Latest reviews

19 Jun 17'

Charles Hessin reviewed: Make Scented Candles & Tealights

"Came here in a group. A great experience. I chose geranium essential oil, smelled lovely. Very happy with the candle."

19 Jun 17'

Sue Parker reviewed: Make Scented Candles & Tealights

"Went to this candle class with a few family members and we loved our candles. Had so much fun and the teacher seems to know a lot."

18 Jun 17'

Edward Bird reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"My wife and I attended a Saturday "Blacksmith experience day" which she paid for as a gift for my 65th birthday. The course was great fun and very creative, we both made a poker to start with and then collaborated on a garden sculpture which was finished by five p.m. and we took it home finished due to all the help from John and his team of Spencer and Olly. It was a hot day but refreshments were provided and lunchtime meant a visit to a local pub for a drink and a meal (all included). The premises are a genuine working environment that works all week on commercial projects and gives courses when appropriate. If you are interested I cannot recommend this highly enough."

18 Jun 17'

Alison Harvey reviewed: Bookbinding using leather and marbled paper, Frome - Somerset. Private Tuition

"The book I chose to restore was an early C19th Shakespeare. I was amazed as Stephen helped me take it apart, preserving the beautiful leather and the endpapers. The work of restoration started with patiently stitching flaps to which to attach the covers. We rebuilt the spine and I finished by tooling the volume number on it with a punch. Despite being challenged by trying to draw a straight line with a pencil and ruler, and able to make a mess of any worksurface and get sticky fingerprints on anything, I am very pleased with the finished product. There was a chance to observe the projects on which Stephen was working: the meticulous restoration of beautiful, and badly damaged, book and to look at the samples of materials he holds, including endpapers he has made himself. Stephen is a patient and generous teacher: I suspect his experience working with children with special needs fitted him to work with me when I got frustrated with my efforts. He makes sure that you do the work yourself to solve each problem and never takes over, but guides you past each hump and makes sure it remains fun at all times. Highly recommended."

18 Jun 17'

Isabel and Mark reviewed: Wild pottery workshop - dig your own clay in the woods, bonfire/clamp kiln firings

"A big thank you for a truly memorable weekend. We enjoyed every element of it and really appreciated your calm, present and measured delivery, that allowed us to get the most from our wild pottery experience."

18 Jun 17'

Claire reviewed: A 2 day throwing and handbuilding weekend at an established pottery in the New Forest.

"My husband and I had a wonderful day with Jo. Beautiful setting, excellent and knowledgeable instruction, delicious homemade food. Over all a really relaxing and fun day. Jo is patient and kind, making it a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere. We were really pleased with how our pots turned out and looking forward to picking them up after the final firing."

18 Jun 17'

Barabara reviewed: Embroidery Hanging-"Stitch for the Soul" with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A most enjoyable day. Julie's expertise and encouragement resulted in a lovely piece of work to take home."

18 Jun 17'

Jean Evans reviewed: Embroidery Hanging-"Stitch for the Soul" with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Wonderful day- Really enjoyed the company, the people, the setting and the whole experience, many thanks Julie!"

18 Jun 17'

Helen Murphy reviewed: Embroidery Hanging-"Stitch for the Soul" with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A lovely relaxing day with wonderful lemon cake and iced drinks. wonderful tuition- patient with humour and a gorgeous work of art to take home at the end of the day."

18 Jun 17'

Sonia Waszczak reviewed: Embroidery Hanging-"Stitch for the Soul" with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Thank you for a lovely day Julie- it was great to see all your inspirational work and have time to devote solely to creating my own work. Lovely lemon cake too!"

18 Jun 17'

Alex reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"I had a great day at the Full Day Leather Workshop run by Rosanna. Rosanna was a great instructor and provided insights and guidance throughout the day. As someone who is not crafty, Rosanna made me feel at ease with all of the tools and instruments. Rosanna explained what each tool, instrument and machine did and how it was used. I came away with the knowledge to start leather making as a hobby; from hand and machine stitching to gluing, studs and fastenings, templates and embossing. Rosanna provided further information and a store list of where she buys her leather and tools. I was able to choose what I made and the leather I used, with lots of different colours available to suit each person's style. The day flew and I made a business card holder, cuff, purse (love the lining), luggage tag, and key fob. All of which look great and I can't believe I made them. I've already used all the items. The studio was an easy train ride from London and a short walk (~5 mins) from the station (not strenuous). Rosanna provided instructions on how to get there by all modes of transport. I highly recommend this workshop and learning from Rosanna!"

18 Jun 17'

Kay Carroll reviewed: One-to-One Private workshop

"Had a lovely day doing the bunting and mobile course,the day went so fast. Gigha is an excellent teacher and explained and demonstrated the different techniques very well.Would thoroughly recommend the course. Look forward to attending another course very soon. Kay Carroll"

18 Jun 17'

Julia Richardson reviewed: One day silver pendant and earring workshop

"Four of us had such a brilliant day with Jolene (Jo) at her workshop. Both Jo and her workshop filled with amazing things, are inspirational. Despite it being the hottest day of the year so far, we were all engrossed from the minute we started right until we finished. It is amazing how with Jo's expert guidance, we were able to fashion really gorgeous pieces of jewellery out of 2 small sheets of copper and silver, all very wearable. She is a great teacher, very patient. Any time we had a wobble about performing a particular task, she was on hand to help out or take over - but only if we wanted her to. The pieces we were making looked so good, that once or twice we preferred her expert touch so as not to ruin a promising piece of jewellery! We shall definitely be going back for more workshops. I can highly recommend this workshop and it was fantastic value for money. Thanks so much Jo."

18 Jun 17'

Wendy reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"Highly impressed. Before we started out we went through a health and safety check which was well executed and only took a few minutes. Everything was thoroughly explained but we were making our pieces before we knew it. Group sizes are kept small and Ali is always friendly and helps with any info you want. You are always offered a refreshment half way through which is very nice. The classes are unpressured and you can do as much or little as you like."

17 Jun 17'

Bradie reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"I have attended one glass fusion session, which was good. I wasn't sure what I wanted to make but managed to do 2 coasters in the session and there was a good mix of materials. There are books you can use for inspiration if you need. I was pleasantly surprised by the coasters after firing and happy to display them at home. The studio is nice- a little on the small side and I personally would have preferred a bit more space, but having a communal table with everything in the middle is a nice system. Learning to cut glass was also interesting."

17 Jun 17'

Joanne reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"I have attended two of Ali's workshops so far and am booked on a third. Glass fusion is definitely addictive! Ali's studio is a treasure trove of ideas, sure to help inspire your own creativity if you feel stuck. There is a good range of glass to choose from (the bird shapes are my personal favourite) and Ali is really helpful in getting any ideas you come with to be transformed into reality. The sessions are just the right size, with a friendly atmosphere. You are left to reign free with your piece, with guidance offered if and when you need it. The cuppa half way through is a lovely touch too! The pieces are fired quickly and really conscientiously. I'm really happy with my experiences so far."

17 Jun 17'

Andrea reviewed: Dye Day Workshop

"This is a fantastic introduction into dyeing yarns and fibre. Cathy is so knowledgable and informative and encouraged us to experiment with the dyes. We all came away with fabulous skeins and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This course is highly recommended"

17 Jun 17'

Ethem Ethemsoy reviewed: Two day leather bag making workshop

"Great fun to do the course, and I regularly use the items created in the first day. Having finished the second day today after a long delay was surprised how much I remembered and it's no doubt due to Rosanna's great teaching. Looking forward to continuing this as a hobby. Highly recommended for anybody looking to have a fun two days of something different. Lunch on both days was lovely, with Rosanna's mother and father who were just as delightful, welcoming, friendly and a pleasure to meet and spend time with A's Rosanna herself."

17 Jun 17'

Willow Sculpture reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"Brilliant day. 4 Hours to make my very large Heron. Hard work but very satisfying. Kate made the day very enjoyable and provided an excellent lunch and many drinks. Great way to switch off for a day and go home with something beautiful to show off with."

17 Jun 17'

Karen Dignan reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"Just finished an amazing day making a willow sculpture. It has been a sunny, hot, beautiful day and so lucky that we did the course in the garden. Kate is so talented and a great teacher. I am delighted with my duck. Particularly since I have not tried this sort of thing before."

17 Jun 17'

Alison reviewed: KF Creative Mosaics Workshop with Karen Frosdick – Make a beautiful 30cms mosaic bowl

"Lovely day at Alford Craft workshop"

17 Jun 17'

Anne Marlow reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"Love these workshops! Very relaxed with lovely materials and guidance. Delighted with what I achieved. Have booked to return soon"

17 Jun 17'

Rose reviewed: Portraits in Charcoal & Pastels with Beverley Nel

"This is a brilliant venue, I have done a few courses and loved them all. Great teachers and I always enjoy meeting new people in the classes."

17 Jun 17'

Jane reviewed: Portraits in Charcoal & Pastels with Beverley Nel

"Had a great class today. Our lovely teacher, Bev, taught us how to draw our own portraits."

17 Jun 17'

Alison Walker reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"I had an excellent day with Lucy and came away with a reupholstered chair which I was very happy with. Learnt a number of useful tips; I"m looking forward to starting another project. Wonderful location in Lucy's beautiful home with a wonderful lunch served on the terrace. A perfect day"