Latest reviews

Anna reviewed: Beaded Snowflakes

"I thoroughly enjoyed making my Snowflake this afternoon. Thank you so much for your patience Wendy. Now I have my pincers and cutters I’m hoping to be able to finish another one at home. I’m also looking forward to seeing you on the 14 December for the Macrame lesson. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2018!"

David Mohan reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I have been woodturning for a few years and was self-taught so I thought it was time to learn how to do it properly. The day spent with Chris was inspirational and enlightening to say the least. Chris has a friendly, calm, supportive and patient manner which, together with a clear ability to explain and demonstrate techniques will put any student at ease and enable them to discover the beautiful world of woodturning and come away with new-found skills. If you have any doubts about attending a woodturning tuition day, then go and spend a day with Chris. You won't go wrong. I certainly will be going back! Thank you Chris for a fantastic day!"

Tom Bowyer reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"Nearing 40 I decided I wanted to learn a new skill and started looking around for courses in my area. I came across Ciarán’s website and read some of the reviews which convinced me to give it a go. I was a complete beginner but was immediately given confidence from Ciarán who is warm, funny, extremely knowledgeable and professional. I have now completed both the beginner’s and intermediate courses and have a place booked onto the wood turning course a few weeks away and I can’t wait! I have both run courses and attended courses internationally and the courses run by Ciarán at Cheshire Woodworking cannot be recommended sufficiently highly."

Mike reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"I had a really enjoyable and productive day - a great introduction to upholstery in lovely surroundings and with the relaxed guidance Lucy dispenses as freely as the tea and cake. Managed to get four drop-in seats reupholstered to a better standard than I thought possible for a first attempt, plus a piano stool seat 80% done without rushing. Although it was all new to me, it was quite therapeutic when I got into it and the day seemed to flash by. The resources, tools, materials and ambience are all excellent, but Lucy provides the spark and has the know-how to make it into a splendid day."

Clare Revera reviewed: Esparto weaving, baskets made from grass

"I really enjoyed this course. We learned a lot about the history of weaving with esparto grass and some new techniques which can be applied to other forms of basketmaking. The tutors are very knowledgeable and the structure of the course was great with two days a few weeks apart and practice activity in between. I am very pleased with my basket and look forward to applying my new skills in other baskets! Thanks Dirk and Kathy."

Ann-Marie Morgan reviewed: Mixed Media Painting Workshop in Brighton Seaside Home

"I had not done any artwork since school - long time ago - and was a bit apprehensive about being a complete beginner. The workshop description sounded ideal and indeed it was exactly what I wanted and more. Laura is so encouraging. She started by showing us techniques to build background textures and supplied a wealth of interesting materials to use with lots of ideas to get the creative juices flowing. It was such fun and the day flew by. I came away completely inspired and the next day started looking for items to recycle into artwork - a day with Laura has given me an artistic eye!"

Lynn Glennie reviewed: Mosaic and Glass Art 2-day Course

"I loved this mosaic making course. I booked this for my partner and myself and although he wasn't too keen on the idea he thoroughly enjoyed it! Maggie is a great teacher and is full of useful information but makes the course really enjoyable with her easy to follow instruction and fun personality. I will be back!"

Louise Fisher reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"I went on the introduction to greenwood course to make a small side table after my partner had been on several of Peters other courses and I have to say I absolutely loved it! Peter has a very calm way of teaching and really helps you to understand the wood, the tools and the way to form your idea into the material. From choosing your own raw, untreated, natural wood, to shaping and shaving the legs and tops, each stage brought new challenges, which Peter encourages you to find your own way to work around them (like when I cut into a leg too much!) I have no previous experience with woodwork and really enjoyed the hands on experience of creating my very own, totally unique piece of furniture, which I shall cherish for years! Although a fairly fast paced course (certainly don't think that you are in for a relaxing weekend!) no one was left behind and we all made beautiful items. I will most certainly be attending other courses in the future and I highly recommend Peter Lanyon for his beautiful creations."

Helen Garner reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"An amazing weekend. Jason & Louise are lovely, patient & very knowledgeable. The workshop is gorgeous, the materials are really good quality and the bag I brought home is the envy of all my friends. I would thoroughly recommend this course."

Dave Cripps reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"A really enjoyable day. Dave is an excellent teacher - thorough and encouraging, he went through how to use the axe and knife safely. We were not rushed at all but at the end of the day all had a spreader and spoon (in various stages of completion) to take home. I would strongly recommend this course."

Kirsty reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My partner and I did a single day course at the forge, absolutely loved it, really pleased with everything we made. Wish we'd had a week to keep going with it really. Made me cross all over again that girls weren't allowed to do metalwork when I was at school!"

Sue C reviewed: Fused glass day course - beginners/intermediate

"I had a great day! Nicky was excellent at explaining and motivating. I am really pleased with the coasters and angel I made. It has given me confidence to try other things. It was good to achieve so much in one day. I would definitely recommend having a go!"

Lindsay Burstall reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"I really loved this course - and so did my husband who also attended. By the end of the weekend we had each produced a small table/bench of which we both feel really proud - and amazed also! I had no prior experience of woodworking but Peter has all the tools and shows you how to use them with patience and expertise. My favourite part was sitting outside fashioning legs for my table using the draw horse and draw knife. You can choose what sort of legs you want and what sort of top and Peter will offer advice so you end up with what you want. Everyone on the course produced their own unique piece - and they all looked great! I am pretty sure we will be back for another course."

angie willems reviewed: Stained glass leading for beginners

"With no glass experience and little drawing skills, I embarked on the full Monty 4 day course. Jamal was friendly, supportive and helpful and guided me through the whole process of selecting from a handful of designs , planning and cutting , painting, shading, leading and finally cementing and polishing. Have left with some lovely pieces that I may have to keep for a while (were going to be gifts) and a head full of ideas for future projects."

Lesley reviewed: Kiln formed glass day workshop

"We had a great day and Helen is a very patient teacher. We were surprised and thrilled at the things we made."

Sarah Holmes reviewed: Mini bronze casting course for two

"I had a wonderful experience on the screen printing course with Liz. I am a textile lecturer and learnt a new way of orienting through the clear instructions given by the tutor. We spent the morning practising and understanding the skills through producing smaller pieces of work before embarking upon a final larger outcome. The tutor was very helpful, friendly and accommodating to each of our design and outcome needs. The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly and I would recommend this course to beginners or those that have experience in other forms of printing."

Bev Bradley reviewed: Creative Spring /Christmas Gift Wrapping Workshop with Lunch

"I really enjoyed this course and learnt so much. Jo is a great tutor and made everyone feel at ease. I used to hate wrapping presents but I'm looking forward to wrapping my xmas presents this year. I would definitely recommend this course."

Lin Salter reviewed: Macrame - Wall Art

"A great course & Wendy is a really good tutor."

Sue Maxwell reviewed: A one day felt making course designing and making your own pair of cosy slippers. in the Forest of Dean

"An excellent day resulting in a pair of well-fitting and gorgeous slippers...and what a lovely lunch!"

Katrina barrow reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"What a fun day ! I was amazed that I made a lifelike image of my dog Reggie, Denise was patient and encouraging and made the whole process enjoyable and sociable with the other ladies. I would definitely recommend this workshop to anyone and will be going on it again soon with a group of girlfriends. Thanks again for a great day and a great smaller felt version of my dog, is there a way I can post a picture ?"

Crafty Gal responded:

"Thank you Kat for the lovely review, it was a pleasure to spend the day with you and I'm delighted you were so pleased with your gorgeous creation! All the best Denise Crafty Gal"

Pete reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I attended the beginners spoon carving course at Days Cottage, and it was an excellent day indeed. Dave covered a lot of useful stuff in the day, not only about the different holds to use for carving, but also things on sharpening tools. After covering safe use of the tools, we made a butter spreader in the morning, followed by a spoon in the afternoon. Dave was really good at checking my body position thoughout and giving advice for positioning it better for using the different holds that he showed us. I would highly recommend this course for people that have done a little carving already, as it really helps to be shown different and better ways of doing things. Plenty of breaks were built in to stop us getting too tired and injuring ourselves. Thouroughly enjoyed the day!"

Angela Oliver reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"It was a fantastic day. Annis was a great tutor. Can't wait to go back and do more. The hare is next!!"

Fiona reviewed: Creative Gift Wrapping - Ripon, North Yorkshire

"This course surpassed my expectations and I would readily attend another. The course was held in a lovely, old stone hotel right next to Ripon Cathedral and the service was very good from the start - both the hotel staff and Jo/Julie. Jo & Julie had everything well prepared and, from the start, Jo gave clear explanations as to what we were doing. The pace was good - in some courses, it can be tedious when waiting for the next step but not on this course. At the outset, we were shown how to wrap a box - that might seem obvious but I learned the tricks as to how to do it properly. We learned how to wrap those awkward shaped presents & excellent & easy ways to decorate. It was an excellent way to switch off and tap into your creative side. I would highly recommend it others and look forward to attending another course in 2018."

Joanne Poland reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"As a beginner I found the introduction to needle felting brilliant and to come out with a finished Yorkshire Terrier at the end of the day was great! Denise is very patient and provides a delicious lunch! The day overall is great value and a lot of fun! I would definitely consider doing it again in the future. Thank you so much!"

Crafty Gal responded:

"Thank you Jo for the lovely review, it was a fun day and I'm so pleased you enjoyed yourself. All the best Denise Crafty Gal"

Gwenda Edge reviewed: Felt slippers - felt-making workshop with Debra Esterhuizen

"What a lovely, calm creative environment and such a supportive teacher. I really enjoyed my time at the Appleby Hub and left with a lovely pair of slippers. Debra is so generous with her attention and information. Looking forward to the next workshop."