Latest reviews

8 Jun 16'

Dr Brad Kirkland reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I came on the beginner's course to get a taste for it because I research fourteenth century armour smiths. Adrian & co. were fantastic the entire time each time I've been out, and now I've made my own tools and am hoping that someone will not be able to make it to a future booked course so that I can take their spot. The first course introduced some basics and gave me the chance to make some gifts for family back home. By the second course I felt a lot more confident in what I was doing, but they still were right there with help and direction whenever it was needed. And of course there's Debbie's excellent food that everyone raves about in these reviews."

8 Jun 16'

Sivi reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"The course was well worth the 6 hours drive to get up from London. I found that I felt really comfortable asking questions as you were really patient throughout. This was despite me going off book on design and needing a little more help to finish the bag in the two days."

8 Jun 16'

Avanthi Selvaratnam reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"As a teacher your guidance and knowledge really allowed us to plan a functional and personalised bag that was achievable in the 2 days. It was such an eye-opening and life changing experience in a beautiful setting. What a lovely way to spend a summers weekend!"

8 Jun 16'

Dax Hewitt reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This was the third course I have done with Adrian, Andy and Debbie. It's a full day starting with a brew and biscuits then after the safety briefing and a demo by Adrian it's time to put the steel in the fire and start hammering. Each step is demonstrated by Adrian and both Andy and Adrian are constantly on hand to point you in to the right direction. At lunchtime Debbie puts a great spread on of very tasty food but be warned, there is a lot of it. After lunch it's back to the fire and hammers then at finish time it's a hot or cold drink with a large slice of cake. This course was the tool making course, a pair of tongs and a couple of punches. What was particularly good was making the punch then using it to punch the rivet hole in the tongs. It is really satisfying to use a tool that you have made from scratch to make a more advanced tool. After 3 courses I have the tools and enough knowledge to make more tools and go on to make other items too. Thank you Adrian, Debbie and Andy. I will be back next year."

8 Jun 16'

Graham Barnard reviewed: Furniture Making - Cabinetmaking Fundamentals in East Sussex

"Open and friendly instruction, well structured and extremely well organised."

8 Jun 16'

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

"Thank you Dunja for a truly inspiring day and for sharing your knowledge. From a beginner's point of view, it was a considerable achievement to be able to come home with a skein of spun wool, even though it clearly illustrates that there is much room for improvement! Your patience was greatly appreciated and it was lovely to meet you."

8 Jun 16'

Matt reviewed: Blacksmithing one-to-one North West UK

"Fantastic course with Colin, had a great day full of really good advice and guidance. Colin is a great instructor who shows clearly what needs to be done but then allows you to have a go and only stepping in when it's going a little pear shaped. This is the way practical courses should be run. Copious amounts of tea/coffee are on tap and the whole atmosphere is relaxed. I would recommend this to anyone and have done! It's amazing what you can make in one day on a forge. Fantastic, thanks Colin, we will be back. Matt and Matt"

7 Jun 16'

sandy flores reviewed: Taster Sessions - Fused Glass

"Thoroughly enjoyable. Course instructor was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Felt I achieved something and actually made a couple of items which turned out really well"

7 Jun 16'

Will Lepper reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"I was given a 1 day course for my 60th Birthday, colin was very easy to get on with and explained how to do things in simple steps, as a beginner i managed to produce 3 pieces!! my wife and daughter were very impressed. I would love to do more but will need more lessons to learn how to hold tools correctly without having to check, as I was taught so many different types of cut using a variety of tools. Well worth the cost and effort, a great day I would recommend it to anyone very satisfying great fun Lovely day, if you can do it you will not regret it."

7 Jun 16'

Sylvia Zair reviewed: Wet felting with Virginia

"I attended this course a couple of weeks ago. Virginia was an excellent Tutor - she gave clear demos / explanations, and all materials required were provided. A relaxed atmosphere added to the mix and greatly helped my first introduction to the art of wet felting, and warm hospitality on top made this a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile experience. I completed my picture, and came away with a lovely sense of achievement as well as a set of instructions which will be invaluable as I try another one at home. I heartily recommend this course to others who may be wanting a new avenue for their creativity."

7 Jun 16'

Rebecca reviewed: Ceramic workshops for all in Accrington - Weekly sessions

"Such a wonderful experience from start to finish! Was made to feel so comfortable, enjoy something new, meet the amazing Marion, and watch your creations come to life! Would highly recommend for those totally new to pottery and glaze, or even those more experienced; You will not be left disappointed."

7 Jun 16'

Orla reviewed: Mindful Mosaic workshops with Dionne Ible - Bedfordshire

"I attended Dionne's mosaic workshop last weekend. I had a great time. She had a fantastic selection of materials and is lovely to work with. I love love my mosaic and was really inspired by her artwork and the creativity of the other people in the workshop. I would highly recommend the workshop."

7 Jun 16'

Andy & Sue reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"We highly recommend this day course with Julie. Excellent tuition with extremely useful tips and information, delicious home made cakes, friendly, relaxed atmosphere and baskets to take home that we were very proud of. Very pleased to have taken the decision to book this."

6 Jun 16'

Julie Cole reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What an excellent tutor Julie is! Patient, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about her craft and best of all, Julie wants to share her knowledge with her students. A well run and wholly absorbing course with the bonus that you take home your very own hand crafted basket at the end of the day. I cannot recommend this course any higher, a first class introduction to English basket making."

6 Jun 16'

JoyBook reviewed: Silk painting workshops

"What a really enjoyable experience and day with a lovely lunch. Bridget has a relaxed method of tutoring and allows you to explore your own styles but is also on hand to advise and guide with extra colours, mixing and techniques or ideas. (I have no artistic ability but managed to produce two pieces of work that actually looked like something!!). Superb value for money and really highly recommended for all ages and abilities."

6 Jun 16'

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

"This course was really brilliant! Jason is a very patient teacher! He will teach you all the skills that you need to make a notebook holder in 1 day and a lovely bag in 2 days! People keep asking me where I bought my new leather bag ☺. It’s a nice place to be and to be. Highly recommended if you want to learn working with leather. Thanks a lot Jason and Louise!"

6 Jun 16'

John reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"A very enjoyable day was spent with Simon and his pole lathe. I found him knowledgeable and patient with my requirements. His explanations were crystal clear without being patronising. I came away with my "ownership" of the piece intact ! He knew when to step in with help and advice without taking over."

6 Jun 16'

Michelle Chow reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"Joined a 2 days leather bags course after a 1 day course months ago. I learnt more special techniques from Jason during this 2 days course. Thank you Jason for his patience and attention to details. I'm getting more interested for all the leather craft. In his creative workshop, I try to apply different crafting skills and be more creative on leather work. Highly recommended!"

5 Jun 16'

Miss Jarrett reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"I had such an amazing day. Sally Anne was/is an excellent teacher and has the patients of a saint. I thoroughly enjoyed making my trug. Thank you Sally Anne. Esther"

5 Jun 16'

Sally Miles reviewed: Candle making workshops

"What a fantastic course. Angharad is such a welcoming & warm lady with excellent teaching techniques, I learnt so much & am really looking forward to putting it all into practice. I will definitely be going back for a second course to learn more. Really enjoyed the day & I highly recommend Wax the Matter"

5 Jun 16'

Jenny reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"I love willow work! Thank you so much SallyAnn, what a great teacher and such a lovely lady, feeling very inspired and ready to attempt an obelisk next!"

5 Jun 16'

Suki reviewed: Spoon carving course (1 day)

"I booked this course for myself and a friend and although we were a little nervous we absolutely loved it. We have dabbled with woodwork but didn't have the benefit of advice from people who have previous experience so this was just perfect. From location, to experience, skills and enjoyment this day is 10/10 and I could not recommend it enough. If you're at all curious then book it up."

5 Jun 16'

Jennie F reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"A great day to learn the basics of hand spinning from choosing a fleece to the end product. Elaine was lovely and welcoming and as it is a small course with only 4 people there was plenty of opportunity for one to one help when needed."

5 Jun 16'

Gary and Terrill reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"We did a day woodturning as a joint birthday present to ourselves. It was a great mix of productivity and learning and fun. The whole day went so smoothly because Chris is a great natural teacher and communicator; he understood who we were and paced the day accordingly (I don't have the greatest eye-sight and my wife has some issues with her hands). We now have two bowls that are both beautiful and functional, and of course they are a permanent reminder of what we did when we stumbled across into our sixties. Thanks Chris for a great day out - and your patience and kindness."

4 Jun 16'

Kirsten reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"Very enjoyable morning learning the art of willow weaving. I've definitely got the bug now and will be back to try my hand at a willow Hare sculpture. Sallly Anne was a great teacher and much fun was had by all."