Latest reviews

26 May 15'

Ann Powell reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in Maddie's inspirational studio learning about mosaic making techniques from scratch. We came away with some beautiful pieces which now have centrepiece in our home and garden. Thanks again Maddie."

25 May 15'

Peter Taylor reviewed: Whittling course

"Recently attended this course on the 24th may. A great day and a lot of fun. It was my first experience in whittling and I will be sure to be continuing it as a cherished hobby. Martin was great at explaining everything and because of the small group I felt comfortable enough to ask him to repeat information I didn't fully understand. I am a vegan so martin was great to accommodate me by providing a delicious home made soup and bread. I would Highly recommend this course to anyone looking to gain all the knowledge you need to go off and confidently start whittling yourself."

25 May 15'

peter Griffiths.I reviewed: Make a 3 legged rustic stool - one day

"Great fun pleasant company and excellent tutors"

25 May 15'

Andy reviewed: A fabulous introduction to fused glass - one day course

"A great day with the rest of the team doing something new and different."

24 May 15'

Liz Machin reviewed: A fabulous introduction to fused glass - one day course

"I attended a one day fused glass course in April with a group of family members. We had a really fun and informative day with Siobhan who was patient and knowledgeable. Despite misgivings about our artistic skills we produced items that are (to us) very impressive!! Thank you Siobhan for making a memorable day."

24 May 15'

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

"brilliant day, have my own fleece and a wheel, but despite you tube tuition had not managed to get started. after this one day course I am a fully fledged spinner and can now go on to tackle those fleeces ! would highly recommend, lovely setting, small group and one to one tuition"

24 May 15'

Fiona Picton reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"Thank you Maddie for a lovely day in beautiful surroundings. The studio is full of many different materials and Maddie explained and demonstrated all the techniques very well. It was very relaxing and great value. Would definitely recommend this workshop to everyone."

24 May 15'

Paula Rogers reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"Brilliant class, very accommodating for wheelchair users and it suits people of all levels and experience. I had a great time and it's brilliant that you take away all your hard work"

24 May 15'

LUCY PHILLIPS reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"Quirky and cosy workshop, lovely friendly teachers, super fun crafting, and plenty of tea and biccies. I found it an uplifting and therapeutic experience, and I'm very proud of my mosaic mirror. As a craft it is very soothing, and surprisingly easy to do. I hope to go again soon."

24 May 15'

Pam Barker-Mears reviewed: Spinning Lesson

"Had a fantastic first session with Mia who is so patient and fun. If you're thinking of trying spinning I throughly recommend contacting Mia. We can't wait to have another lesson."

24 May 15'

Alex reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Absolutely fantastic course, nigel is exactly what I was looking for in a tutor. I can't wait to go back and visit the forge again, all blacksmithing aside nigel is a very genuine and interesting guy. I'm also glad to have met him as I know he'll be there to help me with any questions I may have in the future. Alex, 20"

23 May 15'

Pauline Gallagher reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"Ed Bentley travelled to bonnie Scotland recently to show me how to make moulds of my hand-thrown pieces of pottery. What an extraordinary man. His understanding, gentle nature and quick wit made the experience an absolute joy. He truly has the patience of a saint. I would have been overjoyed if Ed had shown me how to make one mould. However, he showed me how to make two: A three-piece mould and a one part drop-out mould. His attention to detail is extraordinary as he produces moulds which look like works of art in themselves. He is super talented, while so down to earth. I could not recommend Ed Bentley highly enough. Thank you so much Ed. Haste ye back! Pauline Gallagher"

23 May 15'

Alice Forward reviewed: Bronze casting weekend

"This course is brilliant! I have done it twice now, have learned loads, and hope to go again soon. Mark is an extremely talented and accomplished artist in his own right as well as being a fantastically generous teacher, an expert on classical sculpture and incredibly knowledgeable about all aspects of bronze-casting and sculpture in general. He is also able to make everyone, no matter what age, experience or background, feel at home and confidant enough to learn a significant amount in a short space of time. Cilyrynys itself has the added bonus of being in lovely surroundings. All in all, it is quite a magical experience I would urge anyone who interested in making to give it a try.5"

23 May 15'

Bex & Rob Cottey reviewed: Timber framing courses

"By far the best course we've ever been on, and we are looking forward to the advanced one! We have learned so much in 5 days, it is incredible. Rob was able to stretch his technical thinking and dream even bigger projects and Bex was able to overcome her lack of confidence in using hand tools to get great results. Now I know what we are able to achieve as a team there'll be no stopping us! Alan, John and Connor were incredibly patient, and understanding and explained everything so clearly. Questions were always answered with good explanations so we would always end up solving problems ourselves and learning even more. Not once were we made to feel stupid even though this was completely new to us. All the students worked well together, with great conversation at meal times, while we stuffed ourselves with Mary's incredible food! Thank you to everyone for an incredible week we will never forget! We hope to see you all again soon!"

22 May 15'

Helen Golding reviewed: One Day Stained Glass Course for Beginners

"This stained glass day course was bought for my dad as a gift. I was lucky enough to be able to join him for the day and it was fabulous. Abby was a very patient teacher and catered brilliantly for our different needs. I had never cut glass, handled lead or soldered before. The end results were brilliant. We were both so impressed! Thank you so much for a brilliant experience. We'd both definitely do it again!"

22 May 15'

Keith Drew reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"From walking into the old chapel at 9a.m. on Saturday to walking out at 5p.m. on Sunday, with a bag I'd made, the course was a joy. Gaynor, Enya and Elizabeth were highly skilled, inspiring, patient, always positive and fun to be with. Tea, cakes and biscuits were on plentiful supply and lunch round the woodburner chatting made for a very rewarding time on all levels. There was a camaraderie and friendship throughout the two days with both tutors and course members. I would thoroughly recommend a course at Pembrokeshire Leatherwork for something really enriching in a lovely environment Thank you all!"

21 May 15'

Helen Garlick reviewed: A fabulous introduction to fused glass - one day course

"We had a fabulous workshop day with Siobhan at the Forge. Excellent facilities and Siobhan was a great teacher - she explained all the techniques and how it would look after being in the kiln and set us working on our first piece very quickly. She made the day great fun for us. We were a family group - total novices at this - and Siobhan helped us create a collaborative piece in the afternoon as a memento of a milestone birthday. Really rather special experience! Many thanks and thoroughly recommend to anyone."

21 May 15'

Katie Turnbull reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What a fantastic day, the 8 hours seemed to fly by all too soon. Julie's calm patience and easy going approach to imparting her years of knowledge enabled me to make a basket to be proud of. Looking forward to putting all I learnt on the day into practice. I thoroughly recommend this course."

20 May 15'

Geraint Edwards reviewed: Bronze casting weekend

"I keep returning to this beautiful corner of rural Wales (6 times) for truly inspirational weekends of creativity and alchemy. Mark shares his passion for bronze and his deep knowledge of it’s history, myths and processes, whilst providing clear instruction and unstinting help with all the practicalities of wax modeling, ceramic shell mould making and finishing the bronze sculpture. In the midst of all this there is the drama of the bronze pour and the excitement and revelation of breaking open the moulds. The alchemy is infectious for beginners and experienced artists alike and makes for a most engaging social & creative event, which I most heartily recommend."

20 May 15'

Geraint Edwards reviewed: Bronze casting weekend

20 May 15'

Chris Ashford reviewed: Glass fusing decorations/hangings

"Thanks Linda for a brilliant day. It was so relaxed but we still produced some interesting pieces. We did plenty of laughing and there was plenty of cake so what more could you ask? Linda is a good tutor, I would advise anybody to attend this workshop."

20 May 15'

Jackie Hough reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"What an enjoyable and rewarding workshop! Having tried making a couple of baskets following a book at home, it was so helpful being shown the way to hone my fledgling skills to avoid unsightly gaps, and uneven uprights! Step by step, Julie showed us all the stages in basket construction, and I was delighted with the improvement I made over my own efforts. There were so many small techniques to learn that made such a difference to the finished article. Rope making for the handle was a revelation; no way would I have managed that from a book. Strong thumbs are a must, but otherwise enthusiasm is probably the main ingredient needed to succeed on this workshop. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Julie as a tutor. Nothing beats being shown a craft skill by a patient, knowledgeable expert."

20 May 15'

julie bruton seale reviewed: Wild basketry- workshop in the woods, forage your materials

"Loved both the bark containers day and the native cordage one. Ruby makes ancient techniques simple and achievable, and imparted a vast amount of knowledge in bite-sized chunks. Am totally inspired and can't wait to make more!"

19 May 15'

Karen Farrar reviewed: Glass fusing decorations/hangings

"I absolutely loved this course. Linda is brilliant. Friendly and welcoming. The day was relaxed and great fun. Thank you."

19 May 15'

Tim Little and Annie Challis reviewed: A Longbow Experience

"Myself and Annie had been up to Brown Robin Nature Reserve the end of last summer to spend time with Tony as he carried out a charcoal burn. We stayed for a few days and were also shown around the reserve as an unexpected freebie. We learnt a huge amount from just one burn and subsequently took home this new found skill and knowledge to apply to our own charcoal production back home. More recently (May 2015) we spent a weekend both on the 'Greenwood Experience' course, more spceifically to create a shave horse. By doing so we will be able to practice the various greenwood techniques we learnt from Tony and continue to experiment and create our own products. Tony passes on knowledge constantly and has an extremely constructive teaching technique. You can rest assured that you will learn all you set out to on his courses, an more! The fundamentals of this course included: Introduction to greenwood properties of various trees such as Elm, Willow, Ash and Sycamore, use of shave horse, using a 'froe' and 'cleaving' wood, use of various traditional tools (eg brace & bits, drawknife and spoke shaves), introduction to pole lathe, rounding off wood and roughing out and all of the finer skills. The beauty of a course with Tony is that as well as engaging in a superb, traditional craft, all the while you are learning exactly where these skills and materials are coming from and the associated management of the woodland. As a result you come away with so much more background knowledge which the course and the craft actually relies upon; the woodland and associated ecosystems. Another tour of the reserve this time took us through anient meadows, identifying birds by call, beautiful butterflies and wildflowers and small mammals. We were then privelaged enough to be shown a special corner of the reserve with soem very special ancient Lime trees. Other tid bits included briefly studying various mosses which adorn the magical limestone pavements. Cannot thank Tony enough for his time, skill, teachings and company ..... Book a course now!"