Latest reviews

18 Jul 16'

Josephine reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Amazing teacher - she's incredibly passionate about candles and shows her knowledge with many others. Pleased to be here on a Saturday afternoon! Definitely learnt more about candles than I thought."

18 Jul 16'

Lauren reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Amazing! Inspiring and reassuring to know I've been taught by an extremely knowledgeable and passionate teacher! Sakeena! Thanks! See you again."

18 Jul 16'

Syra reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Excellent, very well explained, enjoyable. Thanks very much!"

17 Jul 16'

Frances Ryan reviewed: Back to Nature Art Retreat Holiday

"My work is mainly figurative, so prior to the start of the art retreat I was wondering how I could benefit, since the emphasis was on landscape. However, I need not have worried as there were plenty of sheep and cows to draw and I even managed to sneak in some people into my finished picture! The demos that Helen did were very instructive and I now have a better understanding of aspects of mixed media and have been inspired to experiment with it further. Helen was an encouraging and empathetic tutor and I thoroughly enjoyed the three days. She also suggested ways to prepare a sketchbook beforehand, which I found really useful."

17 Jul 16'

ALAN KIRTON reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"My grand son and I appreciated the warm welcome from Adrian and Debbie and the initial very important cup of tea to start the day After the health ad safety briefing Adrian demonstrated how to make a key ring and we got stuck in our selves. Lunch next which was greatly apprecialted and of exceptionally high quality. The next demo involved making a dragon back plate and hooks which will soon be fixed to the wall at home . Well worth the money and we are looking forward to the next course."

17 Jul 16'

Toby & Alex Morton reviewed: Animal Sculpture Workshops

"We had a fantastic day with Leilah learning to make willow pigs. Leilah was a great teacher, encouraging and very patient. Our pigs came out very well indeed we were delighted. It was a lovely set up, yurt in the orchardand sunshine which meant we could work outside in gazebos. Friendly group too. Such a great way to spend a Saturday would highly recommend the whole experience. We'll be back!!"

17 Jul 16'

Helena Clarke reviewed: Back to Nature Art Retreat Holiday

"'Back to Nature Art Retreat Holiday' is a creative break away- and for me it was a real self indulgence!. An artist and friend Helen Hallows ran the retreat with nothing short of perfection. Every day was structured, organised and personal, delivering an array of new ways for you to think, draw, print, mark and create highly skilled responses to the landscape around you. Helen is a very talented artist ( who will not let you tell her she is) who created an experience that wasn't just about ensuring we all produced artwork by the end of the course, Helen was more interested in how this course would empower us as artists by learning about layering new thought processes and actually engaging your hands and head together. Words can't really describe how much i have gained from engaging in this retreat With Helen Hallows. -It is just the perfect location, tutored by an amazing talented artist, with fantastic food catered by Beechenhill Farm and was absolutely amazing as they catered for my specific dietary requirement.. It was just an amazing experience i wish i could do all again. All i would say is you need to go.... otherwise you may regret it later. I know i would !"

17 Jul 16'

Bev Popplewell reviewed: Back to Nature Art Retreat Holiday

"This course was a wonderful experience for so many reasons. Helen had prepared really well and took time with each individual throughout the course, tailoring her suggestions and help according to need. She is an experienced, purposeful artist and you come away brimming with ideas, enthusiasm and "can do" plans. The location was splendid. Relaxing and calm yet stunning and inspiring. Our amazing hosts fed us so well, prepared the hot tub for us and were generally awesome. The whole time away was a real treat and I can't recommend it highly enough."

17 Jul 16'

Brian Minns reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day) (2 people)

"Spent a very informative & pleasant day with Graham. Excellent teacher good hospitality, I will return in due course. Highly recommend his day course ."

17 Jul 16'

Kate Maidment reviewed: Private Jewellery Making Classes London

"Relaxing, fun and made some lovely pieces despite being a clumsy beginner! Heather is very patient and encouraging. The jewellery she makes herself is stunning too. Will definitely be back!"

17 Jul 16'

Rainy reviewed: Fused Glass at the Lakeside Retreat with smARTsy

"Outstanding. I started with a two hour evening workshop and enjoyed it so much I booked straight away for a day - as others have said, it's a wonderful setting for the workshop and Ali is a great teacher. Totally calm and absorbing and the results at the end are just beautiful. Definitely an addiction worth having!"

16 Jul 16'

Annette Richardson reviewed: Fused Glass at the Lakeside Retreat with smARTsy

"Ali is a great teacher and has so much patience in how she explains how to cut and select the various bits of glass you can use to create your own individual art pieces. The time goes so quickly and is such good fun. Highly recommended and great value."

16 Jul 16'

Jane Espley reviewed: Fused Glass at the Lakeside Retreat with smARTsy

"Absolutely Brilliant! Loved it so much I booked again before I left. Beautiful surroundings, great tutorial and amazing results! You don't need any skill to create something to be proud of. Thoroughly recommend it!!!"

16 Jul 16'

Hannah reviewed: Fused Glass at the Lakeside Retreat with smARTsy

"I had a lovely time trying out something new. After seeing some of the pieces made with Ali friends have booked on courses and been excited with the results."

16 Jul 16'

Neil M reviewed: Fused Glass at the Lakeside Retreat with smARTsy

"The experience is relaxing and enjoyable. Ali is a fantastic teacher that guides you through the process. With a little bit of guidance you will soon be making beautiful pieces of glass fusion art. You'll be surprised how easy it is."

15 Jul 16'

Paul Lee reviewed: Bronze Age Swordcasting Workshop

"Fab day - fun and educational. Stewart has loads of patience! I will defo be doing other courses with this gent."

15 Jul 16'

Tom Anderson reviewed: Bronze Age Swordcasting Workshop

"Truly hands on and down to your skills - Stuart is a great teacher. Recommended."

15 Jul 16'

Peter Clark reviewed: Bronze Age Swordcasting Workshop

"Great fun day - thoroughly enjoyed it. Recommended."

15 Jul 16'

Dawn Watkins reviewed: Bronze Age Swordcasting Workshop

"Great day - Stuart is a great teacher which being a novice was wonderful! Very happy with my spoon! Excellent."

15 Jul 16'

John Reed reviewed: Bronze Age Swordcasting Workshop

"Thoroughly enjoyable and great to see a spoon being transformed from a lump of wood. Recommended."

15 Jul 16'

Beth Maskell reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"I've just completed the 10 week beginners course and thoroughly enjoyed it! Ciarán is extremely passionate about his craft and this is passed down through his teaching. All aspects of the project are explained clearly and in depth so you gain a wealth of knowledge. The workshop has a relaxed and fun atmosphere and it is a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I was a complete beginner before hand but now feel confident to take on projects at home. Ciarán was great at recommending tools and is very realistic about what you need if you just wanted to enjoy woodwork as a hobby - no need for countless expensive tools, I was pleasantly suprised about how little you need! I've definitely caught the bug and can't wait to attend the Intermediate course! Thanks Ciarán! (PS. Ciarán's choice of biscuits is sometimes a little sketchy.)"

15 Jul 16'

Darren Graham reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"I've just completed the 10 week beginner course and from the first lesson I was hooked and looked forward to it every week. From preparing and sharpening tools through to creating your own piece of furniture, the course is invaluable for learning the fundamentals of woodworking. By the halfway point I had already been inspired to collect and prepare a full set of vintage and new tools which I used on the course (although a fine set of tools is provided) and I have already started my first piece of furniture at home. Ciarán is a great fella and teacher creating a really laid back atmosphere with no pressure and with the small class size it's like having one to one tuition. If you are interested in learning woodwork, Get it booked!"

14 Jul 16'

Gina Deen reviewed: Back to Nature Art Retreat Holiday

"This course was in a wonderful setting in one of the most beautiful parts of Derbyshire. Helen, the course tutor and talented artist, is easy to get along with and has just the right amount of 'push', which someone like me really needed. I enjoyed the challenges immensely, whether it was sketching in the hills or making stamps for printing out of rubbers! My head is now brimming with ideas to try out at home. I am not the fastest worker and found myself a bit short of time on the second day, but Helen helped me to 'catch up'. She intuitively knows what each person needs. We were all different and had differing abilities, which Helen recognised and each of us received excellent individual tuition. The venue, too, was quite wonderful, with amazing food and super friendly hosts. There is even a hot tub for total relaxation - imagine sitting in warm water and gazing out over the beautiful landscape. I would recommend this wonderful course to anyone - you will not be disappointed.5"

14 Jul 16'

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

"We had such a good time on the reed mace workshop, and we've been recommending it to everybody. Ruby is a skilled and generous teacher - we learned so much, in a wonderfully calm atmosphere. Spending the day in the woods was magical, and Ruby has the most graceful way to light a fire with flint and steel, tinder and grass. I want to go on ALL the workshops!"

14 Jul 16'

David Cowan reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"First class project and an excellent teacher who dealt with everything his pupils threw at him in a relaxed and professional manner. Well Recommended."