Latest reviews

Julie Edwards reviewed: Introduction to glass fusing at the Cheshire School of Glass

"I have never worked with glass before. I loved it! Jen taught us to cut glass and how to create stencils. We learnt about compatibility and what to use and what not to use! Jen gave us loads of notes on firing the kiln too; I don't have a kiln yet, but I think I will get a small one after doing a few more courses with Cheshire School of Glass. We were given a discount voucher for another course which I intend on booking now. Thank you for a great day."

Julie Pain reviewed: Paint a Zentangle leaf man plaque

"I am Julie whose Zen man is pictured here. I have no experience in this type of art and basically it is doodling on a plaque. Thought I may have bitten off more than I could chew, but once I got into it the time flew by! I couldn’t wait to see my final efforts and was amazed how it turned out - took it to work to show off and they all wanted one! Gave them Saz’s number! Time to fit in a lunch from the superb cafe next door, but hydration kept up with tea and coffee with homemade biscuits on day I went - thanks Saz. Takes a good 4-5 hours but well worth it - and relaxing. I slept well that night from concentrating on doodles - who’d have thought it? Having my Zen man featured shows you don’t have to be an artist to have a go with what I think is a good result - he looks fab on my pergola post at home."

Natalia Cade reviewed: Surface decoration with the Cheshire School of Glass

"We had a brilliant time on this course. I'm booking on another with Jenny and with Steph. They know so much and I enjoyed the instant results you got with sandblasting. The equipment all worked really well and I went back to collect my beautifully boxed parcel of goodies today and we delighted with the results."

Jenny Turner reviewed: Surface decoration with the Cheshire School of Glass

"Jenny knows so much about working with glass. I did a glass course about 6 months prior to this one using different techniques. Jenny is very generous with her knowledge and very approachable. Nothing was too much bother. great location and great facilities. Good value for money."

Julie Pain reviewed: Snail painting workshop

"This is my fourth project with Saz - I started small with a Peter Rabbit, then did a Santa - time to move to bigger things and I did a snail - called her Doris as all the others were men! Excellent tuition and really relaxing to do with a friend or on your own. Saz provides the tea and biscuits, a gossip and reminds you to breathe when you get too focussed! If you do the smaller snail, remember to consider how you paint it - I sat there with a hand in the shell as I painted it wrong way round and had to wait until it dried before I could put it down! Told a young visitor it was eating my hand and he believed me! I’ ll Be back for my next project soon.......and I am not the arty type. Thoroughly enjoyable experience would recommend to anyone."

Wendy Ligget reviewed: 'Glass for the garden' with the Cheshire School of Glass

"I have been on the glass for the garden course recently with Cheshire School of Glass. It was wonderful. The farm based business was in a beautiful beamed barn with lots of materials and two very talented teachers who have worked in glass for a long time. They were all great, approachable, lovely ladies."

Katie Evans reviewed: 'Glass for the garden' with the Cheshire School of Glass

"I made 4 different sculptural pieces to go in to a metal frame for the garden- one for each season. I loved this course. I met some great people and Jenny was generous and patient with my inability .to cut glass. Great fun"

Mel Keeling reviewed: 1-to-1 tailored course with one of the UK's leading glass artists Jennifer Barker, at the Cheshire School of Glass

"I specifically wanted to learn how to make large thick float panels for architecture, with particular reference to how to create texture. Jenny taught me above and beyond what I envisaged I could learn in two days. It was intensive and I have come away wth an exercise book full of notes. Jenny is a very knowledgeable and I would highly recommend her courses to both glass artists and novices."

Martin Frewer reviewed: Beginners Weaving with the Rigid Heddle Loom - at All in a Spin

"My extended family are spread over three countries and we meet up most summers. We wanted to go on some sort of craft/art course. I found Dunja's beginners day weaving course online. Three generations attended the course. None of us had weaved before and as astonishing as it may seem we all made a scarf. We were all carefully guided through the whole process right from choosing wool colours & design, setting up the loom, weaving and finishing up. Everyone went home very pleased. I think a few rigid heddle looms will be purchased soon! Dunja is very interesting and knowledgable as well as running a very organized course."

Hayley Williams reviewed: Luxury Christmas decorations (full day) with the Cheshire School of Glass

"The course was so much fun! Jenny and her helpers had us cutting and shaping santas and snowflakes, penguins and xmas trees in all kinds of colours and decorating them with dichroics and millefoire . I went with my Mum and sister in=law. We loved every minute. Jenny made us feel really festive with mince pies and xmas music. We made so many decorations and plan to give them as stocking fillers and gifts to friends and family. I thoroughly recommend this course for anyone who wants to get in the christmas spirit and loves upmarket crafting!"

Katherine and Luke reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"We had the BEST day making a mallet and stool each with Ian. The barn is perfectly in keeping with the traditional tools and feel of the day. Ian was great and taught us a lot. We are so pleased with the beautiful stools we have taken home and can’t wait to try another course with Ian! Thank you again for a lovely day :)"

Fiona reviewed: Beginners Linocut Workshop at Hitchin Lavender Farm, Hertfordshire

"Brilliant course in a lovely location. Good even for those who aren’t good at drawing as you can be shown how to trace and transfer the design. There is also lots of inspiration to draw from... and nice coffee and cake!"

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

"Spent a fantastic couple of days with Ed making a models and moulds. I've been making my own moulds for a while, but it was absolutely invaluable to learn all the professional tricks of the trade with somebody who was so willing to share his knowledge. This will help no end as I go forward and continue with my MA in Glass and Ceramics at Sunderland University - it speaks volumes about Ed's reputation that the University of Sunderland Futures Fund was willing to fund my place on Ed's course in order to further my studies. Can't wait to come back and learn more."

Paul Curtis reviewed: Silver jewellery Pendant making workshop

"I attended a workshop just out of curiosity really and made a fabulous silver ring. I really enjoyed the day and Sarah was brilliant. I would definitely recommend her."

Rita French &Christine Cross reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"We both had a really enjoyable and productive afternoon. We had had no experience but Julie was a helpful, knowable and welcoming host. We both produced some lovely pieces and found it a very relaxing experience. We had booked to do another course ( short Xmas decoration course) before we left based on the afternoon's tuition! Neither of us would consider ourselves artistic but the pieces we produced are really lovely -we were given free reign with design/colours but Julie was always there as a guiding hand if required. We would both recommend this course as one you could repeat and still enjoy."

Sue Chapman reviewed: Silver jewellery beginners' class - one day

"I have just spent a fabulous day with my daughter's (30 &11) with Louise being introduced to the delights of silver clay. Louise is an amazing educator - she patiently explained the process and enabled us each to craft pieces that we were delighted with. I was able to choose the course location most convenient to us and her studio is in a lovely position. Louise worked with my adult daughter to achieve the commemorative piece she had hoped to achieve whilst still being able to enable my young daughter to create a host of charms. Even the development process has sent us home with painting opportunities. One day is not enough!! ( Although you certainly leave with some beautiful items of jewellery)"

Louise Anne Designs responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review. You were all a pleasure to teach and I loved all your fabulous pieces- I'm sure you will get lots of lovely comments when wearing them! ?"

Mary Newbegin reviewed: Fabulous felt picture 2 day masterclass near York

"Having done a few felting workshops before I found this workshop provided me with far more techniques and tips that I had not been shown before. The venue was lovely and the small class meant we all received the attention we required. I left feeling totally inspired to continue to develop my felting skills."

Kate Coggins reviewed: Artisan Bread Classes

"What an inspiring day of bread making! I learnt so much on the French bread course and had lots of compliments from my family about the goodies I brought home - especially the croissants. Rachel, you struck exactly the right balance between instruction/motivation and were always ready with answers to our many questions. The hot weather was a challenge, but with your guidance all of us achieved an amazing variety of baking - a very busy day. Thank you."

Tina Wheeler reviewed: Mosaic applique with the Cheshire School of Glass

"I don't want to go home. The 2 days went too quickly; please can I stay another day?! I have wanted to work with glass for such a long time, now I have found you, I'm going to come back and do all of the courses when there is room. We all got on so well as a group and I think we will will all stay in touch, which is a lovely bonus. Thank you for a fabulous day."

Sandra Thomas Cooley reviewed: Surface decoration with the Cheshire School of Glass

"I've really enjoyed the course today. The location, group abd teaching were all great. Very knowledgeable people and a wealth of materials to use. I'd like to do a Stained Glass Course next, when you have some dates. Please Email me with future course."

Stacey O'Brien reviewed: Introduction to glass fusing at the Cheshire School of Glass

"Jenny what can I say... Wow!! A brilliant fun packed day. I'm totally pooped and it was worth every penny. I have learnt so much from you. I will sleep well tonight, after a long journey back to Malborough. All the best, Stacey."

Barbara Powell-Jones reviewed: Indigo & Arashi Shibori workshop

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day with Lisa. I had a friend visiting at the time and suggested that we attend Lisa's course and we were so pleased we had. Lisa is a great teacher, very encouraging, informative and generous with her materials and time. Would have no hesitation recommending. Barb"

Afke reviewed: Wild basketry- workshop in the woods, forage your materials

"We both had a delightful time creating our baskets with you and all participants in the stunning woods. Thanks for such inspiring and nourishing experience, for your fire and tea and for teaching us and caring so beautifully. We feel so proud and happy with them, we put them next to our bed that evening! Couldn't part from them... kept on feeling and smelling them! Such joy they bring. Jeremy's basket is filled with our garden apples."

Laura reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"Absolutely Brilliant! Had a wonderful day, I’d wanted to learn more about blacksmithing and have a go myself for a while. The forge itself is situated in an idyllic field, with all the hot weather we’ve had I thought it might get too hot but there was a nice breeze through the forge and the temperature was not uncomfortable. Text books and YouTube are all very well but you can’t beat time with an expert and just having a go! I find there is something magical in being able to mould and shape metal, it must be something about balancing the practical and scientific together with art and intuition. I was surprised to find I made a variety of items which are actually useable, which says a lot about Colin’s ability to guide even the most clumsy and haphazard of ‘students’. Colin is a great teacher and host, generous and full of interesting anecdotes and tips of the trade. Would definitely recommend."

Becky & David reviewed: Candle making class & bubbly in Brighton & Hove

"Boutique and bespoke we had great fun with Charlie. She is charming and knowledgable and we couldn’t have asked for more. Such a fun few hours and would 100% recommend it to anyone. We loved our candles and I look forward to making more for presents in the future. Massive thank you to Charlie."