Latest reviews

23 Aug 17'

Harriet Kent reviewed: Try Enamel workshop - suitable for all abilities

"Absolutely loved my session with Teresa. Made a lovely set of earrings for my best friend for her birthday - she absolutely loves them and wears them all the time! Teresa was very patient and a great teacher. The session was so much fun and I can not thank Teresa enough."

23 Aug 17'

joshua howe reviewed: Dry stone walling course Lancashire/Yorkshire/Manchester/Leeds/Sheffield/North West

"i really enjoyed the course and found it really beneficial as i had no idea how much goes into dry stone walling and now i have come back will a great deal of information about it. i enjoyed the time with our tutor john as he was very factual and informative and helped me out every step of the way i would highly recommend this course to anyone who is willing to go on it i would like to thank john for the amazing sessions."

23 Aug 17'

Liz James reviewed: Needle felting course with FURZIE at Trumpet Corner Tea Rooms, Ledbury, Herefordshire

"I really enjoyed the Furzie Needlefelting Course with Michelle. I loved the badger I made and am still thinking what a fun and totally informative course it was each time I look at my finished piece. Lots of help and guidance on hand from Michelle and the kit you get on arrival was FAB everything you need to begin needlefelting. I learned many skills and would definately reccomend this course to my friends."

22 Aug 17'

Debbie Waldron reviewed: Green wood stool making weekend

"This weekend course on stool-making is an amazing and unique experience. Beginning with some background on the woodland from which the Ash Tree we used had been felled, George skilfully and patiently accompanied us through the process of stool-making from start to finish. He served us wholesome meals to boost our energy and other family members contributed food, drink and vast encouragement! I cannot think of a more enjoyable or rewarding way to spend a weekend. It is a brilliant way to de-stress and being in the woods was like stepping out of time. I cannot recommend this course highly enough."

22 Aug 17'

Jan Byrne reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"We had a wonderful time with SallyAnne making a willow garden obelisk. Thank you for tuition, help and encouragement, we thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon and came away with splendid, original willow supports for our gardens."

22 Aug 17'

Joules Crowe reviewed: Cold-process soap making

"In a select group of four we had a wonderful relaxed and interesting day. The teaching was really informative and welcoming, we felt in safe hands as we embarked on putting theory into practise. Delighted with the day, thrilled with the results, would thoroughly recommended. The course surpassed other craft skills undertaken elsewhere ."

22 Aug 17'

Suzie Knight reviewed: Green wood stool making weekend

"One of the best weekends I've had in a long time. With George's excellent tuition and infinite patience, my two friends and I managed each to turn a freshly felled piece of tree trunk into a fabulous stool. Two days later and I'm still looking at my stool with a huge amount of pride. I love the fact that ancient methods were used in making the stool, no drills, glue, or power tools! George (and his family) are huge fun to be with, there was a lot of laughter all weekend! The accomodation in a yurt was just perfect and George's home cooked food delicious. I highly recommend this course.....in fact I can't stop talking about it!"

22 Aug 17'

karl bower reviewed: Blacksmith forgework Learning Experience Day

"Had the absolute pleasure of spending the day with Darren and Robin today, the guys are absolutely fantastic. Their knowledge and patience were beyond were fantastic, helping me work a railroad spike into a knife and a bar into a beautiful fire poker. Unbelievably outstanding day, it has really helped assure my desire to persue this as a career."

22 Aug 17'

Amanda Al-Selman reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"The course was excellent. My son and I could both follow the instructions given to produce something to be proud of. We liked knowing we were using leather that minimised environmental impacts. Both of us want to attend another of Jason's courses soon. Jason's studio was a great space to have a go at something new. Later on in the day, Jason's wife was a great asset keeping a patient eye on our efforts when we got stuck. And lunch was yummy!"

22 Aug 17'

angela bexson reviewed: Bead making with Millefiori style Polymer Clay at West Country Creative in Lifton, Devon

"Jo is an excellent teacher, patient, cheerful and informative The studio is light and comfortable I would definitely recommend this course"

22 Aug 17'

Rosemary reviewed: Hand-Spinning & Natural Dyeing Retreat, Highlands, Scotland

"Had a marvellous time very friendly group and the instructions where spot on. Would recommend to anyone who likes something different"

22 Aug 17'

Adam reviewed: Dry stone walling course Lancashire/Yorkshire/Manchester/Leeds/Sheffield/North West

"Fantastic course. John is a great teacher and allowed us time to try, fail and eventually succeed ! We completed 2 metres worth of walling and loved every minute of it. I would highly recommend this to anyone and the little addition of mindfulness along the way is an added bonus!!! Thanks John"

22 Aug 17'

David McCallion reviewed: Dry stone walling course Lancashire/Yorkshire/Manchester/Leeds/Sheffield/North West

"As a Community Connector for the Early Help service in Oldham I was tasked to find two willing young people who would like the golden opportunity to learn an exciting new skill, work out in the countryside, get expert tuition and have fun. Well Dale and Josh Volunteered, they completed the weekend and absolutely loved it. Thank you John for giving these two young men an experience that otherwise would never have been possible. The art of Dry Stone Walling, the countryside and fresh air, the beautiful landscapes and hard graft. What a recipe for good health and well being. A million thanks John."

22 Aug 17'

Jenny Wilks reviewed: Canal art roses and daisies - decorate a wooden stool in narrowboat decoration

"We had a very good day. Julie was very skilful in teaching the steps to painting roses and expected us all to achieve a good standard whatever our previous experience. All materials provided and lunch was great. A relaxed, friendly atmosphere made for an enjoyable but very productive day."

22 Aug 17'

Philip Martin and James Martin reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"We both found the course excellent on all counts. Jason is a very able teacher as well as a craftsman, exercising a great deal of professionality and skill as well as patience, encouragement and inspiration (ably assisted by Louise, of course!) In crafting our items, we learned some of the basics of they types of leather, introductory techniques and the use of basic tools that will stand us in good stead for future work. The setting of Jason's workshop in an old mill with a view onto the Huddersfield Canal adds to the experience and interest. I would unhesitatingly recommend the course."

21 Aug 17'

Sara and John reviewed: Pottery / ceramics / wheel throwing full day

"Fantastic day with Lorraine. Her passion, teaching techniques and knowledge of the history of pottery was great and interesting. Thoroughly enjoyed the day. We would recommend this course and will no doubt return to practice our newly learned skills. The plum and ginger cake was also very tasty, thank you to Lorraine's Mom. Thank you Lorraine."

21 Aug 17'

Ali and John reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This course was a surprise gift for my 60th birthday and what a good day. The booking arrangements (I am told) were excellent and efficient and the directions were spot on. We had a full day punctuated by a lovely lunch, including some excellent local cheeses, where we were shown how to create a key ring out of steel rod and then to create an artistic dragon coat hook ( it was artistic for some but not all of us) . The support and supervision were very good. We both had a great day, thank you"

21 Aug 17'

Gavin Cawley reviewed: Woodcarving for beginners - two day course in Suffolk

"I started going to Gerald's woodcarving classes to support my interest in making musical instruments, and it turned out to be a very good decision indeed! As the other reviews have mentioned, Gerald is master carver, and an excellent teacher. He provides carving exercises that teach the basic (and not so basic) techniques, but is also very helpful for students with projects of their own, giving excellent guidance on both technical aspects and on the modeling of the carving (i.e. the artistic side of carving). The workshop is very well equipped and it is useful to be able to work with a variety of tools to determine what you most need to buy for your workshop at home. The lessons are also great fun, and one of the high points of my week - very highly recommended!"

21 Aug 17'

Jackie Hesling reviewed: Willow Chicken / Duck / Pheasant Weaving Workshop

"Thoroughly enjoyed spending Sunday with my daughter and the other lovely ladies on this course. Thanks to Victoria and her teaching, we both came away feeling very pleased with our creations - a pheasant and chicken. We are now thinking about Christmas and reindeers?"

21 Aug 17'

Jennifer Cawdron reviewed: Hand-Spinning & Natural Dyeing Retreat, Highlands, Scotland

"Relaxed and informative. Great food and scenery. Thoroughly enjoyable experience."

21 Aug 17'

Dale Rees reviewed: Dry stone walling course Lancashire/Yorkshire/Manchester/Leeds/Sheffield/North West

"Was great weekend with the team also john you were great leanrt a lot from weekend didnt know anything about but now i do. I say you teaching is brillant. Thanks john for having us."

21 Aug 17'

Lynda Watts reviewed: Woodcarving for beginners - two day course in Suffolk

"Gerry offers simple practical tuition using a full range of tools within achievable goals from beginners to the advanced. However small or uninspiring your project may seem, he will make it matter for you. He lends himself well to each student and is very fair with his time. He gives good sound advice and demonstrates his skills well. My carving has much improved since going to his classes."

21 Aug 17'

Dan Ahern reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"Rosanna could not have been more friendly, patient and informative. It was great to get out of London for the day in the countryside studio. I spent the day working on 2 items which you can take away with you. I learnt a great deal and Rosanna was able to advise on all things leather and it was great fun spending the day there. I would highly recommend this course for anyone wanting to learn a new hobby or for someone who wanted to eventually make products on their own. Thanks!!"

21 Aug 17'

Salamander Stoves Ltd. reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just back from an amazing course at Fransham Forge. Nigel is an excellent teacher and a fabulous blacksmith. We all had a brilliant time and came away with an immense amount of knowledge, our metal creations and broad smiles. I would highly recommend this course for anyone with a slight interest in metal working. Thanks again Nigel. 5*****"

21 Aug 17'

Tina Tindill reviewed: Willow Chicken / Duck / Pheasant Weaving Workshop

"Enjoyed every minute and learnt some new skills for the future. Will be looking at coming to the next Piggy Course! Duck taking pride and place in the garden. Thanks Victoria for your patience and encouragement. Will be suggesting your courses to friends and our Study Group in the village."