Latest reviews

15 Mar 17'

Steve reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"I found the blacksmith taster day course online and read the reviews which all sounded brilliant. However, the positive comments don't do this day justice. Colin doesn't only know what he is talking about but I found his enthusiasm and passion for the craft made the day. A brilliant teacher, which is only surpassed by his support for the students needs. I will most definitely be coming back and really would recommend this to anyone. For someone who generally doesn't like people and find it's extremely hard in new situations, I found the whole experience relaxing and therapeutic. I'm sure I will be talking about this day for years to come. Thank you for an amazing insight to an ancient craft."

15 Mar 17'

linda Edwards reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"Today I made a hand stitched wallet for my son, I was very specific about the size of the wallet and what compartments I wanted in the design. Nothing fazes Rosanna she come up with the design that would work best to get the design I was after. I now have a custom made, designed one off wallet in the softest leather thank you so much Rosanna for all your help. Her classes are so relaxed and a real pleasure to do."

15 Mar 17'

Richard Cawte reviewed: Blacksmithing Introductory Workshop - One Day

"Excellent one day Blacksmithing course on the 10th March 17, good instruction, good fun and something to show for it at the end of the day."

15 Mar 17'

Katie reviewed: The Annie Sloan complete chair makeover Workshop at La Di Da Interiors

"Great day, everything explained well. Can wait to get started on my own chairs."

15 Mar 17'

Ian Butterworth reviewed: Four day intensive beginners woodwork course

"I've just completed this 4 day course and can honestly say it was absolutely fantastic - I returned home a very happy and satisfied person with my new piece of hand made furniture. Ciarán is an amazing & engaging tutor - full of passion, knowledge, patience and encouragement. The 4 days flowed seamlessly and there was never a dull moment. I'm going to put my newly learned skills into practice and next year take the intermediate course - I whole heartedly agree with ALL the 5 star comments below - such a top chap. Ciarán, I owe you !"

15 Mar 17'

Andrew Williams reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"I attended Ciarán's two day woodturning course, he took us over the basics and some required health and safety elements then got us straight on the lathe working away. Over the two days we produced a honey spoon, a garden dibber, and a small bowl, all the time giving practical hands on advice and guiding us through each step of producing wonderful items. Ciarán's love and passion for woodworking showed through his teaching and i've left the course feeling i've got some strong basic skills and the confidence to get me working on my own projects. Its been an absolute privilege to be taught by Ciarán, and I hope to be able to take up more courses with him in the future."

15 Mar 17'

Bernie reviewed: Four day intensive beginners woodwork course

"I've just completed the four-day 'Intensive Beginners' course with my 22 year old son. Challenging, exhausting but so rewarding even for someone with my limited abilities. Ciarán is an exceptional teacher, patient, skilled and able to provide just the right level of support needed by each one of us. Perhaps most importantly, the course was immense fun helped by an inexhaustible supply of tea, coffee, biscuits, and a really great bunch of guys. It was my lad's idea to do this and I'm so glad we did. One day we'll be back for the intermediate level. I thoroughly recommend it."

15 Mar 17'

Klaudija Alasauskaite reviewed: Rag Rug Full Day Workshop - London

"This course was great! Elspeth was really patient and taught us step by step how to make the perfect rag rug item! It was a very friendly and relaxing environment and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking to pick up a new craft or for just a fun few hours with friends."

15 Mar 17'

Chris reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"I had a super day with Jo at the candle making course yesterday. Jo was lovely, funny, very accommodating and full of information. The course is held in her stunning home in lovely surroundings. We made a variety of different candles and melts and came back with so many lovely products. This is an excellent course which went beyond my expectations. I would recommend this course to anyone, and would love to attend again myself. Thank you Jo!"

15 Mar 17'

Sue Nash reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Had a very enjoyable day and learnt lots of new skills. Julie is a very able teacher and taught lots of techniques in a short time. Keen and excited to develop my own designs now! Thanks for a great day."

15 Mar 17'

Alan Douglas reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"A really enjoyable course with lots of opportunity for hands-on woodturning experience. Ciaran is an excellent tutor who after an overview of the lathe and the tools to use, is available to offer his wealth of knowlege and experience, as we have the opportunity to use our newly gained knowledge to produce a number of completed and finished woodturned pieces. A very rewarding and fulfilling 2 days of woodturning, with lunch at a great local pub as welcome refreshment. Well worth doing."

15 Mar 17'

Bryan Diggins reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"Ciaran is an excellent tutor. After a short introduction the small group of us got straight into turning with our own lathe for the two day course. The pace was driven by ourselves and with Ciaran's guidance we all got past our first go at a piece of timber then quickly produced works of art - honey dippers. We then made pens , bowls, and garden bulb dibbers. Ciaran gave us all the tips to complete and finish objects using different woods and finishing oils. It was very satisfying to create really good pieces even when considering that we were all complete beginners. Lunch at a local pub was a nice touch - no alcohol though! when working with machinery. Great course, great tutor, great company great first woodworking presents. Top course!!!"

15 Mar 17'

Mac reviewed: Whittling course

"Landed a place on Martin's course 12th March - was exceptionally impressed with his approach to tutoring safe knife handling and the cuts used to remove material & achieve the desired form. The day is well structured with enough pauses to let the lessons bed in & your hands recover between the core skills & project pieces. Throughout the day you are observed & guided with quick warnings whenever you stray into doing anything remotely risky and helpful pointers to get you working in the safest/most effective way come thick & fast. Lunch being part of the package was known to me before going, but, what a lunch!! (not the stale sandwiches & canned desserts you'd normally expect - Martin served us a very good, wholesome and home cooked lunch topped off with delicious cake) I'd strongly recommend the whittling & knife-skills course to absolute beginners as well as those that are comfortable with knife-work & looking to hone their technique... Personally, I'm already looking at dates to see when I can return to attend the longer course that covers spoon-carving!"

14 Mar 17'

Carol reviewed: Beginners candle making workshop - Marlow, Buckinghamshire

"Sarah was a fantastic teacher and it was such fun making candles and finding out about the process and ingredients. Truly inspiring and great fun. Thank you."

14 Mar 17'

Coral Milborrow reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A thoroughly enjoyable day. Started with no experience if machine embroidery but with great tuition, guidance and encouragement from Julie was soon creating my first quirky embroidery picture. I came away having learnt so much more than I expected and have some of Julie's enthusiasm for continuing and developing this technique. Once again .... Thanks Julie."

14 Mar 17'

Margaret Grieve reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"I m still floating from a wonderful day spent in Trumpet with Julie and five other co -machine embroiderers .She gently took us through the various stages of producing a not - half - bad sampler which l feel quite proud of.Above everything,we had a stimulating day and l feel confident that l can produce more work adding my own quirks. It really has kick -started a new interest and much more exciting than just making curtains for my home. Thanks Julie . P. S. Lovely homemade food ."

14 Mar 17'

Jo Gresty reviewed: Necklaces, handmade beads, ancient fresco-style, papiermache recipe

"Thoroughly enjoyable, relaxing and well tutored. It is a course most people could continue do at home as the materials are inexpensive. If a course is good the end result reflect this fact and all those on the course made successful necklaces. I would recommend this course to all who enjoy jewellery making."

14 Mar 17'

SUSAN GLENDINNING reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"Wonderfully practical for a total novice like myself. I had very little confidence(and nearly didn't go) as this is a totally new arena for me. Kevin came too and he did the sanding and painting. The very small class (3 of us) was perfect as I think if there were more people, it could be irritating I you had to wait for help. Wonderful homemade cakes and flapjacks served too! We left at the end with some pretty passable creations: a wrecked footstool destined for the tip became a rejuvenated piece that will sell; a tatty cheap chair with an upholstered seat looks amazing now with a new lease of life - and a boring brown nest of tables began to become interesting again with paint and decoupage applied! Highly recommend this course and can't wait to go again! Hope to take some others with us next time as it was such fun, so perfect for a corporate small team-building day out. :-)"

14 Mar 17'

Melanie reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I really enjoyed my day blacksmithing with Alex! It was a fun day and I learnt a lot. Alex helped me make a large poppy sculpture on a one day course and I took away some ideas to use in my job as a goldsmith as well. Amberley is such a lovely place to spend the day and I would highly recommend the course to anyone!"

14 Mar 17'

Sian evans reviewed: Lampwork Glass Bead Making Workshop, Stourbridge

"I really enjoyed this course...Sarah was an excellent teacher and was really pleased with my finished beads. Would recommend the course as a present for a loved one or friend."

14 Mar 17'

Karen Bown reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"Wow! What a fantastic weekend I've just had on this clay animal modelling course with James Ort, I can thoroughly recommend it. The weekend is a brilliant mix of demonstrations and practical, hands on modelling. We were talked through every step, from making an armature, applying clay and the firing process - and we were helped along the way by James and his lovely assistant Alison. We were made to feel very welcome and encouraged at every stage - I cant recommend this course highly enough! If I didn't live over 3 hours away, I'd be here all the time!!! Cant wait for the glazing session now!"

14 Mar 17'

Chris Gardner reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"I had my Blacksmithing experience this weekend. What a great day! Colin was an excellent host & teacher with a wealth of knowledge that he is happy to share. I would recommend this course to anyone. Colin has a whole array of things you can make, each teaching you a different technique & if you have a specific Project (as I did), he will go out of his way to make it happen. Many Thanks Colin, I will be looking to do this again."

14 Mar 17'

Jayne Gutteridge reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"I would thoroughly recommend this workshop. Julie is a very patient teacher, no matter how many times I forgot something and had to ask her, she would say – “that’s why I’m here”. Julie’s enthusiasm and love of basket making is very contagious. With her very clear step by step demonstrations I made a basket I am very pleased with, and am proud of myself for such an achievement. I have found myself looking at other baskets and really appreciating the amount of work and time it took to create them, and am able to recognise the patterns used. Although there is a lot to learn and do there was no pressure, everyone worked at their own pace and we all finished our fantastic baskets together. A really enjoyable day – thank you Julie."

14 Mar 17'

Amy Cavanagh reviewed: Mindful Mosaic workshops with Dionne Ible - Bedfordshire

"I really enjoyed my weekend course that I attended. As a complete novice, my every need was tended to. There were plenty of books to look at at to get ideas and inspiration and all the equipment you need to create your piece. Dionne was as attentive as you needed her to be, happy to let you get on with it and there to help when you got stuck. I came home with a lovely piece to be proud of."

14 Mar 17'

Les Connelly reviewed: Blacksmithing Introductory Workshop - One Day

"This is an excellent introductory day to basic blacksmithing. The course was limited to 3 persons and with 2 instructors on hand you couldn't go wrong. Within 10-15 minutes of arriving we were heating up our metal in the furnace and taking our first tentative steps into shaping a hook. Then later in the day as our confidence and ability improved we progressed to a very presentable candlestick holder. The instructors were approachable, patient and knowledgeable always on hand to assist you and I cannot recommend this excellent introductory day to an age old craft enough so thanks to Stuart and Mark."