Latest reviews

Heather Webster reviewed: Slate mosaic workshop at Jo Garden Art

"A most enjoyable day creating two lovely pieces of work in the most relaxing environment with a superb teacher. What more could you ask for?"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Heather. Great to have you back in the studio with your infectious smile 😊. So glad you enjoyed working with the slate. Jo xx"

Marina reviewed: Fused Glass Lanterns with Crafts in the Valley

"We had a fantastic & therapeutic afternoon doing the fused glass lantern workshop. Melanie was an excellent, helpful & friendly tutor. Great refreshments too! "

Rachel reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"Fantastic weekend with excellent instructors who were very knowledgeable about the process of building a stone wall and who were also very patient. The fabulous scenery and beautiful weather also added to an experience I would thoroughly recommend. "

Jo reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Great day with Chris. Excellent tuition and Chris is relaxed and very experienced in his craft. Would highly recommend. "

Suzanne reviewed: Resin jewellery making workshop

"We spent a lovely 2 hours making resin necklaces, pendants and earrings. Claire was very welcoming and patient and gave us lots of guidance and ideas. As the resin takes a while to set, she very kindly sent our jewellery on to us, having attached lovely chains, cords and earring hooks. I am so delighted with the end result and will be wearing my jewellery with pride! Thank you Claire. I would definitely recommend this course."

ToDot Handcrafted Goods responded:

"Thank you Suzanne! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!"

Lynn James reviewed: Slate mosaic workshop at Jo Garden Art

"I bought this day for my best friend for her birthday after having been on the the hare sculpture course with my partner. The whole day is so relaxing being guided through the different stages of creating a piece or two to take home. Not only is the day a creative experience but the venue (in her lovely garden workshop) is amazing."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Lynn - fabulous having you both here for the slate workshop. Glad you enjoyed our little space of calmness 🤗. Jo x"

Angela Yates reviewed: Jewellery design and making morning workshops with Katherine Lawrie

"What a lovely way to spend a morning. Relaxed and knowledgeable teacher who helped us all to leave with a beautiful piece of jewellery. I will be back with my daughter! "

Diane reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I have just spent a most enjoyable weekend in Mark's Penrith workshop. Through Mark's incredible expertise and patience I brought home a beautiful box which I am immensely proud of. A complete novice, I was put at ease and guided through the whole process, learning about the wood and the tools on the way. I can't recommend this course highly enough. So anyone who enjoys making, sign up and have a go, you won't be disappointed."

Susan Hall reviewed: Charcoal & Pencil Drawing

"We had a great time on the Charcoal & Pencil drawing course. Ernie was very generous with his time and ideas, helping us to improve our work without making us feel like we were hopeless. I can highly recommend spending time with Ernie on one of his courses."

Ernie Butler studios responded:

"Thank you for your kind review Susan. It was a pleasure to teach you and Margaret and look forward to seeing some lovely work in the future."

Lizzie Heasman reviewed: Half Day Christmas Copper Foil Workshop

"Ruth was an absolutely wonderful tutor, and both my mum and I had a lovely afternoon. Ruth was welcoming, friendly, patient and extremely professional. During our taster into copper foil we both completed a dove each. A really fun afternoon, thank you so much, Ruth."

Ruth Mullan Stained Glass Artist responded:

"I am so glad Lizzie that you enjoyed your copper foil taster session yesterday afternoon despite the intense heat. Thanks for your great company and hopefully you gained a little insight into the processes involved in copper foiling."

Kerry P reviewed: Dry Stone Walling Taster weekend (2 days) - Bannau Brycheiniog

"A really valuable and enjoyable weekend. Great training facilitated by David, Jamie, Simon & John which has further inspired me to go for dry stone walling as my new career. "

Mel W reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"My second visit to Jo Garden Art ! I enjoyed making a hare so much that I returned with two friends to make a medium hare. Thoroughly enjoyed the day as you get completely lost in creating your hare. All the different stages are fascinating and so clever. I'm not ruling out a third visit in the future."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"A trio of hares 🙌🤗. So happy you enjoy this process Mel. Hope to see you back again, Jo xx"

Rob Donnelly reviewed: Woodturning for beginners

"Excellent two days with Stuart in August 2023. I had done a little turning before (albeit self taught) and this was excellent to build knowledge and skills. We covered safety, equipment, tools, wood preparation and choice, turning skills and finishing. Stuart is an excellent teacher - patient, clear and responsive to what you need and want to do. I particularly appreciated the practice and skill building on wood offcuts as much as making something which we did as well. I'm hooked, have invested in a lathe and some tools and will look to practice my new skills. Thank you Stuart."

The Scottish Woodturner responded:

"Thanks Rob, Glad you've got the bug."

Jo reviewed: Explore your Creativity in Enamels - an introductory morning of enamelling for 2 people

"My friend and I had a lovely morning enamelling workshop with Christine where we learnt lots about enamelling and with shaky hands fired our pieces (small round earrings for me and a pendant for my friend) stage by stage. The possibilities are endless and we had a great creative time. Christine was fab at suggesting ways to achieve what we wanted. I want to go back to look over her shop too for Christmas gifts! Thank you!"

Original Kiln-fired Enamelled Jewellery responded:

"Thank you, Jo. I’m so pleased you both found so much enjoyment in the session and were really happy with the jewellery you made. Despite your trepidation over balancing them as you put them into the kiln to fire, your simple but very effective designs were a real achievement as first pieces of enamelling. The earrings look great - thanks for the photo, I’m sure you will both wear your jewellery often and with well deserved pride."

Diane reviewed: Cyanotype Prints - the fundamentals and more ...

"A busy day with lots of techniques to experiment with. Judy explained and demonstrated the basics of the processes and then we had free reign to try them out using the materials she had prepared for us. The workspace was a little crowded but we made good use of the garden and it was fine. We came away with lots of pieces of work created. I'm intrigued to see what else I can do by experimenting, and am ordering supplies now! Thank you for the tea loaf too - scrummy!"

Judy P. dye - print - weave responded:

"Thanks Diane. I’m glad you enjoyed the day and the tea loaf!! I am Grateful for your feedback on space. I plan to reduce the number of workshop participants accordingly, especially as Autumn approaches. Look forward to seeing your results as you further experiment. Judy "

Rob & Lucy Dowthwaite reviewed: Pottery throwing sessions on the potter's wheel in Norfolk

"Pat delivered a fantastic intro course to pottery with a well organised 2 hour session using the spinning wheel. Myself & my wife who are complete amateurs followed Pat’s instructions and we had 8 pots by the end of our spinning. Really informative and friendly, I’d recommend this to anyone. Thanks Pat"

Pat Southwood responded:

"Thank you Rob, you did brilliantly!"

Fiona reviewed: Stained Glass Workshop at the Warehouse 2nd & 3rd September 2023

"Absolutely fabulous course. Never done anything remotely "arty" previously. Jo takes you through every step at a comfortable pace, on hand to help as needed, but leaves you to it for the most part so the work feels truly your own. I have recommended this course to so many others, I feel my imagination has be reignited and can't wait to start creating my next piece. "

Jo Turner Stained Glass responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review. I am pleased you enjoyed the course and hope you are enjoying your gorgeous piece of stained glass. Best wishes, Jo 🙂"

Nathan reviewed: Beginners spoon carving

"I had no expectations or indeed much experience with using an axe (other than to occasionally split logs), so I was amazed that I could take a log and make a spoon from it. Nick was a great teacher, full of advice and useful information. I am waiting for the right tools to do justice to my learning but feel inspired and much more confident working wood both with a knife and axe! Thanks"

Gosman Spoon Co. responded:

"Thank you Nathan! We’re so glad you enjoyed your day and the experience. Please just contact me if you have any questions about tools."

martin peter harrison reviewed: Basic blacksmithing course

"This retirement birthday present was fantastic, great place. Very friendly and helped you with anything, but you still make it. I will do it again as I live quite near. Thanks for a great weekend "

Colin Wingfield reviewed: Wooden mechanical toy (automata) making

"Fantastic fun. This was bought for me as a gift and I did not know what to expect. Stef was brilliant. Friendly fun and very informative. I had a great time and would recommend it to anyone of any ability. "

Penlan Crafts responded:

"Hi Colin, thank you very much for your nice review. Glad you had a good experience! Best regards, Stef"

Patricia reviewed: Organic Skincare Workshop 2 Attendees £90 per person

"The day spent with Allison at Maid in the Meadow was so pleasant and I highly recommend. I learned about organic formulations- from facial oils, balms and face creams. I have wanted to learn to make skin care products and this course jump started me and gave me confidence to continue and try new things too. Allison is flexible and tailored the day for me. She is very knowledgeable and made sure I understood the why behind the how. The setting is in her lovely workshop surrounded by wonderful flowers and greenery. This is a great day with friends, family or just by yourself."

Maid in the Meadow responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review and recommendation Patricia. It was a pleasure to spend the day with you. I'm so glad you enjoyed your day in my workshop and I hope you and your husband are enjoying the products you made. Don't forget if there is any further information you need or any questions you may have following the workshop, please don't hesitate to contact me. Kind regards Allison"

Hilary Roome reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Penhurst Retreat Centre, East Sussex

"Marianne is a very good teacher - clear instructions, patient and inspiring. I came away with a beautiful basket which I feel proud of. I gained knowledge and skills to be used again, I hope."

Beverly Eksteen reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners - Day Course at Penhurst Retreat Centre, East Sussex

"I had a wonderful day in Winchelsea making a basket. Marianne is a kind, gentle and very patient teacher. It was a fun social day and coming away with a beautiful basket was a huge bonus. 😍 I will definitely be attending the next course in Winchelsea. Thank you Marianne "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for your amazing review, Beverly! So great to hear you had a wonderful day! On to the next one, which looks like 15th October in Tenterden, as the next Winchelsea one will be on 9th December. I will be in touch. Thank you!"

Sandra reviewed: Silver jewellery making workshop for 2 people

"Booked the workshop for a 21st Birthday present. Julie sent a beautiful voucher to give to my Son’s girlfriend and the two of them attended the workshop. They both thoroughly enjoyed it and each made a ring to remember the special day, a lovely keepsake."

Jewellery By Julie responded:

"Thank you for the kind review. I had a wonderful time with your son and his girlfriend. Their rings were beautiful and very well made."

Abby reviewed: Pottery throwing in Huddersfield

"I booked this for a friend's birthday and we both had an amazing time. Geoff really looked after us and guided us through the whole process. We both left very chuffed with ourselves for having made something despite being complete beginners."

Earth Pig Pottery responded:

"Thank you for your review. I’m so glad you enjoyed the session. It was great to meet you both."