Latest reviews

Jeremy Swift reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I just had another one-day course with Alex, having made a ram's head poker some years ago. This time I sent him my own design for a pan rack to hang in my kitchen and he agreed we could make it in a day. Alex suggested reducing the bar thickness which added a degree of delicacy that enhanced the resulting object. Alex has a great way of teaching: demonstrating a technique and then letting the pupil get on with it without being overly controlling. Just the right amount of advice is given. My design has two bars with symmetrical tapered scrolls at the ends so I had to make four identical scrolls. Needless to say, I made lots of mistakes and corrections. In the initial demo, Alex showed me how to make corrections as well as the basic bending techniques: once I started making I felt no pressure from him even as I bent, corrected, re-bent and re-corrected many, many times. As a result I was able to learn from my mistakes and by the fourth scroll felt I was starting to understand the metal. Great outcome. Nice, this time, to learn some two-man techniques (forming tenons, punching holes and joining the pieces) too. And, in the end, the pan rack's not bad either!"

Amie Jordan reviewed: Millinery Taster / fascinator making

"I had a wonderful day with Yolande, learning and laughing. Yolande is a great teacher. Her shop is full of inspiration and there are so many possibilities. I think I may well be back."

Sue reviewed: Mosaic pendant making on Orkney

"I attended the Mosaics course in Higherford Mill yesterday. Catherine was a very good tutor and even though I struggled at the start (don’t let that put you off!), Catherine was very helpful & I managed to produce a lovely heart. I haven’t had time yet to grout my heart, but am looking forward to seeing the finished article very soon. I was a total beginner and would recommend this course to everyone. Thoroughly enjoyable day."

Gillian reviewed: Mosaic and Glass Art 2-day Course

"Thank you Maggie for a super weekend of creative fun. In a world where we all need to stop buying new, and be creative with old stuff, this was the perfect solution. I’m off to restore a sad old table top, and now have some new skills to give it a go. And the friendship and talent input from my 3 fellow workshopeers who each added to the enjoyment. Go Maggie!"

Kev Allan reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"I was brought here by a very good friend who arranged a day of bladesmithing as part of my stag weekend(thanks Chris). Cannot thank Graham enough for his expertise in making the seemingly complicated become simple. I left the forge with new knowledge, bad habits gone and a blade to be proud of. So much so I used it to cut my wedding cake!!!"

Kev Allan reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I was brought here by a very good friend who arranged a day of bladesmithing as part of my stag weekend(thanks Chris). Cannot thank Graham enough for his expertise in making the seemingly complicated become simple. I left the forge with new knowledge, bad habits gone and a blade to be proud of. So much so I used it to cut my wedding cake!!!"

Zoe Carpenter reviewed: Fabric printing & lampshade making workshop

"Just do it. A day learning screen printing and lampshade making was so much fun. I absolutely loved it, and with Ria’s wonderful guidance and nurturing I went home with a unique lampshade, a new skill and a head full of wonderful ideas. Highly recommend. Thank you Ria xx"

Chris China reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"I booked this course for myself and a friend. Before the day Graham was very helpful accommodating a date that suited us when the original date we wanted was fully booked. From the moment we arrived Graham and David were very welcoming and made us feel immediately relaxed. We had an amazing day and really didn't want it to end. If we could have come back the next day we would have! Graham is a wealth of knowledge and a great teacher.... Always guiding us in a way that made sense and which made it easy to learn and progress. We were very pleased with the blades we made on the day and will certainly be coming back as soon as possible to build on our skills, and to enjoy both the company and another very tasty lunch! Graham, I'll be in touch to book our next course soon."

Chris China reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I booked this course for myself and a friend. Before the day Graham was very helpful accommodating a date that suited us when the original date we wanted was fully booked. From the moment we arrived Graham and David were very welcoming and made us feel immediately relaxed. We had an amazing day and really didn't want it to end. If we could have come back the next day we would have! Graham is a wealth of knowledge and a great teacher.... Always guiding us in a way that made sense and which made it easy to learn and progress. We were very pleased with the blades we made on the day and will certainly be coming back as soon as possible to build on our skills, and to enjoy both the company and another very tasty lunch! Graham, I'll be in touch to book our next course soon."

Lou Baines reviewed: One day needle felting workshop with Celestine and the Hare

"Total beginner to needlefelting but Karin taught with such clarity that I never felt at any stage overwhelmed. A truly fabulous day with a superb outcome - I’m now a complete addict!! Thank you so much Karin!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"

Marion reviewed: Fused glass day course - beginners/intermediate

"What a fun day, never tried any sort of glass cutting before but under Nicky's watchful eye and with her encouraging, informative guidance I was thrilled with the pieces I created. A great day out and would make a brilliant present for someone if you're stuck for ideas."

Natalie Jones (NJ) reviewed: Creative Art as Therapy

"Just love coming here when I get the chance. So relaxing and peaceful to practice my highly unskilled artistry with a fantastic teacher, Tajinder She is so calm, warm and encouraging. Thoroughly enjoy my time there x"

MindFlow Art responded:

"Thank you Natalie for reviewing my course. It's always a pleasure sharing the day with you. Hope to see you soon. Warm regards Tajinder"

Judy Needham reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"My sisters and I met up for this workshop yesterday. We all had the most wonderful day in Dawn Ireland's lovely home. Dawn is so inspirational and encouraging guiding us through techniques which were new to us. We produced some special pieces which we will treasure. Thank you Dawn."

Alan Godsave reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"A wonderful day. We were warmly greeted by our hosts - Adrian, Debbie and Andy and after a hot drink and a few essential preliminaries were shown how to make our first item. So , within half an hour of arrival, nine hammers were being applied to nine pieces of red hot steel. Throughout the day, the level of supervision and help was extremely well judged - Adrian and Andy were always available to guide us or demonstrate but did not in anyway intrude. The first items were complete by coffee time and then we were set to work on a much more comprehensive piece involving many different blacksmithing techniques. All the participants looked doubtful that they could create something resembling the demonstration piece but by mid afternoon, incredibly, we all had. Our endeavours were only interrupted by an extremely good and wholesome home-made lunch - thanks Debbie! All nine participants left having had a enjoyable and very memorable day and feeling they had really learned something and achieved something. Ten out of ten for Adrian, Andy and - of course - Debbie. Many thanks. It had been worth every mile of the drive from North Wales."

Elaine Gorrie reviewed: Two day Silver Jewellery workshop ~ Beginners/ or Ints..~ a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District, Cumbria

"Staggered at what I was able to make on the course. Really enjoyed the whole experience from the venue, home baking to the support provided on the course. Thank you so much, will definitely come again."

Hazel reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"A wonderful experience in a beautiful venue! Jo is so welcoming and friendly and I had great fun and came away delighted with my haul of gorgeous candles, melts and decorations. I met two lovely co-students too so that the whole event was perfect as it was like being with friends while learning something fun and maybe even commercial - who knows? I highly recommend this course."

Jean Stuart reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"Such an enjoyable day at Dawn’s yesterday. Dawn is not only a talented artist/textilist but an excellent tutor. I came away inspired after her workshop on free machine embroidery. It is a lovely environment and her studio is planned so each person has sufficient space in which to work. The array of fabrics / threads/ etc which are at your disposal to use are quite amazing, as is her studio where you can get so many ideas and inspiration. Tea /coffee and biscuits are served throughout the day - oh and i can’t forget to mention her delicious chocolate cake. Thank you Dawn for a wonderful day,"

Vicky reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"Had a really great time doing this course. Something very different . Provided a glimpse of complexity in blacksmithing. Definitely recommended!"

Paul Burt reviewed: Rustic thumb walking stick

"Dave and the Team were most informative with the pace of instruction just right, interspersed with priceless Top Tips on how to make that little difference in making a walking stick that is yours. In addition to the expert tuition based on years of experience Dave readily shared his passion and subject matter expertise for the right tools for the job, of which he has a fair few, some adapted for the purpose. I came away motivated to get the garage cleared out, the workbench set up and stick making underway using the additional materials purchased on the course. My thanks to Dave and the Team for a most informative, enjoyable and productive day and to my wife Sally for purchasing the course for me as a Xmas gift. Dave a warm welcome awaits in Hampshire. Yours Gratefully Paul Burt"

Maria Richmond reviewed: Fused glass workshop - Plymouth

"This one of the most patient teachers I have met on this genre. I know study at University but because of the knowledge she gave me I didn't feel overwhelmed when I started. This is a must for most ages. Enjoy"

Brett Levy reviewed: Sculptural green wood working

"I had a amazing day at Creative Nature HQ. The teacher/artist, Stephen, was very friendly and has incredible knowledge of wood carving/sculpture and wood working tools. Stephen started by welcoming me and making me a nice cup of tea. I enjoyed my tea as he gave me a tour of the studio/workshop and its facilities. During the walk around he explained and demonstrated what the tools are and how they are used. After this introduction I was shown how to make a mallet out of a solid piece of Ash. This is a very simple and clever process which was really satisfying to do. After lunch I learnt how strip the bark from a large oak tree trunk. I then got involved in some large tree trunk carving (be warned this is highly addictive :-) ). I sculpted by using a variety of specialist carving chisels and of course the mallet I had made earlier. All in all the day was very enjoyable. The studio is spacious and bright and Stephen was extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgable. Highly recommend this class.......Great day. Thank you Stephen."

Alexa reviewed: Pottery Making Workshop in Lovely Seaside Studio

"We had a fabulous day with Jenny! A very relaxed day which included an introduction to lots of techniques and a go with the pottery wheel (loads of fun!) - we would thoroughly recommend this course and particularly enjoyed the freedom to be able to create whatever we wanted. Thank you."

Epple Bay Ceramics responded:

"Thankyou so much Alexa for this lovely review, it was really great to spend the day with you both getting messy on the wheel and making some beautiful pottery!"

Ali reviewed: Fused glass workshop - Plymouth

"Came for a fused glass workshop as a present from my daughter. I had a great time made some coasters. Everyone was so friendly and helpful will go again. ?"

Ron Irving reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"What a great day! I've done metalwork before but not forging - I'm hooked now! Really good tuition from Adrian and Andy with clear demonstrations and plenty of help when it went a bit pear shaped. Debbie does a great job on the catering front with never ending drinks and flapjack and really nice lunch. Overall, we both really enjoyed the day and came away with a couple of completed useful projects. Can't wait to get on another course!"

Magnus Mill reviewed: 3 or 4 stone set silver stacking rings

"I cannot recommend this course highly enough. I bought the course for my girlfriend for Christmas and decided that it would be more fun if we did it together - that turned out to be two great decisions in a row. Sarah is a really great and patient teacher, and we had such a fun and absorbing weekend. The workshop is brilliant, cosy and full of tools and machines that seem alien on arrival but you've got a good working knowledge of before you leave. I'm in no way arty (my partner has all the skills in that area) but Sarah was great from beginning to end, and we both ended up with a beautiful set of stacking rings. We spent much longer in the workshop over the weekend than we had expected, and it was really satisfying to make something from start to finish. Things seem daunting on arrival, but Sarah is such a nice person, and a really patient teacher, that every step just builds a little on the one before, and gradually the finished article emerges. The constant cups of tea and seemingly never-ending supply of biscuits and cake were also extremely welcome. If you've got even the slightest interest in making your own rings, or trying something new, you should do this course."