Latest reviews

Zandra Saxby reviewed: 'Pet Portraits' in Pastels - Two Day Workshop with Cate Wetherall

"Lovely to see all the different photos of varying types of pet coming alive. Thoroughly enjoyed the day!"

Pure Artwork responded:

"Thank you Zandra!"

Zandra Saxby reviewed: 'Bumble Bee in Pastels' - One Day Workshop with Cate Wetherall

"Fun, friendly and very informative!"

Clare Baker reviewed: Non-residential 2-day patchwork & quilting workshops in Watford with Green Man Quilts

"A fabulous day constructing stars and half square triangle blocks for the surrounds. I had never used triangles before and hoped to come away from the two days a better cutter and more accurate pieces. I certainly felt that I had achieved that along with a stash of cut pieces and constructed blocks ready to be worked into a quilt top. ( I always want to make more than the time on the course allows for!) Sheena is an excellent teacher, generous with her time and support and offers many tips and hints to help us further. I left with a comprehensive set of notes confident that I could complete my rather ambitious project! Thank you Sheena, see you soon."

Claire Bonford reviewed: 'Glass for the garden' with the Cheshire School of Glass

"A lovely location with excellent tuition. I was very impressed with how much we got on this course for the money paid. Not only did we make lots of pieces of glass, we also got very good quality metal frames to take home for our gardens. I will go back for more tuition at Cheshire School of Glass."

Hilary Buttler reviewed: The Suffolk Silk Scarf Painting Workshops at The Arty Silkworm - Fabulously Creative

"When I enrolled for this course I didn't know what to expect. Well, I was so pleased I did. It was amazing how the colours and array of colours which could be used together and produce a spectacular scarf which is unique."

Gill reviewed: Make your very own Tote bag

"My daughter Lauren and I spent last Saturday making a tote bag. Even though I say so myself, the results were very professional! This was in no small part due to Richard’s instruction and patience. This course far exceeded our expectations. Richard shared his considerable knowledge and experience and genuinely wanted people to continue with leather work after the course. I would recommend one of Richard’s courses to anybody interested in learning a new skill."

Helen Monks reviewed: Pole Lathe Bowl Turning - Your First Bowl

"Course was paced very well, excellent tutor and delighted with my first pole lathe turned bowl"

Helen Higgins - Lewis reviewed: Introduction to glass fusing at the Cheshire School of Glass

"This was the best course I've been on. Good value for money. Jenny explained everything so clearly. I have been worried about firing the kiln I have bought and she made it all so easy. She is a very generous spirited teacher who knows the answer to all your questions. Jenny gave me lots of firing curves, for all the different glasses and catered to everyone's individual needs. A lady called Steph assisted Jenny who was equally as helpful and generous with knowledge. I will go back again with the discount I get for doing a further course. Very good atmosphere."

Rena George reviewed: Powertex fabric sculpted figure/Angel/Masai

"I attended a 1 to 1 course with Annette recently and I had a wonderful, productive day. Because it was only the two of us, I was able to indulge my creativity and Annette was game for it and encouraged me to take my idea to the limit. She instinctively knew what my vision was and could suggest suitable materials and techniques that would bring out the best. I completed my sculptured figure of the Doge by the end of the day and I am ecstatic about him. I am keen to use this technique again. Annette has undoubtedly fired me up with new ideas."

Rachael Stokes reviewed: 2-Day Traditional Stained Glass Painting Course for Beginners

"I bought my mother this class as a present and we both thoroughly enjoyed the experience. we learnt so much over the two days, with such expertise, Natalie is so approachable, with such interesting skills we could really see how much we had learnt even over the two days. We cant wait to place our glass pieces in our houses as a constant memory of the course. Definitely worth a try!! I had no experience so you dont need to know anything before just come and have a go"

Yvonne Remnant reviewed: Handmade cards in Hampshire

"My sister Ann & I attended Cardinal cards workshop we made 5 cards and two christmas baubles. June Adams was an excellent tutor it was good to learn a new craft we thoroughly enjoyed it and would certainly recommend it and can't wait to attend another workshop."

Cardinal Cards responded:

"I really enjoyed teaching Ann new card making backgrounds and techniques and she made some beautiful cards. I'm glad you enjoyed the bauble making. It will be lovely to put these on your Christmas tree year after year, knowing they are unique to you. Hope to see you again soon x"

lindsey bowen reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"I've just attended my 3rd clay animal weekend. The technique James and Alison teach mean you get very fast results and I never cease to be amazed by the great pieces the entire class end up producing. It's suprising how much you can achieve in two days with great tuition (and home baked banana loaf!)"

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"Ahh thanks for your email Lindsay! It's amazing how far homemade banana bread will get you!"

Ian Simpson reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"Just completed the intermediate course. Challenging and throughly enjoyable. It was some 2 years ago I did the beginners course at the craft centre in Frodsham. More of a time gap than I plannned but so glad I came back. Ciaran’s Workshop in Alvenley is so much bigger with all the space and tools you need. A great team of supportive ‘students’ to work alongside and lots of help and guidance from Ciarán - he is a great tutor with lots of passion and skill. Much more confident now to take on projects , may be buy some new tools too! Definitely recommend."

Kate reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"I’ve known Ed for a few years as he was my tutor at Central Saint Martin’s, London back in 2013. I was wanting a refresher course and time to get involved with plaster again so contacted Ed to tap into his expertise. I travelled from Amsterdam and arrived with my model I needed to cast - then we set to work. Ed is easy to chat over ideas with and the final outcome was great. Cheers Ed, hope to see you in Amsterdam soon!"

Jan reviewed: Spoon Carving in the Woods (an introduction)

"Thank you for a wonderful day despite the weather. I have now warmed up! - I had never used an axe or knife before and was quite nervous. With your support and guidance I feel confident enough to invest in these tools. It was a wonderful way to spend a day and I'm pleased with my first effort. Many thanks Jan"

Elizabeth Foster reviewed: Mokume Gane: polymer clay jewellery making

"My friend and I had a fabulous day learning to make Mokume Gane - polymer clay beads and created lovely necklaces and ear-rings, taught so well by the lovely Jo Hunter! Jo made us so welcome and even made gluten free biscuits especially for me! Jo showed us how to make extra beads from the left-over clay so I can continue my creations at home. I will definitely be continuing with my bead-making and my friend will be recommending this class to her friends and colleagues, locally. Really good value and a brilliant day of crafting! thank you so much Jo!"

Jo Hunter Wearable Art responded:

"Thank you for that lovely feedback Liz. It was a pleasure to meet you and Jo. If you're down again and want another workshop, just let me know and we can arrange a bespoke class to fit in with your holiday plans."

Elisabeth Mosca reviewed: 2-day blacksmithing courses

"I came along with a friend who'd received the weekend course as a gift and had so much fun! Aaron was such a wonderful, patient teacher, who took the time to give each of us (3 on the course in total) lots of care and attention. It's not easy to follow what everyone is doing and keep an eye on us all. However, Aaron showed his experience and knowledge throughout and intervened at only the right moments. I'm still amazed when I look at the items I made! Such a sense of achievement :)"

Dave reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"Well Bob you’re an amazing bloke. Had an incredible time, learning a variety of new skills. One of the best days of my life. Seriously if you want to get into blacksmithing; try it. You won’t regret it."

Steve Bradford reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day with Dave Cockcroft at the Woodyard near Tetbury. I learned some great skills, all of which I’ll hopefully apply and improve on as my interest in wood carving continues. The venue was as expected for this kind of course, the welcome was warm, and the day well structured. I felt at ease with Dave, as he has a wonderful teaching style, that allows you a free reign , but at the same time watches over you in case you slip up, or doing something that might ruin your work. Overall, I had a great day, and would totally recommend this course, if like me you’re a beginner, or even a seasoned manipulator of wood....there’s something for all. 10/10"

Paul Swan reviewed: French Polishing & Woodcare - Beginners Course - 1 Day

"I have just spent a day with Ollie, and have been amazed how much I learned, and was able to achieve, in a single day. Ollie is a brilliant tutor and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of his subject. He is patient and encouraging and has given me real confidence. I am a box-maker, and wanted to add french polishing as an option I can offer to clients in the future. I believe that I can now do that."

Lynne Friel reviewed: Paper Making - Hand Made Recycled Paper

"I attended a paper making workshop with Wendy. She's a great teacher, everything was ready for us and we followed the process step by step with Wendy's encouragement. We enjoyed tea and refreshments whilst discovering the techniques of paper making. We each went home with a mould and deckle and the skills to make paper at home. Can't wait to get started. Highly recommended."

Sarah reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"Fantastic one day course. Achieved more than ever thought possible!"

Janet Hood reviewed: Wet felted bowls, vessels and vases

"Another excellent and interesting workshop. Each step was fully explained and demonstrated by Kat who is always informative and fun."

David reviewed: Green woodworking and nature connection in the Malvern Hills

"One of the best weekends I have had for a while. Fantastic time in a magical location where we all had the opportunity to socialize with a group of avid wood enthusiasts and of course learn the basic craft of green woodwork. Tom’s know-how, expertise and teaching skill is beyond par, not to mention Ida’s spiritual and woodland education that together provided an holistic experience. Food, which included 3 meals a day, far exceeded anyone’s expectations allowing some “glamping” notion to the experience. Highly recommended for those who wish to get out of the rat race for a few days and gain some skills which can then be used anywhere. Thank you Tom, Ida and the hospitality team."

Richard David Way reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"This experience was given to me as a birthday present. It was an excellent present. The course was fully hands on and extremely rewarding to attend. Ian is very knowledgeable and very friendly. The course was relaxed and there was plenty of time to complete each stage of the project without feeling rushed. The stool I made now has pride of place in my home and I sincerely look forward to visiting again for another one of his courses. I would recommend his courses to everyone."