Latest reviews

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

"I made the bottle carrier. I was going to give it to a friend but I like it too much so I've kept it!"

Sew Need a Drink responded:

"Ha ha! Thank you for your lovely review!"

Susan Ritchie reviewed: Oil painting day - In the artist's studio with Laura Andrew - Lincoln

"My husband bought me a course for my birthday - I've been along this week and absolutely loved it! Laura's studio is a delight - open, airy, full of artist's 'stuff' which makes it a joy to wander around and explore, and provides plenty of inspiration. I was a complete beginner, and a little nervous, but Laura put me at ease and she paced the day nicely so that I was able to progress at my own speed and grow in confidence over the day. A small group meant she was around and able to provide plenty of attention and help. Refreshments and lunch are provided - beautiful home made sandwiches and cakes, and plenty of tea! I left the day with a painting that I am quite frankly astounded by - as a complete beginner, I never dreamed the end result would be so successful. I am now inspired to carry on at home and plan on getting myself some materials to experiment with. I'd heartedly recommend this course to anyone - it's a real treat :)"

Edna reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"On returning to Lucy after my epic pendant challenge, I decided with Lucy to do some stone setting. This is something where my experience is lacking. Before I knew it two pendants were planned cut and started to be set. I set one stone in a bezel setting on the day and the others to be done as homework. The second pendant will have a flush set of stones. More techniques with the embellishments to the pendants to be decided on. Never a dull moment. All this before my next ambitious project. There is so much I want to learn and Lucy is the perfect instructor as she is full of ideas. Her experience will shy me away from anything too complicated. I felt so confident with my stone setting due to my past sessions with Lucy the time just whizzed by."

Anon reviewed: One day introduction to blacksmithing

"Just a line to say what a great day I had on the blacksmith course last Sunday with Fraser, who made the day for me by being patient & informative."

Elaine reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"Hi Sebastian Thanks for yet another fun sculpting weekend. It does great things for my soul! You are very patient! I will send a picture when there is some sunlight! Thanks again. Elaine"

Jane C Evans reviewed: Sewing classes for beginners to advanced. All ages catered for.

"I’ve been on several Madeonanglesey courses over the past six months. Karen is an excellent teacher and a very skilled sewer. The sewing studio is bright and very well equipped. I’ve really enjoyed all the courses and have learnt a huge amount. I would really recommend Karen’s courses."

Henry reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"Really enjoyed the course, tuition was excellent in a great environment."

Lisa Lucking reviewed: Weaving the cosmos: sacred geometry and hexagonal weave basketry

"Thank you Daniel and Vija for such an insightful day coupled with fun and some beautiful results to take home. Looking forward to my next course! Lisa"

Karen reviewed: Introduction to Floristry at Trill Farm

"Lovely barn, great instruction, well organised and very fun! Chickens and swallows a bonus!!! (Oh, and lovely lunch!)"

Claire Carless-Jones reviewed: Stained glass beginners workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"I have done the sea scape full day course and a full day taster with Glass by Design. Angelina and Cathy are very professional and knowledgeable which makes them brilliant teachers. Angelina was very helpful when I had to be difficult and make a more complicated design with my sea scape. I would highly recommend their courses as you will come away fully understanding the process and have a new skill. You will also get a lovely completed item to show off when you have visitors."

Glass By Design responded:

"Thanks so much. Hope we see you all again soon."

sylvia nickels reviewed: Stained glass beginners workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"My friends and I decided to have a go at making a stained glass seascape panel at Glass by Design. None of us had any experience and were a little apprehensive about learning new skills. Angelina was a brilliant teacher, patient, understanding and with such expertise. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day and finished with a beautiful panel of stained glass which we now proudly display in our homes. We would thoroughly recommend the courses at Glass by Design."

Glass By Design responded:

"Thanks so much. Your panels were beautiful and I am so glad you had such a great time."

Julie reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"Thoroughly enjoyed this course. Given me confidence to just got going on projects. Conversation, lunch and cake were fab too. Thank you Lucy."

Buster reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I received the course for Christmas and I'm so delighted I did! The course was incredibly enjoyable and very easy to follow. The instructions were thorough and clearly explained. Adrian, Debbie and Andy were a delight to spend time with and the lunch was to die for! Highly recommend!!"

Steve White reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"A splendid day it was, a relaxed atmosphere, comfortable and lovely space with clear instructions from Jon. We created the base for our baskets in the morning (with a tea and delicious cake break too!). A really delicious lunch was provided in Jon and Beckys kitchen and then back to the workshop space to finish our baskets. I have been twice, the 1st basket is a beautiful thing with a handle for bringing in fire logs and the second a specialised one for one of my performance bikes. I highly recomend the whole day, great instruction, friendly group, great space, lovely lunch and a treasure to keep for ever! ?"

Debbie reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Booked this for my son, he had a fantastic time, he didn't want to leave! Will definitely be back. Highly recommend this course."

Alison reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"Thoroughly enjoyed the day fusing glass, Melanie made the class easy to follow and engaging. Would recommend to anyone."

Jackie Doughty reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"I attended a course with a friend in January as I had been wanting to have a go at needle felting for a while. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do it but I am quite crafty and artistic and I was absolutely chuffed with the finished project. I tried to copy our pet dog and apart from the characteristics of the face the final model really looked like her and was much larger than I thought it would be. The mix of the group was good and we all got on really well with lots of one to one with Sophie who explained and showed how to do different techniques really well. She was very friendly and the room we worked in, and the surroundings, were lovely. It was easy to find and had plenty of parking. We were able to take our time and there was no pressure to rush off at the end of the session, Sophie was quite happy for us to take our time and leave with a final model that we were satisfied with. I enjoyed it so much I didn't want to stop for lunch! I would definitely attend further classes as I am sure there is lots more to learn and I want to use the kit that I have bought as I was immediately hooked. Thank you Sophie."

Chris Dade reviewed: Full day introduction to glass fusing course.

"What an amazing course! Amanda's studio is bright and airy with everything you need. We were welcomed with coffee and home made biscuits (delicious!), before Amanda set about telling us the origins of her glass and the different techniques which could be used. At this early stage my mind went totally blank and, not being very creative (or so I thought), I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to make. However, with Amanda's guidance, patience and enthusiasm I created two amazing pieces which I'm absolutely thrilled with. My husband and sister-in-law also attended the course with me and had brilliant results. The lunch was delicious and I discovered that I do like creme brûlée after all - but only Amanda's! We're looking forward to attending more classes very soon!! Chris"

Jane reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"Jonny was a good teacher, lunch & company was great. Enjoyed the workshop very much & I would do one again. Wonderful to come home with a shopping basket of such beautiful colours, that I've made myself from willow rods & that will last for years to come."

Christine Hitchins reviewed: Stained glass beginners workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"An absolutely brilliant day, learnt so much and achieved a piece of work far beyond my expectations. Thoroughly enjoyable, excellent easy teaching style, can't praise the event enough. Well worth every penny as treat for yourself or a present."

Glass By Design responded:

"Many thanks. So pleased you had such a good day with us."

Amanda reviewed: Pottery wheel throwing and hand building full day

"This was our second course with Richard and we thoroughly enjoyed the day. Glazed our previous pots ready for firing and threw several new ones. Richard is a very talented potter and his home made soup is excellent! Would definitely recommend!"

Elizabeth Stokes reviewed: Glass fusion workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"I received a course as a gift and was delighted when I attended. As a novice I was given clear and helpful instructions and ended up with quite an advanced piece of fused glass...a curved underwater screen with shoals of fish and seaweed! I would highly recommend this course, and as numbers are small the teaching is excellent,"

Glass By Design responded:

"Thanks so much for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed your time with us so much."

Jane Chittenden reviewed: Introduction to English Willow Basket Making- Weekend Course

"Jonathon (who made the lovely allotment basket that I’m so fond of) was a first rate teacher. Not only knowledgeable (it is his day job, after all) but really good at explaining, at demonstrating and then guiding us as we went through each step. Great venue too, and just the right group size - and home-made cake was a nice touch! I'm thrilled with my basket and felt I've learned a lot."

Gillian Gumery reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"We had a private beginners workshop for a birthday celebration on glass fusion with Melanie. The whole day was lots of fun, very creative and we all enjoyed it very much. Melanie was so friendly and helpful and gave us lots of ideas for our creations. We had refreshments and a great lunch and I would highly recommend it!"

Jette reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"I received this day as a gift and didn’t know what to expect but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and came away with a beautiful basket made by own hand which was a real bonus. Basket weaving is not as easy as it may look but Jonny is a very good teacher. I have to also mention that the lunch was outstanding, enhanced by the fact that someone else on the course had brought a bottle of vino or two so all in all, great course, fantastic lunch, good company with lots of laughs - I would definitely recommend it!!!"