Latest reviews

Monica Saunders reviewed: Try Basket Making

"A lovely way to spend an afternoon. A fantastic teacher, wonderful space, relaxed and fun experience. Would highly recommend. "

Amber reviewed: Introduction to Green Woodworking

"Really wonderful day spent in the woods learning about green woodworking. Matt is one of the nicest teachers you could ever hope to meet and clearly so passionate about what he does and sharing that knowledge with others. Thank you so much for a great day! :) "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Amber! Thank you for your lovely review, so pleased you enjoyed the course. It was lovely to meet you and hope to see you at Manor Wood again. Matt"

Julie-Marie reviewed: Willow Trug Workshop in the Woods

"Carl and I both did this course and I was delighted with the basket I came away with. Suz was a very good teacher and I still remember most of it but might have to come back for a refresh!! The venue was excellent and added to the feel of the course."

Scott Lumsden reviewed: Silver Jewellery making party for 3 people

"This was bought as a birthday present for my 15 year old daughter, and she loved it, what a fantastic day she had. Tracey was fantastic explaining everything when needed, and very polite and very professional. Highly recommended."

Tracey Burns Jewellery responded:

"Thank you Scott. It was a pleasure teaching your lovely family. They were a delight."

Sara reviewed: Try Basket Making

"Basking making course exceeded my expectations. Perfect for a beginner, good location with all facilities (space, WC, tea/coffee) , friendly staff and friendly/knowledgeable/helpful teacher. A good three hours creating my own basket! Brilliant "

Handmade Workshops Ltd responded:

"Hi Sara Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this kind review. We're really pleased you enjoyed the workshop and loved your basket! We look forward to seeing you at the sewing workshop in November. Thanks Ann & Catherine Handmade Workshops"

William Steele reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"A great day! We went from a small block to steel to our own first knives! Alex (instructor) gave us all necessary assistance on truly tricky bits with his years of skill and also allowed the flexibility for us to make something to our own imaginative design rather than just to a pre-made pattern. You'll leave with a hand made item with a machined edge that will cut straight away. Alex also had a great deal of knowledge of historical blades and so there were options to make various cultural recreations if you desire. On our course someone made a Scottish skene-dhu knife to be part of their sons traditional wedding dress. Good value for money and one of the only forging experiences available in the North East! "

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

"Excellent course! My husband and I were complete beginners so I was quite nervous I wouldn't be able to do it- Adrian is a fantastic teacher and explains all the steps and processes clearly and is really supportive and happy to answer any additional questions. The course is really well organised and the food for lunch and breaks is amazing! I can't believe we made 2 flowers each ourselves! Thank you so much to you both, we have definitely caught the blacksmithing bug! I would highly recommend! "

Hilary Ritchie reviewed: Acrylic Painting Class

"I had given up painting for many years when I first joined this group. It has totally reignited my love of art. It is a lovely friendly, supportive and creative atmosphere and the small groups allow for plenty of individual advice and help. We have been able to learn new techniques and apply them to our own individual styles and preferred topics. Josie is a very good and patient teacher and the location is just stunning. I would thoroughly recommend her to anyone - starter, progressor or more experienced. I choose to paint, but there are so many other creative forms of art on offer too."

Graham Kilby-Tyre reviewed: Two day stone carving course at Snowshill Manor

"Hi Miranda Thank you again for a really enjoyable course. Your knowledge, skill and patience was fantastic. You had time for everyone on the course. The whole experience was positive at all times providing a real sense of achievement as time progressed. It felt really good to be outside with beautiful surroundings and with a good fun bunch of other like minded souls. At home, Larry, (the lizard as he has now been christened) has been met with lots of oohs... etc., will take pride of place in the house once I have fashioned a stand ! Doh....Do you do a course for that ?"

Amerton Arts Studio responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Graham, glad you enjoyed the course and that Larry is drawing attention back home. (No stand courses at present :) perhaps a bed of pebbles or something?) Best wishes Miranda"

Adele reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"I attended the 1:1 beginner’s woodturning session and could not recommend it highly enough! Simon was clear, patient knowledgeable and very friendly making the whole day a real pleasure. He struck the perfect balance of instruction and practical and mastering the art of always being present and on hand to assist without ever feeling like he was hovering. If you’re looking to dip your toe in these waters then this is an incredible place to start. (And if you’re lucky you’ll get to sample the world’s best cookies at lunch too!) Thank you so much, looking forward to coming back soon!"

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

"Hi Adele, Wow! Thank you for a lovely review! So glad you enjoyed your day; please get in touch if you need any more help. — Simon"

Abby Beresford-Glanville reviewed: Blacksmithing experience day

"I had the most brilliant day. I don’t think I stopped smiling. Arian was so welcoming and truly inspiring. It was fascinating to learn all the basic techniques, from starting and managing a fire to creating objects of our own to take home. The day went at a gentle pace, with Arian providing food and refreshments including a very nice homemade soup. It was so lovely meeting the 3 others on our course, and we all enjoyed the process together and seeing what each other produced. I’m so proud of the pieces I made, and I would definitely book onto the course again. Thank you Arian "

Arian's Forge responded:

"Hi Abby, many thank for your kind review, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it so much. Thank you for your great energy and creativity; you really took the initial learning on so well to then make a lovely snake hook, of your own design. Thanks again, and always welcome back! Regards Arian"

Laura reviewed: 2 day Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Fantastic course with Joe and love my basket! Her tuition was perfect, breaking things down into easy steps, with clear demos and always being on hand to help. We had a beautiful selection of willow to work with and I enjoyed the little stories and background history to willow weaving she gave. I'm now the proud owner of a beautifully crafted basket made by my own hand thats admired by everyone who sees it. Looking forward to this becoming a new and rewarding hobby!"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"Hi Laura, thanks so much for taking the time to leave me a review. Very happy you enjoyed the course and it was really nice meeting you and weaving with you. Fantastic that's you're now taking up basketry! A very rewarding hobby/passion! Joe. xx"

Milly reviewed: Silversmithing Taster Day - (Reading)

"Great course and very please with the rings I made."

S reviewed: One day welding course: an introduction

"Truly enlightening to learn from a life long artisan, it's encouraging to know that these crafts will be passed down to future generations. Knowing this stuff allows us to try and *build things* with real passion rather than just buy whatever we are fed from factories, home or abroad...."

Julian Wadsworth - Artist Blacksmith responded:

"Thanks Steve for your review, honestly it is nice to be appreciated ! You sped your way through my welding program, and caught the metalworkers bug to boost. Ten out of Ten ."

Carol Weaver reviewed: Stained Glass Workshop using Copper Foiling Technique

"A thoroughly enjoyable day in a beautiful setting. Very well organised, with individual attention for the 3 of us. We all came away with, in my case, a lovely copper foiled mythical bird! I learnt how to get much better raised bead soldering lines and how to fill ‘gaps!’ Now all I need to do is practice! "

Julia Slater reviewed: Mandala Creation Dotting Workshop in Derbyshire

"A really lovely afternoon making dot mandala with Tamsin. She is a fantastic teacher, clear and calm. Nice small class held in a lovely self contained studio in a beautiful setting. Everything we needed was included and all in all a wonderfully relaxing experience."

Tamdala responded:

"Thankyou so much for your lovely review 🙏🏼 It was lovely to meet you and your husband. I am so pleased you both enjoyed it and are very happy with your stunning mandalas! 💜😊"

Kathrine Parker Stead reviewed: Introduction to Soap Making Workshop with Afternoon Tea in Lincolnshire

"Louise is a very personable and friendly teacher who made a complicated process very easy and fun to follow. The delicious afternoon tea was a tasty bonus! Looking forward to doing some of beehive wellbeing’s other courses. Thank you ☺️ "

Beehive Wellbeing responded:

"Thank you so much Kathrine, we love positive reviews. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Kind regards Louise, Beehive Wellbeing. "

Elaine and John Wilkes reviewed: Metal Tape and Copper Angel

"We didn't really know what to expect or if we would produce anything of a standard but what a brilliant day. Mel was great as a tutor and extremely helpful and patient. We couldn't believe how fantastic our angels were when finished What a talking piece they will be. We would highly recommend this workshop. Thanks Mel!"

Metallix responded:

"Thank you so much for an awesome review! The angels looked great!! I hope to see you on another workshop soon x"

Sarah S reviewed: Willow Basket Weaving at Manor Wood

"A lovely day basket weaving in the woods in autumn sun. Sheer joy! Manor woods was a relaxed setting for this helpful basket weaving course. It was well lead and paced to suit our needs. Everything we needed was provided. The set up of the site is amazing. I left with a completed basket and a sense of achievement. Thank you Matt and team. I would happily book on another Manor wood course. "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Sarah, thank you for your review! So glad you enjoyed the course, hope to see you at Manor Wood again. Emma"

James Fenton reviewed: Copper Foil Stained Glass Lantern Workshop in the Cotswolds - Gloucestershire/Wiltshire/Oxfordshire

"Loved it. Great teachers, and great fun, produced a fab lantern. "

Christine reviewed: Confidence with tools for DIY beginners

"I attended the course yesterday and found it to be really useful. Matt was friendly, open and encouraging, very patiently explaining about the necessary tools and equipment we may need for different jobs. As a novice I came away with the confidence to buy myself a drill and have a go at various basic DIY jobs (I'm intending to put up shelves in my garage and put up a blind in the next few weeks). Thanks Matt"

matt boysons responded:

"Hey Christine Thanks for the review, it's much appreciated. I'm chuffed that you went away and have a job list lined up already, that's the perfect outcome to doing the course. Good luck with it all and happy drill buying. Matt"

Adrienne reviewed: Introduction to fused glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"A great introduction to fused glass. The day passed quickly with Martin showing us different techniques throughout the day. He checked in regularly to see how we were doing, particularly after showing us something new. He was always on hand if we had a query. Would thoroughly recommend. "

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"So glad you enjoyed the workshop, we hope to see you again."

Pam reviewed: Gelli Plate Printmaking - Introduction & Botanical Patchwork

"I had a really great day. Experimenting with gelli printing. Karen was a great teacher and the class had a lovely feel to it."

Karen Patricia Hendry responded:

"Thank you Pam. I’m so glad you had an enjoyable creative experience with like minded people. It brought me great joy to be able to share my skills and time with you all. Happy printmaking! "

Catherine Garghan reviewed: Ecoprinting on Paper

"Excellent day. Fiona was very helpful and informative. I learned a lot. This is the second course I’ve done with Fiona. Eco printing and book binding. Well planned and all materials provided. Eco printing is a magical experience. Thanks again "

Bob Pass reviewed: Axe / Hammer Forging Day

"I enjoyed a course, given as a gift, so much last year that I booked to return. As before, Alex was a great teacher, encouraging and so skilled, the venue was ideal and the other course participants really great fun. Alex was also very patient and helpful with me, I am rather deaf and in the noisy environment of the forge, even the best of hearing aids struggle to cope. However, Alex made sure that I got all the information on both safety and techniques that I needed. We all got quickly immersed in the experience and produced practical small axes (we all wanted to make the axe, rather than the hammer, best not to dwell too much on the psychology here!) The course is challenging enough to demand full attention and application, we were certainly never bored! I came away really pleased with a nice, fully functional axe."