Latest reviews

14 Mar 16'

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

"I had the pleasure of attending a woodworking course in September 2015. I'm a DIYer and I needed to improve my skills to undertake a big project at home. During the weekend we looked at the skills I needed and also planned the best way to tackle my project. Aidan was flexible in allowing me to structure what we focused on to most beneficial. Aidan is a great teacher and a real craftsman with what can be achieved in woodwork. Highly recommend a course with Aidan to anyone looking to improve their skills."

14 Mar 16'

Stephen Eddington reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"I booked the beginner's class for my wife and myself as her birthday present, and it was a fantastic way to spend the day! I'm definitely not artistic, and was amazed at what I managed to produce after only a day being taught by Ricky. My wife's eye for colour showed in her pieces, and we were able to combine efforts on an final piece in the afternoon. Ricky gets you straight into the practical side after a safety talk and explanation of the materials, and within the first hour you will have gathered your first glass. Always ready with help and guidance if things go a little unexpectedly, Ricky quickly gets the measure of your confidence, which builds equally as quickly under his tutelage. We could have kept going well into the evening, but all great things come to an end. I collected the results yesterday, and we are over the moon with them. Thank you Ricky for a great day, and I would wholeheartedly recommend Creative Vibe for your introduction to glassblowing."

13 Mar 16'

Julia Clayton reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"Thank you Sally Anne. Really enjoyed making the willow wreath and looking forward to booking on another of your courses soon."

13 Mar 16'

Larissa Llewellin reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"An absolutely brilliant day! Everything is explained really well and help and advice given throughout the day. We learned various techniques and how to use different tools. Everyone was very friendly. The food was amazing! And there was plenty of it. It really was a fantastic day and I would do it again. I would also recommend!"

13 Mar 16'

Richard & Helen reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"We thoroughly enjoyed the day of willow basket making. It was well organised and friendly with plenty of lovely tea and cake! We were taken through the steps with lots of clear instructions and support at each stage. It was good to produce our own baskets from start to finish. Julie gave us lots of interesting information through the day too. We would thoroughly recommend this course."

13 Mar 16'

Mike haley reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Sorry for the delay mark been away. Thoroughly enjoyed the day with mark. Very patient to a complete novice and just worked along at my pace. Looking forward to going again at some time"

13 Mar 16'

Rose reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"A wonderfully creative day spent learning to spin, with Elaine an excellent, patient teacher. Delighted to come away with my very own handspun skein of wool, and with the confidence to build on the skills and techniques demonstrated on the day. Thanks!"

13 Mar 16'

Careen and Graham reviewed: Pottery throwing course in the South Downs National Park (one day - one-to-one)

"My husband and I attended a 1 day pottery course. Never having done pottery before we had a low expectation of what we would be able to produce. The day was absolutely fantastic, Rowena was such a great teacher, extremely helpful and provided calm expert guidance. We had a really fun time, thoroughly enjoyed the experience and were absolutely delighted with the pieces we were able to produce. We would highly recommend this course."

13 Mar 16'

Sue Render reviewed: Basic to advanced knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"My friend and I had a lovely afternoon in the Vintage tea rooms in the Grand Arcade learning to crochet. Ann has lots of patience."

13 Mar 16'

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

"I was very fortunate to spend time learning from Aidan in his Farnham workshop in March 2015. Aidan is an enthusiastic and generous teacher and I left the course with confidence and motivation to apply the hand and machine skills I learned and practised to the projects I already have under way. Aidan clearly enjoys sharing his expertise and experience with students and has none of the preciousness often noticeable with professional designer/makers. His is down-to-earth, excellent training from a world-class furniture maker (google his exquisite cherry and walnut, crocus-inspired coronation table on display in Buckingham Palace!) If I have the chance to do more woodworking training in the future, I will not consider training anywhere else. Thank you, Aidan!"

13 Mar 16'

Sandra Williams reviewed: Enamelling on copper

"Came back for a 2nd day with Dilys and this time brought my sister and my Mum. I knew they would catch the same enthusiastic bug as I did and sure enough, by the end of the day we had another 2 enthusiastic novice enamellers. To quote my 70 year old mum, " it's been like having a day out with a mate instead of being with a tutor. Dilys is so patient, friendly and helpful that you don't feel like you're being taught, rather that you are just all having a fun day out. It was engrossing and so different. I loved it". Thanks again Dilys. Xx"

13 Mar 16'

Brian Heward reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I booked a follow on course day with Mark, having completed an equally excellent two day group course a few weeks ago. With the one2one day Mark was able to focus very specifically on my own woodturning weaknesses (these days they are called 'development needs'). Under Marks prior advice I brought my own tools and he showed me how to use these specifically, in my case for hollow forms. I really do like Marks approach by focusing on the form (in my case a rule of thumb advice "spend 2/3 of time on the outside form, get it right only when it is, go to the hollowing"). I'm practising now and need to keep working at the suggestions Mark made. When I have mastered these I will be back for a another one2one - this time closing the opening down a little more. Thank you so much Mark."

13 Mar 16'

Tom Smout reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 1 (beginner)

"I attended Fundamentals of Furniture Making, Part 1. The two day course was very informative and practical. Aidan is a great tutor who has vast carpentry knowledge and made the course very fun. It has inspired me to continue my hobby further and I have already booked onto the second part of the course."

12 Mar 16'

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

"I attended the fundamentals part 1 course last year and I enjoyed it so much I came back to the workshop recently to achieve fundamentals part 2. I wouldn't have considered doing it anywhere else, Aidan is such an amazing teacher! Not only skilled and passionate but also very patient and attentive. Aidan adapts very well to the different levels of skills and speed from his students; whether you know little or a lot, you will never feel left out or set back. I have myself hardly any experience in wood working and chose to do the weekend courses which turned out to be quite intensive but so much worth it! The courses are thoughtfully designed and unveil a series of techniques and tools for you to progress and achieve levels of refinement you would have never thought you would be capable of! You will be going home with lots of tips and a fine piece of furniture you can be proud of!"

12 Mar 16'

Pippa Taylor reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"This is the second course I have been on with Sally-Anne - willow wreath the first one being natural toiletries and I shall be booking on many more of the great ones she does! Sally-Anne makes the creative courses very enjoyable, relaxed and easy to follow and understand."

12 Mar 16'

Susan Holden reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"Today I learned how to work with willow, the importance of 'loving it' so it becomes pliable. Thank you so much for a wonderful afternoon. Sally Ann you are a fantastic teacher and were so patient with 6 beginners. Making the spring wreaths was very therapeutic. I would love to learn more crafting techniques and will not hesitate to sign up again. Disappointed to learn I am away in May when you are making the lamp holders."

12 Mar 16'

Emma Vann reviewed: Blacksmithing one-to-one North West UK

"I have just got back from a wonderful day on this blacksmithing course. I went with my friend Lisa and we had a fabulous time. We both made a poker each, then I made the cutest snail and Lisa made a letter-opener. Lisa finally made a key-ring and I made an "over-the-door" coat hook. We had a great day with lots of tuition and advice and a helping hand when needed. I would recommend this course to anyone. Five stars!!"

12 Mar 16'

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

"It's hard work and I ended up sore and blistered.... But so worth it. Aiden was fantastic at getting across a real understanding of what you're trying to achieve and the theory behind it. I had little previous experience in woodworking but still think I gained a lot from this course. Would highly recommend! Plus I have a lovely handmade chopping board!"

12 Mar 16'

Richard Hollingsworth reviewed: Five day woodwork course - wood

"Have just completed Course 1 and intend to continue onto course 2 at the next opportunity. The course was very good, quite relaxed with very experienced help from Richard and Mark whenever required. It is an excellent course for those like me with only limited previous experience. That said, for those more experienced there are more difficult projects that can be tackled and all power tools are available to try or use on your own projects if you have time. The projects can easily be completed during the 5 days so it is a good idea to have a few extra things in mind that you want to try or do in order to make use of all the available time, help and equipment that is on offer. The project you take away with you will be superb and your friends and family will be surprised at how professional it looks! Richard gives lunchtime talks on relevant topics each day and he will tailor these to participant's desires. I think their flexibilty of approach, coupled with their obvious vast knowledge and experience and the relaxed pace is what makes the course so enjoyable. One recommendation would be to outline the project stages at the start so you know what is coming next - on occasion I was unsure so not prepared properly for the next stage (eg taking my time as I knew there was another day only to be told with 10 minutes to go that I needd to oil the project so it could dry over night)."

11 Mar 16'

Sam, Mark & Ben reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"What a great day. My husband and son thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are quite proud of what they made. Both hankering for another day course, try making something else. The lunch and home made cake and snacks were fantastic, thank you Debbie!!"

11 Mar 16'

Andrew Bonney reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thank you for a great day and also for being so flexible at breakfast !! I very much enjoyed it and was amazed with the result, so much so I’ve been showing off at work this morning !! I thought the course content was spot on and thanks to Susan for a lovely lunch and copious refills of tea ! Will plan to come along and see you during the ‘Somerset Arts Week’ !"

11 Mar 16'

JOAN reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"I loved making this basket and natural toiletries. I even managed to weave the basket with my arthritic fingers due to the help and support offered. Sally-Anne filled me with confidence to produce these natural products that help to keep me feeling young whilst being good for my body. I would more than recommend her workshops. Thank you"

10 Mar 16'

Chris Layne reviewed: Introduction to Glass Fusing with Enamels - Full Day Workshop

"Steve's glass fusion course was very relaxed but stimulating at the same time. It was both fun and very informative. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in art, glass, and using their creative powers."

10 Mar 16'

Dave Dobson reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Fantastic day and top marks to Mort. One day is not much time to brief a student on the safe management of a forge, display blacksmith techniques & skills and allow you the freedom to design an item(s) of your desire - then make said item(s). Mort achieved this with ease, whilst keeping you entertained with anecdotes, tea/coffee, biscuits and cake! Mort is a master craftsman but also a very skilled teacher - which do not always go together! He effortlessly smoothed over my areas of 'stupid moments' which enabled me to leave feeling very satisfied with my achievemnets. The day was well paced, it is a practical 'hands on' learning experience, based on individual ability and I guarantee you will leave with a renewed admiration for skill levels of the blacksmith."

9 Mar 16'

Malcolm reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Apologies for being slow to write to you after our excellent day on Saturday. 5It was both an enjoyable and an instructive day - I learned a lot. You looked after us well in every sense - proper attention to safety, consideration for our comfort and excellent food and watering! If I say that I walked back into the kitchen late on Sunday and did a double take on catching sight of my bowl, you will understand I am still surprised by what I produced under your expert guidance! I would recommend the day to anyone who wanted to try wood turning - they will not be disappointed."