Latest reviews

15 Mar 15'

Alistair Kirkpatrick reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"I was given this course by my wife as a birthday and Christmas present. Our daughter joined me for the day which turned out to be outstanding in all respects. Simon is an excellent teacher who shows his personal enthusiasm for green wood turning throughout the day. It is well planned, entertaining and he provides all the support necessary to keep students happy and successful. We were delighted with our wood flowers and super dibbers which look and feel wonderful. We highly recommend this course to everyone. You will love it!"

15 Mar 15'

clare reviewed: Two Day Stained Glass Course with Christian Ryan

"Christian is the most patient and kind chap. His work and style are beautiful and his teaching approach is beyond lovely. He is super patient and tolerant and makes you feel completely comfortable. Amazing experience and, whilst I have absolutely no skill in this at all, I adored the entire experience. Perfect way to spend a weekend. Totally brilliant."

14 Mar 15'

Anne Francis-Fisher reviewed: Full day fused glass course

"I have just been on The Hot Fusion Glass course today. What an amazing day we had, thanks to Kim and Sharon. We had a very warm welcome, a lovely breakfast, lunch and yummy cake with our tea at the end of the day. The day was great fun but at the same time we learnt a lot. The girls are very talented and really happy to share their extensive knowledge with us all. We laughed a lot, mainly at my "masterpiece", a wacky cat, modelled on my own cat but with a twist!! I can't wait to see it once it has been fired by Sharon, she is under orders not to drop it!! The other girls made really lovely creations, beach huts, coasters, and jewellery. I would thoroughly recommend this course, it is a fun pamper day which would appeal to both men and women."

14 Mar 15'

Christopher reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"I have had a wonderful day. Learnt so much to now go away and craft. Friendly and relaxed environment. Can't wait to come back and craft again. I am also shocked at how many candles we'd crafted."

14 Mar 15'

Penny reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"I have looked forward to coming on this course for some time and it certainly met my expectations. I absolutely loved the course, Sakeena was an amazing teacher, it was so much fun and really informative. I have come away with lots of beautiful candles and look forward to making some more when I go home."

14 Mar 15'

Sarah reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Excellent!!! So interesting, fun, educational, friendly. Gone away ready to roll."

12 Mar 15'

Genevieve Thompson reviewed: One day welding course: an introduction

"Thank you Julian for a great evening of learning everything I needed to know about MIG welding and more. You gave me so much information and so many skills. You fully appreciated what I want to do with my welding skills and tailored your advice to completely meet my needs. Thank you so much and I will definitely be back for more courses in the future."

12 Mar 15'

Jonathan reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I recently spent a most enjoyable day with Nigel and one other would be blacksmith. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I was not disappointed in any way Nigel is an excellent teacher, calm and patient. His knowledge and enthusiasm for his craft is inspiring. I was delighted to return home with several pieces of work which, with a bit of help, I was able to complete. It was great to have a fellow student to compare progress and skill. Many thanks Nigel I will call in again and say hello when I am in the area."

12 Mar 15'

Matt Busfield reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"A heartfelt thank you for a truly fulfilling day. As a complete novice what a rare privilege it was to be in the company of a master craftsman in his own workshop, not some classroom or museum, using the same tools as had been creating the work around us. I was half expecting to come away shamed into the realisation that the realm of the blacksmith is an impenetrable one for a mere office-dweller like me but quite the opposite, Adrian's encouragement left me motivated to put the techniques I had learned to good use."

11 Mar 15'

Robin Silcock reviewed: Intermediary Glass fusing workshop with Laura Hart of Hart Glass

"Working with Laura was an excellent experience. I had only basic knowledge of working with glass before my time with her, and through her patient guidance learn a great deal in just a short space of time. Her workshop is inspiring and her many projects on the go decorate the space wonderfully, with hidden gems of glass-work in every corner. I would highly recommend this course, and Laura!"

11 Mar 15'

Emily reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"What an amazing two days with the brilliant Peter and Jarve on the introductory course. I made a stool from cherry and sycamore and it was incredible. I was amazed at how you could turn a wet tree into a beautiful piece of furniture in just two days. Thanks to Peters clear and calm instruction and obvious vast knowledge of green wood working enabled everyone to create beautiful furniture irrespective of people's experience and abilities. I will be coming for more courses and investing in some hand tools, and having ago at making my own shave horse! Thank you Peter and Jarve."

10 Mar 15'

Nick Pendleton reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"Just attended Peter's 2 day introductory course, with no previous experience. Loved the authentic production environment. I made a rustic stool using sweet chestnut and oak, could not believe the beautiful authentic result. My family were amazed. Enjoyed starting from scatch with a chestnut branch converted to the wooden legs using a variety of traditional tools. Peter took time to demonstrate the different fabrication stages and was supportive and attentive throughout, ably assisted by Jarve, his trusty volunteer. I am hooked!"

10 Mar 15'

Sara Hurley reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"I loved the afternoon I spent at Maddie's recently. I went with a group of friends and we all said how much fun we had. Some of us are going back complete with tables to cover in mosaic. I'd thoroughly recommend Maddie's courses, whether it's on your own, as a couple or as part of a group."

10 Mar 15'

Emily reviewed: Shoemaking Workshop

"The course was fun and well paced. Loved the three evening sessions, which gave me a chance to ask more questions. Alison and Sarah were both so knowledgeable and friendly, giving the sessions an informal and relaxed feel. Thank you so much."

10 Mar 15'

Joby reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George, Just wanted to say thank you so much for the tuition session that I had with you yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and was over the moon with the bowl that I made with your help! Both yourself and your lovely wife made me feel so welcome and it felt like I had known you both for years!! I will certainly be back for more courses and I will be highly recommending you to every one I speak to!! Thanks again for a lovely day and for helping to feed my turning bug!!"

10 Mar 15'

Dave Parker reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"Just attended the 2 day Introduction To Green Woodworking Course (March 2015) and it was brilliant. I've never done anything like this before and I couldn't believe what I achieved in the two days. Peter Lanyon enthuses you with his own passion for green woodworking and his teaching style is hands on with lots of support and coaching. I made a three legged stool from cherry and sycamore and I think it's truly beautiful, I can't believe I made it. I learned about different kinds of wood, used loads of tools I'd never seen before and feel quite inspired by the whole experience."

10 Mar 15'

Jan reviewed: Spinning, weaving and dyeing - Monthly on a Saturday

"As a novice in the crafts, my knowledge base has expanded enormously by attending Alison's class. I started as a weaver but Alison managed to get me spinning - first on a drop spindle and then on the wheel. I'm so glad she took me patiently through those early stages - I know I'm a better spinner now because of her help. She has also taught me new techniques in weaving. Book learning's all very well but to work towards the best, you need to be taught by the best. I have been on my Monday evenings."

10 Mar 15'

Garry Britton reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"What a fun day, hitting things with big hammers and playing with fire, it dosen't get much better. Expert tuition from Mort (he has the patience of a saint), and I made something useful that the wife loves. Thanks again for a great day"

9 Mar 15'

Ali Rutherford reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"Just spent two excellent days with Peter Lanyon, learning how to make a stool out of green wood. I would recommend this to anyone from complete beginners to those who have lots of experience. It was wonderful to be able to spend time making something me, under expert supervision. We all came away with a beautiful piece of furniture and you would not have believed it possible for all of us to create something so professional looking. I was jealous of everyone's work! Peter and Jav encouraged, corrected and guided us all into achieving great things. I will certainly be back and feel inspired to do more. Thank you very much."

9 Mar 15'

Elaine Hall reviewed: One day blacksmithing course

"Spent a very enjoyable day with Julian at the weekend - learning a range of basic blacksmithing skills to come away with a very impressive looking toasting fork - so good in fact, that some people doubt I made it! I'd never done anything like this before, but Julian is a very good and patient teacher. He's also good company, and makes plenty of cups of tea during the day to keep you going. I'd highly recommend this course to anyone thinking of giving blacksmithing a try. It's amazing what you can do in a day."

9 Mar 15'

Mark, the mad biker reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"I last did woodwork in 1976 when I was at school. I had a desire since then to pursue this further but life got in the way. So, last autumn I started to plan to do something about learning woodworking skills. I searched for reviews on various courses I found on the internet and discovered Richard's workshop and his courses. I was very impressed by the reviews and the descriptions given by former students so I decided to take the plunge and enrol. I started the week by turning up late and annoyed with myself for missing the beginning but Richard and Mark helped me to get started and they helped me to improve not only my skills but also my confidence in the workshop as the week progressed. I have learned a tremendous amount from both of them. The lunchtime lectures are a brilliant idea and I have gained so much from them. I was unsure what I would learn from the course and whether it would be of use to me, but, I need not have worried, this course has armed me with the knowledge I need to get the right tools, how to use them, and how to look after them. Brilliant. I would recommend to anyone wanting to step into woodworking to get enrolled and let Richard and Mark set you on the correct path."

9 Mar 15'

Kate reviewed: ‘Winter dream ' wool painting face-to-face textile art course in Worcestershire

"I had a fantastic day at Magic Wool Studio with Raya Brown on 5th of March. She is a professional artist and an inspirational teacher! Totally enjoyed the workshop! I made some lovely flowers! Would recommend it to anyone!"

9 Mar 15'

Liz & Jess Hennessy reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"We spent a lovely chilled morning with Maddie in her lovely rural workshop. We both made mirror frames as part of the 'creative' workshop and were really happy with the results. Maddie has a very relaxed approach to running her workshops which was just perfect for us - she was very helpful when we needed her, but also just let us get on with it. Thanks Maddie, for a lovely morning - hope to see you again some time."

9 Mar 15'

Linda Atkinson reviewed: Timber framing courses

"Without a doubt this is the best course I have been on in my life! I was a bit intimidated by the idea of attending a course I knew nothing about, and a bit worried about being a female in a male dominated field of interest, but I had nothing to fear. Alan and his crew, and his adorable family, made me feel right at home. I would say to anyone thinking about doing this course - JUST DO IT - you will never regret it - and you will have memories to last a life time."

8 Mar 15'

Jan Ashford reviewed: Spinning, weaving and dyeing - Monthly on a Saturday

"There are a range of people attending classes doing spinning, weaving and knitting so providing an opportunity to learn about different aspects of all three crafts from both people attending and Alison's instruction."