Latest reviews

14 May 17'

Julie reviewed: Weekly upholstery workshops with Cherry Dobson

"I have just completed a weeks upholstery course with Cherry having taken a week off work and booked myself a holiday cottage! Was a most relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a week. Cherry's teaching style means you get on with your own project no matter what your level but she is on hand to help and guide you. The lunch and cakes she provides are delicious and she makes everyone feel very welcome and has the patience of a saint with 8 students all wanting help at the same time! I would thoroughly recommend this course and hope to go back one day."

14 May 17'

James Richardson reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Incredible weekend - I did the one day course and stopped the night before in one of the cosy Shepherds huts. Nigel is a top bloke and excellent teacher who was able to get us making interesting pieces straight away with varying techniques. The forge and its surroundings are really special and I hope to go back soon. Even with no prior metal work experience I recommend this course."

14 May 17'

Pat Gordon reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"Who knew there was so much to candle making?! An excellent and very informative course about making soy wax candles. Kerry was very knowledgeable about her craft and made us feel welcome in her home, providing us with gorgeous refreshments during the course. We came away having made our own fragranced candle - a lovely reminder of a morning well spent. An excellent Mother' s day gift!!"

14 May 17'

Amanda Ellison reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"Simon is an excellent, patient teacher who shares his passion for working green wood. The woodland setting, his knowledge of forestry, the first class support and his ability to tailor his course to the varying knowledge and capability of his two students make this a day to remember. Taking home a garden dibber you have fashioned yourself from a log of wood is the icing on the cake. I was given the course as a present and would highly recommend it to everyone."

14 May 17'

Mavis Wing reviewed: Make a Stained Glass Panel in a Day

"very well planned course.. Carole grey is an excellent hands on tutor and gave the support and encouragement to make sure we all enjoyed the day and we all came home with a glass panel to be proud of. Thanks"

14 May 17'

Katie reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Spent a lovly sunny day on the boat today using pmc to make a beautiful charm to add to an existing charm braclet I had commisioned from the website a few years ago, its a ' pea in the pod' unspired charm. Great day, I learnt lots of new skills and have a well finished product to go home with. Thanks again10/10"

14 May 17'

Christopher Pearson reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Fantastic day ! Thank you Mort. I hadn't been in a forge since I was at school 41 years ago but the sights and smells came flooding back to me. Morts skill and guidance soon had me hammering hot metal and I loved every minute of it ! I wasn't particularly good at it but that didn't really matter because I was been taught by someone who knew exactly when to step in and help or redemonstrate and when I was in need of a brew there it was ! Experiences like this are very rare in this high tech world,so if you want to get away from it all for a day and immerse yourself in something completely different under expert tuition,this is the one for you !"

14 May 17'

Jason Cook reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I just spent an excellent day with Mark learning the basics of Woodturning in an experience that will stay with me for a very long time. My day to day activities are in an office and so far removed from Woodturning that I was apprehensive about how the day would go, especially given my total lack of experience in this craft or anything like it. Mark quickly put me at ease and my confidence grew and grew under his expert tuition. From the first minute to the last this was a fantastic day with Mark showing considerable patience and great knowledge. At the end of a long day (in a good way) I came out with something I'd always wanted and had actually made myself. I'd thoroughly recommend Mark and his tuition and can't thank him enough (or my wife for the gift of the experience day)!"

14 May 17'

Philip Hall reviewed: A Dry Stone Walling Workshop Bedfordshire

"A very enjoyable experience. John Holt runs the day in a relaxed manner and imparts a surprising amount of knowledge as you learn by doing. John is enthusiastic and knowledgeable and gets the right balance between letting you get on with it and intervening when necessary. You end up having actually built some wall. which is very satisfying."

14 May 17'

Pat Dew reviewed: Kiln fired enamelling on copper taster (morning)

"I had already enjoyed the introduction to glass fusing with Gen and this course was similarly great. Biggest difference is that we used the kilns as we went along so could see how the materials are transformed by heat. Gen is the perfect teacher. Everything organised and well-structured with clear guidelines. Her enthusiasm is brilliant and her gentle reminders and encouragement ensure that everyone makes something to be proud of."

14 May 17'

Michael Buick reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"These are great workshops. Beatrice is a patient and encouraging teacher. She helped me to get over my self-criticism and enjoy turning a lump of mud into an object that only I could have produced. And she helped those objects become more and more expressive with each lesson. The location takes a bit of travel, but it is worth it: a sunlit conservatory in a lovely, sculpture-filled garden."

14 May 17'

Judith Walsby reviewed: Stained Glass in a Day

"I would like to do the course again!"

13 May 17'

Mary Allison reviewed: Traditional Mosaic - Smalti

"I recently did the Mosaic for the Garden course, which was fantastic. Debbie provided lots of encouragement and ideas whilst letting us choose our own thing to design and create. The studio is very well kitted out and the small group numbers meant we all got lots of personal attention when needed. I enjoyed the session so much I hope to go back in the near future for another go."

13 May 17'

Mary Allison reviewed: Kiln fired enamelling on copper taster (morning)

"I wanted to try a new craft so signed up to this taster in enamelling. It was great fun, Gen is lovely and patient, and her enthusiasm for the craft rubs off on her learners. I enjoyed the session so much I have booked on one of the pay as you go enamelling sessions in a few weeks time to have another go, which I'm really looking forward to."

13 May 17'

Penny Rapson reviewed: Pottery Slow Down One day Pottery handbuilding and throwing

"I have just come home from my first full day potting, though have done some of Jo's evening classes in the past. The big difference today being that the small (max of 6) class means you can really get to grips with the all important centering and can concentrate on throwing one prepped perfect ball of clay after another. Jo is an intuitive dyed in the wool potter. Her depth of experience and knowledge is inspiring - she can fix anything! She passes her skills on by demonstration, a prompt here and there and is on call whenever you need a bit if additional help. What a productive day we've all had. Throwing in the morning, our table of pots drying in the sunny, rose filled garden over lunch of homemade quiche, local beef, and Jo's legendary blackberry sorbet. So we could turn the potts/ mugs/ vases and bowls in the afternoon, learn how to decorate tiles with slip and enjoy birthday cake that Lyndsey whipped up for Andy's special birthday - his wife had booked the course as a surprise present. With wood turning skills he transferred his meticulous eye to pottery rather too easily for my liking! A great day, enjoyed by all."

13 May 17'

Mandy Ellis reviewed: Basic to advanced knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"Ann is a lovely patient lady and she certainly needed to be with me as a student. It was my first attempt at crochet and I was slow to pick it up, but Ann stuck with me and even managed to find a few positives worthy of praise. The setting was lovely too in the tea rooms, worth another visit just for the curly surly brownie! Thank you Ann, I'll be back in touch for my next lesson soon."

13 May 17'

Steve and Fiona Boorman reviewed: One day glass blowing course -creating sculptural glass

"This was a fantastic introduction to glass blowing. We thought we would be doing well to come away with one piece each - we ended up with 8 pieces each - made with Jake's help and expert guidance. We were encouraged to do our own thing within 30 mins of starting and Jake, together with the lovely Bex, made us feel very welcome and that this was very much our day and that they were there to help us achieve as much as we could. We cannot rate this highly enough- we would thoroughly recommend this day. It was fantastic-that is all there is to say !"

13 May 17'

Sally H reviewed: Beginners Candlemaking for Two - Anglesey, Wales

"A great afternoon and to echoe other reviews, beautiful setting right on my doorstep. To come away with our candles a bonus. Would recommend to small groups. A relaxing and fun time, together with hands on learning."

13 May 17'

Kath Priestly reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"The day at Dawns was absolutely great! Dawn was a really good teacher supporting everyone with each of their 'projects' and supplying a fantastic range of resources and delicious cakes! The atmosphere was very relaxed and the number in the group was just right. I was amazed at how much I learned in just a day. I would really recommend the course and hope to book on to another one myself."

13 May 17'

Lynda Hennessey reviewed: Willow Owl Workshop

"Lovely day making an owl. Everything is geared to a friendly experience.The day was even more special because we watched Dorothy give birth to the first lamb of triplets. I would recommend anyone to try a course with Victoria. Everyone goes home with a willow sculpture to be proud of."

13 May 17'

Olivia and Scott reviewed: A one day spoon carving course

"We did a one day spoon carving course in November 2016 and it was excellent. Sharif is a lovely spirited person and a brilliant teacher- skilled, knowledgeable, very patient, attentive and helpful. He also gave just the right amount of assistance- enough to help you along but not too much; still making your spoon your own creation. The day was structured nicely, with plenty of time spent on each step and a focus on safety. We each left with a spoon and all the knowledge we needed to get us started. Thank you Sharif for a wonderful day, sharing your expertise and company. I cant imagine a better teacher to introduce you to this craft and would strongly recommend him to anyone interested. We have now invested in all the tools and look forward to it being a lifelong pastime."

13 May 17'

Cesar Schilling reviewed: Timber framing courses

"What a great family they created ! Amazing people that i can relate far and beyond the course. Alan is a master in his craft with an incredible ability to share his knowledge while allowing the group to follow its own flow, so much more than just a course, (good atmosphere, food, music, axe throwing, bow shooting, Alaska mill testing, carving and so on ) Mary is an angel dress up as a cook and don't underestimate Connor and Sid, you'll be surprise with those young man. All I can say is Thank you Al ,Mary Connor and Sid i will put this knowledge to good use soon and return to the advance Cesar"

12 May 17'

Anthony Madge reviewed: Make a 3 legged rustic stool - one day

"A great course creating a three legged stool. I had some previous knowledge regarding green woodwork but still learned a lot. The tutors were friendly, fun and very knowledgeable and the location was great. I'm intending to sign up to another course as soon as possible. Thanks to all concerned for an informative, fun and worthwhile day."

12 May 17'

Leigh reviewed: Natural skincare & wellbeing - make & take parties/workshops

"I attended a natural skincare and well being workshop and found Debbie to be, incredibly passionate, knowledgeable and welcoming. The ingredients used were organic and natural, smelt beautiful and easily accessible (to buy), nothing was too much trouble, and if you get a chance to make the healthy chocolate, it is simply to die for.........Most of mine had been eaten in the car before I got home! x I came away feeling spoilt, inspired and the lovely goodies lasted a very long time, highly recommended and thank you x"

12 May 17'

Andy Thorne reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"I had a really good and very helpful day with Colin. His relaxed style and patient manner made learning the basics relaxing but informative. I felt like safety was there throughout but without being rammed down your throat and he was happy to let you try things for a moment before correcting you or tweaking your technique. I had only turned a few items before by just sticking something on the lathe and hoping for the best so Colin was great for a proper intro to turning and basic techniques as well as sharpening tools and what to use when. I'll have to go back to improve my spindle work i reckon!"