Latest reviews

2 May 17'

Prof Chris Oliver reviewed: Two day stained glass workshop - lead panels or garden sculpture

"Great course as a novice. Gigha was very caring and responsive. I would certainly attend again. Well done & thank you!"

2 May 17'

Judy Lambert reviewed: Drawing & Painting in Springtime ....now fully booked

"I enjoyed this course immensely. It offered an excellent opportunity to explore both varied still life foliage and flowers, and outdoor landscape through the most wonderful array of materials. Beautiful quality papers, paints, pastels, and coloured pencils were all provided, and help and working suggestions to develop skills, were readily offered by Louise Adams and Mark Delf. Lunch was delicious. I am keen to know when the next course will be."

2 May 17'

Angela Haines reviewed: Chalk painting workshop with Craft My Day

"Very well presented, relaxed and learnt so much. I absolutely love the cracle glazed picture frame that I completed in the class."

2 May 17'

Jane Winship reviewed: Weekend Workshop and Retreat - Curvaceous Railfence

"I loved this course. It was very well paced with good and useful handouts. Sheena is a great teacher, very patient explains things simply and well and is also good fun. The choice of venue was wonderful too. We were fed delicious meals and were able to sew to our hearts content with really supportive guidance, what's not to like?! AND we all finished our gloriously coloured pieces. This review is for the Simple Stained Glass course."

1 May 17'

Gail Bowen-Huggett reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"I bought this course as a Christmas present for my husband, Paul. I rang Peter to chat about the course before booking and he was friendly and helpful. Paul loved his present and couldn't wait for the weekend of the course to arrive. He was not disappointed and had a wonderful time with his fellow course-mates and is so proud of the stool he made!"

1 May 17'

Christine reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"My Dad and I really enjoyed our day with Chris. We learnt a huge amount, practiced a lot of turning skills and techniques under patient tuition and really felt we were in the hands of a true expert with an amazing eye for detail (particularly with regard to sanding!). There were one or two slip-ups on my part, which Chris swiftly turned into "design opportunities". (Thank you). It's a relaxed pace of course but there is a lot to remember and I wish I'd written stuff down as we went. Perhaps some 'course notes' that cover the different terminologies, equipment and techniques used would be a useful aide-memoire to take home. Would love to return for another day. Highly recommend this course."

1 May 17'

Miya reviewed: Two day stained glass workshop - lead panels or garden sculpture

"Gigha explains everything you need to know to create amazing pieces of stained glass art. Everything is provided, all you have to do is soak up what Gigha is teaching you and enjoy the day!"

1 May 17'

Elaine Cockle reviewed: Weekend Workshop and Retreat - Curvaceous Railfence

"Great course. The pace of learning was just right and Sheena was encouraging and very supportive (and patient too!). It's great to be pushed out of your comfort zone and the end results are fabulous. Great venue too. This review is for the Simple Stained Glass course."

1 May 17'

Jeremy Wyman reviewed: Group Soap-making Workshop - Soapology Studio - Nottinghamshire

"This is a really good course. The first half of the day is theory and lots was learnt. A really nice lunch with a good discussion. The afternoon was spent creating three batches of soap (and thats a lot of soap!). Lots of fun and experimentation getting different smells etc. Emma is clearly an expert and the course ran smoothly. We have just taken our soap out of the moulds twenty four hours after the course and its now drying - you get to learn all of this. We also purchased a kit from Emma that will allow us to make a batch under our own steam."

1 May 17'

Sasha reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"We had a wonderful day on Jo's course. The course was held in Jo's house which is a beautiful house in a lovely setting. Jo's is very friendly and very easy to get on with, learnt loads on this course and some great tips and made some fantastic candles. Lunch was provided we had home made soup which was delicious, Would definitely recommend this course it's a great day out."

1 May 17'

Charlotte Hitchens reviewed: Can't crochet, won't crochet?

"I booked this workshop as a surprise for my Mum as we've been saying for years that we'd learn to Crochet. Yvonne's course was perfect. Being a small group meant that we had enough one to one tuition to ensure that we'd all grasped each stage before moving on. Yvonne made sure that we all felt confident that we would be able to follow a pattern on our own after the course. It was just exactly what we wanted, great fun, such good value for money! I would highly recommend this course."

1 May 17'

Sheila Rawlingson reviewed: Drawing & Painting in Springtime ....now fully booked

"Splendid day painting out in lovely surroundings and indoors still life set ups. So nice to be painting with likeminded artist. Louise and Mark made us all very welcome and put a lovely lunch on. Look forward to the next painting day ."

1 May 17'

Sonia Jackson reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"This is the second workshop I have done with Julie, what better recommendation is there than that. She is so patient and talented and her studio is beautiful, a lovely environment to learn this stitching technique. An absolute beginner at machine embroidery I came away with a completed piece that I was surprised had been done by me. Highly recommended."

1 May 17'

Will collins reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"This course was absolutely amazing, in the space of one day Alex managed to teach me loads of blacksmithing skills. 100% recommend this course"

30 Apr 17'

Debbie hardiman reviewed: Furniture painting workshops / Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

"I absolutely loved this workshop. Nyree was an excellent tutor, ensuring we had a complete understanding of chalk paint and the paint techniques and taught us using quality products. The workshop far exceeded my expectations, I couldn't wait to get started on my many projects! Money well worth spending. Would happily do it all over again for the social side and idea exchange!"

30 Apr 17'

Sarah Larkins reviewed: Clay Day Workshop

"Spent today with Geri and Sue, and cannot recommend it highly enough. Fantastic tutors who take time with everyone, ensuring you come away with fantastic creations. Atmosphere is relaxed and fun, very informative. I have never had any experience and was still able to throw a pot and make several other pieces with different techniques. The time flew and was hugely enjoyable."

30 Apr 17'

Sally reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"Thank you very much for arranging last week's course and for all your hospitality during it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learnt so much - but also very much appreciated your delicious lunches and refreshments throughout the day and the relaxed and friendly environment that you provide at Lilac Barn."

30 Apr 17'

ron marshall reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"Had a great day with Bob learned more in a day than a month of watching youtube vids. if you get the basics right, all the rest just falls into place kid really recommend this course for anyone starting Smithing"

30 Apr 17'

Lesa reviewed: Pottery / ceramics / wheel throwing full day

"Went on this course yday. It was fantastic. Lorraine is an awesome tutor and utterly lovely. It was a real pleasure be in her company and hear about her vast experience. I was really impressed with her studio which was just great. There were 6 of us and there was plenty of space to work and chat. We got throwing straightaway, each of us had our own wheel and Lorraine was always on hand to help us all. The morning was spent throwing and the afternoon we turned pots and had the opportunity to do some hand building which I really enjoyed. I made 9 things overall, all quite different and I loved the course. It was relaxing, interesting, creative and excellent value. I will definitely go again. I am now full of ideas of things I want to make. Ps. The cakes, tea were yummy. And the garden is lovely too. Thank you Lorraine."

30 Apr 17'

Simon nunn reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My sister in law and brother in law got the one day introduction course for my son for a Christmas present. I'm glad to say that Both myself and my brother in law went along and had a fantastic day so much so we are in the process of booking a two day session and all three of us cannot wait. Thank you Nigel"

30 Apr 17'

Helen Hodge reviewed: Basket weaving for beginners - make a round basket

"We went on the basket making course as 2 adults and a 9 year old child. We all had a fantastic day and our baskets turned out surprisingly well for complete beginners, thanks to Emma's instruction! Emma was great with our daughter too; as her interest waned in the afternoon she took her aside to make a small bird feeder as we got on with our baskets. Thoroughly recommended!"

30 Apr 17'

Edna reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"My second day with lovely Lucy was just as intense interesting and packed with learning as my first. With Lucy on a one to one you really feel that enhancing your skills is important. We also put the world to rights at the same time. I am not sure if my enamelling project would have been as adventurous without Lucy's guidance and support. I can't wait for my next day."

29 Apr 17'

Sarah Machin reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Have just spent a wonderful day surrounded by threads, fabric, patterns, paint, cake, tea, good company,lovely ideas , creativity and inspiration! Julie is an lovely patient lady who is generous with her time and sharing of ideas. I would recommend this course - a perfect way to spend a day. Thank you Julie."

29 Apr 17'

Sasha reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"This is a terrific course. I went with my daughter and we learned how to work with copper wire (so that we could gain confidence with the tools) and then silver wire to make our first ring. This was followed by making a silver band ring. Jonathan is an excellent teacher and host; providing excellent tuition (and lovely cake too!). To make the day even more memorable, the setting is idyllic too."

29 Apr 17'

Sarah reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"I booked this course as a surprise for my husband as a way to celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary due to the associated iron theme. From the outset Polly was helpful and responded quickly to my initial enquiry and provided useful advice for nearby accommodation. When we arrived, Colin was hospitable and welcoming and it was obvious that the day would be thoroughly enjoyable. We weren't disappointed and came away with lots of blacksmithing treasures. We spent the day utterly consumed by blacksmithing and not even the sooty cheeks at the end of the day could detract from our smiles. I would totally recommend Strawberry Steel and Colin as a teacher and look forward to perhaps working on our project in the future."