a slightly different technique. Thank you so much, Lynne!"

Sue Watkins reviewed: Willow Sculptural Forms (1 day) in the Peak District

"Fantastic day, thoroughly enjoyed learning new skills from Emma and Alison was a very attentive hostess. We had such a good time we’re booked in for another 2 day course. Well done Zantium and Emma Parkins."

Zantium Studios Ltd responded:

"Thankyou Sue, We loved having you on board. See you again soon!"

Beatrice reviewed: Leather long stitch journal / artist's book (beginners)

"I've just spent a lovely day making two leather journals. Lynne is a very patient and enthusiastic teacher. She uses gorgeous upcycled leather for the project and it was hard to know which piece I would love the most. I learned a lot as Lynne is a very knowledgeable person who explained things very clearly and precisely. I recommend this course to anyone who loves making things."

Malcolm Graham reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I had a very enjoyable day with Alex, learned a lot and came away with a boot scraper to get all the mud off after our walks. Thoroughly recommended. A day to remember, thanks Alex! Malcolm Graham"

Lynn Mitchell reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"It was a family treat for my husband, myself and two daughters, and we had a lovely time. Our biggest decision was what to make! Finally, we made our choices and they've turned out beautiful. Julie was really enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful."