Latest reviews

21 Apr 16'

Amber Blackburn reviewed: 1 day introduction to silver jewellery making

"Had a lovely day with my husband on the 1 Day course provided by Jonathan. We gained a really in-depth knowledge of the basics of silver jewellery making and were surprised at how much we managed to fit in. The course materials are really useful and will be used for future reference when we start buying our own tools to get started. We came away with two beautiful rings that we couldn't believe we had made ourselves. Totally enjoyable and informative experience and would highly recommend it."

21 Apr 16'

Pam friend reviewed: Traditional Lampshade Making - a two day course

"Hi Helen I would just like to say thank you very much for the last 2 days on the lampshade Course I really enjoyed it it was interesting to see we had all done a different shape, and was amazing the way they came together. And thank you to Cherry for the delicious lunches, I would likeCome back to do another course hopefully in July. Thanks again hope to see you soon"

20 Apr 16'

Rachel reviewed: Beginners 10 week woodworking course NO LONGER RUNNING

"I had a great time on the beginner's course, and enjoyed it so much I've signed up for the intermediate one! Ciaran provided a great combination of a relaxed atmosphere and thorough teaching of skills. :-)"

20 Apr 16'

Stuart reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"This was a fantastic course, I would thoroughly recommend to anybody. Great instruction from Peter, relaxed atmosphere and lots of tea and cake!"

20 Apr 16'

Linda McCarthy reviewed: Traditional Lampshade Making - a two day course

"What a lovely weekend. I achieved so much more than I thought I would. I was so pleased with the result of my six panelled silk up cycled lampshade. The Barn is a great place to work, it is light, airy and room to move. Lunch was excellent although difficult to get back to work. Although I did not finish my lampshade Helen gave us more than our share of time. I came away knowing that I could finish it but if I got stuck could email Helen and ask for help. I am sure the directions are fine but we did experience some difficulty but this just added to the fun of the weekend. Idiots reading maps! Yes I would recommend Helen and the Barn to my friends. I am coming again on the next course in a few weeks time. I am really looking forward to it"

20 Apr 16'

Katy Rundle reviewed: Traditional Lampshade Making - a two day course

"Fun course. Acheived an 8 panel, lined lampshade by the end of the weekend. As a complete beginner, I was really pleased with the result. Helen provides a relaxing teaching environment and is on hand for all questions. Also, the lunch was lovely. Thanks for a fab weekend"

20 Apr 16'

Jane Hairsine reviewed: Needle Felting - Half Day - Feather Felts

"I recently spent a very relaxing afternoon felting in Jane`s charming kitchen,and during the class was able to finish a picture of which I am very proud.I am not skilled at any form of crafting so was pleasantly surprised how easy and satisfying it was to create a completed project in such a short time.Jane provided lots of inspiration and a huge selection of merino wool of a rainbow of colours as well as a vast range of embelishments.I will definitely have another go at the felted pictures,but am also keen to try making animals and flowers.I definitely can recommend one of Jane`s courses as a way to create something unique in a very sociable environment."

19 Apr 16'

Joshua Williams reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I am 15 and got this course as a present from my parents. Alex was a fantastic teacher who excelled in guiding me through the process with much support and wisdom. It was a very fun experience and I learnt a lot about a craft that I was interested in. It was also a very rewarding feeling to have the end result, a rams head toasting fork."

19 Apr 16'

Joshua Williams reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

19 Apr 16'

Helen George reviewed: Candle making workshops

"My children bought a voucher as a birthday present for myself and a friend to attend this course. What a wonderful gift! Angharad was so friendly and welcoming we knew it was going to be a great day from the moment we arrived at her lovely home. Her wealth of knowledge she delivered in a very relaxed way from her delightful workshop in the heart of rural Pembrokeshire. We came home with a variety of beautiful candles that we made using different waxes, wicks, fragrances and methods. We had so much fun, enjoyed a delicious homemade lunch in her kitchen and at the same time gained a wealth of knowledge about the art of candle making. Highly recommended."

19 Apr 16'

Piers Lunt reviewed: Green woodworking at Coppicewood College

"This course was absolutely brilliant - in fact, it was nothing short of life changing, and this isn't hyperbole! I had quite high expectations as I knew of some people who had been to the college before and had spoken highly of it, and I wasn't disappointed. The tutors are all highly skilled, knowledgeable and extremely lovely. The pace of the course was wonderful, the setting idyllic. It is a perfect course for starting out on the road to green woodworking. Don't dally, if you want to get into this craft you couldn't do better than study at Coppicewood College. Highly recommended."

19 Apr 16'

Lynsey reviewed: Make a Pole Lathe/Shaving Horse

"Lovely setting, lovely weather. Nice relaxed approach to teaching. All very nice and a wonderful contrast to everyday life :) Arthur was lovely too"

19 Apr 16'

Roger reviewed: Make a Pole Lathe/Shaving Horse

"An enjoyable and informative time in the company of good people, and in a delightful location"

19 Apr 16'

Debbie reviewed: Make a Pole Lathe/Shaving Horse

"Loved it! I just need more spare time now, to make all the things I’d like to make. Please can you move closer to East Kent, so I don’t have to drive so far! Had a lovely welcome from Arthur each day and loved Beth’s cookies and cake. Loved the course and the weather was perfectly planned too! Thank you"

19 Apr 16'

Sue reviewed: Apple Tree Pruning - Summer

"I would like to thank Amanda, John & Mike for an excellent course & what a delightful way to spend a sunny summer day! It was an added bonus to have the apple pressing & juice to drink at lunch time. The theory of pruning was explained & demonstrated clearly & I now feel confident to tackle both winter & summer pruning. I hope u will continue to run these courses & I will certainly recommend them."

19 Apr 16'

Merv reviewed: Charcoal Making

"the course was brilliant and a million thanks to John. I had a great time and learned a lot. Very good tutor. Nice relaxed atmosphere with enough information to achieve the goals (How to make charcoal)."

18 Apr 16'

Isabel Browen reviewed: Introduction to Parchment Craft

"As a complete beginner in crafting I was a bit daunted but it was a fabulous day and so easy to master under expert and clear tuition. I made some beautiful pieces of art work for the first time and I'm over the moon"

18 Apr 16'

Lisa Thomason reviewed: Take raw fleece to finished fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"My friend and I are both self-taught spinners at the early stage in our spinning journeys. We decided on this beginners' course as we both felt that there were probably some very large gaps in our knowledge and technique. This course appealed to us for a number of reasons: a two-day intensive course fitted us better than a series of shorter sessions, the location, but most importantly we felt that the very small class sizes would mean that the course was tailored to our needs. Elaine's property is in beautiful surroundings and although we did not need to take advantage of the holiday cottage, I rather wish we had as it was gorgeous! Elaine is a very friendly and hospitable person and an excellent tutor. When we met the third student on the course, it transpired that she too had experience of spinning. I don't think it would have mattered if any of us had been a complete beginner however, as Elaine quickly got the measure of our skill levels and made sure each of us progressed, sorting out our bad habits and clunky techniques. The course took us through fascinating aspects of spinning that I'd never really considered, such as how to choose and process a raw fleece. Whilst I don't think this is something I'll be doing, it really enhanced my understanding and appreciation of the fibres I'll be working with and I feel more connected to the art as a whole. It was also great that Elaine had such a variety of breeds for us to work with and it's given me a greater understanding of how to choose fibre to get a particular result. At the end of the course we were each given a comprehensive and well-produced course booklet and an invitation to Elaine's next 'spin in'. For those new to any craft, the cost of a two day course such as this can seem prohibitive, however I cannot stress strongly enough how worthwhile and what great value for money Elaine's course is. Lunch is excellent too!"

18 Apr 16'

Jane Lang reviewed: Take raw fleece to finished fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I spent a very enjoyable couple of days looking at the whole process of fleece to fibre, with an excellent teacher. Elaine moves through the material at a pace appropriate for her students. We had all done some spinning before but agreed we'd missed out key learnings and picked up bad habits. Elaine coped with all our issues, and took all our questions in her stride. The equipment provided meant we could all have a go at everything, including trying out some interesting modern wheels on which we made art yarn. Learning in a group is great fun, and as a bonus I made some new spinning friends."

18 Apr 16'

Sinead reviewed: Crochet for Beginners (Adults) in Putney

"I was looking for a one-day crochet course and found Sowmya! She is an excellent, patient teacher and had me crocheting flowers within an hour! It was a fantastic few hours and I would highly recommend her to anyone wanting to learn. She even managed to switch hands and teach me the stiches left-handed! You can really see Sowmya's passion for her art and she definitely knows how to share her enthusiasm! I have gone away feeling more confident to tackle projects on my own now! Thank you Sowmya!"

18 Apr 16'

Carmen Gray reviewed: Crochet course "Complete beginners"

"Gaelle's Crochet for Beginners six week course was excellent. St the end of week one I made a patterned scarf! Gaelle is very knowledgable, extremely affable and flexes her approach to meet varying standards and speeds of learning. Her handouts are excellent and Inhavr a skill for life. I can't wait to go on the next course!"

17 Apr 16'

Lucy Kershaw reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"Jason is an enthusiastic and patient teacher who passes on his considerable skills with a sense of humour in a lovely workshop. The atmosphere during our course was so friendly, we made a saddlebag that was customised to be the perfect finished item. The two day course was truly inspiring and deeply satisfying - many thanks Jason and Louise!"

17 Apr 16'

Sandra reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"Dear Jamal, A most enjoyable and relaxing day as a beginner learning the art of stained glass leading. I am absolutely thrilled with the glass panel I bought to you for repair and you made every stage of the restoration so enjoyable and easy to follow and understand. I highly recommend anyone who wants to try this course to book. Hope to be back soon to try glass painting or more lead work. Thank you. Sandra"

17 Apr 16'

Jim reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Had a superb day! Wish I had known about the forge earlier as it is very close to home and I definately intend to return. A very relaxed and fun day of Smithying followed by a night in one of the shepherds Huts. Really cosy place to relax and get away from it all. Recommend taking some food to cook (or something you have pre made) as the kitchen hut is really well equipped and the local area hasn't got a huge amount to offer in the way of restaurants. Highly recommend this as a gift or just as a day out... Already have plans to come back when my other half has another girls weekend away!"

17 Apr 16'

Gail Wright reviewed: 1 day Introduction to Silver Jewellery Making - Arts Lounge Swaffham

"I had such an enjoyable day. Jonathan is an excellent teacher and a very nice chap. We all learned so much and at the same time had good fun. I opted to make a cuff and am delighted with it. I would recommend this course to anyone."