Latest reviews

29 Mar 17'

David reviewed: Weekend stone carving courses on the beautiful Welsh/Shropshire border

"Lottie runs the courses in such a beautiful place, and does it with such talent, that it can't fail to inspire. As a novice, I got a real feel for what's involved, in a short weekend."

29 Mar 17'

Sam & Dave reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"We were given this as a Christmas present and neither one of us had done anything remotely like this before! We had a truly wonderful day. There were 9 of us all of whom were completely new to making willow sculptures. We both made a duck - one standing and one sitting down. We were both surprised at how we were actually able to make a complete duck in a day! At one point I did think mine was going to transform into either a swan or a peacock. But it finally came together in the end. There was a lovely lunch provided by Kate's husband Dave. Who was also on hand to make tea/coffee throughout the day. We actually surprised ourselves at how much we enjoyed this course particularly as we had never done anything like this before. I would thoroughly recommend anyone having a go."

29 Mar 17'

Bridget Bernadette Karn reviewed: Silver Clay Taster Session

"I have attended 2 of Helen's taster courses and made pendants I wear regularly, she is a brilliant teacher, walking you through the processes step by step, with lots of encouragement. I've enjoyed them so much I have now booked onto her advanced pendant course in September."

28 Mar 17'

Erik reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"The day with Chris was even better than I had hoped for. I had no prior smithing experience, but within minutes of arriving Chris got me started on making the first item and we hardly stopped all day. Chris is a top teacher, very friendly and patient, and his style of demonstrating the technique and then getting you to put it into practice on your own piece suited me perfectly. By the end of the day I had made three very different pieces using a variety of techniques. I highly recommend Chris and his course."

28 Mar 17'

Jennie reviewed: Fused Glass Making Evening Classes

"Liz is passionate about glass and that comes across in her classes. She encourages you to be independent and confident in the very first few minutes. I would recommend this course ."

28 Mar 17'

Debbie reviewed: Two-day Silkscreen Printing Course: Design and Print Your Own Fabric £170.00

"Caroline is a wonderful teacher. Her warm, inviting and beautiful workspaces provide the perfect backdrop to learn about screen printing. I wasn't sure if I had any creativity in me but she skillfully helped me to realise and consolidate one or two ideas. She is amazingly talented. I loved seeing her home which is adorned with the most brilliant examples of her work. Her husband provided fabulous lunches and both he and Caroline make you feel as though nothing was too much trouble. I came away from the weekend feeling truly inspired and will definitely return in the future to learn more. If you are looking to try out screen printing then this is the course for you- I cannot recommend it enough."

28 Mar 17'

Abi reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"What a brilliant weekend, couldn't have asked for more patient or entertaining instructors with such a clear passion for what they do! Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to have a go like me, or with skills to polish. Thanks Peter, my stool has pride of place in the living room"

28 Mar 17'

Charlotte Spender reviewed: A 2 day throwing and handbuilding weekend at an established pottery in the New Forest.

"Having spent many years being interested in studio potters' work but never before tried it myself, I found the 2 day course incredibly interesting and absorbing. Jo's teaching was brilliant - calm and well balanced, providing help when needed but letting us work at our own pace, and we all managed to produce at least half a dozen pieces that we were really pleased with. We covered throwing on the wheel, hand/coil building, turning, slab building and various decorating/glazing techniques. The biscuits and lunches were delicious! The studio has masses of inspirational pots by Jo and her students and it is a lovely environment. I came away with my head full of potential projects for another day and could not have had a better teacher or a more enjoyable weekend."

28 Mar 17'

Ingvild reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"What a great way to spend a weekend! The location is lovely and the course is relaxing, fun and challenging all in one. Sebastian draws from his background in various creative/artistic endeavours (especially in wood; making cabinets and violins) in his approach to stone sculpting, which is very interesting and inspiring. His teaching method is less heavy on theory and more about experimenting and learning as you go along. He knows when to let you graft and get on with it, and when to step in and offer advice on tools and methods. The atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly, and after the first day you really look forward to the next one. At the end of the course, we all left with pieces we were chuffed with, smiles and good memories. The small size of the group (we were seven) is perfect, allowing enough room for the required one-to-one tutoring as well as some good banter. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to try out some new creative skills."

28 Mar 17'

Chris Matthews reviewed: Fused Glass Drop Vessels

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course and learned so much.. including how to take the rim off a drop vessel with a hammer! It was good to be able to learn a whole range of ways to make drop vessels, and Liz is a very patient teacher!"

28 Mar 17'

Debbie reviewed: 1-to-1 Organic Skincare Workshop at Maid in the Meadow

"Was a lovely relaxed day learning about and making these fab products. Plenty of laughs, Allison is a great tutor, very friendly and approachable. Who knew soap could be such fun!"

28 Mar 17'

Toby reviewed: Training course in upcycling with pallets. An introduction to making furniture with pallets for beginners

"What a superb course! Scott aimed the course at the level appropriate for the participants and supported us through the main processes of sourcing, dismantling, assembling and finishing a product. He was able to provide vital tips in all areas while answering any questions we had with ease. I feel confident now to begin creating any item of furniture from old pallets! Scott was a delight, engaging and supportive throughout. Thanks for everything."

28 Mar 17'

Ali reviewed: Full day introduction to glass fusing course.

"I had the best time on this course and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to try glass fusing! I bought the workshop as a gift for my mum and we had such a laugh. I researched glass courses in Cornwall around the Bude area and this looked like the best one, the studio was massive and the lunch was amazing with the YUMMIEST chocolate brownies! Amanda made us feel at home right away, and she allowed you to feel confident and stepped in whenever we needed help. When we received our glass makes in the post, all beautifully wrapped, we were amazed at how professional our work looked. Im so proud of my cheese platter! Now Im thinking of coming for my Hen Party next year! ..Thank you Amanda!"

28 Mar 17'

Edna reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I spent a lovely day with Lucy learning the skills of soldering. Prior to the day Lucy checked out my experience and expectations for the day. Lucy provided support over and above my expectations and I can't wait to have another day. Her knowledge and experience shone through and I learned so much more than soldering skills"

28 Mar 17'

Louise Lister reviewed: Friday mosaic making

"I recently attended one of Audrey's mosaic workshops with my Mum. It was a present to her for Mother's Day and something creative and fun we could do together. I cannot recommend the workshop enough. It was great fun and we were amazed at what we accomplished in the time under Audrey's tutorage, especially given neither of us had done anything like this before. Audrey talks you through the process and guides and helps you along the way. She has such a lovely calm and encouraging manner and the atmosphere in the workshop was lovely. I would definitely recommend it and I will almost certainly look to do another one in the future."

28 Mar 17'

Clare reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"Wonderful course for me and my 12 year old. The time went very quickly and we learnt so much. We are both very proud of our pieces. Well done Matt for managing such a diverse group all working away on their own designs and each person requiring your attention!"

28 Mar 17'

Liz F reviewed: Furniture making course: Laminating and Veneering course (beginner) - 2 day course in Surrey

"This two day course was a revelation. Aidan is a brilliant teacher with both the theory and practice, and endlessly patient with his practical support and willingness to answer all sorts of questions. I came away with an enthusiasm to put what I'd learned into effect, knowing that Aidan will be happy to respond to emergency cries for advice."

28 Mar 17'

Adele Simpson reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"My mum, sister & I recently spent the day with Kate making willow herons and a crow. The atmosphere was relaxed, supportive and friendly - the other people (approx 9 of us in total) on the course were all in the same boat complete beginners. We all had a brilliant day and couldn't believe from humble willow rods beginnings to making a 3d circle which we weren't sure were ever going to bind then turned into massive big willow sculptures; my heron was taller than me! Kate had some helpers which was neccessary as this craft is fairly intensive and tricky at first but it clicks and if not Kate is amazing at rescuing your work and getting you back on track again. I have and would recommend Kates workshops to others. A great value day where you'll end up with something amazing and unique to take home."

28 Mar 17'

Jane Roberts reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"I really enjoyed this stone sculpting weekend. The setting is idyllic right between the canal and the river Severn with beautiful views on both sides. Seb holds it in his cosy eco workshop and summer houses that he self-built which adds to the charm and uniqueness of it, although we worked outside most of the time. And in the end, we each came away with an individually designed sculpture, thanks to Sebs tutoring skills and the great choice of shapes and sizes of stone he has in the workshop."

28 Mar 17'

Andy Gill reviewed: Spoon carving course (1 day)

"Great intro to spoon carving in a very beautiful and tranquil setting. Dave is a good teacher and very knowledgable. He also provided delicious homemade sour dough bread, soup and amazing cake. Real coffee too. Couldn't fault it and would recommend it to anyone"

27 Mar 17'

Stephanie reviewed: Christmas Pudding - needle felting workshop with The Lady Moth

"I attended a class yesterday to make a blue tit, and had a wonderful time! Żenia was a great teacher, and it was a nice class atmosphere with 6 students around a communal table. The class was 4 hours (including a break for tea and biscuits), which went by quickly but gave us enough time to all complete our birds. I had needle felted a couple of times before using basic kits, but it made a big difference to have a teacher explaining the process (particularly things like making the initial shape and the finishes), and I think the bird I made looks a lot better than the previous projects I had made. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone!"

27 Mar 17'

Neil reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"I was not sure what to expect as I parked outside Anvil Forge on Saturday morning . Within 20 minutes, after a safety talk and demonstration, we were straight into heating , hammering and bending metal to construct a poker. John and his team challenged our project ideas for the afternoon session, encouraging us to try new skills and equipment, while at the same time developing the skills experienced earlier that morning. We were given the opportunity to work by ourselves, yet help and advice were close at hand when required. Have a look at the photos of projects completed by people who have attended this fantastic course so that you can have an idea as to what you want to achieve by the end of the day. Think big- John and his team will help you achieve it."

27 Mar 17'

Louise Riley reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"My husband and I have just returned from a fantastic day making baskets with SallyAnne. We were both complete beginners, but came home with a lovely, sizable basket each. The pace of the day was perfect, with really good explanation of the techniques and lots of help where needed! Thank you again, we had a great time."

27 Mar 17'

Gilly Messing reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"I sooooo enjoyed the leather workshop, Bill is a wonderful, patient teacher who explains everything really clearly and answers all your questions really helpfully. We designed our own bag, made our pattern, chose the leather and cut and sewed it with just the right amount of guidance and help from Bill. I really learned a lot and am definitely going to do another course some time soon .... and try to work by myself at home once I have got a few of the essential tools! Thanks, Bill!"

27 Mar 17'

James Mouser reviewed: Woodturning courses in Norfolk

"Just had a one day introduction course and it was awesome. Nick is an excellent teacher. As well as being very knowledgable, he adjusts the speed and approach to the student. He is very easy to talk to and puts you at ease. I plan to follow up with a second day looking at making boxes. I came away with a nice bowl and a dabber."