Latest reviews

Chris B reviewed: Spoon Carving for Women

"A brilliant day, taught by a talented and patient tutor. I had had one other go at spoon carving the previous year with another tutor, and had got very frustrated with myself. Rosie's style of teaching suited me much better. The day was split into short absorbable sections, so one felt one had got a good understanding of each skill needed (and just as importantly why you were doing it, and what to look out for). Although we achieved a lot in the day, at no stage did it feel pressured, so one ended the day happy and wanting to carry on and learn more. A brilliant course - thank you Rosie"

Rosie.Joy.Maker responded:

"Thank you Chris, really appreciate your feedback. So pleased the day suited you well and you left feeling happy and satisfied! Happy carving!"

Lyndsey reviewed: Powertex Seahorse, Mermaid, Turtle, Dragon or Owl Wall Hung Garden Sculpture - by Inky Escapades

"Fantastic day, Karen was so welcoming and an excellent teacher. Powertex was great to work with enabling even a complete beginner to make something which looked amazing. "

Inky Escapades responded:

"Good Morning Lindsey Thank you so much for your kind words. It was lovely to meet you and help you with your first time with Powertex. I thought you made a fabulous Seahorse. It was so interesting to see at the end that your colour choices blended in with your nails! Kind Regards Karen - Inky Escapades "

Jonathan Thomas reviewed: Blacksmithing experience day

"Fantastic experience Really enjoyed the day and instruction was brilliant. Highly recommend this for all "

Debbie Allen reviewed: One Day Leather Bag Making Workshop

"A superb experience and thoroughly enjoyable day. I learnt so many new skills including cutting, burnishing and saddle-stitching. I arrived with very little knowledge of working with leather but left with a beautiful bag, which I love and feel very proud of! I would highly recommend this workshop as Sarah’s warm, friendly approach made this a fun, informative and very productive day. "

Jason Howell reviewed: Beginner AND Intermediate Woodworking Full Day Course - Saturdays

"Really friendly and informative and would highly recommend this course."

Clare reviewed: Spoon Carving for Women

"This was a wonderfully run Spoon Carving course by Rosie and an enjoyable day was had. Having been taught thoroughly we practiced using different techniques and tools, which not only gave a sense of achievement by the end but also was a very fun process in a very quirky environment with a lovely bunch of people from all walks of life. I would strongly recommend this course and others like it to anyone who likes using their hands and being creative."

Rosie.Joy.Maker responded:

"Thank you Clare - glad you had fun and enjoyed the day!"

Deborah Stevens reviewed: Willow Deer Workshop with Sarah Le Breton

"What a fantastic day! My first ever experience of willow weaving and I managed to make a large reindeer sculpture for my garden. Mainly due to Sarah and her enthusiasm for her craft and her great teaching style. To say that this lady puts her all into teaching the craft, is a bit of an understatement - she literally does, with boundless energy and joy! Not only was she willing everyone on, she encouraged the whole class to really go for it and make a sculpture in the size of our choice - we all went for large and it seemed to delight her that we were all so ambitious! She even sent us away with spare whips, if we wanted them, to carry on and enhance what we'd achieved! She also followed up with a comprehensive email with instructions on how to preserve our sculptures if we were placing them outside! Above and beyond! Thank you Sarah for a really enjoyable day and for being you! XxxX"

Sarah Le Breton Willow responded:

"Thank you Deborah for such a wonderful and insightful review. I'm so glad you had a brilliant day and hope that you gain as much enjoyment seeing your sculpture in your garden as much as you did when making it! Absolute pleasure, Sarah Xx"

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

"A truly wonderful week. Such informative and helpful tutors. Always there to help, but happy to give you space to experiment. I built a robust garden bench, the family loved it so much it's stayed on the house. My thanks to all for a memorable experience and the addition of some life long skills "

Peter Lanyon Furniture responded:

"Thank you Jonathon, it was a pleasure working with you. "

Gemma reviewed: Spoon Carving for Women

"I had the BEST day! Rosie is patient, kind, helpful and very skilled in her own right. The day was paced well, regular short breaks and change of activities to keep us fresh and a very ‘zen’ atmosphere pervaded the roundhouse. Common mistakes were addressed (so we could hopefully avoid!) and examples shown clearly and effectively. This course did my well-being the world of good, Rosie was just wonderful and the course location was good. I will definitely be booking another course with Rosie!"

Rosie.Joy.Maker responded:

"Thank you Gemma for your kind words. Great work on your spoon and I’m really happy to hear you left feeling so relaxed too. Spoon carving can have a powerful effect on wellbeing as you’ve discovered! "

Reba reviewed: An Introduction to Upcycling

"What a great day! Met some lovely people and learned a lot on this introductory course. Lynn was super helpful and knowledgeable. Would thoroughly recommend for those who want to give something new a go without the commitment of buying lots of equipment to try a new hobby. "

Little Gems Interiors responded:

"Hello Reba, Thank you so much for your lovely review, we really do appreciate it. It was an absolute pleasure to meet you and I am so pleased that you enjoyed the day. We hope to see you again at our Creative Centre. Best wishes, Lynn"

David reviewed: Scything Course

"Great Course for all levels and a great day out with nice people. Danny and Helene and great teachers with huge knowledge of outdoor crafting skills."

David reviewed: Hedgelaying workshop

"Great course, learnt so much I laid my own hedge! Danny and Helene are great teachers with an incredible breadth of knowledge."

Sheila Howard reviewed: Monthly Oil Painting Classes

"Great course. Interesting and relaxing but absorbing. The view over the lake (from the art room) is stunning. "

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a lovely review. We are pleased that you enjoyed the course and hope to see you here at Stanwick Lakes again soon. Best wishes, The Stanwick Lakes team."

Sarah Merry reviewed: SAORI weaving taster session

"We had a wonderful time at our taster session! I went with my sister and my sister-in-law - we're all crafty but none of us had tried weaving before. Amanda was excellent at explaining everything, and we were surprised how much we got done in two hours - and how much we loved it! We'll be back for a full day course soon."

BEAUTIFULcloth SAORI Studio responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review. I am so pleased you all enjoyed the Taster and will be coming back for more!"

Margaret reviewed: Wet felting (abstract or landscape) - Half Day - Feather Felts

"What a lovely morning I had. As the group was only small there was plenty of tuition and support. Really delighted with my completed picture. Coffee and biscuits also appreciated. Thank you. Would definitely recommend and I have already booked another day. "

Ian Walters reviewed: Daytime glass fusing workshop with Paula Andrews

"The course was booked as a special treat for my daughters 40th birthday, as a family activity and we were all extremely pleased with the experience. Paula was extremely knowledgeable and most professional. Our only criticism of the day, was that the initial starting information was a little long and a bit laboured, where Paula could have guided from a touch earlier. We were all keen to get started and our youngest participant was 37yo. Having said all this, the experience was fantastic and we cannot wait to collect our completed items. Many thanks."

Jo Lees reviewed: Unique Wet Felting Workshop in South Lakes at the Heron Corn Mill in Beetham, near Milnthorpe

"Thoroughly enjoyed wet felting workshop with Erika who is a delight & so much knowledge, always on hand to help and such an array of colours available was so much fun. Picking up tips from other crafters was helpful too. Would definitely recommend and am going again! "

Erika Sojkova Grime responded:

"Thank you very much for such a great review, Jo and for coming back again next month 🙂. It was great meeting you at the workshop and teaching you about 3D wet felting, the materials and making a felted bag. Your bag is beautiful and I can't wait to see it dry and completed with leather handles. Erika"

Chris reviewed: " Making shapes " An Introduction to Artist Blacksmithing with Conan

"Awesome day Blacksmithing with Conan, I learned a lot and made some really cool items! Thanks Conan!"

Conan Sturdy, Blacksmith responded:

"Thanks Chris 👍🏻"

Carole reviewed: Unique Wet Felting Workshop in South Lakes at the Heron Corn Mill in Beetham, near Milnthorpe

"What am amazing Course. We all did different projects and it was interesting and very sociable. Ericka is an excellent, erudite and patient teacher. Such a lovely woman. Looking forward to attending as many of her Courses as possible."

Erika Sojkova Grime responded:

"Thank you very much for such a fantastic review, Carole. It was great meeting you at the workshop and teaching you about wet felting, the materials and how to make a felted picture. You made a beautiful picture which you should be proud of. I am looking forward to you coming back again. Erika "

TT reviewed: Wirework Rings Workshop with Hand Crafted Jewellery by Jo

"I bought this course for a friend- she thoroughly enjoyed it and thought Jo was great "

Handcrafted Jewellery by Jo responded:

"Thank u so so much xxx "

Ollie reviewed: Beginners Woodturning

"Excellent course with Roger, very knowledgeable and helpful."

Aisling reviewed: An introduction to silver clay jewellery at Fisherton Mill Gallery and Café

"Very friendly, knowledgeable and fun. Thank you for a great afternoon. "

Fiona Ingram Jewellery responded:

"Thank you Aisling! Lovely to meet you 😀"

Darren Robinson reviewed: 1-2-1 Wheel Throwing Session with Pottery West

"Absolutely brilliant course! Thought there would be a large group but was delighted that it was just the 2 of us. The teacher, Matt, was a great guy, very patient and explained things really well. Would highly recommend the course to anyone and we thought it was an absolute bargain for 3 hours of great tuition. "

Michael Hickford reviewed: Beginners half-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"What a fun morning. The beginners half day workshop was brilliant. As a complete novice with no tools or equipment, I was a little apprehensive, but Simon quickly put me at ease and the 3 hours flew by. Tuition was top rate allowing a lot of hands on experience at your own pace. Added bonus of not having to waste time taking notes as they were all sent out by email after the day so you had lots of time to get stuck in. Simon obviously knows his trade and his enthusiasm is infectious. Very friendly and engaging. Now off to get equipped so I can practice and then book up further courses, such as how to sharpen tools. It's incredible how much difference a properly sharpened gouge delivers. Thank you so much. "

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi Mike, So glad you enjoyed the session and that it has spurred you on to get stuck in to the craft. I look forward to seeing you again soon. — Simon"

Em reviewed: Drum Lampshade Making Class in Norwich

"Great value, a great teacher and really high quality product!"