Latest reviews

1 Jun 14'

Sophie Hodge reviewed: Alex Allpress Pottery School: Learn to throw on the potter's wheel in Mid Wales

"My husband and I did the day course and it was such a wonderful and relaxing time! We are so pleased with what we created in a day (both complete beginners)! A really chilled time and going at your own pace is great... still managed to make 3 mugs and 6 bowls of varying sizes (and shapes!!) Really recommend this to anyone artistic or not! Thanks Alex and Blue!"

1 Jun 14'

Jekaterina reviewed: The Natural Skin Care Workshop

"I had a wonderful time with Sakeen during beauty workshop, it was really interesting and good to know, everything was easy to uderstand. I think I am going to attend other workshops with Sakeena, she is a great person! And the main thing, now I have a new hobby, and I am really happy about that!"

1 Jun 14'

tim palmer reviewed: Timber framing courses

"Alan has an infectious love of his craft which is hard not to catch. The course is completely hands and pushed along by enthusiasm and years of experience, the results leave you with a real sense of achievement. A truly great course fuelled by delicious home made food."

1 Jun 14'

Yigit ilgaz reviewed: An introduction to wood turning with Gregory Moreton (2 Days)

"I wasn't expected to progress that much in 2 days. The content was great and the hospitality was excellent."

1 Jun 14'

Caroline Simmonds reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"What a fabulous day! As promised, we quickly learnt how to card fleece, spin it on the wheel and then ply it; resulting in our very own skein of wool ready to knit! Theresa was so helpful and patient and the atmosphere was very happy and relaxed. The homemade cake was also excellent along with plenty of opportunities for tea, coffee, juice or sparkling water! I would happily recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn how to produce yarn on a spinning wheel. Theresa was also a fund of knowledge in relation to fleece preparation, spinning wheel maintenance and where to go for essential spinning paraphernalia."

1 Jun 14'

Roger Buss reviewed: Wood turning courses

"George I arrived at your tuition workshop, as a complete novice, for a two day woodturning course. You made me feel very relaxed with a cup of tea and preliminary chat. The Health and Safety introduction was exemplary. It was obvious after a very short while that your knowledge of woodturning and the characteristics of wood and the way it reacts was complete. You were very patient with me and explained all the processes fully. I left after the second day with great confidence although my skill needs to be honed with much more practice. I had made 3 bowls and have the confidence to try this with my own lathe. Thank you very much for your help and will be back for the colouring course when I am more proficient with the lathe. Regards Roger Buss"

31 May 14'

Heather Harrington reviewed: Enamelling on copper

"My cousin and I had a brilliant day with Dilys. We were made extremely welcome and she was so enthusiastic about passing on her knowledge of enammaling. A thoroughly enjoyable day and well worth repeating."

31 May 14'

Mary Wells reviewed: Creative Woven Textile Courses

"I came on this course with 3 friends and we were all delighted with our choice. The setting is beautiful and tranquil and really added to the experience. Susie explained clearly and effectively how to get started and we were very pleased to all be weaving within half an hour of starting. The lunch was delicious and the ginger biscuits were sublime! At the end of the two days we all came away with a finished piece of work feeling relaxed and satisfied. I would love to go again and will definitely recommend this course to friends."

31 May 14'

Safiyyah reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Absolutely amazed at what I made. The workshop was informative and very in-depth. Sakeena is a great teacher and is so willing to share her knowledge. The candles turned out great and I'm so glad I attended. A great experience all round. Thanks so much."

30 May 14'

Liz Hopkins reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"Really enjoyed the day so much having learnt how to spin in a very pleasant environment, with a brilliant teacher. Having borrowed a wheel, I been practicing which is wonderful. I don't think there's anything to improve on with the workshop, it was excellent."

30 May 14'

caroline reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"What a brilliant day, I have wanted to learn this skill for many years. Maddie was a fabulous teacher, I came away with two super pieces, kit to do my stuff on my own and a ton of enthusiasm generated by her passion for the art Thank you Maddie and my two fellow crafters for an amazing day"

30 May 14'

Bob Rocheleau reviewed: Timber framing courses

"Having done a fair amount of research and spent a while looking for the right course, I could not have been more pleased with my choice of Hewnwood. I've since been able to put what I learned to practical use and Doing is for me the test - I can do what I learned and am building on that experience. While the quality and depth of the course was first rate, the woodland setting, the camaraderie of Alan's team and the other participants, and last but not least Mary's cooking (not to be missed) were all inspiring and life-affirming - it was a real joy. Real courses with real tools taught by real people. I'll be back for the advanced courses, for certain."

28 May 14'

Jean Chantry reviewed: Scarab Silver Clay Amulet

"I have taken several classes with Tracey. The workshop is very well equipped. Tracey is an excellent teacher, demonstrating each item and technique and advising students, who work at their own pace and sharing tips and tricks. Classes are small or even 1-2-1, suitable for anyone from teenagers to pensioners. I would recommend Tracey and Craftworx to anyone who would like to try working with silver clay or improving their knowledge and technique."

28 May 14'

Dawn Hardy reviewed: Scarab Silver Clay Amulet

"I've done two courses so far with Tracey learnt so much about working with Art Clay Silver & thoroughly enjoyed both of them. Well worth the 434mile round trip! :-)"

28 May 14'

Lori Ridgway reviewed: Scarab Silver Clay Amulet

"I went on a silver clay beginners course, and thoroughly loved every minute of it. Tracey is a fantastic teacher, very patient, and will tailor things to make sure each student gets the very best from her I have since set up my own business making silver jewellery, and I really believe if I hadn't gone on the Craftworx I would not have been able to achieve the quality of work I can now produce. I have booked on the next level course and can't wait"

28 May 14'

Eugene reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"A very good and fun week, I had an excellent time and learnt a lot. Not just making the project but also the lunchtime lectures and the trip to the sawmill. Richard and Mark were great and always at hand, the right balance beteen instruction and letting you work on your own. Will be back for the second module."

28 May 14'

Carol S reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"As an older and complete beginner I was very nervous that I would not be able to get through it all. However I need not have worried Richard and Mark were excellent and the teaching and support they give is excellent. I have learnt a great deal and come home with two excellent completed projects. Much admired by everyone. Thank you."

27 May 14'

Max Medhurst reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Spent a great day with Mort getting an introduction to blacksmithing. Was great fun and really enjoyable but also learnt a lot. Would recommend to anyone who wants to get into blacksmithing or who just wants to give it a go."

27 May 14'

Luke Flatman reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I stayed at Fransham Forge for my stag weekend. We had an amazing time! I would strongly recommend going here and trying this out. Nigel and Lee were both very friendly and accommodating. We started out with a basic project that Nigel showed us how to complete. After this, we could work at our own pace and make anything we thought of. Any mistakes made were quickly ironed out by the professionals! I'm definitely thinking of going back in the future."

27 May 14'

Dave Clark reviewed: Pole lathe course - Make a Mallet

"Very good course! Lots of hands on work using much more than just a pole lathe -axes, Froes, cleaving breaks, different shave horses, draw knives. Experienced and enthusiastic tutor with three assistants so there was always someone on hand for advice and help even with five students on the course. Good effective and efficient demonstrtions of required techniques leaving lots of time for students to put into practice. A lovely team of people - I will be back to attend more courses at this centre."

27 May 14'

Nick Moon reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I first met Mort at his forge when I needed some bolts made for a project that I was involved with. After what seemed like only a minute he had hand forged two very neat bolts. I thought I've got to give this a go. I have never worked with metal other than to put screws into timber or walls so it was great to have a go and try and make something from scratch. I opted for a Viking knife and convert it into a herb chopper. Mort has an original way of teaching that puts you at ease straight away and within minutes you think that you have been a blacksmith for years. His eye for detail is amazing. He was able to explain technical terms and practices in layman terms and also let you get on with your project with confidence. If you have never worked in a forge and feel that maybe you should give it a go. Then don't hold back. Do it. I have never laughed so much. Or learn't anything like it. An opportunity not to be missed."

26 May 14'

Mark Mullen reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"From an artistic door stop to a pattern welded wakizashi, Mort knows how to forge it and he'll teach you how. It really is up to you what you make. Greatly enjoyed learning the basics of blacksmithing all the way up to forge welding (quite impressive how sparks fly while forge welding). I recommend Mort if you want to learn how to blacksmith while making your own pieces with such a top character."

26 May 14'

Charlotte Porter reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"I recently attended this course with Theresa at Spotty Pig Farm and had an absolutely wonderful time. As a complete novice, I have no experience with spinning or even knitting! Theresa is a very patient and knowledgable teacher, as well as making excellent company. This course presents great value and I have no hesitation is recommending it. The course itself was very well organised, comprehensive and conducted in a beautiful setting. There were also plenty of cakes and tea/coffee on hand (fuel is important!). Some of the topics we covered include fleece selection and preparation, carding, spinning and plying. As a result of this course, I feel that I have gone from knowing absolutely nothing about spinning to having an excellent foundation to build upon and I hope to purchase my first wheel soon! Thank you for so much for a lovely day."

25 May 14'

John reviewed: Longbow making - two days

"Tom and James were brilliant instructors, they've taught me a lot, I'll never see a bow in the same light again. The time flew by, I started with a laminated stave and two days later I'm loosing with a bow I've made. I'll be spreading your name far and wide lads, still can't stop grinning."

25 May 14'

Ethan reviewed: Longbow making - two days

"Absolutely amazing weekend! Started with a chunk of wood and ended up shooting my own hand made long bow. Tom and James are fantastic tutors, patient and explained everything in such a way I knew exactly what I was doing. They have a huge amount of knowledge and I learnt so much more than just how to make a bow! I am already planning on returning to do one of the arrow making courses... I would recommend this course to anyone and go again given half the chance.. A custom made long bow can easily set you back over £300 and here you get to make your own custom bow and have dinner thrown in as a bonus! I would give them 10 stars if I could, great job Guys.. Thank you!"