Latest reviews

4 Aug 15'

Tate reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A great blacksmith at work in this forge and a great teacher. I would do it again this course showed me how fun and interesting blacksmithing is even if there is a bit of waiting"

4 Aug 15'

annette pettman reviewed: Glass fusing with artist Patricia Lee - as seen on BBC1 Home Is Where The Art Is

"My partner bought me a gift voucher as a birthday present for glass fusing. It was a great prezzie because I had just bought a kiln. Patricia is a very likable, friendly & patient tutor. The facilities are excellent, plenty of equipment and a varied choice of materials for everyone's needs. The home cooked food just added that extra special touch to a very pleasant and thoughly enjoyable day. I'm really pleased with my fused glass plate. I would highly recommended Patricia and her course. Excellent teacher - talented artist."

4 Aug 15'

Paulette Lappin reviewed: Glass fusing with artist Patricia Lee - as seen on BBC1 Home Is Where The Art Is

"A brilliant experience I would recommend this course to anyone. Creative , imaginative a joy to experience."

4 Aug 15'

Paula Cain reviewed: Glass fusing with artist Patricia Lee - as seen on BBC1 Home Is Where The Art Is

"Had a great day, I am really thrilled with the result of my glass fused plaque. The facilities were great- intimate but well equipped and we had a lovely lunch provided by Patricia and her family. I will definitely do another course with her she was a wonderful patient and inspirational teacher"

4 Aug 15'

Moi reviewed: Soy Wax Candle Making Workshop

"In just a morning, I was taken through the art of making candles. A soy wax process that had me ‘candlefied’, and no questions deemed too trivial were clarified. I will definitely be on the look-out for more of your workshops. Sakeena, I thank you, for I have both learnt a lot about you art as well as appreciated your honest approach."

4 Aug 15'

Carly reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"An excellent course with a very friendly and helpful teacher! As a complete new comer to the world of spinning I had no idea if I would be able to do it or not. First we were taught on a drop spindle and for some reason, I just wasn't getting it, but Elaine was very patient with me and watched me and helped me to improve until it clicked. I was even able to improve and create my very first skein by the end of the day! Wonderful and would definitely recommend!"

4 Aug 15'

Joy Davies reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"Jane' s course was a great introduction to tapestry weaving, & a thoroughly enjoyable day. She provided all of the equipment , a beautiful selection of yarns, & a very useful workbook. She's a skilled & patient teacher ,able to pitch her instructions & advice at just the right level for each member of the group. It was very satisfying to look at our completed tapestries at the end of the day. They were all individual interpretations thanks to Jane's encouragement."

3 Aug 15'

Mandy Ankers reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"Jane travelled all the way down to Stoke-on-Trent to do a workshop with a small group of ladies. We booked a hall and Jane agreed to do the travelling. On the course was a lady who had never done any weaving to other people who had done different amounts. We all completed our very individual pieces even though we started from the same template. My sister in law was a little worried that she was going to be the class duffer as very new to weaving. This was never the case even though she didn't know some of the things been spoken about. The course was set at all levels and we all worked at our own speed. An excellent course and I would love to go up to Scotland to do further workshops with Jane. Lovely choice of materials a trully fab day."

3 Aug 15'

Dave Borthwick reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"We had a great day with Andy and Adrian with Debbie supply wonderful lunch and cakes. The day began with the safety brief then it was full on day of making our items boy was it hot . A thoroughly enjoyable day and it passed so quickly with great tuition by both of them . Thanks for a great day. Dave"

3 Aug 15'

Stephanie Foster reviewed: Rag Rug Half Day Workshop - Hertfordshire

"What a great morning I had learning the basics of rag rugging. Elspeth was friendly and helpful and an extremely good teacher. She explained and demonstrated clearly and carefully the different types of rag rugging. I left, after the morning's course, with a cushion cover started and the confidence to carry on at home. Elspeth is extremely talented and it was lovely to see some of her work displayed."

3 Aug 15'

Andrew Tomlinson reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Great food, great fun and great tuition. the staff were really helpful and friendly and the course was well structured, the projects involve enough difficulty to keep things interesting while also being achievable. A wonderful day all round which I would definitely recommend to others."

2 Aug 15'

Angela Woods reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Fantastic tuition and brilliant food and refreshments throughout the day. Both Adrian and Andy helped us through the projects step by step and at the end of a long day we all left with two items each. Help was offered when needed and for those with less muscle power, additional hammering meant that no one was left behind. The food and cake made by Debbie was outstanding. Dietary requests were no problem and we will definitely be recommending the course to others."

2 Aug 15'

Paul Rogers reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I was given this course as birthday present in March and had been waiting for it eagerly. I was not disappointed. One of the best birthday presents I have had, and one I will remember and talk about for a long time. I enjoyed finding out, and making something as simple as a snail key ring, and how much work has to go into its manufacture. Then the dragon style coat rack, and how to transform a flat piece of metal via a bit of good old wellying, into something cherished and useful. Adrian ably assisted by Andy were knowledgable and patient hosts helping out where required whilst the students got on with their smithying. I was very impressed by Debbie's home cooking using local ingredients. The snacks and lunch were delicious especially the waffleberry pudding, (had to ask for the recipe). So thanks again to Adrian, Debbie and assistant Andy for a great day."

1 Aug 15'

Hilary reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"An absolutely fantastic day. I really can't fault anything about this course. Sophie is a warm, generous and knowledgeable instructor and makes the whole day work really well. The venue is beautiful, the lunch was really delicious, but above all Sophie's teaching style was supportive, fun and enthusiastic. Her communication before the course was excellent and I knew exactly what to expect on the day. Just book... go on... do it. You really won't regret it."

1 Aug 15'

Jo Lally reviewed: Jewellery Summer School

"I've been to the summer school twice, and I'll definitely go again. It's amazing to spend a week making jewellery and enjoying the Dorset countryside. Jesa and Al are patient, friendly and helpful, always trying to think of a way that things can be done. This year I spent a couple of days designing, tried new techniques and made some pieces I'm very pleased with. Can't recommend this highly enough. I love it, and can't wait for the next one."

31 Jul 15'

Cerilan Bailey reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Learnt a wide variety of blacksmithing techniques during our day with Chris. We booked a day for 2 for my boyfriend's birthday and well worth the money. We drove up from Cardiff and found it easily thanks to Chris' directions to his workshop, which is located in a picturesque farm. It focused nicely on the 4 main techniques and progressed at a comfortable pace throughout the day as Chris guided us through the otherwise daunting art of blacksmithing. Highly recommended for anyone that is curious about blacksmithing, or metal work in general. Chris is a passionate teacher who was patient with me, and answered all the questions my boyfriend had about the subject with great enthusiasm. We finished our day with leaf keyrings that really surprised us with how much learnt in just one day, they were far better than we ever could of imagined at the start when we were just hitting a metal rod. With the spare time we had at the end, Chris showed us techniques of fire welding, and even let my boyfriend have a go himself! Chris also showed us his artwork, and talked us through the processes he went through for designing and making the pieces, wonderful to see such care and attention to detail using the tools around him and his own ingenuity. All in all a fabulous day out, and would definitely go again."

31 Jul 15'

Katherine Rogers reviewed: Jewellery Summer School

"This is the 4th year I have been to Summer School at Flux'n'Flame. and I highly recommend this course. My first year I was a complete beginner and I walked away with a bracelet using several different techniques. The course is suitable for both beginners and experienced silversmiths as Jesa and Al are available to teach, assist and discuss designs at all times. My confidence has grown with each visit to tackle something new and more complex each time. No design is ever viewed as too complicated and Jesa and Al will always look at the best way to achieve what you want. Their knowledge is immense and nothing is ever too much trouble. Aside from their teaching skill their workshop is fully kitted out with all the tools you could possibly need to make your piece of jewellery. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and everyone is made to feel extremely welcome. It is the highlight of my year, I'm devastated I can't attend next year due to my brothers wedding but I've already made the gifts at this years summer school! I will be sneaking in a weekend course to tide me over. Thank you Jesa an Al for another wonderful week."

31 Jul 15'

Carol Crowden reviewed: Jewellery Summer School

"This was my fifth Summer School at Flux 'n Flame and it wont be my last! Thanks to Jesa and Al's patience and guidance I had my first attempts at tube setting and made two lovely bracelets and started on a third. Everyone was friendly and helpful and it is the highlight of my year."

31 Jul 15'

Stella Mackness reviewed: Jewellery Summer School

"I've just been to Flux n Flame for the fifth year running and it was just as magical as it was the first time! Jesa and Al have endless patience and are always at hand to give encouragement and advice. I've learnt loads of new things every time and always love my creations. It's my favourite week of the year, can't wait for summer school number six"

31 Jul 15'

Frances O'Leary reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"I came to the weaving course for beginners with james in July. It was a fantastic weekend and James is a wonderful and very knowledgable teacher. The course is held in jame's personal studio in edinburgh and it is an amazing creative environment. James makes you feel right at home and with small classes, there is lots of one to one time. By the end of the weekend i felt as though i had learned a great deal and produced a piece of work I was very happy with. I would very much recommend this course if you are interested in learning to weave. I plan to return to do the 8 shaft course soon! Thanks again James! :D"

31 Jul 15'

PJM reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"What a cracking day. I had previously caught the smithing bug on the basic course, but it was great to produce something functional during this session. As ever, enormous patience demonstrated by our teacher Adrian, and again fabulous snacks and lunch provided by Debbie. I defy anyone with a Rhubarb-in-the-garden-shed view of the world not to delight in these courses."

31 Jul 15'

Jemma Batten reviewed: Jewellery Summer School

"Absolutely loved it!! Couldn't rate it highly enough, fantastic week!"

30 Jul 15'

Vivien Dent reviewed: Mosaic, One Day Workshop

"Jane is a fantastic teacher and I thoroughly enjoyed my introduction to mosaic. I have come away with a piece that I am proud to display and would thoroughly recommend the course to others."

30 Jul 15'

Alison Hopkins reviewed: An introduction to wood turning with Gregory Moreton (2 Days)

"A very informative and practical two days. Greg has a wealth of experience and patience. I was thrilled with the pieces I made. Thank you."

30 Jul 15'

Kay reviewed: The Wax Flower Candle Workshop

"What an amazing way to spend a day. I can't believe that I actually made these beautiful flower candles. Great instructions given and was really fun. Thank you Sakeena."