Latest reviews

James Buffery reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking - make a stool or small table

"I came down to Cornwall keen to learn a lot and build some skills that I could use in my own time and I was not disappointed!! Steve and Bob have a wealth of experience between them plus plenty of resource at their (and my) disposal. The course started with a very interesting insight into the biology of wood followed by learning and practising a series of techniques that enable you to build a stool, all of which would be transferable to other projects. We used a variety of tools and we're told all about their general uses as well as alternatives for the same objective. The physical take away from the weekend was the stool itself but for me, the real value of this course is the knowledge and practical experience that will stay with you indefinitely. They've created a great environment to work in and there is a lot to see in the surrounding area if you're planning on making a holiday out of it (I was staying on the coast, under half an hour away). Great company and even better food!!"

Alan and Annette reviewed: Full day mosaic workshop for beginners - Meriden, West Midlands

"An excellent day; very relaxing learning new skills to make a lovely mosaic pot and plaque in a peaceful setting with a lovely lunch. We will continue with our new hobby to make gifts and more items for our home. Recommended to anyone interested in trying mosaics for the first time or to increase their skill. Anne was very friendly and a very good teacher."

Matt Woods reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thanks so much for a wonderful day of wood turning. It was a real pleasure, not just to learn new skills and handle the wood but also to chat with you. Please also thank your wife for making me feel so welcome in your home."

Aga reviewed: One day silver pendant and earring workshop

"Amazing day of designing and making jewellery with a great teacher, jewellery artist and designer - Jolene. Shes got and impressive collection of her hand made jewellery. We had lots of advice and help, every question answered which made my first experience like this free of stress and very nice. Days like this bring you to the magic word of imagination and beautiful things surrounding you make you simply happy. Thank you very much Jolene. Ag"

Matthew Bloomfield reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"A truly great day, graham is a fantastic host with a huge amount of knowledge. We were picking his brain all day, still a huge amount to kearn, cant wait for the next!"

Matthew Bloomfield reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"A truly great day, graham is a fantastic host with a huge amount of knowledge. We were picking his brain all day, still a huge amount to kearn, cant wait for the next!"

Christine Taylor reviewed: One-to-one mount cutting for your next exhibition

"Two days ago I spent a wonderful day with Lynne, our gifted teacher. I learnt so much. At each stage we were carefully guided through the process. As with many things careful preparation leads to success. By the end of the day we had successfully cut and mounted several pictures. I have since mounted two more pictures at home with equal success. To have the confidence to carry on at home shows how well I was taught. I would highly recommend this course."

Gill reviewed: Reiki Healing Introductory Course

"I attended Reiki 1 with Sally. It was the most wonderful experience. The setting is beautiful. Sally made me feel comfortable and at ease. The way she teaches filled me with confidence and self belief. I am excited to continue my journey with Sally. I can highly recommend the whole experience."

Ros Wakeford reviewed: Two leather long stitch journals in a day

"A really enjoyable day and I'm really pleased with the books I have brought home. Lynne's instructions are very clear, including those on the handout which will enable me to make more books at home. Lynne has endless patience and was very helpful. There was an extensive choice of materials too. I had a great day."

Helen reviewed: Group Soap-making Workshop - Soapology Studio - Nottinghamshire

"Had a lovely day with Emma, which has now given me the confidence to do lots of my own experiments in creating my own soap. The day was very informative and well structured. She talked through the necessary chemistry of soap making in the morning and then it was practical, hands on in the afternoon. I took away lots of soap that i’d made and loads of enthusiasm to make more. Thanks Emma!"

Yumiko Tivers reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"I am writing this on behalf of my clients as I accompanied them as an interpreter in the course. Mr. and Mrs. Sato had a great time. Thank you so much, Lucy. They have already started thinking about the futue plan to come back from Japan to take your other courses. It was also such a lovely experience for them to learn upholstery in a private home with a beautiful setting. I am sure they will be back. Many thanks Yumiko"

Emma reviewed: Needle felting - woodland creature or bird, or other small animal: (beginners+)

"All materials were included for this course, along with tea & biscuits :) The technique was demonstrated and explained really well. If anyone was finding something tricky, Sally took the time to explain it to them until they mastered it. Sally lead the course at our pace, never rushing us. She encouraged us all throughout and we all had a sleeping mouse to take home! I will definitely be booking on future courses. Thanks Sally."

Craft Workshops responded:

"Thank you for coming to the needle felting course Emma, it was a pleasure having you attend. Thank you very much for your lovely review and I look forward to seeing you again soon."

Chris Horn reviewed: Fusing glass - beginners - Witney, Oxfordshire

"I was given a voucher as a Birthday present as I have a real interest in glass making. I turned up at Art of Glass not knowing really what to expect. Ros was so welcoming and her knowledge and ability to teach a complete novice like myself was brilliant. I am so pleased that I have been able to have this experience and would highly recommend it. In the time, I was able to make a coral bowl and a coaster. Thank you Ros."

Art of Glass Studio Ltd responded:

"Thank you Chris for your kind review. Look forward to seeing you again in the future. Kind regards Ros - Art of Glass"

Katherine Mann reviewed: 1 day introduction to silver jewellery making - Ely

"What a great day. Jonathan was extremely professional and knowledgeable as well as great fun. We learn't a huge amount and went away with a strong grasp of the basics. The handouts were excellent and good to refer back to in the future. Lovely lunch as well. A day very well spent :)"

Rosemary Jones reviewed: Sterling silver beginners pendant making jewellery course

"I was given craft course vouchers by my grown-up children as a birthday present. My daughter thought making a pendant would be down my street and how right she was! Sarah and her husband welcomed me in such a friendly way that I felt at ease straight away. Sarah was an excellent teacher and gave me superb 1:1 tuition on each stage of the necklace making process in her delightful garden workshop. With Sarah's guidance, I learnt how to use tools effectively and safely. I designed, cut, filed, hammered, polished, satinised, and soldered the silver and in the end created a three leaf pendant of which I am very proud! Sarah has a wonderful knowledge of her subject and made the session relaxed and great fun! I'd highly recommend this course to anyone who likes jewellery and enjoys being creative. Thank you Sarah for a day to remember!"

Liz Hodgson reviewed: Fused glass art experience - no cutting required - Your own venue

"I took my 2 grandchildren of 10 & 12 years along and I wanted to have a go myself. As there was only one other child at the session I was able to try it out too. It was brilliant. Because it didn't involve cutting, but using a whole range of colours and shapes and sizes of glass it wasn't too stressful, and you could play around with shapes, colours and designs. We all thoroughly enjoyed it, and would go again. It was also very reasonably priced."

Art of Glass Studio Ltd responded:

"Thank you Liz for your wonderful review. I am so glad you all had a great time. Look forward to sering you all again in the future. Kind regards, Ros - Art of Glass"

Neil reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"What a great way to spend a day! The experts (John, Steve & Spencer) were enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and the ratio of one expert per two novices meant everyone benefitted from lots of hands-on tuition. The only (minor) negative was the lack of signage inside the farm complex."

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Neil thanks for the review, re signage a solution is in hand! hopefully see you again ( and checkout our new sign)"

Ros Kelson reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"I spent a marvellous few hours (it was a birthday treat) with my sister and niece making jewellery under the expert guidance of Jonathan. The location was perfect - peaceful, quirky, inspiring and fun (I want a narrow boat now!), and Jonathan was an excellent teacher - very good at explaining and showing us how to do things and very patient. (He also makes excellent coffee!). We started off making chains and charms with copper to get the feel of jewellery making and getting to understand the processes involved. After a break for coffee and cake we set about making silver bangles and it was great fun. We are all delighted with what we produced - it is very satisfying to make your own piece of jewellery. I would highly recommend this course."

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Dear Ros, many thanks for your kind words! I think we all had a good day. I was very impressed with your texturing method and hope to use it myself in the future - inspired by the footprints of the local wildlife? Good luck with your future jewellery making Jonathan"

Jennifer Lowe reviewed: Introduction to silver jewellery making workshop with Diane Lee

"Had a great day, learnt loads, really good introduction to the basics, nice atmosphere, lovely and helpful tutor. Going back to a guided workshop session very soon!"

DianeLeeSilver responded:

"Thank you Jennifer not only for your kind review, but also for your company on the day. I'm so glad you had a good time & look forward to seeing you in a supported benchtime session. I'm looking to put on just a few eventing sessions during the Summer. Thank you again Diane"

Pam Hansford reviewed: Needle felting - woodland creature or bird, or other small animal: (beginners+)

"A really enjoyable course. Sally is an excellent teacher and has a great sense of humour and is very patient. We all made a mouse ? I thoroughly recommend this course."

Craft Workshops responded:

"Thank you for coming to the course - it was a productive and friendly group. Look forward to seeing you on some other courses soon :)"

KC Constantine reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"First course I got for my partner was the stool making, based on my partners experience and the excellent hand crafted stool he produced and the whole experience of being taught by a true craftsmen who is a mind of information and and is of a wonderful disposition, I decided to purchase the Bench making day for my adult son who has never put his hand to this sort of thing before,working as a manager and with a very busy home life with three children, time to just lose yourself in this craft for a few hours was the best experience of relaxation albeit physical but totally rewarding work to produce the most amazing Bench which is pride of place in my sons garden waiting to have its very own area to sit proudly in. Cannot praise Ian enough for the way he is in his patient and informative teaching manner, my son thoroughly enjoyed his experience (especially as I'd arranged it as a surprise for them both to be working on something together) and he was amazed at how it took him away from the rat race for two minutes and has learned a valuable pratical new skill and is already thinking of what he could do next. In short, give this course a try, you wont regret it and you'll have a life long memory of a wonderful day making something in the traditional way with excellent tutelage and be very proud of your work. Truly worth every penny."

Alyson Burton reviewed: Introductory pottery wheel throwing taster sessions

"Excellent course and, as a complete novice, I learnt so much. A really enjoyable, relaxed day with fabulous tuition. Lorraine made us very welcome and was a fantastic teacher, helping us all achieve lovely end products. There were enough wheels for us all to use them at the same time and a very generous allowance of clay. I can’t wait to do another session and plan to return again soon."

Chris jackson reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I had a fantastic day with chris. Chris was able to suit my days lesson to my own skill set, i made a pair of tongs which was a lot of work and chris taught me a lot of tips and tricks and is very knowledgeable about his craft. I will definitely be booking another class. Thanks chris your a badass!!"

Laura Johnson reviewed: Advanced Sewing Machine Skills with St Ives Adult Learning

"This was one of the most useful courses i've ever been on. We went back to basics learning about different needles, threads and feet for our sewing machines and their different uses. We had enough time to practice what we were taught and experiment with everything the tutor brought with her. I will definitely be looking out for more courses by Pamela again."

Adult and Community Learning responded:

"Thank you for your kind review, Laura, we are glad that you enjoy Pamela's courses and can confirm that we will have a couple of new ones available in our new programme - St Ives Adult Learning"