Latest reviews

24 Oct 13'

Louise Smith reviewed: Stained Glass Workshop - Two Day

"Really enjoyed the course, thank you."

23 Oct 13'

Andy and Sue Travis reviewed: Stained Glass Workshop - Two Day

"Most enjoyable weekend course. Right pace, good instruction, right size of course, spot on."

23 Oct 13'

Lesley Pace reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"Simon demonstrated at our gardening club meeting. His presentation was extremely clear and enthusiastic. He had gone to a lot of trouble to bring the equipment to set up in our village hall, and brought the craft to life. We all now appreciate how much hard work and skill goes into the making of craft objects. We would recommend him as a speaker at other groups."

19 Oct 13'

Diane McFadden reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"A great day out, even for someone like me - not arty at all. Coffee and home baking to start, a lovely lunch with a spot or two of wine, and to finish of the day tea and cakes. After a very apprehensive start it was al guns going ............. Wanted to be more adventurous than my teacher thought, as a result was last finished. Very proud of my work, and am hoping to get it framed. D"

16 Oct 13'

Jim McManners OBE reviewed: A stool making day

"I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, everything from the drive up through the boarders on a beautiful day to the session in the pub at the end. Best of course was the work. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday. we worked individually but with just enough help to make us all successful and with lots of team work when needed. The venue is excellent with a real old fashioned feel of timeless workshop and an adjoining craft center to inspire us to want to do more. Eion and Gail have got this just right, the right balance of challenge and help, nothing soppy! hard work and very satisfying."

15 Oct 13'

Jacky Vugler reviewed: Hand spinning workshops - Norfolk

"What a fantastic day! Teresa made me feel very welcome. We covered a lot of ground, but there was still plenty of time to practice. Teresa answered all of my questions about the yarns, spinning and carding and was very knowledgeable on all aspects, including breeds of sheep. I would definitely recommend this day to anyone wanting to learn to spin."

15 Oct 13'

Karen Ryder reviewed: Enamelling on copper

"I booked a one day enamelling course as a birthday treat for my Mum, as I wanted her to have something to keep, but also for us to spend time together. I am not a particularly creative person & certainly not arty at all, so I wondered how well I would do. I have to say that I am now hooked! Dilys is a great teacher, very patient, helpful and encouraging...and she was as excited as we were to see our pieces come out of the kiln. We had a thoroughly enjoyable day. I found the enamelling quite easy to do & there were so many different effects that you could create. I actually found it extremely relaxing too. By the end of the day, I had made a total of 5 different pendants. 2 for myself, 1 for each of my daughters and one that will be a birthday present for a friend. My mum made 3 different pendants for herself & bought some matching earrings & a ring that Dilys had made and my sister-in-law made a pendant and a coaster. So you can do as much or as little as you want to and Dilys will give you as much or as little help as you like. I have to say I highly recommend the day & I'm sure I will attend one of Dilys's courses in the future (I hope so anyway!)"

14 Oct 13'

Yasmine Stone reviewed: Five day woodwork course - wood

"I had a great week making a step-stool. I didn't have a clue about woodwork before the course, but by the end I had made a beautiful piece of furniture, which taught me a lot of useful skills. I also had a go at wood-turning when I'd finished the stool. Richard and Mark are really chilled-out and friendly and they give you lots of tips about tools and show you what to do step-by-step, but they never just do it for you, so when you've finished you feel a great sense of achievement. It's a really satisfying and rewarding course. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys making things; I'm so glad I've entered the realm of woodwork and I feel confident to start my own project now - a wooden board game."

14 Oct 13'

Christina reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Amazed at what I could achieve in one afternoon. Friendly, informative and relaxed. Can't wait to return!"

12 Oct 13'

Dot Ryan reviewed: Kiln Formed Glass in Cornwall

"A brilliant experience, in a beautiful, safe environment with an truly lovely friendly expert tutor. Can't wait to go again. ps The lunch was pretty fabulous too."

12 Oct 13'

Pat Dew reviewed: Mosaic Workshop

"This was an excellent introduction to mosaics and Ruth taught us with a quiet enthusiasm that helped us to experiment and explore our own ideas. Fantastic studio setting so we were surrounded by beautiful things from a number of artists including Ruth's own work - all very inspiring. Lovely home cooked lunch too so a fantastic day out and I'm already planning my next mosaic."

12 Oct 13'

sharon spooner reviewed: Kiln Formed Glass in Cornwall

"I entered the studio and my mind was a blank, Fi put me at ease and moments later i was putting ideas and experimenting with colours and shapes. Fi uses her experience in glass to allow you to be creative with confidence. The light lunch is delicious. I recommend Highly and hope to return very soon."

12 Oct 13'

kim macconnell reviewed: Kiln Formed Glass in Cornwall

"What a lovely experience! Fi is a very calm and patient teacher and it felt really relaxing just to 'play' and focus only on what wonderful creation I might come up with- and the end result didn't disappoint!"

10 Oct 13'

Olga reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Attended this course today and can't stop raving about it and what I've learnt and my candles that I've brought away with me. Sakeena and Karina are lovely ladies and Karina was brilliant in the course delivery. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and we had cake too! Can't wait to go back for the Introductory Course. Thank you again ladies."

10 Oct 13'

Tamasin Hawke reviewed: Kiln Formed Glass in Cornwall

"Having never even tried working with glass I was really excited to find a course close by. Fi Woolcock is an excellent and patient tutor which is what you need as a beginner. She took me through the process step-by-step and I was amazed at the results I was able to achieve. I'm definitely going to continue and develop my glass work."

10 Oct 13'

Sally reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"I attended the Introductory course in May this year and absolutely loved it. There were only 5 of us on the course which meant that our extremely patient teacher Sakeena was able to give us very individual attention. The selection of candles we made was really good, and totally inspired me to experiment when I got home. I have been making candles at home through the summer, and this week attended the intermediate course. This was a one day, one-to-one course which was brilliant. Sakeena taught me various processes to allow me to produce an array of extremely professional looking pillar candles. I would definitely recommend both courses - Sakeena is an excellent teacher and a lovely lady!"

7 Oct 13'

Gavin Innes reviewed: A stool making day

"The stool making day at Buy design is a day to look forward to and treasure. The organisation, facilities and tuition from Eoin and Gail are perfectly prepared and organised. The day is paced in such a way as to feel both relaxed and at the same time filling you with a real sense of achievement. Throughout the day Eoin provides a real tuition in the principles behind community woodland management and the provenance of the timber you are given. Guidance and instruction in the various tools are also given all at the right pace and timing. This course is about enjoying making things with your hands and green wood, but you'll get so much more out of the day. I guarantee you will spend most of the day with a smile on your face! I managed to finish a stool in ash which, once it is engraved with his initials,will be passed to my youngest lad. Cheers Eoin and Gail I will certainly be back for another!"

7 Oct 13'

Lisa Reay reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Fab course! I was a complete beginner and learned so much from Elaine's instruction. Highly recommended!"

7 Oct 13'

Lorraine Chambers reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshops with candle maker to Prince Charles

"I did a one day course in London at the old studio, was one of the best days of my life."

3 Oct 13'

Jilly Giles reviewed: Machine Embroidery City & Guilds Level 1

"I have really enjoyed this course, i have learnt so much and feel i now have a machine embroidery bible! Brilliant course can highly recommend it."

3 Oct 13'

Roz Thorner reviewed: Machine Embroidery City & Guilds Level 1

"Fabulous course. Wish is would carry on and on. Hope you do another course."

3 Oct 13'

Carole Bennett reviewed: Machine Embroidery City & Guilds Level 1

"A really brilliant course in which I learnt a lot and was inspired by the tutor and encouraged to do 5new and exciting machine embroidery techniques. I would the whole thing again next year and still learn new things. Thank you Bev"

2 Oct 13'

Lizzy reviewed: 6 wk Mixed Level Jewellery Making at Jewellery Workshop Leeds

"This is a superb course. The tutors are patient and helpful, and let you learn at your own pace. You are taught all the basics, and after doing the course I am now designing and creating my own work from copper, bronze and silver. Highly recommended and very good value for money."

1 Oct 13'

Annie Dean reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"We (family of 4) had a fabulous day last month at one of Jane's tapestry weaving workshops. Even our 13-year-old who wasn't keen at the idea became completely engrossed and produced a lovely piece. Jane put loads into the day, providing us with a bespoke design of the lovely seaside view from our living room window so we now have a beautiful set of four to remind us of a wonderful day together. Highlights of the day were - an extremely warm welcome; very comfortable, large and inspiring studio space with unrivalled countryside views; delicious lunch with home baking; Jane's tireless enthusiasm and encouragement and Graham (Jane's husband, and studio assistant) who was so kind and attentive to all our needs. We're all looking forward to booking our next workshop (even the 13-year-old!)"

22 Sep 13'

Katie Sanderson reviewed: Enamelling on copper

"I have attended several courses each has been fantastic, I've learnt lots and my confidence has grown. I now have a kiln at home and still love enamelling."