Latest reviews

8 Nov 16'

Claire Hedley reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"What a fab course and an even wonderful teacher. Learnt so much about the candle world, in lovely surroundings and a very relaxed and friendly environment. Highly recommended"

8 Nov 16'

Adrian Smith reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"I really enjoyed my one day course with Colin. We covered a lot of ground in the time available, this included bowl turning, spindle turning techniques and sharpening. Colin's approach is very relaxed, he is patient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I would highly recommend the course."

8 Nov 16'

Nick Webb reviewed: An introduction to wood turning with Gregory Moreton (2 Days)

"A fantastic beginners course which I cannot recommend highly enough. I had inherited a lathe and tools a couple of years ago but had not been able to produce much but after 2 days with Gregory I feel confident and inspired. Gregory shared his knowledge of, and passion for woodturning in a way that made it very easy to learn and I came away with two very professional pieces. Oh, and the lunch was pretty good too. Many thanks, Gregory."

8 Nov 16'

Jane Hanks reviewed: Needle felting course with Furzie at Saltisford Canal Trust, Warwick

"A brilliant day with a brilliant tutor. A lovely location at Lapstones with customers mingling, such a good way of promoting the class. We began the day with a welcoming coffee and time to meet others on the course, at 12.30 we were served with a delicious lunch. Everyone managed to make the animal of their choice with the superb guidance of Michelle."

8 Nov 16'

Helen Phillips reviewed: Needle felting course with Furzie at Saltisford Canal Trust, Warwick

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day with you. My Robin has had many compliments. I was very tired when I got home!! - all that concentrating!!"

8 Nov 16'

Christine Barber reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"I had a wonderful day today making a gypsey basket. Very proud of my first effort. SallyAnne has so much patience and is a wonderful teacher. I loved it and can't wait to do my next project."

8 Nov 16'

Sarah Whitby reviewed: Needle felting course with Furzie at Saltisford Canal Trust, Warwick

"Many thanks for really enjoyable day. Michelle was really encouraging and helpful. Great to have learned a new craft and come home with a lovely crafted animal. It was great to focus on a project with a small and friendly group. Tasty lunch too."

8 Nov 16'

Christina Montague reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I bought a course as a gift for my partner. As two 'retirees' we wondered how we would get on with the physicality. We need not have been concerned as we had a really great day each making a leaf key ring and jointly making a poker with ornamentation. Chris is a first class teacher demonstrating and describing each stage of the project clearly. While we were making our items he was helpful and supportive giving us real hands on experience. We would thoroughly recommend this course."

8 Nov 16'

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

"Fantastic pottery coaching, that is welcoming, inspiring, friendly and cosy, set in an idyllic cottage garden. One and a half years after I started attending the Pottery Slow Down week-night course, I still love this studio as much as the first day I attended. The classes are kept small so that you're able to get a good amount of 1:1 coaching. After a hectic week in the office, the pottery is a calm and relaxed environment where you can focus on being creative and I always leave with a sense of achievement and a warm glow. Jo is a very experienced potter and it shows in the breadth of knowledge that she has for techniques and in the passion with which she discusses pottery. She is very patient, taking time to show you each technique you require to achieve your desired project. What I love most about her coaching is that when you come up with a new idea she gets really excited and is always really keen to help you work out how to realise your idea. Perhaps the best recommendation is that I never feel like my Thursday evening classes are enough, so when ever I have a free Saturday I go along to the Saturday full-day sessions as well. I've also taken several friends and family members along and without exception, they've really enjoyed their day. Summary: > Good, personalised, teaching > Variety of materials and techniques available to use (different clay types, slips, glazes, wheels, coil pots, slab pots, tiles, sculpting, to name but a few) > Lots of wheels (4 between 7 students - I only can last 3 hours on the wheel max, so you don't need one for every student). > Space for you to create your own projects, there is no program to follow, so you create something unique and Jo will personal her tuition. > Jo's home-made biscuits! Who I think this weekend course would be good for: > Beginner potters looking for a first try at pottery, or intermediate potters wanting space and to create their own ceramics and receive coaching. > Groups of friends or family looking for a creative cottage retreat in the countryside I would suggest coming to the pottery with a few ideas so that you can get stuck in straight away. But don't worry if you're unsure of what to make, there are always loads of beautiful pots in various stages of creation dotted around the studio to inspire."

8 Nov 16'

Audrey Buck reviewed: 2 Day Silver Jewellery Making Course - Ely

"I did Jonathan's two day course and thoroughly enjoyed it, learnt a lot and came away full of ideas and enthusiasm! Jonathan is full of information, very patient, accommodating and inspiring. Plenty of tea and coffee with home baking, lovely lunches, very nice atmosphere, paced to suit each individual (there were three of us), informative, and brilliant to come away with some finished pieces to enjoy. Excellent follow-up too. Highly recommend."

8 Nov 16'

Jason reviewed: Green Wood Chair Making - 6 Day Woodworking Course in South Devon

"I have to thank peter and joe and my fellow chair makers for a great week. It is a great boost to the soul to produce something by hand. peter teachers you every skill needed to turn a freshly felled tree into a piece of furniture you can take home and cherish."

8 Nov 16'

Debbie Jenner reviewed: 121 - An Introduction to Cold Process Soap Making

"I had a very interesting day with Emma, who was welcoming, friendly and very, very helpful. The location is excellent too. I now feel ready to go it on my own having gained insight into the wonderful world of soapmaking..! I highly recommend her course."

7 Nov 16'

Paul Gill reviewed: Introduction to Spoon Carving

"Had a really fun day, thank you Chris. His approach made learning the different stages and techniques really clear and simple, and was always helpful with advice as we made our way. He's obviously very skilled but makes the seamless transition to simple, actionable advice for newbies. Have already started carving spoons in the week since the course and look forwards to making more and doing more green wood carving generally (which I'm new too). Would highly recommend. And the food (esp the chutneys but the soup too) from Chris' mum was amazing too!"

7 Nov 16'

Kirsty reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"Absolutely fantastic day - wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone! Bought as a gift for my boyfriend, and despite thinking it wouldn'y be my thing, I had a really great time too. Colin is very friendly and welcoming and suits the course to any age/gender/ability. Small groups (4 of us in total) mean that Colin is on hand to offer lots of help throughout the day if required - we got so much blaksmithing done, and had loads to take home - my candlestick is taking pride of place in the kitchen. As others have already mentioned, you get stuck in really quickly and don't waste lots of time with health and safety drivel, other than the essentials of course."

7 Nov 16'

Jeni Stroud reviewed: Conscious Interior Decor; For holistic living

"This workshop was amazing ! I learnt so much from lucy in just one day ... having the skills and wisdom of lucy there but also being able to actually do the steps myself was hugely rewarding. I still can't believe how much I learnt in such a short space of time ..... oh and the cakes are pretty amazing too ! I would highly recommend anyone to enjoy this fabulous experience."

7 Nov 16'

Kirsty Locke reviewed: Annie Sloan Method with Chalk Paint for Upcycling Furniture at La Di Da Interiors - The Basics

"A really great course which has given me the confidence to start painting my own furniture. I found the distressing technique helpful and will definitely experiment layering two colours in the future. A lot of information into the paints and techniques was provided and I had not realised how many waxes there are and the very different looks you can achieve by changing wax. A great course to inspire and give you the confidence to get going!"

7 Nov 16'

Celia reviewed: Friday mosaic making

"I brought my sister as a treat. We had a lovely stress-free morning. Audrey supplies a beautiful range of mosaics and ideas, and she is very encouraging. Excellent!"

7 Nov 16'

Alison reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"A second wonderful day with SallyAnne. We were delighted with the willow stags we made and struck once again by SallyAnne's generosity as a teacher and craftsperson. We had a day which stretched our brains and developed a whole different range of skills from the basket work we began with last time. SallyAnne is patient and sees just when help is needed. She builds confidence in those learning with her and takes delight in their learning."

7 Nov 16'

oliver and sarah perceval reviewed: Alchemy of Pigment and Pattern at SAOG Studios

"great, maybe could have got a bit more covered/done - starting times stretched somewhat, but then again that is part of the charm! Daniel was an excellent host, very generous providing coffee and healthy nibbles. lovely location. great to get back to the 'old way' of doing things i.e properly."

7 Nov 16'

Simon Sharp reviewed: Dads and Lads' Bushcraft courses with Stuart Lawrence Northyorkshire

"Really enjoyable day for both me and my 12 year old son. We covered firelighting, rabbit skinning and butchery and basic shelter building. We both came away armed with additional knowledge and an enthusiasm to put into practice what we had learned."

6 Nov 16'

Helen Harkin reviewed: Pottery making party in lovely seaside studio

"Highly recommended . Thoroughly enjoyable day . Relaxing , creative , informative and fun! Jenny is the briliant and the facilities and lunch could not be better . We can't wait to display our vases. An experience we'll never forget ."

6 Nov 16'

Shirley Mackenzie reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"Thank you Sophie for another fun filled informative day. Thoroughly enjoyed the company, the craft making and your mums lovely lunch. Looking forward to a further workshop in December. Highly recommended and great value. All the best Shirley"

6 Nov 16'

Jillian reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"My daughter and I flew in from Italy for Jason's 1-day leather course and it was 100% worth the 1700km journey. Jason is a relaxed and skilled teacher who has a way of teaching you how to work with leather in such a fun and detailed manner. The day flew by and we left feeling like we are really learned the essential skills needed to work with leather. We'll definitely come back in the future to attend the 2-day course. Thanks for a great workshop Jason!"

6 Nov 16'

Aimee Kirkham reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"I have just completed a life sculpture course with Karin Ort at Phoenix Studio and it was fantastic. Karin spent time discussing techniques, equipment, scale and proportion and different clays with us, which was great for me as a beginner and the more practiced sculptors of the group. She also spent time with each of us on a 1-2-1 basis, throughout the two day course, which meant we were able to refine our work and ask questions. I can honestly say that each of us produced a piece that we would all be proud to put on display. I can't recommend this course highly enough... I'm definitely booking onto more of their courses!"

6 Nov 16'

Judith Norwood reviewed: Annie Sloan Method with Chalk Paint for Upcycling Furniture at La Di Da Interiors - The Basics

"Very well presented and instructed by Steph. Now inspired to "up-cycle" my Ducal furniture. Met some like minded folk with whom I will keep in touch and we are going to swop furniture that we don't need. Will keep in touch with Steph. and her La-di-da interiors shop and purchase more products for decorating my new kitchen. Very happy thank you."