Latest reviews

Elisabeth reviewed: Make and decorate a ceramic bowl in one session

"Its' a great experience: Josie is very knowledgeable, and makes it a pleasurable and rewarding experience. It was laid back but at the end of the afternoon all of us had produced a wonderful decorated bowl, in the interesting environment of her studio."

Karen reviewed: Willow skep hive (Alveari) making - with Bees for Development

"I attended the skep making course with my daughter and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Chris skilfully took us through the steps to the end, helping us produce 2 beautiful skeps. It was a lovely workshop with delicious food in a lovely place and good company."

Janine reviewed: Taster sessions – throwing on the potter’s wheel

"We enjoyed the pottery very much and my daughter gained many skills from you. We had lots to talk about over tea after our busy day."

Pam Lloyd reviewed: Learn how to read crochet charts

"Really enjoyed the course! Having taught myself to crochet, many years earlier, I was very rusty . Gaelle made it fun and made it seem very easy. She was an excellent teacher and was very patient. I finished my shawl in record time. The handouts she gave are extremely helpful. I would recommend anyone to attend one of her courses."

Maria Farino reviewed: Learn to papercut at Wattle and Daub, Godalming in Surrey

"Thoroughly enjoyed my morning, excellent tuition, Aimee is patient and helpful."

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

"This was a brilliant class. Richard explained everything really well and there were a lot of options (type of bag/type and colour of leather/fittings, etc) so that I could make precisely what I wanted. I'd definitely recommend!"

Carol Davies reviewed: Learn how to read crochet charts

"I did a course with Gaelle on reading crochet charts. It was a very informative and useful day. I have since made things using the charts and it's so much easier than ploughing through text. She is a clear teacher as well as a friendly person. We had a lovely session"

Claire Laverack reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"We bought the experience for our son’s Christmas gift. The booking process was so easy from start to finish. Debbie was a great help with choosing the right course, and gave advice on the local area for Mum & Dad. The food was fantastic and there was plenty of it. Ben had a fantastic time and was made to feel very welcome. Andy and Adrian were brilliant. They gave clear instruction and encouragement but didn’t micromanage. Ben would love to go back so we are looking at a course to do as a family. A highly recommended experience."

Ross Beasley reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Brilliant day. I’ve been interested in blacksmithing since seeing a display in a historical museum in the US. There was only me and my other half there so the blacksmith talked us through everything he was doing in meticulous detail, and then gave us the hook he made to show us. I thought ‘I want to do that’ Then my other half bought me this course for Christmas. And it was excellent. Very good instruction, you realise quickly you have zero muscle memory for this sort of activity, but as you get through your first project and start getting the hang of things, you find enormous enjoyment from it. And you leave the course with a few bits of metal work that YOU produced. Top tip: wear a hat. Bits of dust from the fires gets everywhere and lands all over your hair, drink, clothes etc. Not an issue but I didn’t think about that at all. You will be breathing it in all day as well, so consider that. Great food is served home made by Debbie. More cakes than you’ll know what to do with too! Great day. Already booked on my next one."

Audrey Caine reviewed: Container candlemaking course and wax melts with afternoon tea

"I had yet another lovely day in the company of Julie and co. Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge yet again candle making. Thoroughly recommend a fun Saturday learning fun things with Julie and co. in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone wanting to start a business or new hobby. Thank you Julie and co."

Jean Hunter reviewed: stained glass 'your own project' workshop

"Knowledgeable and enthusiastic tuition throughout the day teaching cutting, grozing, and grinding techniques plus advice on designs, progressing to working with lead, copper foil and soldering. All in a cheerful atmosphere of camaraderie and fun whilst giving particular attention to precision and the importance of careful measurements as well as advising on a realistic timescale for creating a complex panel which you can be proud of."

Swanwick Studio responded:

"Thank you so much, that's a lovely review & I appreciate your thoughts and time taken :-) Looking forward to our next workshop where we'll work on the next stage of your project"

Jan Carter reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"I booked a one day open workshop at Swanwick Studio to learn how to copper foil, having only a small amount of previous experience at glass cutting. Rachel is an enthusiastic teacher with so much experience that you can’t fail to learn from her. The studio atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and learning is at your own pace. Thank you Rachel for a great day, I’m truly inspired!"

Swanwick Studio responded:

"Thank you so much, that's a lovely review & I appreciate your thoughts and time taken :-) I'm so please the passion has been passed on - it's such a fantastic medium to work with, with so many possibilities - onwards & upwards :-)"

Carly Grandini-Williams reviewed: Paint a Zentangle Platter

"I attended this course recently and it was amazing! Saz explained everything in easy to follow steps, and I felt completely at ease. I had an idea of what sort of patterns I wanted to try, but if you weren’t sure what to do straight away, Saz has plenty of ideas and suggestions to make your piece look fabulous! Saz is so patient and encouraging - I would recommend this to anyone! My finished plate is just beautiful!"

Alison Snook reviewed: 'Sandrine' shawl CAL (crochet along)

"Excellent course"

Mark Shackleton reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Had a great day yesterday - thank you. George took an excellent approach to help me learn the basics. He also assessed my self-critical approach very quickly and helped me relax with his calm reassuring guidance as I gradually improved my use of his high quality tools. Attention to H&S was also a real feature - I will keep my thumb down eventually and try to stop blowing into my face visor! Thank you Susan for the tasty lunch, hot drinks and company while we took breaks in your conservatory. I am very happy with my first bowl"

Paul reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"I just want to start by saying sorry for taking so long to leave a review, I attended the hammer skills course on the 10th of jan and was absolutely blown away. I had the absolute pleasure of working with Bob that day and all I can say is what a guy. He is he had moving metal straight away, I was expecting it to be so much harder than it was with Bobs years of experence guiding me I had made some shelf brackets for my sons bed room and a fire poker for my log burner by the end of the day. All in all what a fab day, I am looking forward to going back for my birthday around May so to wrap up, if you are interested in the course then don’t even hesitate best day ever."

Marion Slade reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"Rachel was most welcoming and I had a really interesting day. I had already acquired an elementary certificate in Stained glass work about 10 years before, but although I did complete a number of projects at the time, I had not had time in recent years, so I felt lacking in confidence at the start of the day. Rachel soon put me at ease, and gave me excellent advice, revising the skills I needed to get going on my stained glass panel for our front door. I felt happy with what I achieved during the day, and can now proceed at home. All students who attended were each working at individual projects, and it was great to see their work and to talk about it. I enjoyed the course so much that I hope to attend another day when I reach the leading stage for my panel."

Swanwick Studio responded:

"Thank you so much, that's a lovely review & I appreciate your thoughts and time taken :-) Looking forward to seeing the progression made in your beautifully designed panel. It shall be a beautiful addiction to your home :-)"

Sarah reviewed: Christmas Pudding - needle felting workshop with The Lady Moth

"Thank you for a lovely afternoon. This was my first experience of needle felting and Zenia made me feel very welcome. The afternoon of making bunnies flew by. Zenia was great at explaining what to do and was very helpful and patient."

The Lady Moth responded:

"Thank you:)"

Cheryl Ace reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"I had the pleasure of attending Maddie’s mosaic course and had a brilliant time. Maddie is an excellent teacher who guided us through different techniques and encouraged our creativity. Not only informative but lots of fun! Highly recommend!!"

Nicki and Ant reviewed: Blacksmithing one-to-one North West UK

"We both spent a wonderful,productive day yesterday with Colin, on his 1 day Blacksmith course! It was a great taster to this creative skill and Colin was a very patient teacher - as I am not used to working with tools- and taught and helped me make a fire poker, pendant and key ring. Ant who was much more of 'a natural' made a fantastic toasting fork with Colin's guidance and has made Ant definitely want to make his own furnace to develop his skills. Thank you Colin for a day to remember and souvenirs that are not only useful but will last forever!"

K Phillips reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"I had an excellent day learning to make my first stained glass piece of art. He was extremely knowledgeable and informative of the history of stained glass making, He was generous with his support and materials. I thoroughly enjoyed my day."

Elaine Fishwick reviewed: Landscape painting in oil & cold wax medium in the Yorkshire Dales

"An excellent day. Penny had prepared well for the class and we were able to experiment with a wide range of materials with help and support to develop and explore our individual style. The catering was good and we were made to feel welcome. I would recommend this course to anyone, complete beginners such as me as well as more proficient artists, as the tuition was geared to us individually."

Maureen Page reviewed: Beginner hand weaving workshop - one-to-one instruction

"I spent the day with Paivi whilst she patiently showed me how to set up my new loom to use. She showed me how to set up the warp threads and encouraged me to get started. I was able to work on a piece to completion and came home with a finished article! Paivi also gave me lots of advice and suggestions. I started with no real idea of how to get started and left feeling much more confident and with lots of ideas and a finished piece. Thank you Paivi for a great day."

Carolyn Wray reviewed: Two-day Silkscreen Printing Course: Design and Print Your Own Fabric £170.00

"Thank you for a fantastic two days creating my first silkscreen design and print. As a complete beginner I was quite nervous before I arrived and didn’t know what to expect. The studio space together with your lovely way of teaching created just the right creative atmosphere. I had such a great time and thanks to Iain for the delicious lunches."

Robert reviewed: Sculpture, ceramics, painting at Lucky Studio - London

"Lucky is a kind and patient teacher who always has a solution for every student pottery problem. Her equipment is wide ranging and comprehensive and she has an excellent library of craft books Highly recommended"