Latest reviews

12 Dec 16'

Joanne Jacques reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"I attended the angel willow weaving course. The tutor Sally Anne was lovely, well organised, very informative and patient. There was plenty of materials and good quality tools for everyone to use, with the added bonus of homemade refreshments very festive. I would highly recommend her course."

12 Dec 16'

Vix McArthur reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"My son and I had an amazing two day course with Nigel. A master blacksmith, excellent practical teacher, amusing and erudite raconteur and we feel we have tasted briefly the versatility of metal and gained huge respect for the skill and artistry that goes into forging. Thank you so much, and I look forward to using my fire screen. x"

12 Dec 16'

May reviewed: Candle Making Class

"Farah this was amazing, as I love Candles I have learned a lot yesterday in the class. I would defiantly recommend this to family and friends for the new year as this was the last workshop for 2016. The 7 page memo will be a great help. X"

12 Dec 16'

Gem reviewed: Candle Making Class

"As a birthday gift my niece booked for me to have a candle course at Farah's work shop last weekend and I'm glad she did. It was absolutely lovely, Farah was welcoming and very informative about the products and course. The oils used smelt amazing. I decided to wait prior to writing my review and I'm glad I did. The perfume lingers in the room, unlike some of the candles you tend to buy and cannot even smell the sent after a few days. So thank you very much Farah for such an enjoyable workshop, cannot wait to come back to make more candles."

12 Dec 16'

Bee reviewed: Rag Rug Workshop - Half Day - London

"I had a wonderful time learning about rag rugging. It's so simple to do. Elspeth was a patient teacher and very passionate about crafting. I finished my Christmas wreath yesterday and now thinking about my next project. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn rag rugging."

12 Dec 16'

Peter Bentley reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"Thankyou Mattt really enjoyed my taster day glass fusing, looking forward to seeing the thing I made,excellent teacher, learnt a lot in a day. Thanks again Mattt Peter."

12 Dec 16'

Sarah reviewed: Intermediary Glass fusing workshop with Laura Hart of Hart Glass

"I've been on many courses and workshops, this was the best ever. It's three days full on intensive but you get quality teaching from a real professional artist who really knows her stuff. I learnt so much and my work is now finished to a much higher standard. If you only ever do one glass fusing workshop do this one, you won't regret it."

12 Dec 16'

Lucy Miller reviewed: Beginners Candlemaking for Two - Anglesey, Wales

"Haven't had such fun for many years. I never thought learning could be so enjoyable. Real hands-on learning and the most brilliant atmosphere. A great environment and the afternoon tea was an added bonus. Amazing session!"

12 Dec 16'

Evs reviewed: Candle Making Class

"This was a fantastic experience and I am now so keen to start putting everything Farah has shown me into practice. As well as being a fantastic experience, Farah was a very bubbly, friendly and outgoing character. The scents of the candles was amazing and I cannot wait to try it out myself. I highly recommend this and can't wait to join in another one!! Thank you Farah!"

12 Dec 16'

Abercromby reviewed: Candle Making Class

"A disappointment. I expected to make my own candle but that was not the experience. Stood watching Farah make a candle in her galley kitchen. She seemed irritated that we were there. It's a lot of money for not very much. There was no offer of tea, coffee of water throughout the two hours. I wouldn't recommend this experience"

12 Dec 16'

Adrienn reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I have spent 3 days with Lucy last year as a novice in the silversmith field. It was a great experience and I still adore the pieces I had made with her excellent guidance. With encouraging of Lucy I decided to set up my silversmith studio at home. I visited her again for a day to discuss all the details and equipments I need. ( And even create a unique ring for me.) Lucy guided me through all the processes, set up my torch, looked up all the tools in different catalogs to fit for my purpose. She was giving me great tips of literally everything I wanted. And nevertheless I made 2 beautiful rings"

12 Dec 16'

Antonia Truslove reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"My husband and I had a fab few hours with Mark doing a Woodturning taster course at his workshop in Pershore. We were after some basic skills, along with a few hours of fun doing something that interested us. Mark tailored our time with him to cover exactly what we were after, and at the end of our time we both had beautiful walnut bowls to take away. I'd highly recommend Mark as a tutor, whether you are looking for something serious or just a bit of fun, Mark's flexibility will ensure you get what you're looking for."

12 Dec 16'

Marie reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"Fantastic course and I am so pleased with the bag. Gaynor and team made learning and making easy and fun. With clear instructions, gentle guidance and many patient reminders I made a beautiful Tote bag which has turned out exactly as I hoped. The workshop is so well equipped and the team were very skilled. And then there were the lovely cakes.... Recommend the course to anyone who wants to have a go- they make it so easy no experience needed! Thank you to all the team."

12 Dec 16'

Jennifer Burns reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"A great weekend at the Phoenix Studios, very therapeutic. Highly recommended but wear comfy shoes! This is my second head at the studio. I'm very much a novice with very little arty talent but under the directions of the very patient Karin, I've created pieces of work I'm so proud of. The group is small, which means you get almost 1-2-1 instructions....a real plus for me. Can't wait for the next workshop."

11 Dec 16'

PinkFlower reviewed: Candle Making Class

"Very disappointed, the website is very misleading as there is a picture showing participants at individual workstations making their own candles however in reality you spend two hours in a kitchen watching Farah make a candle with hardly any chance to get involved. She constantly moaned about how busy she was having hold the classes to the point it felt like we were an inconvenience being there and everyone looked uncomfortable. Also we couldn't pick our own fragrance as all the wax was put in one pot which kind of defeats the object as we specifically went expecting to pick a scent we wanted not have a group debate which one we could all agree on. Nobody was offered a refreshment, told where the loo was etc and there seemed to be some issue about wearing shoes so again you felt like you weren't welcome. For the money I would have expected the candle starter kit to be included considering the cost of the items it contained was negligible rather than being charged an additional £10. When collecting our candles no bags were provided so unless you purchased a kit I don't see how you were meant to take your candle home. Then to top it all off deep holes have appeared in my candle?! Probably because the whole process of making it was rushed. I could go on and on but suffice to say I wouldn't recommend."

11 Dec 16'

David T reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"This review is well overdue, but I've come back to say just how good a time I had. I was bought this as a birthday experience and thoroughly enjoyed the day, going with a friend from Uni. Colin is very knowledgeable and tailored the day to work towards making many things we were interested in, going at a pace we wanted (which happened to be as much as we possibly could do) and helped creatively turn some of our mess ups into some beautiful pieces. I'm looking for any opportunity to go back now!"

11 Dec 16'

Ellie Newman & Craig Hinchliffe reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"I booked the one day course for beginners for my partners birthday. He has always wanted to try glass blowing so he was very excited and this course didn't disappoint. We arrived slightly early to a very welcoming and friendly Ricky. Throughout the day Ricky was very patient and demonstrated his passion for others to succeed in the art of glass blowing. We managed to create 5 beautiful pieces each and would without a doubt recommend this course to anyone wanting to try the art for themselves. We will definitely be back to compete the follow up course as we had such a good day. Thank you Ricky! Craig & Ellie x"

11 Dec 16'

Sue Holden reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"Today I attended a workshop to make a Willow Angel with Sally Anne. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sally Anne is so patient and she explains things really well. The price of the workshops are excellent value for money and include all materials plus fabulous refreshments. Will certainly be booking again"

11 Dec 16'

Eve nightingale reviewed: Art & Craft Days - Christmas Wreaths & Swags – Willow

"Deb Hart Willow Christmas wreaths and swags 10th December 16. Dear Brian and Julie, Thankyou for a lovely day at the Butterfly Studio In such a Lovely location. Delicious food. Excellent demonstration by Deb Hart. I really enjoyed the day, and look forward to doing another course. Happy Christmas and New Year to you all. Eve"

11 Dec 16'

Chris Barrie reviewed: Beginners Candlemaking for Two - Anglesey, Wales

"Attended a Xmas candle workshop with a group of friends and what a great time we had. Anita was very informative and helped us when needed. We had a giggle and amazed ourselves with our creations, which were all different. Look forward to going again and will definitely recommend it to my camping customers . Ideal for families or groups and you wouldn't feel out if place if you went on your own. Keep up the good work Anita :)"

11 Dec 16'

Julia reviewed: Willow Christmas Reindeer

"Had a great time, now even have lights on it too!"

11 Dec 16'

Annwen Lewis reviewed: Beginners Candlemaking for Two - Anglesey, Wales

"My first attempt at making a candle was very enjoyable, and being in the class it turned out that everyones Christmas tree candle was unique. Will deffinetly go to another class. Thanks"

11 Dec 16'

Helen reviewed: Greenwood stool making courses at Greenwood Days

"I had a hugely enjoyable week on the Windsor chair making course. As a beginner I was a little apprehensive when I first arrived, but this soon passed as Peter explained each step of the process and was always on hand to help. Although it was hard work (I found muscles I never knew I had) it was also very relaxing and satisfying to take home my chair at the end of the week. In addition the woodland location is beautiful, the lunches are tasty, and there is a constant supply of coffee and biscuits. All of which make this a great course I would highly recommend."

11 Dec 16'

Veronica Gooding reviewed: Diploma in natural organic haircare formulation

"Learned loads - really great class. Now feeling confident I can make a decent shampoo and conditioner for my difficult hair. Price was a bargain and location was ideal for me - right by Angel tube."

11 Dec 16'

Carolina reviewed: Candle Making Class

"Mixed - the knowledge was useful but the workshop itself was not good. It was in a very small kitchen, and Farah was complaining about how students kept breaking equipment so she only bought cheap things. Lo and behold, the only working thermometer in the house broke, which meant the wax temperature could not be measured. Another lady at the workshop was telling us that the last candle workshop she did they were all given their own equipment. It was very unprofessional that this happened and hearing Farah muttering to herself that the workshop was a disaster didn't help. The other point i want to make is that i went to the workshop because Farah advertises her candles as natural, soy, vegan, uncut fragrance oils free of nasties. Well, we learned with paraffin. Why? because soy is too difficult for beginners apparently. I didn't go to learn how to make paraffin candles - I will never make a paraffin candle. I also didn't go to use synthetic fragrance as it gives me a terrible headache - I was supposed to go and exercise after the workshop but i started vomiting on the way home on the tube and still have a terrible migraine. Farah's website states the following: "All our natural soy, vegan candles are of the highest quality and individually carefully handcrafted using timeless methods, exquisite fragrances and only the finest natural ingredients. Their beauty and elegance will transform your space into a peaceful retreat. Our candles are eco-friendly and sustainable. We also use pure cotton wicks, and premium, uncut fragrance oils that are free of added "fillers", pesticides and pthalates. " It's clear that she sells candles that do not match this description. When I questioned her about this statement on her website she denied it was there. Oh and to top it all off, the candle we brought home with us (dont' know about anyone else but certainly mine) collapsed in on itself and separated from the side of the glass, even in a very generous room temperature. If we had made it properly, if we had the right equipment, perhaps our candles would have turned out a bit nicer. On the whole, disappointed, wish i had not wasted my money."