Latest reviews

16 Jan 17'

Christine Taylor reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"I attended Jo's candle making course as a bit of fun with a friend. I enjoyed the whole experience, Jo's house is amazing and a very relaxing environment to learn a new skill, and her hospitality is outstanding. Jo is certainly very knowledgeable and made the process very straight forward, more so than I initially thought before attending. The course is value for money as you not only come away learning how to make candles but with a bag full of goodies which you have made yourself. I would 100% recommend Jo's workshop to anyone who is thinking of a new hobby or business."

16 Jan 17'

Claire Pearce reviewed: Holiday ceramic sculpture workshop for children 8+ (and adults)

"My two daughters, aged 8 and 12 both thoroughly enjoyed the sculpture workshop over the school holiday. They wanted to go each morning and were both very pleased and proud of what they made under Beatrice's expert guidance."

16 Jan 17'

Karen Turnbull reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"I great morning out with my dad and a lovely bowl made to take home. Thank you."

16 Jan 17'

Liz Carr-Archer reviewed: 1 day introduction to silver jewellery making - Ely

"I had a great time. Jonathan is very easy to get along with. Nice lunch. I did learn things. I'll be going back. I would recommend him."

16 Jan 17'

Beatrix Baker reviewed: Steam-Bending Courses in Cumbria

"A really fun and informative few days. Fast paced and very of hands on!"

16 Jan 17'

Ellen reviewed: CERTIFICATE : Making Natural Luxury Anti-ageing skincare products (Toner, Serum, and Face Cream)

"I couldn't find a proper class teaching how to make my own lotion then stumbled on this one. It was such a helpful class, learned so much and went home with my own lotion. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone that's looking for a practical course on making lotions and creams."

16 Jan 17'

Annemarie O'Sullivan reviewed: Chair Making Courses

"I loved everything about making a chair in the woods with Danny. Beautiful woods, lovely company, the best cups of tea. The teaching was clear, gentle, unpressured.There was lots of time to get lost in the process and then time to really focus and learn. it didn't matter that I was an absolute novice. I'm SO proud of my chair.! Thanks Danny."

16 Jan 17'

Caroline Richens reviewed: Holiday ceramic sculpture workshop for children 8+ (and adults)

"What a fantastic activity for children and adults alike. My daughter has loved the pottery mornings and wants to do more. Beatrice is always encouraging to pupils in their ideas while offering excellent advice on how to achieve success in sculpting."

16 Jan 17'

Sian Liwiki reviewed: Holiday ceramic sculpture workshop for children 8+ (and adults)

"My 12 year old daughter has very much enjoyed this workshop and learnt a lot. Beatrice is very knowledgeable and relates well to children. She is patient but doesn't talk down to children and encourages them to reach their full potential. Would recommend any budding sculptors to try this workshop out!"

16 Jan 17'

Lisa Yeung reviewed: Holiday ceramic sculpture workshop for children 8+ (and adults)

"We enjoyed a birthday sculpture workshop with another family to celebrate my son's 10th birthday. We were a cosy group of five people -2 adults and 3 kids - and it was the perfect size. A fantastic way to engage kids in purposeful activity under the encouragement and tuition of a skilled sculptor that is Beatrice Hoffman. Highly recommended to kids and adults who are interested in experiencing the joy of creating clay objects with their hands."

16 Jan 17'

Ruth Marciniak reviewed: Holiday ceramic sculpture workshop for children 8+ (and adults)

"My 11 year old son and I did a two day workshop with Beatrice. She is an excellent teacher, very knowledgeable, inspiring, encouraging and patient. She is also very intuitive in knowing how to provide the right support to get the best from an individual. The workshop is a lovely space to work in."

16 Jan 17'

Claire reviewed: Holiday ceramic sculpture workshop for children 8+ (and adults)

"Our family (2 adults + children aged 9 and 11) attended 2 days of summer workshops and had the best time. Beatrice is an encouraging and patient teacher and we all learned a lot and created things we didn't think we were capable of. And yes it was great fun for all ages! highly recommendedClaire"

16 Jan 17'

Erin Gentry reviewed: Felt slippers - felt-making workshop with Debra Esterhuizen

"We had an excellent time on this course. Debra is a great teacher, who explains things clearly and seems to have endless patience. Her studio is calm and comfortable in a lovely building. She has gorgeous wool supplies in lots of luscious colours, and the slippers i made are not only comfortable, but they are more beautiful than anything I have seen in a shop. I highly recommend this course."

16 Jan 17'

Claire reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

16 Jan 17'

Yasuko Moran reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"Beatrice is very good at teaching the details about sculpture. Beatrice offered advice on how to scrape and observe from different angles etc..and also introduced the different type of tools and how to use them. Beatrice can identify what students want to know and do. We all enjoyed the sculpture lesson and had a wonderful experience!"

16 Jan 17'

Liz Miller reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"I just received my fired model and I'm so pleased with it. Have actually even had a couple of compliments about it - thanks so much for helping me put it together. It was great day ( a few months ago now), just a shame you're not nearer so I could do another one. Many thanks again! Liz"

16 Jan 17'

Dave reviewed: Chair Making Courses

"For a complete novice to end up with an amazing chair at the end of a week is testament to Danny's skill and patience .Great company,awesome surroundings,fantastic teaching and home baked treats! A truly inspiring week . I'll be back ."

16 Jan 17'

Wendy Mattinson reviewed: Felt slippers - felt-making workshop with Debra Esterhuizen

"Went on a slipper making course last weekend. I had a wonderful day with great people. Debra is a lovely, warm person whose knowledge and enthusiasm for her craft is infectious to all around her. Great day - and I came home with a fab pair of slippers !! Go ahead and book for Debra's courses - you won't regret it."

16 Jan 17'

Jane Smith reviewed: Fused Glass Christmas Decorations One Day Workshop : Fun, Creativity and Relaxation

"I went to Joy's "taster" workshop recently, and found it a very rewarding experience. Cauldwell Mills, and Joy's studio are very interesting, and worth a visit. Her work is simply stunning and gives you an insight into the depth of her knowledge. The morning session began with coffee and an informal chat. Joy then explained everything clearly and gave us the confidence to start our project. We made a plaque using a superb selection of coloured glass particles. She carefully explained how each colour may work on our plaque but also made us feel confident, and keen to have a go. She was constantly available while giving us the opportunity to enjoy experimenting. I would certainly recommend this course to anyone wanting to try out a new skill and learn more about the art of making beautiful artifacts in glass. Joy certainly lives up to her name!"

16 Jan 17'

Nigel James Mac-Fall reviewed: Steam-Bending Courses in Cumbria

"I've been designing furniture since graduating at the RCA back in 1972. A few years ago I was in a furniture museum in Vienna looking at some amazing Thonet chairs and realised I knew absolutely nothing about steam bending. I googled like made, came across Charlie's course and booked in for 4 days in July 2013. The whole experience was pure magic. The course is set in paradise, my fellow students were a wonderful mixture, from all over the world, from all walks of life and tremendous fun. Charlie is an inspirational teacher with a passion for steam bending, it's palpable and it rubs off, I learnt loads and I met some great people. When I came back I set to and designed some 20 pieces of furniture suitable for steam bending. I also came back with my 'chair-in-an-afternoon' which is still in constant use and proudly sits on the terrace in the pouring rain as I write this message - thank you Charlie. Nigel James Mac-Fall"

16 Jan 17'

Mandie Messer reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"I have attended several workshops with Matt now and loved all of them! Matt is very patient, encouraging and helpful at each stage of the design process he is an excellent Teacher. As confidence grows he leaves you to progress at your own speed but always helps when you might be struggling with technique. Mine was using the soldering iron! Sorry Matt. Matt made two beautiful windows for my home, working with ideas with me and involving me with the choice of beautiful glass pieces including antique panels cut to enhance the design. The limits of what you can create with Matt are only your own imagination, even if it takes a few classes to create one piece it's worth it. Highly recommended....Have a go."

16 Jan 17'

Peter Saunders reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Had an excellent couple of days working with Nigel in his forge, learning and making lots !! Special place :-) Peter"

16 Jan 17'

Phil Joyce reviewed: Hide camp - deer skin into buckskin

"I had no idea what to expect but the whole experience was mind changing. The tutoring in hide preparation was excellent, but the bonus was the introduction to a culture so removed the pressures of city life, away from the windows we look through every day, be it house windows or TV and computer screens. A true appreciation is gained of the work our ancestors had to do to turn hides into clothes."

16 Jan 17'

Andrea Lawrence reviewed: Fused glass workshop - Plymouth

"I gave this as a Christmas gift to 3 of my friends. What fun we had! It was a great way to spend 3 hours and we all enjoyed making our coasters and sun catchers. I would highly recommend this workshop to everyone. Sheena is a fun, lovely lady. Thank you so much for such a fantastic afternoon. We will certainly return!"

16 Jan 17'

Jo McCallum reviewed: Steam-Bending Courses in Cumbria

"I attended the professional practice course at Charlie's workshop in the Lake District. For four days we learnt everything you need to know about steam bending, from material properties to techniques and design. Charlie is patient and incredibly generous, his team are skilled, lovely people, plus his workshop is based in a stunning location. Win, win. This course helped to focus my own practice and I'm currently in Australia, about to use these techniques with architecture students. Charlie's instruction gave me the confidence and the knowledge to get to this point, for which I'm extremely grateful. I highly recommend Charlie's steam bending courses, he is a highly skilled maker/practitioner and an excellent teacher."