Latest reviews

27 Mar 17'

Marlene Laing reviewed: Fabulous felt picture 2 day masterclass near York

"This was a really enjoyable way to spend a weekend. There were only four of us on the course so Bridget had lots of time to spend with each of us. Everything was very well organised and there was lots of different coloured wool to choose from. Bridget showed each of us individually how to create a colour palette and talked us through how to build a picture. Her techniques are very different from anything I have seen before - a much gentler way of working but with fantastic results. Everyone went away with a beautiful felt picture."

27 Mar 17'

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

"I attended the blue tit workshop yesterday (March 26th 2017) and absolutely loved it! The teacher was lovely and patient and demonstrated and instructed very clearly and managed to cater for everyone's pace. This was the second time I'd done any needle felting and I was really pleased with the outcome, everyone's birds looked great at the end! I would highly recommend and would definitely go again."

27 Mar 17'

Emmanuel Onipede reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"I attended the full day workshop with Rosanna and went there with a photo of a phone case I wanted to make. As complicated as I thought it would be to make, Rosanna took the time to explain all the options available to me, including what kind of leather I could use, and also the techniques I could use. Where others would have tried to guide me down a path, she gave me carte blanche to pick which material I used for the case, and helped only when I asked - she wasn't overbearing. Over the course of the day, Rosanna's patience shone through; with her constant advice and guidance, the day was over so quickly but it was so enlightening, I can't walk past a leather product without trying to figure out how it was made. The course comes highly recommended. Top job Rosanna."

27 Mar 17'

Neil reviewed: Wood turning courses

"What a lovely long weekend, which all started with my better-half - Terri stating, that as she could'nt knit and did not enjoy it,she would like to try weaving and had found a course run by a renowned weaver Janet King in Nether Stowey in Somerset. To make a trip of it,I thought I'd look for any woodturning or woodcraft courses available in the area and found that George Foweraker, a professional turner, ran courses in Burnham-on-sea,just down the road from Nether Stowey and would be able to give me 2 days one to one tuition at the same time that my wife's course was being run. I was'nt sure what to expect or achieve, having seen examples of George's work on his website which was all of an extremely high standard and quality,such that I could never achieve with my small experience in the 2 days! Well, I was delighted. From the moment I met George and his lovely wife Susan, despite his insistence in calling me by the wrong name- Nigel for most of the first day,I knew we would have fun and I could learn a lot from him. Having decided to go for turning a platter or bowl and learn different texturing and decoration methods rather than hollow work we set too in his very impressive workshop. George's easy tuition manner was great,his course content and attention to detail, theory and particularly of safety, was a pleasure to work with, and I was very grateful for his patience of ny inexperience. Despite continuing to call me Nigel (my brother in Australia) and moaning at me in his broad Somerset brogue,for costing him a plaster from his first aid box, when I nicked my finger, I really enjoyed my new found abilities! Coffee and teas and the nice lunches supplied by Susan,all added to the hospitality. I came away tired but very satisfied with the work done, having learned a lot and realising there's a load more to learn but its great fun in doing so. Weaving in Somerset looks as though it will continue at a pace,so,George and Susan,I shall be after Hollowing techniques next if you will let me!!"

27 Mar 17'

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

"My wife and I went on the residential weekend, we are complete beginners with no experience at all. We absolutely loved it! Saturday morning after a lovely cooked breakfast we went into the pottery and within 10 minutes we were all our own wheels throwing clay!! After a 3 course lunch we did coiling, although you could carry on throwing if you wanted. Sunday morning we turned our pots that had spent the night drying, and after another gorgeous lunch, we decorated and glazed our items. Jo will fire them and post the finished articles back to us. Assuming they survive the kiln we have 9 pieces each which we are amazed at! Jo and her family are really warm and friendly and we were made to feel welcome from the moment we arrived to the second we begrudgingly left! The food is amazing and you are kept topped up with tea, coffee, home made biscuits and home made cakes. We had a great time and cannot recommend highly enough."

27 Mar 17'

Rosemary Llewellin reviewed: Half day: 3 Leather Accessories

"A really enjoyable morning with an excellent and very patient tutor. Rosanna explained and demonstrated the different techniques used in making simple leather items and was on hand whenever I needed help. I was delighted with the luggage label, card holder and key ring fob that I made and can thoroughly recommend the course to anyone who wants to try out a new craft."

27 Mar 17'

Kathryn A'Barrow reviewed: Make a set of stacking rings silversmithing workshop

"I absolutely loved this course! I had been looking for a local silversmith class so was made up when I found this one. We made 2 silver stacking rings and I was so pleased with how they turned out, brittany was a fab teacher taking time to help everyone one on one aswell as the group as a whole. Everything was clearly explained so we knew how to use the tools correctly and the processes used for each step of the ring making. She has also been a great help to me since the course helping me get all my tools and accessories to carry on. I highly recommend this class!"

27 Mar 17'

Stephanie Murray, Hilary Martin, Alice Martin , Juliet Willey reviewed: Inspirational course covering wet felting and Nuno techniques in the beautiful Forest of Dean

"We thoroughly enjoyed our felt making day at Chris's delightful cottage in such a pretty valley. The instructions to find the cottage were spot on and the welcome was very warm. We knew we were in for a fabulous , happy and creative day. Chris calmly, and with great patience showed us the techniques. Her workshop was full of beautiful examples of her work to inspire us. The lunch was simply delicious- and tea and flapjack were consumed at regular intervals. Chris's expertise and gentle help enabled each of us to successfully achieve our ambitious ideas. - What a treat of a day out!"

27 Mar 17'

Keith Ferguson reviewed: Woodcarving for Beginners and Experienced Carvers

"Having been a member of Saturday Carving course for a good few years I've found these courses to be fun, instructive and hugely enjoyable. Ernest is a great instructor helping you as much or as little as you want, as the previous reviewer says the classes can be a mix of abilities but nobody is left out, of course the one problem with these classes is that once you've done one you do tend to get hooked so you keep coming back, and back, and back ......"

27 Mar 17'

Kimberley Axford reviewed: Silk painting

"First experience with silk paints and I really enjoyed it. Kat is a nice teacher with a lot of patience and willingness to help. Fantastic way to spend an afternoon, I found it very calming painting away with the radio on in the background. More importantly, you come away with lovely pictures that you can treasure/frame/give as gifts. Would definitely do again/has inspired me to get some of my own supplies to do in my spare time. Many thanks. Kim"

27 Mar 17'

Daniel Smith reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"What can I say?! We went on this course as a pre-stag gift to our friend so that he could let off some of the steam from all the wedding planning stress (and have ourselves a bit of fun too). From the second we got there Colin was welcoming, he had got everything ready for our day of forging, had some waters and cokes ready for us as forging is very thirsty work, and put out a sign for "Geraints bad ass stag do" so that anyone passing would know the awesomeness taking place. In the first couple hours we made some coat hooks and a BBQ fork to learn the basics of blacksmithing, including bending the steel, making twists and knots and how to make points. Then in the afternoon we were very much allowed to make pretty much anything our imagination could think of. Colin was always there to lend a hand if we got stuck but we ended up making coat hooks, axe heads, knives (not sharpened at the time obviously for safety), BBQ forks and even tried to make a love heart for the stag by forge welding all of which we were allowed to take back to show off. Everything we made we got to take home, and although the stags own attempt at a knife didn't work out too well (leaving things in the forge they tend to melt) Colin gave him one of his own previous ones as a gift. Cannot rate this course enough, it is great fun and as Colin says the limit is your imagination, even when it goes wrong you can undo it or turn it into something else. Colin is so enthusiastic and has a genuine passion to pass on his blacksmith knowledge, I felt he would have loved to have us forging all night if we could have stayed longer and we would have loved too. I will be recommending this to all and I may even bring a few of my other friends down later in the year for the next stag! Thank you Colin for an awesome day, keep it up and hope to see you again soon!!"

27 Mar 17'

Mint P. reviewed: Christmas Pudding - needle felting workshop with The Lady Moth

"I attended the felting class to make the Blue Tit on 26 March 2017. This is the first time I've done needle felting - it was a lot of fun! The set-up was very personal around a small table with teas and biscuits but all the equipment were there. Zenia is a great teacher and within a day all those attending were able to complete quite a complicated felting piece while coming in at practically zero experience. It was a very therapeutic and friendly atmosphere - four hours just flew by."

27 Mar 17'

Bob Gunby reviewed: Green Woodworking - Make a Shave Horse

"Another thoroughly enjoyable day having previously attended the excellent 2 day stool course. Very well prepared and organised, Peter clearly and expertly led us through creating a great piece of kit that will enable me to carry on with Greenwood working at home. Why fork out for a shave horse when you can have so much fun making once yourself for a proportion of the price!? Thanks Peter - an excellent course and another peaceful day in South Devon"

27 Mar 17'

Haydn Williams reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"Great course and tutor. Matt gently introduces you into the world of stained glass, including the various techniques available, for you to produce a unique piece of work. He tailors the pace to the course members and before long, after making a few tentative cuts into practice pieces of glass, you are creating all sorts of shapes with confidence. He provides all the required tools and an amazing array of stained glass for you to use and be inspired by. I attended the course in Frome, and had discussed with Matt (via email) what I wished to produce prior to the course taking place. Where possible I would recommend this as while 7 hours is enough to produce your piece of work, the time goes by so quickly. I would fully recommend this course. Matt is very approachable, and as well as providing all the practical knowledge, he is very patient giving encouragement, advice and assistance."

27 Mar 17'

Wendy Hayden reviewed: Beginners 2 sterling silver stacking rings jewellery course

"I was given a very warm welcome to Sarah's pretty workshop. Sarah showed me around her workshop and the tools that i would be using and what they were for.Sarah gave me excellent guidance and encouragement throughout the day, i learnt the basics of measuring, cutting, shaping, soldering, filing, final shaping and sizing, texturing and polishing. Sarah is an exceptional teacher with lots of enthusiasm and patients, she is fun to work with. I was offered lots of tea, coffee and biscuits during the day, i had a brilliant time and left with two exceptional rings on my first attempt, i can't praise Sarah highly enough and want to come back and learn more. I would definitely recommend this course."

27 Mar 17'

Irene reviewed: Fine Nuno Felted Scarf with 3D Embellishment Online Class

"I had a thoroughly enjoyable day. Lena was enthusiastic and gave us good instructions throughout the day. It was nice to meet other people in a small group setting and share ideas. I came away with a lovely scarf and keenness to book another of Lena's courses."

27 Mar 17'

Andrea Van Kleef reviewed: Hand spinning workshops - Norfolk

"Fab day spent in the Norfolk countryside learning to spin. Theresa is an excellent teacher and pays great attention to detail when explaining aspects of fleece preparation and spinning. She is friendly and extremely patient. I made huge amounts of progress during the course and will be returning to learn to spin art yarn !"

26 Mar 17'

Claire Barnes reviewed: 101 A Furniture Painting Beginners Workshop in SEVENOAKS

"I attended the beginners workshop at Vintage Attic Sevenoaks as I have lots of furniture to paint. Elaine was lovely and the workshop was great as it gave me the confidence I needed to start. The day was really informative and also great fun. There was a mix of ladies and men. I have also attended a paint your own piece and I painted a lovely bedside cabinet which I purchased from the Vintage Attic shop. I enjoyed it so much I am on the waiting list for a more advanced class. I can thoroughly recommend."

26 Mar 17'

Rosalind Eve reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"What a wonderful day! Sally-Anne immediately put me at ease and very quickly understood what I wanted from the day. I've learned about willow work and not only come away with finished willow balls that I am very proud of but also a multitude of ideas and techniques for the future. In an exquisitely beautiful setting, Sally-Anne was calm, engaging, knowledgeable and encouraging. It was very productive and enjoyable. I'd recommend it to anyone. Thank you Sally-Anne!"

26 Mar 17'

Mick wright reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I spent the day with my Dad at Chris 's forge last week and had an absolutely brilliant day. We learnt so much and were able to make handles for a project we were doing at home so a double whammy for us. We would recommend anyone to try their hand with Chris. You won't be disappointed"

26 Mar 17'

Martin Worthington reviewed: A stool making day

"What a great spring weekend! Got on the chair course last minute but so glad I did. Tree surgeon by trade,but this course blew my mind with how timber once processed by hand can become a beautiful piece of furniture. The tuition is perfect, no pressure just easy going. Fantastic full of ideas and can t wait to go back. Martin Worthington ND arb"

26 Mar 17'

Kathy Slattery reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"Booked as a Christmas present for my sister - we both had a wonderful day and left with 2 lovely pheasants. Kate is a great tutor, giving good instruction and help as and when needed to get you (or rather our pheasants!) back on track. The day flew by and we left quite amazed at what we had created. I am now looking to return with a friend who wasn't able to come that day but was very impressed with the results. In leaving we missed saying goodbye to the others on the course, sorry - we really enjoyed your company too!"

26 Mar 17'

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

"I had the most amazing day with Allison who is extremely knowledgable and experienced in skincare products. It was so enjoyable to smell all the wonderful essential oils and to understand their benefits and how they can be incorporated into skincare products. We made balms, facial serums, Skin toners and a body moisturiser, I absolutely loved everything we made and I am really enjoying using the facial serum, which is far better than the very expensive serum I have been using. Be prepared to learn a lot, nothing is too much for Allison she will do everything to help you understand how these wonderful products can be so beneficial. I cant imagine there could be a better Organic Skincare Workshop."

26 Mar 17'

Angela reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Very enjoyable day creating with expert guidance by John and Spencer. I love my pig and he has pride of place on the fireplace. If you're looking for something different to do then give this a go. You won't be disappointed!"

26 Mar 17'

Helen reviewed: Fine Nuno Felted Scarf with 3D Embellishment Online Class

"F a b u l o u s ! So many ideas, such an amazing environment with such creative energy. I loved it, thank you so much for sharing your innovative skills"