Latest reviews

28 Jan 15'

M. Coe reviewed: MON 3RD – TUE 4TH AUG: Landscape Painting in Oil

"I signed up as Peter is a very enthusiastic and talented artist and tutor although the venue was unknown to me. However, it was very good. Parking, help with finding everything, coffee available on arrival, excellent buffet lunches at very reasonable rates. Will be booking again this year for Summer School and possibly Autumn as well.5"

27 Jan 15'

Elizabeth reviewed: WED 5TH – FRI 7TH AUG: Portrait Painting in Oil, a three day course

"I was a complete beginner - I had never painted before but found the course excellent. The class had a range of ability and experience but the small class size and individual attention ensured this was not an issue. Tutor was excellent and make the subject accessible to all. The event overall was well staged and very friendly. Strongly recommended."

27 Jan 15'

Sandra Roberts reviewed: MON 3RD AUGUST: ‘Cutting the Curd’ Cheese Making

"An excellent course with an excellent tutor and a lovely atmosphere as everyone was enjoying themselves! Not only did we take our produce home, we were also given a booklet outlining the recipes and other hints and tips. If you would like to make your own cheese, go for it!"

27 Jan 15'

Rena George reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"This course is brilliant. James is so inspirational and patient. He is able to rescue any potential disasters with such ease that everyone completes the weekend with amazing pieces. We so enjoyed the weekend that my friend and I booked ourselves on the next available course as soon as we got home."

27 Jan 15'

Sue Caunt reviewed: 6TH AUG: Needle Felting with Gretel Parker – Beginners

"This is one of the best courses I have done in a long time. Gretel is not only a very friendly, approachable person, but she is also highly skilled at her craft and at passing this knowledge on to mere beginners. She made the course enormous fun and we all went home with lovely things we had made under her guidance. After completing the beginners and intermediate courses with her, I was greatly inspired to return home and continue developing my felting."

27 Jan 15'

Caroline Crisp reviewed: 6TH AUG: Needle Felting with Gretel Parker – Beginners

"Gretel is a great teacher & an accomplished needle felter & designer. I have learnt so much from her - she is so generous with her knowledge & makes everything very easy & straightforward to follow. I recommend these courses to anyone with an interest in needle felting whether they have done it before or not."

27 Jan 15'

Carolyn reviewed: WED 5TH – FRI 7TH AUG: Portrait Painting in Oil, a three day course

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course. It was the first time I had attended a portrait painting course and found Peter to be an excellent tutor, talking us through in well explained steps, with plenty of demos. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and the food at the centre was exceptionally good."

27 Jan 15'

Clare Butler reviewed: MON 3RD AUGUST: ‘Cutting the Curd’ Cheese Making

"A really enjoyable and informative day with a tutor brimming with enthusiasm and knowledge. And delicious products to take home at the end of it - what's not to like?"

27 Jan 15'

Sheena Bond reviewed: Blacksmithing courses

"I have attended two workshop days with Lucille and on both occasions have thoroughly enjoyed myself. Working with red hot steel, shaping and encouraging it to the form you want is an amazing experience. Lucille's teaching style is fun, professional and inspiring. Her enthusiasm for her medium shines through; it is a real passion and very infectious!"

27 Jan 15'

Sue reviewed: WED 5TH – FRI 7TH AUG: Portrait Painting in Oil, a three day course

"An absolutely brilliant all round experience. Peter is an excellent tutor: friendly and well-organised as well as brimming with enthusiasm and talent. He is brilliant at breaking down the difficult task of portrait painting into small manageable steps. We had the chance to draw and paint both from patient sitters and excellent photos. Very inspiring. Not only did Peter make it look easy, he actually made it seem easy! It was great to have materials provided, too, at a small cost. And as for the lunches!!! Complete yum. I have already booked again for this year."

27 Jan 15'

Valerie Powell reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"James Ort`s clay sculpture course was the most attentive art course I`ve ever been on. His original and innovative away of working with clay was put across with boundless patience in the most comprehensive and patient way. I`ve never known a teacher work so hard to give so much. Everyone in the group produced lovely objects. Marvelous!! Thanks James, Val Powell."

26 Jan 15'

Lynda Clark reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"This was a fabulous day. Very patient teacher and beautiful setting. I have booked another 2 courses as I enjoyed the day so much."

26 Jan 15'

lynnette reviewed: Crochet for Beginners

"highly recommend this course .Kasturi is very patient, had no problem with me being left handed. very patient and understanding how hard it is for a left handed person to learn how to crotchet. fantastic day, lots of fun .a great teacher"

26 Jan 15'

Howard Kay reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"one-to-one tuition with a man of Mort's willingness to share his skills was an experience I will long remember. He imparted his enthusiasm for the craft so I was left with thoughts of how to fit a forge into my single garage. I would recommend this to all and sundry of all ages and genders."

26 Jan 15'

Eddie Moore reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This was a birthday/Christmas present from my lovely stepdaughter - the whole day was fantastic!! Both Adrian and Debbie are lovely friendly people and have a passion for what they do. My wife came with me , and although she wasn't on the course, Adrian gave her the opportunity to make something for herself. The facilities, range of equipment is great, Adrian is passionate about what he does and passes this on in a friendly easy to absorb way. Debbie is a fantastic hostess and kept us supplied with home cooking all day of a standard that would put all the TV chefs to shame - all in all , a perfect day!! - Go on - treat yourself, you wont regret it!"

25 Jan 15'

Marlis reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"An excellent day course, relaxed but informative and certainly got me spinning. Great fun to spin using a drop spindle initially and then finally manageing to use my own spinning wheel - aim achieved. Elaine is patient and provides excellent guidance and I have learned some useful 'spinning' language, sources of wool etc. and informative course notes to take away."

25 Jan 15'

Annie reviewed: Felt a landscape

"The nuno felting at Carmel last week was fantastic. I am well and truly hooked. Sarah was so helpful and the company was great ."

25 Jan 15'

Jane Lewis reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"I found the tuition really useful and helpful - you answered all my questions and with patience. Although it is early days yet I find I am remembering well - I have my loom up and running at home. I am now totally hooked on weaving!"

25 Jan 15'

Elaine Williams reviewed: Free-motion Machine Embroidery Workshops

"What a fantastic day I had at Chloe's free-motion machine embroidery workshop. Chloe made the day very enjoyable with her lovely personality and patience. My 27yr old Toyota machine with a free-motion foot was fine for the sewing. A recent visit to Amsterdam was the inspiration for my sewing piece and there was plenty of time that day to finish it. Would definately go again and I highly recommend Chloe as a tutor. Her experience, patience and seeing her work, makes the workshop worthwhile."

25 Jan 15'

Maggie B reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"Lovely to meet the sheep that the fleeces come from. Excellent course from an excellent, knowledgable and patient tutor. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone interested in wool and yarns and sheep, all in a beautiful location."

24 Jan 15'

Ian Simpson reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Excellent, informative and full on fun day. A great experience in excellent facilities with the bonus of wonderful home cooked food.... what's not to like! Adrian is obviously passionate about his craft and his enthusiasm is infectious. Highly recommended."

24 Jan 15'

Sian Blake reviewed: Wet Felting - Pockets and Purses (Beginners) Saturday 24th Jan

"6 of us started this workshop with no idea of what to expect. Lorraine must have waved a magic wand because suddenly we were layering wool ( all British) of rainbow colours , and with the addition of warm water, soap and gentle rubbing we gradually transformed it into sample squares and then a purse each. It was a joyful day, lots of sharing of ideas, laughing and admiration of what the others had done. We exchanged contact details and went home amazed by our achievements and knowing that next time we were going to make something even more special."

24 Jan 15'

Nadia reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Great fun. Puts me in good stead for starting my candle making hobby. Excellent teacher with easy to follow instructions."

23 Jan 15'

Angela Wilkes reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"I highly recommend this course and was amazed at what I went home with from the two weekends spent at Phoenix studios. James is an excellent teacher, who encourages and helps students to carry out their own ideas. The well equipped light studio looking onto the garden is a splendid place to work. I will definitely go again."

23 Jan 15'

Becky Lusby reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"I really enjoyed this course. The Phoenix Studio is fabulous - lovely surroundings, inspirational art all around, fantastic friendly, supportive atmosphere, great facilities and plenty of tea breaks and biscuits. I went with three other members of my family, which was nice, but going on your own wouldn't be a problem as everyone gets involved with everyone elses efforts in a lovely, supportive way. I was amazed how much we got done in just one weekend. James has a talent for bringing out everyones creative side and encouraging them to acheive their best. As well as being pleased with my own efforts, it was a real pleasure seeing everyone elses, very varied creatures emerge. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone considering it."