Latest reviews

June Svenson reviewed: Mosaic class

"Lovely mosaic class with Dawn last week, she is so friendly and helpful. As a first-timer I was worried about how I would manage but Dawn was great at advising me on my design and choice of colours. There was a very wide choice of materials and designs and we were all spoilt for choice and enjoyed rummaging around the different colours and pieces to use (tiles, buttons, beads etc.). Dawn provided a wonderful home-made quiche for lunch with salad and dressings, as well as a fantastic home-baked carrot cake and lots of tea and coffee as needed. I had such a lovely day and can thoroughly recommend Dawn's classes."

Jigsaw Mosaics responded:

"You are very welcome, thank you for your brilliant review xx"

Mark Steven reviewed: Make a chef's knife

"Having now done two course with the team at Anvil Forge, I can highly recommend them. Wonderful guys working in a great environment. The courses are paced well and interesting, this is a working forge and it is the real deal. What John, Spencer and the team produce on a daily basis is outstanding, and under their guidance you will produce a fantastic piece of work. I have managed to produce a herb cutter and a chef's knife and both have become firm favourites in the house. The easiest way to compliment them is to say I will be back to create any great blade. Thanks for a few great days. Mark Steven"

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Mark Really pleased that you had such a great time and looking forward to seeing you again in t6he near future on one of the other courses. The course list is growing and will have some new interesting classes coming up soon. thanks John"

Karen Dearn reviewed: Wet Felting a Picture at Kings Heath Tearooms

"Penny is a wonderful teacher. This was my first wet felting course and I loved every minute of it. The group was made up of 4 pupils who were all more experienced than me but very lovely people. Lunch was great and delicious. I will return for another course, even though I travelled 40 miles to this venue.... A real treat for any crafter... Thanks Penny"

Jennifer reviewed: Rag rug making day in the Cotswolds

"I attended a Rag Rug workshop course run by Jenni Stuart-Anderson 5 - 7 April held at Huntlands Farm, so the course and accommodation were at the same place - excellent. Jenni's teaching and coaching were excellent and has given me the skills to continue with the craft with confidence."

Rhi reviewed: Silver Clay Workshop - Taster & Intermediate - Exeter Jewellery Studio

"I always thought I was really not artistic at all and could not do a metal clay class but Becky and Andrew totally put me at ease and I ended up with a stunning set of jewellery. If I can do it anyone can! I highly recommend Monty’s!"

Sharon Waring reviewed: Lampshade making workshops

"I enjoyed a great few hours last week attending this course in Jane's lovely studio space. Not only did Jane teach all the areas she had previously outlined but she went above and beyond in giving many tips and suggestions in how to improve our lampshade making skills. Jane is a very patient and calm teacher and is clearly very experienced. She has given me the confidence to take my lampshade making to the next level. I only wish I lived closer as I would be booking myself on to all of Jane's courses. Would highly recommend this and any other course that Jane is running."

Hanna Appleyard reviewed: One-to-one mount cutting for your next exhibition

"Very good and enjoyable course. Lynne is very organised (everything was laid out before our arrival) and a great teacher. The class was small and tuition was shared equally amongst the participants. Not only did we learn how to make professional looking mounts but also how to professionally position and secure artworks within the mounts for long term protection. There was discussion on choice of materials, mounting styles and we received a comprehensive set of notes to take away. Most importantly, I now feel confident to make my own professional looking mounts."

Sophie McIntyre reviewed: Professional soapmaker business course

"Excellent course from a passionate, knowledgeable, experienced tutor! I had a great day with Claire learning everything I needed to know to start my soap making business with knowledge, confidence and support. She is very honest, friendly, approachable and thorough and explains everything in a way that is easy to understand. She will go over anything that doesn't make sense until you are happy that it does. I really enjoyed the whole course, there is a good balance of theory and practical work and for me the best thing is that I left at the end of the day with a clear idea of how to get going with the paperwork and process involved in starting up a soap making business. Great value for money, highly recommended. Thanks Claire!"

Dorothe Jansen reviewed: Shave horse making at Orchard Barn, Suffolk

"This course teaches you to create your own shaving horse. In three days you collect a wide and varied amount of knowledge to work with green wood and all kinds of tools. This is also a special historical site where traditional building techniques are used to restore and rebuild. The site is run to have a low impact on the environment and has all kinds of interesting add-ons like the vegetable garden and the orchard. It is really enjoyable to work in this environment and the course leader was extremely knowledgeable and supportive."

Kate Westcott reviewed: Linocut printmaking in Cornwall

"Olivia is a very inspiring teacher and it was wonderful to be able to engross myself in this workshop, supported by her wide and in-depth knowledge, which she very generously shared with all of us."

Sian Roberts reviewed: Basket weaving for beginners - make a round basket

"Me, my gran and sister attended this course with Emma last weekend and we just had the most amazing time. The farm is a completely relaxed environment where you feel at one with nature and the animals, from Willow the Springer, Tibbles the cat and the 14 alpacas that we got to meet too. Emma is such a patient lady, helping and teaching us every part of the way through our basket making, I couldn’t believe what I’d made by the end of the day. The workshop is hands on so you really get to do it all, from start to finish. Equally Emma will help you with anything you need her to - her small classes allow very personal tuition. All three of us spent quality time together in a brilliant setting and we enjoyed Emma’s company and learning a new skill so much. I’d go back to do another course with Emma (and to see Willow again!) in a heartbeat!"

Bird Farm Alpacas responded:

"Thank you Sian it really was a pleasure to have you all here and show you around the farm too. Hope to see you all again soon =) xx"

Carrie Simms reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"On Saturday we attended Sophie’s course feeling slightly apprehensive as we didn’t really know much about felting and had chosen it as something new to try. Sophie immediately put us at ease and welcomed us to the class. She is a friendly and very approachable tutor. As well as class demonstrations she spent individual time with each of us. She was encouraging and helpful. I was very pleased with my first attempt at felting and felt that I had learnt loads. I will be having a second attempt at home. We have a sheet explaining what we need to buy to continue and the offer of continued help. It was a fabulous way to celebrate my daughter's birthday, in a beautiful setting with lovely people . I would highly recommend Sophie’s class."

fiona reviewed: Silk painting workshops

"I took my mother along as a Mother's Day present. It was a wonderful day and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Bridget's teaching encouraged us to be adventurous and we were pleasantly surprised by our efforts. The lunch of homemade soup, bread and cake was delicious.I'd definitely like to return."

Bridget Arnold responded:

"Hi Fiona Thank you for the review , I hope you have both been wearing your scarves and I hope to see you again sometime soon."

Leah reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"We attended Lucy’s studio to make our wedding rings. What an absolutely fantastic set up, very professional, well equipped and set in beautiful surroundings. We felt very at ease and in capable hands. Lucy guided us throughout the day to produce a design we had chosen. We are delighted we managed to produce our unique rings for our happy ever after. Thank you Lucy."

Julia Thompson reviewed: Glass painting taster day

"Derek's glass painting course was a fantastic experience for the senses, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. Derek’s studio is full of inspiration and he shares his vast knowledge on the ancient techniques of glass painting with enthusiasm and patience. Thank you so much for a hugely fun and informative day :)"

Derek Hunt Artist responded:

"Hi Julia, So pleased you enjoyed the experience, you were great company and helped to make the day fun. Really liked your experimentation with the medium and hope to see you again on future courses. Best wishes, Derek"

Sarah reviewed: Corset making: Victorian / Beginners

"Just been to the Victorian corset course. Lisa was amazing. A patient and inspiring teacher, she helped dispel the myth that corsets are too difficult to make. Will definitely do another course as soon as I can."

Kate reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"I was an absolute beginner. Wonderful venue and setting, perfect weather. A real treat to be introduced to stone carving. Really surprised and pleased with what I was able to create over the weekend. Well worth a try."

Caroline reviewed: Introduction to screen printing

"My friend and I spent the day with Ria learning how to do screen printing. We both had an idea of what design we wanted to print onto a cushion cover and with Ria's relaxed, comprehensive and informative instructions, we also managed to print some additional tote bags. With Ria's enthusiasm and inspiration, we have now discovered a passion for a new hobby. We had a fabulous day with her in the studio and thoroughly enjoyed every moment and would recommend to anyone. Parking was easy and the on-site café was well worth a visit. A day out to remember, thank you!"

Mike Perry reviewed: Throwing taster session

"Really enjoyed it. I'm seriously thinking of going back for a longer session later in the year, or trying one of the evening sessions. Deiniol was very helpful, supportive and an excellent teacher. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to try throwing pots and as a complete beginner, definitely in the "senior" age range, I managed to produce three fairly different bowls in the two-hour session, including one I thought was quite good!"

Deiniol Williams Ceramics responded:

"Thank you very much for your review Mike! I shall look forward to meeting you again on one of my longer courses :)"

Gillian Pearson reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"Had a fantastic day at this beautiful venue. Sophie was calm, informative and helpful. I made a super model of my spaniel having never needle felted before. I am now a convert. I highly recommend anyone to attend this day."

Jo and Jayne Smith reviewed: One-to-one mount cutting for your next exhibition

"Had a really fantastic day learning how to cut mounts from beginning to end. Lynne was an excellent tutor and was able to give a lot of one to one instruction and guidance. We were delighted with the end results, thoroughly enjoyed our day and would highly recommended this course to others. Lynne’s professional experience, attention to detail and friendly helpful approach makes this course one not to be missed by anyone wishing to mount their own work with confidence and to a very high standard. Thanks again Lynne"

Fiona reviewed: Explore Intaglio Printing - Tetra Pak Printing in Derbyshire

"Really enjoyable day with Liz - she explains things really well and her enthusiasm is infectious! A thoroughly inspiring day - thank you!"

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Thank you for your positivity and I’m really pleased you enjoyed your day. I hope your lovely prints have pride of place at home. Best wishes Liz Wellby"

Brigitte Soltau reviewed: Spoon carving for beginners with Green Fox Wild Crafts

"After thinking about doing a spoon carving course for years - I finally signed up to this one-day course with Nadine. Very glad I did - it was excellent! Nadine is an enthusiastic and motivating teacher and throughout the day she shared her extensive knowledge of wood, spoon-carving, techniques and tools. The practical demonstrations were clear and frequent, as were her explanations of handling and using the tools, with a strong focus on safety - spoon-carving tools are extremely sharp! The day was well paced, with plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion. The balance between being taught, and getting on with it yourself felt just right. Overall, a brilliant start to learning a new craft."

Yvonne Mansell reviewed: Corset making: Victorian / Beginners

"I've just attended my first course with Lisa and can thoroughly recommend. Lisa is a lovely lady, great teacher, so helpful, nothing is too much trouble. I now have a very professional looking corset that fits me beautifully. I will definitely be attending more of her courses. She is very inspiring!"

Mia reviewed: Silver Clay Workshop - Taster & Intermediate - Exeter Jewellery Studio

"I did the beginners course some time ago and then followed it up with the intermediate course with my friend. It was so much fun, everything was well explained and demonstrated and Becky was a marvel. The best thing is that you walk home with some marvellous “actually made by me” jewellery. I highly recommend Monty’s course."