Latest reviews

Rebecca reviewed: Make your very own clutch bag/small tablet device case/sleeve

"The course was informative and practical. I left with enough information to feel confident enough to reproduce what I made with Richard, on my own. Everything you need is provided for and in my opinion the course would be suitable for anyone, regardless of your experience/inexperience working with leather."

Rowan Matthiessen reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"Thank you Maddie for running such an excellent class! Maddie facilitated 2 sessions of Creative Tuesday for Span Arts where students were able to make 2 pieces of mosaic. The classes were extremely popular and everyone rated them highly. Maddie is LOVELY! She's very skilled, good at teaching and extremely humorous. She is able to manage a group of mixed abilities well and encourages everyone to work at their own level. It definitely didn't feel too hard or too dumbed down. I will absolutely be recommending this class to others! Thanks."

Robin Howard reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"Great day's course at Snellsmore Common. Really great setting. Supreme welcome with a brew over a wood burning fire. Soon into creating our dibber for hole making. Simon was an excellent teacher, chatted the process through and yet was very much hands on with the wood. Good pace and very productive. Having just 2 on course meant lots of tutoring time. Superb value for money! Very relaxing. A supreme way to spend the day. Thanks very much, so enjoyed it. I would highly recommend the course to others. Bring on the bowl making next time!"

Shirley Begg reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"With a group of friends we booked a stain glass workshop at Swanwick Studio, the few days leading up to the workshop it snowed and I was concerned the workshop would be cancelled,but I was pleased to say it went ahead, what a fun day I had, we all had a great fun all day making our creations, Rachel on hand all the time showing us the next step, giving us encouragement and of course one of the most important things for me was the endless supply of tea and biscuits !!! I would thoroughly recommend it and will be going back. Thanks for a great day Rachel Shirley Begg"

Swanwick Studio responded:

"What a lovely review thank you Shirley, and the icing on the cake, was that yours, took me from a silver awarded tutor to a gold 'provider' so happy happy happy :-) see you again :-)"

Diane Rodger reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"I attended Julie's fused glass workshop with my partner & nine year old son. We had no clue what to expect. Julie was very welcoming, patient and passionate about the fused glass process and the kind of things that could be achieved. We all tried very different projects and were amazed with the results. Throughout the workshop Julie was very knowledgeable and encouraging. She really brought out our creativity (we surprised ourselves). Our fused glassware will be a beautiful reminder of the wonderful time we had and I would definitely recommend this course to others."

Susie Keskin reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"I attended Maddie’s rural studio for an introduction to mosaics as a birthday surprise this week and had had the most amazing morning. Maddie created a warm welcoming environment with clear and helpful guidance to producing a fabulous mosaic to take home and be proud of. It was fun and so relaxing and I will definitely be returning soon. Thanks Maddie. Susie Keskin"

Heather reviewed: The Pottery Cave - Evening beginners classes

"My sister and I were looking for a ceramics course that was relaxed and friendly and that is exactly what we have found. Caroline has created a lovely environment for a creative and relaxing two hours and she is there to offer help and encouragement when needed. We have met lots of lovely people and look forward to our class each week. Excellent value too."

Catherine reviewed: Crochet course "Complete beginners"

"An excellent course with a lovely, patient tutor - just what every beginner needs! The handouts were instructive and clear, giving the essentials of what we needed to know for the course; the class was an ideal size with everyone receiving the guidance they needed from Gaelle. I now have the confidence to tackle crochet patterns on my own and look forward to attending more of Gaelle's crochet courses in future."

Rebecca Binnington reviewed: Introduction to silver jewellery making workshop with Diane Lee

"Diane was a fabulous tutor, extremely knowledgeable and wonderful fun. It was a very enjoyable day and though I had some prior experience it gave me confidence afresh that I was doing things the right way with added tips to take home to make things a little easier! Diane offers a bench scheme and once I have enough pieces in the bag I will be following up to attend a few of those sessions. I can't thank Diane enough for her company and guidance. Becky"

Jane reviewed: Weaving the cosmos: sacred geometry and hexagonal weave basketry

"Fantastic course. Highly recommend. Learnt so much."

Lavinia F reviewed: Create an amazing acrylic masterpiece on A4 canvas with Deana Kim Page

"As a novice artist who has never worked in acrylics before I found this class excellent. Deanna, put everyone at ease and made us all welcome no matter what level of ability. There was plenty of encouragement and help to get started. It was a short 3 hour workshop which meant there were restrictions on time for individual tuition but if you are prepared to just get on with it and have a go then this class is brilliant. If you are ‘new’ all the materials are provided. It was a nice, friendly atmosphere. I had fun and enjoyed it very much."

Lucy Watson reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"An absolutely lovely course to take and spend a day learning something new. Kate is a very friendly and competent teacher and we came away with an excellent piece of artwork each. Kate will keep you right throughout your project and make sure you get the most out of it. Lunch was also spot on with plenty cups of tea in offer! Fully recommend this course as a day out!"

Angela reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"Very much enjoyed this class, a first for me and was very pleased with what I produced especially as I am not very artistic. Matt was a very clear and patient teacher and I would definitely recommend this class."

Sarah Tricklebank reviewed: Silver Jewellery Day Workshop at Studio Budgie Galore, Sheffield

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day spent making a silver ring. Jules was a great teacher, very patient and helpful and she has some really creative ideas if you need inspiration. I loved the course and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone, whatever their ability or level of experience."

Gail reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Jo has an amazing warm and welcoming style. Not only does she make people feel very comfortable in trying new things but her expertise in candle making, with her practical tips, is excellent. I felt confident that I could go away and make my own but we did come away with lots of goodies. Jo kept us fed and watered throughout the session and her home was idyllic. Surprised she managed to get rid of us! Thanks again."

Helen Douglas reviewed: Pottery throwing workshop Saturdays or Sundays

"Such a lovely afternoon. Thank you Nadia for taking the time with us to explain how to get the basics right. It was a tricky process and great fun to experiment with making our own pots. Nadia makes it look easy! The gorgeous homemade chocolate cake was a bonus and I can't wait to see my final pieces after they've been fired!"

Stephen Davies reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"A wonderful day in an idyllic setting! No two bodgers carve spoons in exactly the same way, and Dave has a relaxed, informative and natural way of teaching. He manages to combine total novices, and those with more experience in a single group and ensures that all receive detailed tuition and real insights on how to improve. Where better to receive such expert tuition than a warm yurt, with tea and flapjack, in an apple orchard. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone interested in spoon carving."

Angharad Rhys Roberts reviewed: Linocut printmaking in Cornwall

"Olivia is a lively, very positive tutor , it is fun packed day and everybody leaves the workshop upbeat and happy with what they have produced."

Pippa Mather reviewed: One person - Full day 6 hours sculpture/soldering brazing wire forming course, specialising in insects, fairies

"I received a private day's tuition with Roger as a Christmas present from my parents and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn anything to do with wire-soldering and/or wire sculpture in any form with or without any experience (I had none in this area!). I like to do all kinds of crafts but what makes this a truly unique experience is that Roger is not only teaching techniques you don't learn in mainstream courses but also tailors the day to whoever he's teaching; so much better than the rigid tuition you'd receive with adult education courses. We covered so much, it was a lovely relaxed day and I came away bursting with ideas of what I could make and do with what I'd learnt. I went straight out and bought a soldering iron and I've been using the techniques at home and combining with my hobby of jewellery making as well as creating a few steampunk-style pieces too. Highly recommended for both those who want to come home with a beautiful finished piece after their experience day and those who want to learn the techniques to take with them in future."

Samuel Littley reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Had a fantastic (if a bit chilly) day with John, Spencer and Mark making a poker and a viking knife. Was excellent to get my hands dirty (beats sitting at a keyboard all day!). Great for total beginners; the team are so helpful."

Jodi S reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"Just spent the day having my first ever go at stained glass. From the start of the day (when even successfully cutting the test glass seemed impossible!), til the end of the day, when I finished my 'tulips on a grassy knoll', Rachel was unfailing supportive and positive. All four of us were blown away with what everyone else had achieved and deeply chuffed with our own pieces. The day just flew by, it was totally engrossing and I learned so much - who knew soldering could be so much fun! Would highly recommend, even for people with 'two left thumbs'."

Swanwick Studio responded:

"What a lovely review, thanks so much :-) It was a pleasure teaching you all & I always love watching all the creations develop throughout the day. Well done :-)"

Susanne reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"An enjoyable way to learn weaving. Class sizes are small, so Alice can give a lot of attention to each student."

Julie reviewed: Learn to Felt - An Introduction to Felt Making in Birmingham

"Just loved it!! I was brought a beginners felting course as a present & wasn't sure really what to expect. Emma explained everything, the instructions were easy to follow & she would demonstrate how to do things. Emma was also there to help or offer advice all the way through. I found it really interesting and would say to anyone ,if you have a slight interest give it a go. I went home with my finished piece, which I was really proud of and I'm going to make it into a cushion. Emma was so friendly & helpful I would highly recommend it. I'm looking forward to booking more sessions."

Evelyn Morrison reviewed: Make a spindle-back chair

"Embarking on the course was an adventure since I had never worked with wood before. It was soon obvious that the task was as huge as my lack of experience, and that it would be wise to let myself be carried along - by the process, the instructions, and the material itself. Every component part had to be shaved to size from a freshly cleaved ash log. I felt a like a sculptor facing a raw block of marble. The statement that it would be 'like butter' was met with some scepticism, but then we did discover the wonderful way of working WITH the wood. The meaning of 'going with the grain' was brought home constantly and tangibly. Physically it was hard work, with sore muscles and the occasional blister and splinter. But the repetitive actions and intense focus can soon lead into a meditative state, where you find 'all of yourself' being present, surrendering to the needs of the chair-to-be. Here also going with the grain, metaphorically, and a taste of what 'doing without doing' might be. Peter accompanies through the process with his skills, as well as caring and sensitive presence, quite aptly 'teaching without teaching'."

Maria reviewed: Weaving the cosmos: sacred geometry and hexagonal weave basketry

"Thank you for the workshop. I wonder what it was that one was so tired afterwards? I am still pondering how do use the wonderful creation. Just to look at it it has an ordering, harmonising effect. I hope to do other workshops with you at SAOG Studios."