Latest reviews

22 May 17'

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

"Absolutely brilliant. Adrian and Andy were beyond helpful, went through everything slowly enough that you could understand and remember the steps, but not too slowly that you felt you were standing around for ages. The pieces we got to make (dragon coat hanger and keyring) were challenging enough to forge without being too hard for a total beginner and the atmosphere was light hearted, so you never felt you were being rushed on to the next task. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my day and can't thank everyone involved enough. I'll hopefully be back! Peter P.s. THE FOOD IS AMAZING!"

22 May 17'

Margaret reviewed: Make a colourful fused glass dragonfly 9” x 7” plaque with glass artist Matt Sorrell

"This is what I was doing yesterday , very relaxing. An enjoyable afternoon at Alford Craft Center"

22 May 17'

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

"Had a fantastic day on Saturday. To say I'm not incredibly useful with my hands is an understatement, but on Saturday I bent metal to my will (ish). I've creates a keyring and a dragon, learned to taper and bend and use hammers, tongs (tricky as hell BTW, there's no grace to a tong, it's just there to make you feel inadequate, trust me it's the tong) and had first class education in steel, how to heat it and other small techniques. This won't make you an ace blacksmith, but it'll certainly give you the bug and confidence to go set up a small forge, get a hammer and mould metal to your will for longer. I warned my partner that doing this course would be expensive. I'm about to drop £200 on an anvil, so the course is great value for money, the hobby may hurt more."

22 May 17'

Amanda Patel reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"We attended a Glass Art session during our Learning at Work week. The 90 minutes by far exceeded my expectations and was extremely enjoyable, rewarding and relaxing, and I will definitely be sharing this with people I know, and hope to book on to another course very soon."

22 May 17'

Kate Lee reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"We ran this course in work for our Learning at Work week and it was fantastically received - the feedback has been amazing. Ali was great at explaining how to make our pieces of glass art and then we were let loose to create. Colleagues found it relaxing and as they are collecting their glass art today their is a definite sense of pride in what they have created. I will definitely be looking at other sessions that Ali runs and doing more art for relaxation!"

22 May 17'

Georgie Mackie-Forrest reviewed: A one day spoon carving course

"An excellent course! Sharif has endless patience and is an excellent teacher. He is also very knowledgeable and so skilled. He guided us all though the process of making a spoon from green wood, how to use the tools and basic techniques. He's always on hand to inspire and guide you through any tricky bits. It was a totally absorbing day in a beautiful old stone barn in the Devon countryside. I met some lovely people, including a couple who were there to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary ( wood), but be careful as it is completely addictive. None of us wanted to leave! Thoroughly recommended"

21 May 17'

Robert (Bert) Parker reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"My wife paid for me to do a 1 day course in Knife making, and I loved it. The forge has all the tools you could imagine, plus a few more. Mort is a great guy, and a very helpful teacher. He talked me through the proper technique for using a hammer on the steel, and kept trying until he found the right way to describe it for me. I was amazed with the piece he helped me create, and the pieces he makes look incredible. I would recommend this course to anyone intersted in knife making."

21 May 17'

Maree Showler-Smith reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"Such a wonderful day. Loved every minute and so proud of my new skills learnt and the creation of a wonderful stag head! Want to do it all again tomorrow. Sally-Anne is a fab teacher, full of knowledge and helpful tips and ideas. My stag looks amazing, so chuffed to bits with it. Can't wait to sign up again on next weaving day."

21 May 17'

Ann Marie Kewis reviewed: Lampshade Making Workshop with Clare Cosens

"Never done this before but in two hours I produced a professional lampshade that I am proud to have in my house. All as a result of really good tuition, and I loved it."

21 May 17'

Valerie Male reviewed: Silver Clay Taster Session

"I have attended Helen's taster course. I thoroughly enjoyed it! The setting was wonderful; quiet and peaceful, and Helen provided refreshments in the sessions. There were other people on the course which was lovely as we had chance to chat whilst still getting personalised tuition. Helen guided me through each step, from design to finished, polished, product. I chose to make a pendant which I love and wear often. I had such a good time I've been to additional workshop events."

21 May 17'

Peter Payne reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Well organised. Clear instructions and well tutored. Refreshments excellent. A great bunch of people, the structure of the course means that strangers at the begining of the day soon learn how to work together. I would thoroughly recommend it.5"

21 May 17'

Christine Barber reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"Fabulous day today. Thank you so much SallyAnne. Excellent teacher and company. Can't wait until the next one."

21 May 17'

Dave Lee reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"What a great day! Coffee and home made biscuits to get you going, followed by a great day learning new skills. When it went wrong, Adrian and Andy soon sorted my mistakes! Put a great lunch between the morning and afternoon sessions, with a pair of excellent tutors in blacksmithing, and it doesn't get better. Will definitely go back for more!"

21 May 17'

Noelle reviewed: Beginners patchwork with Calicoclair

"I'd not sewn more than a button for 25 years and I'd never used a sewing machine. Clair took us through the processes step by step and at our own pace. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and found it incredibly relaxing after a busy day. The cakes and company were also fabulous!"

21 May 17'

Simon Klood reviewed: Introduction to leatherwork with Armitage Leather

"I had no experience in Leatherwork but it was a skill I've always wanted to learn and had a project in mind. I had a fantastically enjoyable day. Nigel told me my proposed project was a bit ambitious, but under his expert 1:1 tuition, we designed and made a leatherman and fire starter belt sheath that far exceeded my wildest expectations. I could not stop grinning for the next two days! Nigel works with you, but makes sure that it is you who does the hands-on work. This is the only way to learn. With follow up advise, I feel totally confident to go on my own. I cannot recommend Nigel's course enough. Simon"

21 May 17'

Sara Javid reviewed: Basic to advanced knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"I really enjoyed the two hour course, Ann was so patient with me. The time flew by I wish there were weekly classes I could attend. The tea room was a delight! Really recommend the course!"

21 May 17'

Janet Pearce reviewed: Feltmaking OOH the choices!

"I attended a course on wet felting with my sister. We are both new to felting but with expert instruction from Barbara we both came away with amazing felted pictures. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in creating unique felt art in a friendly environment with an expert tutor."

21 May 17'

Patrick Morgan reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Course - one day

"Well taught, excellent course, from which I learnt a lot."

21 May 17'

Rosemary Sheen reviewed: Lampshade Making Workshop with Clare Cosens

"My friend and I spent a lovely afternoon with Clare on the Drum Lampshade making workshop. Clare is an experienced teacher and took the time to explain everything clearly. Whilst not taking over, our teacher encouraged us every step of the way , which ensured that we learned the skill for ourselves. We were thrilled with the result! On our return home , my friend had What zapped me a photo of her lampshade in situ in her bedroom before i had even had chance to unpack my bags !! needless to say we were thrilled with the whole experience and would highly recommend a workshops with this excellent teacher ( NB : Clare is also a fantastic designer too, and has created some gorgeous fabrics, which you can see in her workshop)"

21 May 17'

Carol Rowatt reviewed: Container candlemaking course and wax melts with afternoon tea

"Great day, very friendly, fun and informative and there was cake, what more could you ask for"

21 May 17'

Sam Thompson reviewed: One day glass blowing course -creating sculptural glass

"Absolutely amazing day, Jake's relaxed teaching style really enabled us to explore what we could do. Mum and I were bought the course as our birthday and Christmas presents, only have one other person on the course means lot of individual time with Jake. Both Jake and Jo were so friendly and welcoming, we had a fabulous time. The pieces we made were stunning, and we can't wait to come again. 110% recommended for a brilliant experience day."

20 May 17'

Shane Murphy reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Thanks Nigel best course I've ever been on great tutor see you soon"

20 May 17'

Carole Bates reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"As a Christmas present treat, we took a session with Ali, ages from 8 to retired, we had a lovely afternoon, and came away with not only a gift but with the resolve to try again. Ali's instruction was clear, including the health and safety element, and she made herself available all afternoon to answer questions and give guidance, all participants we engaged and entertained, I have to say that the projects have all found their own place in our respective homes, and are used. The children were amazed at what they had been able to achieve. On the whole I would recommend anyone who is thinking about this taster to give it a go, you will not be disappointed."

20 May 17'

Paul Brown reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"What an unusual and brilliant day! Led by people that are clearly passionate about what they do, and keen to share their experience in a supportive manner without being overbearing. Great day Ten out of ten - would hammer again"

20 May 17'

Alison Richardson reviewed: Glass Fusing Workshop

"I arranged for 10 members of my family to attend a morning workshop at Ania's Original as part of my 30th Birthday. A few members of my family (the guys mainly) were a little unsure what to expect but Annie welcomed us in, walked us through all the options available and presented great examples for ideas. Within an hour my dad was cutting interlocking circles to create a logo for his cider business and my husband was making a beautiful seascape. Nothing was ever any trouble, even if some of the ideas were a bit different and Annie offered support and advice all the way through. Not to mention the lovely cakes, punch and tea/coffee available. Everyone created fantastic and very different pieces and I think secretly the guys enjoyed it even more than we did! I know that the pieces are already proudly on display. The workshop was fun and enjoyable and you should definitely give it a go, you won't be disappointed. We certainly will be going back for another workshop soon! Thank you."