Latest reviews

Jeanette reviewed: Beginners Crochet lesson - with materials

"I was drawn to this 121 crochet workshop as a complete beginner who wanted to learn to crochet but struggled with on-line tutorials. Straight away Sarah put me at ease, she explained crochet hooks, yarn types, abbreviations and her unique (and brilliant) self-authored handbook and journal. We began by looking at my preferred/natural way to hold the hook, how to hold the yarn and how to chain stitch. This was all taught at my pace and comfort level, without judgment. Sarah is a talented, skillful crocheter and a considerate mindful teacher. The venue is easy to find and very pleasant, quiet and calm just perfect for learning a new skill. I would thoroughly recommend this workshop to anyone who wishes to learn or improve their crochet. I will definitely be returning to learn more ☺️ "

Rainbow Dandelion Crochet responded:

"Thank you so much for this gorgeous review. It was such a lovely session. As you now know, Crochet isn’t just about making something, it’s a way to pause, a way to breathe and a way to reconnect with yourself. I’m so glad you felt at ease. I can't wait to see you again when you’re ready for the next step. Sarah "

Mike E reviewed: Woodturning 2 Hour Taster Session in Berkshire

"Excellent afternoon learning how to use the lathe. Haven't done this since school and it brought back lots of happy memories. The tools and kit and training were excellent. Went with my daughter as a birthday present. Perfect 👍 (Oh and I have a wooden mushroom to prove it!).😃"

Love Heartwood Turning School responded:

"That's great to hear Mike. I'm so happy that you and Katie enjoyed yourselves."

Kim Lindsey reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"What a fantastic day would highly recommend. Jo is absolutely brilliant, she and her husband make you feel so welcome."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Kim! Really pleased your enjoyed the day and hope to see you back in the studio at some time in the future. Jo xx"

Emma reviewed: Make a Hand Stitched Leather Belt.

"Absolutely fantastic! Bill was so accommodating, helpful and friendly. Brilliant teacher, and great company! Cannot recommend this course enough. Thank you so much"

Bespoke Leather responded:

"Aww thanks Emma, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the bikkies and chocolates Bill"

Emma McGrory reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"We spent today doing this course and it was AMAZING!!!! Neither of us have done this before and we both absolutely loved it!!!! We were guided so well (thanx Andy)! Honestly a truly excellent experience, I literally cannot recommend it enough......I'm booking now to come back!!! Also, the food and customer service was second to none (thanks so so much Debbie)!! Literally cannot say enough great words about this course. Do it!! You definitely wont regret it. See you soon guys!!!! Xxxxx"

Holly reviewed: Pottery throwing in Huddersfield

"We had a great time with Geoff learning to centre our clay and shaping it into bowls. Geoff was an excellent teacher and took his time with each of us. The four of us all had a great time. "

Tim reviewed: Willow obelisk set of 3 kit - free video included

"I purchased this kit using a voucher I had as birthday present earlier this year, as I wanted something nice to have my climbing plants growing on in my garden. We spent an enjoyable afternoon with a friend building three obelisks and we had a great time crafting them. The video was great to follow and took us through the whole process from start to finish. This also showed mistakes the crafter could make and how to correct them, which we found very helpful. This is definitely a kit that you should do with friends as there is enough for 3 people, doesn't take too long, and you have a nice garden obelisk for you each at the end. Whatever you do they all come out different but the result is the same, and something to be proud of."

Craftkits responded:

"Thank you for the great review Tim, sounds like you had an enjoyable afternoon and something to look forward to next year when you can use them in the garden. "

Phil Rigby reviewed: Mosaics for the home and garden

"Just finished a mosaic course with Frances. I made an owl on slate. I'm delighted with the dinished piece. Frances is an excellent teacher and wonderful host .she guided me through the process patiently and was so helpful. I can highly recommend rhis course to anyone."

Mosaic Mania responded:

"Hi Phil Thank you for this lovely review. It was a pleasure to have you and your mosaic, grouted and put up with amazing speed, looks brilliant. Thanks so much for booking on my course and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Frances"

Meryl Basham reviewed: Beginners Mosaics Workshops near Exeter, Devon

"The course was really good. Tutor welcomed all three of us and explained safety issues and what we would be doing. Denny was great and explained everything to everyone but was also encouraging and ensured we all knew what the options were for us to do. I was really pleased with my results - a coaster and another mosaic of our choice which she also framed for us. As a first time experience of this art it was great and I really enjoyed it. We also had lovely tea and cake. Thank you Denny"

MosaicXandMe responded:

"Thank you Meryl - so glad you enjoyed the day and that you were pleased with what you made and how much you learnt. Having never done any mosaic’ing before I think you did brilliantly. Best wishes - Denny"

Maxine Allen reviewed: SAORI Weaving Discovery Session

"Really enjoyed this session with Nicola, so much I will be going back soon for more. A very relaxing time with easy to understand instructions from Nicola "

Val. Boycott reviewed: Fabric Collage and Free-motion Machine Embroidery - FLORALS - DRIFFIELD

"Loved it Holly! Now I’m going to try on my own sewing machine as you’ve inspired me. Also going to paint on my piece of work many thanks."

Ali Lamour reviewed: 'Design & Planting Tips for a small Garden' with Shelagh Todd - lecturer, garden designer & plantswoman.

"Had the BEST time on Shelagh's course today ☺️ thank you for having us and your wonderful hospitality… What a fabulous place you have, full of soul, happiness and joy! So glad I found you and the Quirky workshops - can’t wait to come back! Hope you get some rest and peace this weekend too that you give to everyone else ☺️ "

Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns responded:

"Thank you, Ali, for this lovely review. As someone who has been teaching professionally in Cumbria for well over 30 years, quite a few from Cumbria and beyond already know what a gently inspiring gardener and teacher Shelagh truly is. We’re so fortunate to have her running courses here. Thanks too for you kind comments re our venue - it was lovely to meet you and also a joy to share the garden with such enthusiastic people, both fellow gardeners and those eager to learn. The very best of luck with your own escape to nature! "

Anna Lamb reviewed: Design & Plan your own Garden - 2 days with Shelagh Todd - lecturer, garden designer & plantswoman

"Please also pass on my thanks to Shelagh too! She was so lovely, inspiring to listen to and learn from, so knowledgeable and has definitely made me less terrified of gardening! "

Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns responded:

"Hello Anna, You are so welcome and i certainly will. I I myself attended her courses myself some 25+ years ago and know well that she 's one of the most inspiring tutors of 'all things gardening' that I've ever met. Its so lovely to have her on the programme at Greystoke :) Good luck with everything you do and all your plans! "

Jakki reviewed: Wild flower and copper foiling workshop

"Do it! 2.5 hours melted away and I ended up with a beautiful peice, thanks to Ffions amazing guidance and expertise. So pleased I booked!"

Karen Gould reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"Had the most amazing time at Jo's workshop. Made to feel very welcome and the day was well constructed from start to finish. Each stage of the process was explained and demonstrated clearly and Jo came round to offer individual advice to help us make the most of our sculptures. Very pleased with my sculpture and hope to return for further workshops. Thank you Jo and Andy xx"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Karen. It was a good workshop with many laughs! Hope to see you back in the studio next year, Jo x"

Clare reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"I thoroughly enjoyed making my hare with Jo, and am very proud of the final result. The class was well paced, and the process was talked through in a way we could all understand. The class size was perfect, ensuring Jo could come round and help with the different steps as needed, and we all came out at the end with a finished hare! The pre-class info and directions were also really helpful and clear, which was invaluable."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Clare! I sometimes think I'm overboard with the pre-class info 🥴. So glad you enjoyed the day and went home with a fabulous hare sculpture. Jo xx"

Richard Bunn reviewed: Welding with confidence

"Went today not knowing what to expect. But what a day Nigel is a master craftsman and a good teacher. With story’s tips and tricks the day was a success. Need to practice but I definitely feel more confident than before I went. Shame the day went so fast. Be good too do a 2 day one as you’d learn even more."

Hannah reviewed: Half Day Introductory Woodturning Course for 1 or 2 people near Salisbury Wiltshire

"George was very welcoming, relaxed and friendly from the outset. He went above and beyond with his treatment of my 12 year old son and me. We found him to be a patient, generous, expert and calm teacher and his workshop was brilliant space to learn in. Thank you George!"

Tracey & Rob reviewed: Introduction to Soap Making Workshop with Afternoon Tea in Lincolnshire

"We attended the soap making course with Louise . It was wonderful! All the details of making soap were covered with ample choice in the fragrance, colours and textures;both natural & man made. Plenty of chance to experiment to your own taste. Lovely home made afternoon tea whilst the soap was hardening. Scones were impressive! Able to buy soap kits to take away too which was a great idea. We bought one each. Brilliant experience. "

Steve Worsnip reviewed: One day welding course: an introduction

"I believe offers an outstanding welding course. Very knowledgeable and patient, two vital qualities. Exceptionally capable in both welding and teaching. I really enjoyed it. Thank you "

Julian Wadsworth - Artist Blacksmith responded:

"Thank you Steve for your review. I think you took to welding really well and I am sure welding will be a very handy skill for you now. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you need some help or advice . Good meeting you, and thanks for your chat and perspective ,regards, Julian"

Laura reviewed: A night (or morning/afternoon!) on the tiles: a 2.5 hour taster mosaic course

"Such an enjoyable morning in peaceful surroundings with a lovely tutor who was very helpful with my mum who suffers with Dementia. So many different options of colours to work with, I highly recommend this for a treat day out!"

Angela reviewed: Silver Clay Taster Class – Alice Holt Forest

"Fabulous fun! I really enjoyed this class, Sian was just lovely and I managed to make some earrings and a few other bits that I was very pleased with for a first attempt. I would definitely recommend it to others and it seemed good value for money compared to similar classes too."

Hamilton Jewellery responded:

"Thank you Angela, it was a pleasure to have you in class! You picked up the making process quickly and created lovely pieces. I hope you enjoy wearing them. "

Selena reviewed: Beginner's Quilting Day "Wonky Donkey" with Sew Forest of Dean

"LOVED IT! Confess I was having a wobble by the time I turned up - I haven't done much machine sewing at all, and nothing for quite a long time. A little refresher on how to thread the machine the day before the workshop was all that I needed though - it's as simple as sewing simple straight lines. The instructions were clear and the workshop runs at a lovely steady pace - getting the hang of one thing before moving on to the next. It was great for those that were both fast and slow - those that can sew better just have less to do when they get home but each step can be practised with only a few pieces sewn together. To be clear, you won't come away with a completed quilt, but you will have practised the patchworking to make the patterned top, have made your binding for the edge of the quilt, and been shown how the rest of it comes together including really clear demonstrations and printed instructions and guidance. I am hopeful (and reasonably confident) that I will have a lovely squishy quilt in the next few weeks and that it will be the first of lots!"

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"Thank you so much Selena, I'm so glad you had a good day and that you are now back up and running with your sewing skills. You made a really lovely job of all the tasks and you will have that gorgeous quilt finished in no time at all. Quilting is very addictive, here's to many years of happy sewing! Thanks again, Jen "

Beverley reviewed: Leaf Droplets. Mosaic Art for the Garden

"My friend and I had a wonderful morning workshop session each creating a mosaic leaf droplet in Michele’s lovely studio in her garden. We were both new to the craft of mosaics and absolutely loved it all. We were there with 3 others which we very much enjoyed as it is lovely to swap ideas. Michele was so very welcoming, providing expert tuition, guidance and encouragement. We had a lot of fun and were made to feel very at ease. Michele is also a very talented baker, homemade cake and refreshments were greatly appreciated. Thank you so much Michele. "

Someflower Studio responded:

"Beverley, the pleasure was all mine! Thank you for your kind words and lovely review What a great group you all were. I so enjoyed getting to know you all. I am so pleased to hear you loved your session with us. Your gorgeous droplet is on its way this week Enjoy your beautiful piece of art M x"

Albert reviewed: Robin: Wet Felting

"My partner and I spent a really interesting afternoon with Svetlana at Wool and Silk Art Studio in Neath making a “robin” each by “wet felting”. I’d never even heard of the process before, let alone tried it, but with very useful and encouraging tuition from Svetlana we both produced a perfectly acceptable robin. A most enjoyable afternoon. We’re looking forward to arranging a return visit soon to try one of her other courses."

Wool & Silk Art Studio responded:

"Thank you for choosing my classes. It was a pleasure to meet you both. You are very talented people and made an excellent results for first time felting and it was a 3D object.😮 not so easy to do for beginners . But you nailed it 😉🤩 Well done!!! 👏 I am looking forward to seeing you again sometime soon. Best wishes, Svetlana "