Latest reviews

15 May 17'

Helen Morrison reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A lovely inspirational day - keep looking at my machine embroidery sampler today and getting a real feel good factor from having created something I like! Julie's studio is beautiful, inspiring to work in and Julie is a great teacher, encouraging and helpful, sharing so many of her skills and ideas readily. I spent the day with such lovely fellow machinists. Julie is a natural host and provided delicious sweet treats to go with regular tea breaks. Lunch outside chatting and taking in the beautiful peaceful views was the icing on the cake. Thank you also to Julie's husband who met me in the car park to carry my machine in - much appreciated. We worked hard and made the most of the workshop opportunities. Highly recommend."

15 May 17'

Angie and John reviewed: Blacksmith forgework Learning Experience Day

"We had a fantastic time with Rob and his wife Sue who did her fantastic cooking. Rob was very easy and friendly to get on with and so was Sue. Rob taught me (John) a lot of something I have been extremely interested in for a long time and would definitely do again in the hopefully not too distant future. I took along some items which needed Rob's advice about, but he instantly was keen to help and wanted to construct a stand for a large finial I had, which I had great fun doing. The next time will be stands for cast iron tractor seats I have. Yes we had a tour of his anvil collection and they are a sight to behold."

15 May 17'

Samantha J reviewed: Furniture Painting Course with Afternoon Tea in Sheffield by South Yorkshire Interiors Academy

"Brilliant course and great location. We are going to book the advanced techniques course in the summer."

15 May 17'

Michelle Bernhardi-Toner reviewed: Weekend upholstery courses - Oxfordshire & Berkshire Borders

"What a fabulous course this was for an absolute beginner. Philip provided expert advice throughout the weekend to everyone in the class and there were a huge range of skills and projects there. Even though I'd been slightly ambitious with my chosen project, I still managed to make excellent progress and pick up a whole load of new skills in the process. I've not transformed a rather sorry looking antique chair into something I'd be very happy to have in my home. I've already booked a place for Philip's summer upholstery course and can't wait to learn more. A very well spent weekend indeed!"

15 May 17'

Jenni reviewed: One week upholstery courses with Cherry Dobson

"I can thoroughly recommend the 5 day course. Cherry is an excellent teacher and as the numbers are small everyone gets her individual attention and can work at their own pace on whatever project they have brought. The workshop is very well stocked with tools and the huge variety of materials used in modern and traditional upholstery. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and we were well fed with tasty lunches and plenty of tea and cake."

15 May 17'

Denise Reed reviewed: Animal Sculpture Workshops

"Leilah is an inspiration and an excellent tutor. She put on a course specially for the two of us whilst we were spending a few days in Yorkshire. We came away with two wonderful deer which look great in our garden. Thank you Leilah!"

15 May 17'

Margo reviewed: Beginners Candlemaking for Two - Anglesey, Wales

"I've just spent a really enjoyable and informative 3 hours with Anita for a 'one to one' workshop. I'd been making container candles at home and wanted to 'experience' making pillar candles with someone there to show me how to do it and point out what can go right and wrong! Anita is so knowledgeable and willing to share this with you - no matter what basic questions you ask. I learnt so much about waxes, fragrances and candle making techniques and came away with the candles I'd made. The location is great - a big workshop with plenty of room. I'd travelled from some distance away so stayed in the local area which was a great excuse for sightseeing in North Wales. Altogether a great experience that I'd recommend to beginners or those with a bit of candle making knowledge."

15 May 17'

Kim Arthur reviewed: 2 days Mosaic Workshop for Beginners and Intermediate Levels with Nathalie Vin

"What a delight this course was! Not only did it teach me a lot, it was fun working alongside the other students... Nathalie is an inspiration, and she gave me the confidence to pursue the art of mosaic on my own, something I will be forever grateful for. Oh yes, the lunches... YUM!! Don't hesitate to go on this course, you won't regret it."

14 May 17'

Liz reviewed: Valentine's Papercutting Workshop

"A fun, creative , inspiring course. A great starting point for paper cutting which I will definitely continue with. Would love to see Lisa do a Christmas card themed workshop later in the year."

14 May 17'

PhilipWilliams reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"What a great day I had with Alex! An excellent tutor who expertly guided me through the art of making a wrought iron shovel. I was very proud of the finished article! Thank you again Alex!"

14 May 17'

Richard Aldridge reviewed: Willow Dragonfly Workshop

"Excellent day, great teacher, very relaxing, very creative. Would happily do it again. Excellent value for money as what you leave with would cost you the same amount in any shop."

14 May 17'

Sue Mitchell reviewed: Weekend upholstery courses - Oxfordshire & Berkshire Borders

"I had an amazing time this weekend. As Philip suggested, I started with a drop in seat. I had never undertaken any upholstery before so this was a challenge. Philip is a mine of information, so helpful and patient."

14 May 17'

louise reviewed: Fused Glass and Metals Workshop, Stourbridge

"Loved every moment of this. Jane is kind, patient, funny, perfect combination in a great teacher (also makes good coffee). My first time but still made some lovely pieces to bring home. Highly recomend"

14 May 17'

Julie reviewed: Weekly upholstery workshops with Cherry Dobson

"I have just completed a weeks upholstery course with Cherry having taken a week off work and booked myself a holiday cottage! Was a most relaxing and enjoyable way to spend a week. Cherry's teaching style means you get on with your own project no matter what your level but she is on hand to help and guide you. The lunch and cakes she provides are delicious and she makes everyone feel very welcome and has the patience of a saint with 8 students all wanting help at the same time! I would thoroughly recommend this course and hope to go back one day."

14 May 17'

James Richardson reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Incredible weekend - I did the one day course and stopped the night before in one of the cosy Shepherds huts. Nigel is a top bloke and excellent teacher who was able to get us making interesting pieces straight away with varying techniques. The forge and its surroundings are really special and I hope to go back soon. Even with no prior metal work experience I recommend this course."

14 May 17'

Pat Gordon reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"Who knew there was so much to candle making?! An excellent and very informative course about making soy wax candles. Kerry was very knowledgeable about her craft and made us feel welcome in her home, providing us with gorgeous refreshments during the course. We came away having made our own fragranced candle - a lovely reminder of a morning well spent. An excellent Mother' s day gift!!"

14 May 17'

Amanda Ellison reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"Simon is an excellent, patient teacher who shares his passion for working green wood. The woodland setting, his knowledge of forestry, the first class support and his ability to tailor his course to the varying knowledge and capability of his two students make this a day to remember. Taking home a garden dibber you have fashioned yourself from a log of wood is the icing on the cake. I was given the course as a present and would highly recommend it to everyone."

14 May 17'

Mavis Wing reviewed: Make a Stained Glass Panel in a Day

"very well planned course.. Carole grey is an excellent hands on tutor and gave the support and encouragement to make sure we all enjoyed the day and we all came home with a glass panel to be proud of. Thanks"

14 May 17'

Katie reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Spent a lovly sunny day on the boat today using pmc to make a beautiful charm to add to an existing charm braclet I had commisioned from the website a few years ago, its a ' pea in the pod' unspired charm. Great day, I learnt lots of new skills and have a well finished product to go home with. Thanks again10/10"

14 May 17'

Christopher Pearson reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Fantastic day ! Thank you Mort. I hadn't been in a forge since I was at school 41 years ago but the sights and smells came flooding back to me. Morts skill and guidance soon had me hammering hot metal and I loved every minute of it ! I wasn't particularly good at it but that didn't really matter because I was been taught by someone who knew exactly when to step in and help or redemonstrate and when I was in need of a brew there it was ! Experiences like this are very rare in this high tech world,so if you want to get away from it all for a day and immerse yourself in something completely different under expert tuition,this is the one for you !"

14 May 17'

Jason Cook reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I just spent an excellent day with Mark learning the basics of Woodturning in an experience that will stay with me for a very long time. My day to day activities are in an office and so far removed from Woodturning that I was apprehensive about how the day would go, especially given my total lack of experience in this craft or anything like it. Mark quickly put me at ease and my confidence grew and grew under his expert tuition. From the first minute to the last this was a fantastic day with Mark showing considerable patience and great knowledge. At the end of a long day (in a good way) I came out with something I'd always wanted and had actually made myself. I'd thoroughly recommend Mark and his tuition and can't thank him enough (or my wife for the gift of the experience day)!"

14 May 17'

Philip Hall reviewed: A Dry Stone Walling Workshop Bedfordshire

"A very enjoyable experience. John Holt runs the day in a relaxed manner and imparts a surprising amount of knowledge as you learn by doing. John is enthusiastic and knowledgeable and gets the right balance between letting you get on with it and intervening when necessary. You end up having actually built some wall. which is very satisfying."

14 May 17'

Pat Dew reviewed: Kiln fired enamelling on copper taster (morning)

"I had already enjoyed the introduction to glass fusing with Gen and this course was similarly great. Biggest difference is that we used the kilns as we went along so could see how the materials are transformed by heat. Gen is the perfect teacher. Everything organised and well-structured with clear guidelines. Her enthusiasm is brilliant and her gentle reminders and encouragement ensure that everyone makes something to be proud of."

14 May 17'

Michael Buick reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"These are great workshops. Beatrice is a patient and encouraging teacher. She helped me to get over my self-criticism and enjoy turning a lump of mud into an object that only I could have produced. And she helped those objects become more and more expressive with each lesson. The location takes a bit of travel, but it is worth it: a sunlit conservatory in a lovely, sculpture-filled garden."

14 May 17'

Judith Walsby reviewed: Stained Glass in a Day

"I would like to do the course again!"