Latest reviews

16 Oct 16'

Rod Knight reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"As an engineer I have always wanted to learn how to turn in wood. I heard about Andy from a friend and decided to book a day for a beginners course in wood turning. Wow! What a day I had with This skilled guy, Andy Browne, his turning ability was second to none with a professional workshop. He soon got me up and running to turn my own bowl. The day was fantastic I learnt so much in such a short time. I didn't want the day to end. I shall be booking a second day with Andy to take my skill to another level. Thank you Andy for a brilliant and informative day. I would recommend Andy to anyone who is thinking of learning wood turning. Rod Knight"

16 Oct 16'

Angie Stevens reviewed: Introduction to Spoon Carving

"Wow what a fantastic day and a brilliant and fulfilling course. Never thought for one minute I'd actually walk away with a recognisable spoon made by my own fair hands. Couldn't recommend this course highly enough. Set in beautiful tranquil surroundings such a satisfying way to spend a Saturday. Chris is a great teacher and very patient and giving with an endless stream of encouragement and passion for his crafts. Also to be congratulated is Chris's mum who lays on wonderful supply of tea, cake and exquisite lunch of homemade soup with a secret ingredient! We didn't want to leave and will certainly be back for more."

16 Oct 16'

Rita Dent reviewed: 1-to-1 Mount cutting and effective presentation for painters and photographers

"Lynne's Introduction to Mount Cutting course was probably the best one day course I have been on. Lynne made each step in the process very clear and easy to follow, and by the end of the day I had cut several mounts which were ready for immediate use. She made the measuring and marking up - the tricky part of the process - extremely straight forward and I went away able to make my own mounts at home with confidence. Lynne's demonstrations of how to sketch a plan, how to use the mount to frame creatively and how to use the cutting tools were excellent, as was her individual teaching to each member of the group. Since I was also taught how to make a backing for the mount and how to position and secure the artwork ready for framing, I left feeling that I had achieved a great deal in a few hours."

15 Oct 16'

Brian B reviewed: Artisan bread making day: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I had been meaning to visit this place for a long time but the catalyst to actually do so was being given a voucher for one of the courses that are run here. The bread making course was what I chose although I do bake my own bread and have attended other courses. It was a day well spent! Very well planned and organised by the tutor, Gill. I learnt a lot as well as having a great day! In the joining instructions I was advised to make sure I had plenty room in my freezer for what I would take home. I thought I had plenty room but just managed to squeeze everything in! (That is not counting what I have kept out to use immediately!). The lunch was great as well!"

15 Oct 16'

Robert R reviewed: Artisan bread making day: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Just attended the Bread Making day and came back with a bag laden with fresh baked hand made bread of all shapes and sizes. If you want to learn something new in a friendly atmosphere, with great food and in a wonderful location, look no further."

15 Oct 16'

Charles S reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I attended this course making a longbow from a 7 foot stave of ash over two days. The refreshments provided were all delicious. From freshly baked biscuits and coffee on arrival to homemade soups, bread and butter pudding, crumbles, scones and cakes the food was lovely. The regular cyclists popping in on their coast to coast route were all warmly welcomed and left refreshed. A lovely venue with great food and fun craft courses. Perfect."

15 Oct 16'

Claire M reviewed: Discovering Watercolours - all abilities: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I attended the August Watercolour Workshop and was inspired. Margaret is a magnificent coach, imparting tips and techniques with patience and humour. I have been painting ever since. Fellow students were great company and the food was fantastic home cooking."

15 Oct 16'

Gill D reviewed: Artisan bread making day: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Spent a wonderful day at the Cycle Cafe learning how to make Artisan bread. A thoroughly enjoyable day, excellent teacher and lovely lunch. I'll be back soon."

15 Oct 16'

Ken Bagnall reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I was really looking forward to my day with Mort as it was over 50 years since I had used a forge while at school! I was not disappointed as he proved to be an excellent instructor and his professionalism was evident from the outset. He showed such great patience with my sometimes pathetic attempts at the forge and explained everything in much detail and at the same time was amusing held me rapt with his knowledge of many subjects. Thank you Mort, certainly a day to remember."

15 Oct 16'

Lucy Atkinson reviewed: Mosaic day workshop on Orkney

"I would highly recommend Catherine's 1day mosaic workshop. Catherine was wonderful, creative & extremely knowledgeable. This workshop exceeded my expectations. I now feel that I have the knowledge needed to begin to create my own mosaics at home. I particularly enjoyed working with the vast array of materials that Catherine supplied on the workshop. A truly fabulous creative day!"

15 Oct 16'

Ray sheppard reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"Great time learning new skills, Andy is a great teacher spending time exsplaning all the tricks of the trade. I will be recommending this course to friends"

15 Oct 16'

Kym Hindle reviewed: Container candlemaking course and wax melts with afternoon tea

"I booked this course for my daughters family hen party and it was a fantastic choice! Julie and Kay were really welcoming and warm as well as being great teachers with lots of patience !! Our ages ranged from twenty something to seventy something yet it proved to be a brilliant experience and a lot of fun for everyone! We were taught how to make a range of different candles and were able to bring our own finished products home with us. Julie and Kay were very accommodating with our different dietary needs for the afternoon tea too. A great day had by all, my daughter the bride to be said her day was 'perfect'- thank you!xxxx"

15 Oct 16'

Seren Stacey reviewed: Make a textured, shaped and personalised silver brooch, pendant or pair of earrings

"The all day silver jewellery workshop was fantastic. There was enough time to be creative and to realise my ideas, with excellent guidance by Rose Wood. The environment was really lovely, with a beautifully designed studio space in a lovely place whith all the tools you could need. I learned a lot of silver working skills to make a pendant for the first time. The whole experience was great but mostly it was all down to excellent tutoring by Rose Wood."

15 Oct 16'

Luke G reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 1 (beginner)

"I recently completed the 2 day course and echo the views of all the other reviews; the course is excellent and well worth doing for anyone who holds an interest in woodworking (or fancies trying something new). Aidan has clearly put a lot of thought into structuring the course to ensure that it covers key skills and so that participants leave with the practical knowledge to enable them to undertake projects of their own. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the work I was able to produce with Aidan's guidance and will certainly be planning to take further classes with Aidan in the future, as well as pursuing my own projects. There is a good balance of practical 'learning by doing' with explanations of important considerations when undertaking your own projects. A highly recommended course."

14 Oct 16'

Val R reviewed: Reduction linocut printing with Janet Dickson : a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Thank you so much for this excellent day Janet and Annie. I was amazed at the quality of work that everyone produced in such a short time, which reflected totally the quality of and style of teaching from Janet that we could produce such diverse pieces of art that we could all be proud of. I am now busy sourcing materials now for my next project... Thank you everybody!- we both had a really relaxed but productive day amongst a lovely group of people with Annie's hospitality, good food and of course cuddly chickens- who could ask for more?"

14 Oct 16'

Ellie reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery - Textures in Nature' with Jo Dix: a 'Quirky Workshop'

"Silver clay workshop today. Fantastic, delighted with the results. Food & hospitality wonderful, as ever! Xx"

14 Oct 16'

Linda Stovell reviewed: Basket weaving for beginners - make a round basket

"Fantastic day! We were complete beginners... 5 friends together. We all made brilliant and different baskets. You can choose your colour willow.. white, green, buff. Loved it so much, 3 of us have re-booked for November... I am making a log basket. Taking the opportunity of booking a cottage by the sea for 2 nights and we can explore! Emma is a lovely lady, really looked after us all and even spoilt us with homemade cakes!!! Thanks. C u in November!"

14 Oct 16'

Linda (Loo) reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"Had a fantastic day. Complete beginner - made a fantastic creation. Maddie explained everything I needed to know... really inspiring to think of next project. To cap it all my fellow Worksop student (another Linda) showed me the beautiful coast. I adored this too! Thank you Linda xx Now sat in pub, pleased as punch awaiting my supper! Super, super day! Thanks both!"

14 Oct 16'

Georgina Aitken reviewed: One day mosaic workshop - Lincolnshire

"Caron's passion and knowledge of mosaic and anything glass surrounds you like a warm blanket, encouraging you to succeed in your chosen project. The ability to impart her knowledge clearly, whilst knowing when standing back and let you unleash your own creativity is a rare skill, which she posesses in abundance. That with the tea, cake and humour makes for a day well spent. I would encourage anybody to give it a go, I don't think you will regret it."

14 Oct 16'

Linda reviewed: M

"What a wonderful way to spend a day! I was an absolute beginner and Maddie provided an excellent introduction to the techniques needed- I came away with a piece I was proud of ! The studio is beautiful and the works on display are an inspiration. Maddie is an excellent teacher- explaining and offering advice whilst assuring you that each piece is as individual as the person creating it. I will certainly be going back for another project!"

14 Oct 16'

Laura reviewed: Mixed Media Made Easy

"I've attended a few workshops with Jo to create various sculptures using the Powertex medium over the last year! She is a very patient teacher and ensures you are comfortable throughout the entire creative process. I never thought i could create such wonderful items as I have within these workshops. The workshop was held in her amazing Craft shop and I always leave with no money but lots of ideas and stuff to do!! love love love it!!"

14 Oct 16'

M Hewitt reviewed: Bud Vases & Tea Lights in Porcelain with Gwen Bainbridge: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater- Cumbria

"I had a wonderful day at the Quirky Workshop. I'd never worked with porcelain before but Gwen explained everything really well, was very helpful when I struggled with delicate pieces. I managed to produce four items, plus a few trinkets, which I'm very proud of! The venue was a very relaxing place to be, food was excellent and kept me going. I'd recommend this course to anyone, and a voucher for a Quirky Workshop is on my Christmas wish list!"

14 Oct 16'

Christine Dodd reviewed: 4-week online flower arranging class with Julie Davies Flower Workshops

"This is a perfect course for people who are time strapped and cannot attend a weekly class. I can't believe how much I was able to learn online and with Julie's support. The great thing for me was the video step by step guides, followed up by one to one tuition to know how to improve for next time. I am a keen gardener, so plants are in my blood anyway, but this has really reignited my passion for flowers and encouraged me to bring them indoors! I find myself going round the garden and thinking 'that would look good in a vase'. Also, my vase collection has expanded massively as I cannot pass a charity shop without picking up another!"

14 Oct 16'

Aayushi JP reviewed: Crochet for Beginners (Adults) in Putney

"What a wonderful 4 hours we had with Sowmya! She is an excellent teacher, very patient and encouraging. I didn't think I'd be able to pick up crocheting again so quickly and she made it so easy. Thank you for the individual books and patterns- the attention to detail was great! I definitely feel more confident about making my headband. Might have to come to the intermediate course!"

14 Oct 16'

Mark Ricketts reviewed: 1 day introduction to silver jewellery making

"I really enjoyed this excellent course. I did the Saturday 1 day Intro to Jewellery Making with no previous experience. The day was well organised, relaxed, friendly and very informative. Jonathan was very knowledgeable and capable, but things didn't get over complicated. We had plenty of time making things and trying the different techniques and stages involved in jewellery making. I made a cuff for my wife, she loves it and wears it proudly, and I came away inspired to do more. I recommend the course and feel sure that I will be booking some more time to work with Jonathan in the future."