Latest reviews

16 Jan 17'

Lisa Yeung reviewed: Holiday ceramic sculpture workshop for children 8+ (and adults)

"We enjoyed a birthday sculpture workshop with another family to celebrate my son's 10th birthday. We were a cosy group of five people -2 adults and 3 kids - and it was the perfect size. A fantastic way to engage kids in purposeful activity under the encouragement and tuition of a skilled sculptor that is Beatrice Hoffman. Highly recommended to kids and adults who are interested in experiencing the joy of creating clay objects with their hands."

16 Jan 17'

Ruth Marciniak reviewed: Holiday ceramic sculpture workshop for children 8+ (and adults)

"My 11 year old son and I did a two day workshop with Beatrice. She is an excellent teacher, very knowledgeable, inspiring, encouraging and patient. She is also very intuitive in knowing how to provide the right support to get the best from an individual. The workshop is a lovely space to work in."

16 Jan 17'

Claire reviewed: Holiday ceramic sculpture workshop for children 8+ (and adults)

"Our family (2 adults + children aged 9 and 11) attended 2 days of summer workshops and had the best time. Beatrice is an encouraging and patient teacher and we all learned a lot and created things we didn't think we were capable of. And yes it was great fun for all ages! highly recommendedClaire"

16 Jan 17'

Erin Gentry reviewed: Felt slippers - felt-making workshop with Debra Esterhuizen

"We had an excellent time on this course. Debra is a great teacher, who explains things clearly and seems to have endless patience. Her studio is calm and comfortable in a lovely building. She has gorgeous wool supplies in lots of luscious colours, and the slippers i made are not only comfortable, but they are more beautiful than anything I have seen in a shop. I highly recommend this course."

16 Jan 17'

Claire reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

16 Jan 17'

Yasuko Moran reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"Beatrice is very good at teaching the details about sculpture. Beatrice offered advice on how to scrape and observe from different angles etc..and also introduced the different type of tools and how to use them. Beatrice can identify what students want to know and do. We all enjoyed the sculpture lesson and had a wonderful experience!"

16 Jan 17'

Liz Miller reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"I just received my fired model and I'm so pleased with it. Have actually even had a couple of compliments about it - thanks so much for helping me put it together. It was great day ( a few months ago now), just a shame you're not nearer so I could do another one. Many thanks again! Liz"

16 Jan 17'

Dave reviewed: Chair Making Courses with Sussex Green Woodworking

"For a complete novice to end up with an amazing chair at the end of a week is testament to Danny's skill and patience .Great company,awesome surroundings,fantastic teaching and home baked treats! A truly inspiring week . I'll be back ."

16 Jan 17'

Wendy Mattinson reviewed: Felt slippers - felt-making workshop with Debra Esterhuizen

"Went on a slipper making course last weekend. I had a wonderful day with great people. Debra is a lovely, warm person whose knowledge and enthusiasm for her craft is infectious to all around her. Great day - and I came home with a fab pair of slippers !! Go ahead and book for Debra's courses - you won't regret it."

16 Jan 17'

Jane Smith reviewed: Fused Glass Christmas Decorations One Day Workshop : Fun, Creativity and Relaxation

"I went to Joy's "taster" workshop recently, and found it a very rewarding experience. Cauldwell Mills, and Joy's studio are very interesting, and worth a visit. Her work is simply stunning and gives you an insight into the depth of her knowledge. The morning session began with coffee and an informal chat. Joy then explained everything clearly and gave us the confidence to start our project. We made a plaque using a superb selection of coloured glass particles. She carefully explained how each colour may work on our plaque but also made us feel confident, and keen to have a go. She was constantly available while giving us the opportunity to enjoy experimenting. I would certainly recommend this course to anyone wanting to try out a new skill and learn more about the art of making beautiful artifacts in glass. Joy certainly lives up to her name!"

16 Jan 17'

Nigel James Mac-Fall reviewed: Steam-Bending Courses in Cumbria

"I've been designing furniture since graduating at the RCA back in 1972. A few years ago I was in a furniture museum in Vienna looking at some amazing Thonet chairs and realised I knew absolutely nothing about steam bending. I googled like made, came across Charlie's course and booked in for 4 days in July 2013. The whole experience was pure magic. The course is set in paradise, my fellow students were a wonderful mixture, from all over the world, from all walks of life and tremendous fun. Charlie is an inspirational teacher with a passion for steam bending, it's palpable and it rubs off, I learnt loads and I met some great people. When I came back I set to and designed some 20 pieces of furniture suitable for steam bending. I also came back with my 'chair-in-an-afternoon' which is still in constant use and proudly sits on the terrace in the pouring rain as I write this message - thank you Charlie. Nigel James Mac-Fall"

16 Jan 17'

Mandie Messer reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"I have attended several workshops with Matt now and loved all of them! Matt is very patient, encouraging and helpful at each stage of the design process he is an excellent Teacher. As confidence grows he leaves you to progress at your own speed but always helps when you might be struggling with technique. Mine was using the soldering iron! Sorry Matt. Matt made two beautiful windows for my home, working with ideas with me and involving me with the choice of beautiful glass pieces including antique panels cut to enhance the design. The limits of what you can create with Matt are only your own imagination, even if it takes a few classes to create one piece it's worth it. Highly recommended....Have a go."

16 Jan 17'

Peter Saunders reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Had an excellent couple of days working with Nigel in his forge, learning and making lots !! Special place :-) Peter"

16 Jan 17'

Phil Joyce reviewed: Hide camp - deer skin into buckskin

"I had no idea what to expect but the whole experience was mind changing. The tutoring in hide preparation was excellent, but the bonus was the introduction to a culture so removed the pressures of city life, away from the windows we look through every day, be it house windows or TV and computer screens. A true appreciation is gained of the work our ancestors had to do to turn hides into clothes."

16 Jan 17'

Andrea Lawrence reviewed: Fused glass workshop - Plymouth

"I gave this as a Christmas gift to 3 of my friends. What fun we had! It was a great way to spend 3 hours and we all enjoyed making our coasters and sun catchers. I would highly recommend this workshop to everyone. Sheena is a fun, lovely lady. Thank you so much for such a fantastic afternoon. We will certainly return!"

16 Jan 17'

Jo McCallum reviewed: Steam-Bending Courses in Cumbria

"I attended the professional practice course at Charlie's workshop in the Lake District. For four days we learnt everything you need to know about steam bending, from material properties to techniques and design. Charlie is patient and incredibly generous, his team are skilled, lovely people, plus his workshop is based in a stunning location. Win, win. This course helped to focus my own practice and I'm currently in Australia, about to use these techniques with architecture students. Charlie's instruction gave me the confidence and the knowledge to get to this point, for which I'm extremely grateful. I highly recommend Charlie's steam bending courses, he is a highly skilled maker/practitioner and an excellent teacher."

15 Jan 17'

Adam Gopsill reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I received this course as a birthday present as I was looking into buying a lathe and wanted to get some expert guidance before I went out and bought all the wrong tools. Mark was an excellent teacher and will give a plethora of valuable honest advice on what to get and what to avoid in regards to tools and types of wood to use. Not only that, you'll learn how to turn properly, giving lots of time and effort saving techniques which can only be only taught by a very experienced technician in the craft. I went for a day's tuition, there is a lot to absorb from how to turn cross grain to properly sharpening chisels. You'll work hard and leave knackered but I went away with a great sense of achievement and a hoping that a lathe will be gracing my shed very soon. Thank you Mark for a fantastic and informative day. I would recommend this course to anyone, even if you've never done turning before."

15 Jan 17'

Oliver Sharpe reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I was bought a beginners day with Chris by my girlfriend and had an amazing day. Chris is an excellent teacher with the right balance of instruction/showing you how and letting you loose on your own (with a helpful eye and tips). His passion for smithing is very apparent and adds to the experience through his stories about smithing and generous enthusiasm. He is a very friendly and knowledgeable tutor. I can't recommend this course enough. I came away with some handmade items, a whole new love of metal and a burning (no pun intended) desire to do some more. Blacksmithing is such a rewarding and interesting art and Chris gives a perfect introduction to it. I shall be going back for a more advanced day soon I am sure. Hold it, Heat it, Hit it!"

15 Jan 17'

Shirley Macfarlane reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"Had a super morning with Kerry. What a fabulous Christmas present from my lovely friend Anna. I had no idea what to expect and it was wonderful. Kerry really knows her stuff is super friendly and it was a pure pleasure to learn from her. The group were lovely. Such a lovely way to spend a morning. I have already recommended it to some friends."

15 Jan 17'

Ian and Rachel Harrower reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I bought a day's course for my husband for his birthday after he'd been dropping not too subtle hints! Well, it was money well spent and as he declared 'one of his best birthday presents ever'. He was full of praise for Nigel the minute he stepped in the door brandishing a poker, shovel, key rings and a small pot! He has been heartily recommending the course to family and friends and is keen to go back for more!"

15 Jan 17'

Clare Lennon reviewed: Introduction to silver jewellery making workshop with Diane Lee

"What a brilliant day! Dianne is an excellent teacher, very knowledgeable and talented. The group was friendly and supportive. Highly recommended."

15 Jan 17'

Carl Herrington reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"This was my second course with Nigel, obviously I thoroughly enjoyed the first course or I wouldn't have been so keen to do another. On my first course Nigel taught the basics of metal working, explaining the history of blacksmithing and how technology developed through the ages. We rapidly progressed from heating and shaping our first piece of 10mm rod to turning out pokers, shovels, keyrings and small pots. Nigel's knowledge, skill and passion for the art are infectious, his humor and patience carry you through the day of intense learning. You really do get out of the day, what you put into it. My second session was an extension of the first, although 3 months had passed, Nigel remembered me and was able to effortlessly guide me further in my learning while simultaneously starting two first timers off. The way Nigel made the second session mesh with two other lads first session was excellent, we all worked along as a group, with complete support and attention to us all, I was able to move forward and progress, with the freedom to make what I wanted, while the others where guided through from the beginning. Beyond the course Nigel has been very helpful and supportive in helping me to set up a small furnace of my own and I will certainly return for another course and will be bringing a friend who I know will love it!"

15 Jan 17'

Clare Lanceley reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"I have had a wonderful time on Jason's leather work course this weekend. The workshop is a little tricky to find, in a large mill building, but I joined 3 other people (who were doing the 2 day course) and received a friendly welcome. Jason is a great teacher, patient and good humoured, despite our many questions. I made a notebook cover, with a leather strap to fix. One day isn't long to cover all that many aspects of leather work but I felt I received a great grounding in the basics. We had an excellent lunch from a café in the building (I had a halloumi salad). Jason is happy to pass on his tips to encourage students to continue with leather work, for example, advising on what tools they might need and how to buy leather from local suppliers. I found the day really enjoyable, time flew and I enjoyed chatting with the other students. I am very keen to attend another course and would definitely recommend Jason as a teacher."

15 Jan 17'

Colin Higgs reviewed: Steam-Bending Courses in Cumbria

"I attended the two day beginner's steam bending course in 2016. The first day was covering the basics of wood bending; health and safety; using different types of wood and how they bend in different ways. Enjoying the use of different jigs to wrap your wood around. Having a lot of fun with the whole group. The second day was the design and build of your own chair in a day. We all used the same basic steel jig to build the chair and then started to add our own designs on top of the basic chair. We had extensive assistance during the chair building process the whole day and everyone had a thoroughly great time. At the end of the day we had our own chairs to take away with us. The best 2 day course I have ever done so far. Excellent. Charlie and his team were all friendly and supportive all throughout the course. Apart from this I was fortunate enough to spend another week with Charlie making my own creations. The skills that I picked up from Charlie in that short period were exceptional; working with different tools and watching Charlie when he was working in production of new sculptures. I learned a lot and realized I needed to spend more time at his studio, there is too much too learn in 1 week. Charlie Whinney is one of the UK's leading artists working with wood on contemporary sculptural designs. One would be silly to miss out on an opportunity to work in his studio and pickup on some of his exceptional skill set. A great person and a great studio."

15 Jan 17'

stefoknee reviewed: Canal art - roses and castles - decorate a plate in narrowboat decoration

"Fabulous! I have almost zero artistic ability and even I produced a plate that had my family amazed! Well taught, in small easy stages. And with a great lunch and plenty of coffee thrown in! A craft worth learning from an excelleny tutor. Thank you."