Latest reviews

Sophia Mackenzie reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"I had the most fantastic time on this course. Paula is a really lovely lady, so helpful and such an inspiration. She did a really good job of teaching us, she is extremely knowledgeable. We had a very productive day and we all made amazing soaps. The food was excellent too! Absolutely brilliant."

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Thank you Sophia, lovely meeting you"

C richards reviewed: Glass fusion workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"Our 8 year old daughter is now completely captivated with glass fusion having spent 2 amazing mornings with Cathy learning this specialist craft. With clear expert instruction from Cathy and 2 hours of concentration a beautiful horse and an elephant were created, using tweezers to dexterously place fine glass rods and twinkling stones onto a glass base. Each piece is unique and very much treasured- a magical morning."

Glass By Design responded:

"It is always rewarding teaching children as they are so creative. Hope to see you again soon."

Sarah Williams reviewed: Virtual Jewellery Making Workshops

"It was a great afternoon, I loved making the ring and the afternoon tea. I think I would be happy without the food too."

Zoe Sharpe reviewed: Glass blowing for beginners with Jon Lewis

"What a fabulous experience this was. Jon was just excellent, a great teacher and fun guy to learn from. Loved every minute of it, would highly recommend this to anyone who is practically minded and interested in learning new skills. A credit to Jon's teaching, we made lots of lovely items to bring home and keep. Many thanks!!"

Kaye Williums reviewed: Beginners Shibori and indigo dyeing workshop

"What a fabulous day we had with Lisa at Gueswick. We were in and out of the dyeing pot like Indigo ninjas ? and couldn't wait to try the next way of making patterns. All the results were so different and was of great excitement watching them unfold. Lisa was excellent, full of ideas and a knowledge of experience. It was a really great day and if you get a chance book a workshop. Our host at Gueswick also excelled with lunch and endless supply of coffee and cake ?"

Jennie Sapsford reviewed: Two day needle felting a wired armature animal

"What a marvellous teacher Karin Celestine is! I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-day workshop, learning so much and wanting to pursue this craft when I returned home. Karin was encouraging, supportive and clearly knowledgeable about techniques, materials & different approaches to suit each individual student. That is the mark of a real teacher. She really cared that each of us achieved our goals and we all went home feeling we'd achieved and learnt. I should add that we all had fun, too. I thoroughly recommend Karin as a teacher and provider of fun and fascinating workshops."

David Nilsson reviewed: Shimmer & Sparkle: polymer clay jewellery making

"There were just two of us on this course, so it was almost one-to-one tuition! The studio is pretty new and very nice, warm, pleasant views out the window of passing pheasants, squirrels and a rabbit posing and eating a dandelion. When it came to the crafting itself, we both made rather a lot of finished items (necklaces, earrings, cufflinks) and what was most impressive was that despite using the same basic materials and identical techniques we ended up making items completely different in appearance to one another. Jo was very helpful in teaching us (and keeping us supplied with tea) and I would thoroughly recommend this course."

Jo Hunter Wearable Art responded:

"Many thanks David. I'm glad you enjoyed it!"

Helen McGarrigle reviewed: Stained glass beginners workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"I have attended an all day taster with two friends when we made stained glass Christmas decorations and fused glass window hanger. I really enjoyed it, Angelina and Cathy are so knowledgeable and helpful, a very relaxed day and all pleased with what we made. I have since taken my daughter to a fused glass course and again we both loved it. I'll be back to do something else soon."

Glass By Design responded:

"Thanks so much and very glad you all enjoyed yourselves. Hope we see you again soon."

TerrillBayley reviewed: Glass etching workshop in Devon

"Wonderful course. Informative and relaxing. Clear helpful tuition . Came away with some lovely pieces of etched glassware. Suitable for all abilities and nothing was too much trouble for Jenny . Thank you, will definitely book again with friends."

Jenny Ayrton responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review Terrill. I very much enjoyed the afternoon too. You created beautiful designs!"

Felicia reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"Such an enjoyable weekend! I arrived, total beginner and completely intimidated by the prospect of a life modelling weekend, and was quickly put at ease and enabled to get on with it with advice and support when needed. I've come away feeling proud of what I have done and learnt and can't wait to come back for another course. Many thanks Karin!"

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"Such a lovely review, thanks Felicia! And I see you're coming back for clay portraiture in October too - how exciting! See you soon, Karin and James"

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

"Questions : Do you really expect me to believe that this flimsy piece of clay will turn into a solid piece of silver? Are you suggesting that even though I'm a complete beginner I'll produce a piece of jewellery that I can wear at the end of just one day? Are you seriously saying that the cost of the tuition, tools, venue, silver, and all the biscuits are included in the fee? Answers : Yes ! Yes ! Yes ! What a totally magical day - thank you Sally - (am hoping to come again soon - 'cos I still can't quite believe what happened...!)"

Dave and Vicki reviewed: Paint pouring with tea & cake

"A brilliant and relaxing workshop. Great materials and setting and very patient teachers. Lovely refreshments too, thank you!"

Marguerite reviewed: Making a mosaic with slate

"A really enjoyable workshop and a great introduction to both working with slate and mosaic making. Rachel explains the techniques well in a friendly and informative manner. She's a mine of information and has a wonderful range of materials to work with. I can't believe how quickly the time passed and it was great to come away with a finished piece of work."

Sabine reviewed: Beginners Candle Making Course

"Paula is very knowledgeable with soywax candles. The workshop was in her home, which also made it fun as you have your tea (or coffee) and get introduced to candle making. And then you can do your own two candles with the fragrance of your choice. Really enjoyed it and glad I booked her coures."

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Thank you Sabine. I am glad you enjoyed, it was lovely meeting you."

Georgina Wilding reviewed: Two day needle felting a wired armature animal

"I had the most amazing 2 days with Karin learning how to make a needle felted animal of my choice. I hadn't done anything creative for a few years and was very nervous, but Karin's tuition was excellent. She explained and showed every stage in detail in a way that I could understand. I felt relaxed and at ease. And Karin made me feel I could achieve anything I wanted to do. She also has the patience of a saint. X"

Lauren Brown reviewed: Green Wood Creative Seating - 6 Day Course in South Devon

"I attended this course with my partner and we made a bench for our garden and a chair for my sewing machine. Making furniture is something we've both talked about doing for a long time but never done before. Although we were both novices we came to the course with a rough idea of the style of chairs we wanted to create and Peter helped guide us on how to realise these designs in green wood. It's a fast paced course and hard work but we both enjoyed every moment and feel really proud of the chairs we have created. This was a great course for learning, although we were all given the independence to get going on our own projects I never felt like I was left on my own if I was unsure what to do next. There was plenty of teaching time and assistance when needed. We have both learnt a lot and already purchased a few tools with Peter's advice in order to continue our green woodworking at home. The course is held in a beautiful remote part of South Devon. We stayed in a near by Airbnb and took in our own lunch each day as there's nothing near by. Whilst not on the course we visited the beach, enjoyed some lovely local pubs and on the last day we popped along to the ice cream shop down the road and enjoyed and ice cream with a beautiful view of the sea. It was a fantastic week away."

Janki reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"Paula was so welcoming on the 1-2-1 course that I did with her to learn Cold Process Soap making. I told her I wanted to make a full soap loaf prior to the course and she was most obliging. She was full of knowledge and enthusiasm and I learnt a lot from her and most importantly it was fun! I’ve done soap courses before and I have to say her course was one of the best that I have ever done and I made the most beautiful soap. She also treated me to yummy scones. I would recommend this course to anyone, it’s brilliant!!"

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Hi Janki, thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure teaching you individually. Keep in touch."

Kate Woods reviewed: 1-to-1 Organic Skincare Workshop at Maid in the Meadow

"I had a fantastic day not only learning about the different elements of skincare but actually being able to make products to take away and use! I was the only delegate attending so had undivided attention from Allison who was a great teacher, very friendly and extremely attentive and patient - I would thoroughly recommend the workshop! Many thanks"

paul marley reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"My one day course was a 70th birthday present from my family and was fantastic. I have been turning on a small scale for quite a while now but was finding some skills elusive to achieve. Not any more! Andy was patient, easy to understand, extremely knowledgeable and a thoroughly nice person. His wife Martine made me feel at home from the start and furnished a super shepherds pie for lunch, eaten on the decked terrace overlooking meadows and trees - absolutely delightful! I went home knackered but boy was the day worth it. I managed to turn a very acceptable bowl [ 85% of it anyway] which will always remind me of the experience and of Andy and Martine. If you are undecided about taking a one day course with this guy, worry you no longer - book now !"

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

"Just had a great day doing silver clay jewellery and am very chuffed with what I managed to do (even if I did go for the more challenging things!). I got my partner to photo 'my treasures' so that I can brag about them to my friends - I'm right proud of myself! Now planning to do some more and hopefully make some pieces worthy of Xmas gifts. As a person with a disability, I would especially like to thank Sally for all her help and the amount of work she put into it so that I could join in seamlessly, she's very thoughtful and inclusive. Thanks for making it possible and I would encourage anyone to give it a go. I will certainly be back for another craft venture at some stage."

Katie Richmond reviewed: Introduction to screen printing

"My partner and I spent a day learning to screen print with Ria and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were made to feel very welcome and instantly put at ease which made for a fun, creative day. The quality of the teaching was excellent; throughout the day Ria encouraged us to develop our own ideas, offering advice and plenty of tea. Instructions were clear and she provided as much support as needed to build confidence and ensure our prints were successful. I will be recommending this course to friends and family - this is a brilliant day for anyone who fancies giving screen printing a go. Thanks Ria!"

Sarah Woolf reviewed: Sew a padded wine bottle bag (with divider & personalised quote) in Derbyshire

"I was a complete sewing machine novice until I came on my first sewneedadrink course 6 months ago. Lou is fantastic, calm, patient and above all, she has given me a love of sewing! I’ve tried a variety of her courses, including making a skirt that I wear regularly. I’ve even brought my 8 year old to her family learning sessions and she now has a sewing machine too. Don’t hesitate to book a place on a course!"

Sew Need a Drink responded:

"Thank you so much for your kind and lovely review."

Jane reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"Had a fabulous day with Kate making a dragonfly. Thoroughly delighted with it - just need to finish off the infill in the wings at home, as I ran out of time. Kate is very talented and very patient with you. Lunch was lovely sat in the garden. What a way to spend a Saturday - wonderful!! I shall definitely be going back to make something else. Thank you Kate."

Steve reviewed: Blacksmith experience day in Tilford, Surrey

"This was an excellent day. Neil welcomed us and introduced us to the art of blacksmithing and was an excellent guide and teacher. I had been looking forward to the day for some time but enjoyed it even more than I thought I would and was surprised at how much we learned and what we were able to make on the day. I cannot recommend this day highly enough, it was a great introduction to the art."

Alastair reviewed: Green Wood Chair Making - 6 Day Woodworking Course in South Devon

"I had made Windsor chairs before, so I was looking forward to learning about ladder backs and woven seats. It was a lovely week, great company, very friendly and generous help from Peter. I liked my finished chair too. I would highly recommend this course and will likely return next year for another week."