Latest reviews

Sarah Athol reviewed: Couples Date Day- Best Date Ever!- Blacksmithing Experience Day

"We had a lovely day with Jon. So helpful and calm, nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommend the couples day. Thanks Jon"

Ben Clay reviewed: 3 Day Damascus Knife or Axe Making Class

"After watching Blacksmiths on YouTube for years, I've always wanted to try, but never had the confidence to try it alone. We searched for a few weeks looking at reviews and pictures of students' finished knives and axes, and also looked at what was and wasn't included and finally found this course. I'm so happy I waited and found this place; I had a great time, stayed a couple of nights at a local golfing hotel and got to get my hands dirty. They made the process straightforward and helped me make a beautiful raindrop Damascus patterned knife, if you're looking for somewhere, I'd definitely recommend Friargate forge! Thanks again chaps for a great experience!"

Laura reviewed: Mosaic day workshop with Professional Artist Coralie Turpin- Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

"Thank you for a lovely crafty day! The session was well organised, friendly, and there was a great selection of materials to pick from. Coralie was on hand to answer any questions and kept us topped up with tea and muffins! "

Coralie Turpin Artist responded:

"Thank you Laura, it was great to meet you! I loved your colour choices and determination which resulted in a lovely mosaic. Best wishes Coralie"

Alexandra reviewed: Beginner Watercolour Art Retreat Day

"I really really enjoyed this art workshop and would definitely go again! Lovely group of people all there to learn, take a break from day to day life and have fun! Also Joan is an incredible person and artist so booking this you’ll struggle to go wrong! "

Joan Kennedy Artist responded:

"Alexandra thank you sooo much. What a lovely review, I really appreciate it. Thank you also, for recommending me to your father-in-law. He said he really enjoyed it too and I’m glad it’s given him confidence to take up his new hobby. Thank you lovely lady, your super smile and bubbly personality certainly was wonderful to see. xx"

Colin J. reviewed: Leather Traveller's Bag

"Catherine is a good teacher, patient, calm and a very nice person. The workshop is a nice place to work/ learn and the course (Travellers bags) was successful! The two of us finished the product, one comfortably and one scampering to complete! But, Catherine was calm and reassuring that time was ok, which assuaged my uncomfortable feelings of needing to rush. The sewing together took longer than I, we and I suspect she, imagined. Overall, a great experience, good value for money and I soundly recommend it."

Jane Bower reviewed: Learn soft pastels in a relaxed beautiful environment

"Heather is very knowledgeable indeed about the medium and gave excellent advice about techniques. The setting is absolutely delightful and the materials we came away with, included in the course, were very generous. Lovely walk to the pub for lunch completed a very pleasant and fascinating day."

Serendipity Art studio responded:

"Thank you for your review. However I am sad that I couldn’t provide the perfect five star experience for you on the day. Hopefully you find that with your next adventure. "

Karen Durrant reviewed: Painting with beeswax & dyes - Batik Pictures

"My mum and I loved the batik painting course. We did this in Barbara's house and there was a relaxed informal atmosphere. Barbara showed us lots of ideas and helped when needed. She explained the technique clearly and let us experiment. Mum and I loved our finished paintings. It was a really enjoyable, relaxing day and no artistic ability is needed!!"

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"I am pleased that you and your Mum enjoyed the day, your paintings look fabulous. Best regards Barbara 😃"

Lindi reviewed: Pottery wheel & glass fusing private half-day

"Went into both the classes with no idea of what to expect and came hooked on them both! For the Glass Fusion Sarah was very knowledgeable and encouraging and the well stocked studio opened up a myriad of possibilities, even for a novice. Chris is not only a great potter, but has the patience to pass on his knowledge and with his guidance gave me self believe that I too could tame a lump of clay! Can’t wait to see my fired efforts in both crafts. Definitely worthwhile. Can highly recommend both courses. "

Sarah Greening Glass responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a fabulous review for us. Your glass is already out of the kiln and looks lovely!"

Sally reviewed: Colour loves colour. Acrylic painting.

"I attended Laura's Colour Loves Colour Abstract Acrylic Painting workshop at her Studio - what a fantastic experience! I'm a complete beginner, and Laura worked with us to create some fab paintings, and teach us lots of really useful techniques and tricks! All of the paint and equipment was supplied, with plenty of tea and coffee provided throughout :-) Laura has a wonderful spirit and is very passionate about art and it made me feel very relaxed - it was an incredibly relaxing day (in beautiful surroundings too!) I would HIGHLY recommend this course. THANK YOU Laura! xxx"

Laura Donaldson responded:

"Thank you so much! It really was a great day with a fantastic group of people. Your work was beautiful and I’m thrilled that you had such an enjoyable time. I look forward to welcoming you back to the studio whenever you like. "

Steve Kirk reviewed: Beginners Woodturning

"Well designed course that is perfect for a beginner. Roger is very knowledgeable and a good instructor with a lot of patience. "

Jerry Herbert reviewed: Woodland Tools Use & Sharpening Day

"Pete and Jacqui were very welcoming and patient during this course, providing just the guidance I needed at this stage in my wood carving journey. I would thoroughly recommend this to others. "

Dee reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"Absolutely brilliant, thank you we had a great day. Jon and Becki are welcoming and patient. Gave us all the tea and coffee we could drink to keep us going. The baskets they helped us make are beautiful. Couldn't be happier."

Rachel Mclaren reviewed: Round Shopper Willow Basket

"Such a great day , even in the pouring rain and thunder! Beautiful space and great teacher. "

The Coppice Co. responded:

"Thank you for coming along! "

Tim Brooks reviewed: Stained glass introduction at Blue Kite Stained Glass

"I had a fun and very informative day with Iain Gutteridge on his stained glass course. Iain explained every step carefully and ensured I was able to do all the necessary steps to make a small leaded glass picture with multiple colours . He is personably understanding and happy to share his wide knowledge of his subject, not just in stained glass but in other aspects of glass work as well. A very useful, worthwhile and enjoyable course. "

Blue Kite Stained Glass responded:

"Well done Tim, great work, hope you keep it up."

Sue reviewed: Young teen with adult, silver jewellery special - what will YOU make?

"Me and my daughter had a great day. Viv was a brilliant tutor. Many thanks. Highly recommend the course."

Simply Amazing Jewellery School responded:

"Sue - thank you so much! I was truly impressed by all the young people and how mature they were, I thought you lovely ladies were very chilled, and coped really well with your own challenge - fabulous results, all round 😊"

Claire Bennett reviewed: Two day introduction to portrait sculpture course at Chillington Hall

"What a lovely way to spend a weekend. Miranda is a peerless teacher who seems to coax miracles. Sculpting my elfin version of Sinead Oconnor was a wonderful experience that was relaxing and engaging. I hope the work survives the kiln. Animal sculpture next."

Amerton Arts Studio responded:

"Thank you for your review Claire, glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes Miranda"

Paul & David reviewed: Kitchen Knife Course

"What a marvellous day! Dave quickly put us two novices at ease as he explained the course. Each stage was broken down into 2 or 3 actual processes as we went along and sure enough, a knife soon started appearing. Dave was very knowledgeable and reassuring. A true credit to his profession. A great guy!"

Hand forged Yorkshire responded:

"Many thanks indeed for your very kind review gentlemen, it was a real pleasure meeting you both and having you in the workshop. So glad you both enjoyed the day, fantastic job with your knives hope you are happy with them Kindest regards Dave"

Jane Randle reviewed: Crochet - Intermediate - Tuesday - Bicton Inn

"FAB Will def be back 🧶 "

Bev Benson reviewed: Two day introduction to portrait sculpture course at Chillington Hall

"This was a wonderful course. Miranda knows just what she is doing and passes on the techniques to ensure that everyone has some success. She works so hard! She was always there to offer guidance, but we also felt that we had the freedom to experiment for ourselves. We do feel that we know enough to have a go independently now. Thank you!"

Amerton Arts Studio responded:

"Thank you for your review Bev, glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes Miranda"

Lesley Devis reviewed: Wirework Tree of Life Necklace Workshop with Hand Crafted Jewellery by Jo at Fantasy and Reality, Coventry

"Booked this course for my granddaughter who really enjoyed making a wire pendant. Jo was lovely, kind and patient in her approach,. All materials and tools provided would definitely recommend."

Edina reviewed: Beginner Watercolour Art Retreat Day

"Joan is a very friendly and helpful artist. I did her course and it was a very relaxing day with her ."

Joan Kennedy Artist responded:

"It was lovely meeting you Edina, and thrilled you were able to come along to two events. I look forward to seeing you soon no doubt at another art retreat day and wish you all the best with your painting. Thank you for your lovely review Joan "

Beccy Iddon reviewed: Spoon Carving at Manor Wood

"Really enjoyed making my spoon!! Never used any of the tools before, but Matt’s tuition was superb and I made something which seemed daunting at the start of the day 🙂 🪓 "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Beccy, thank you for your review. It was lovely to meet you and Steve. We are glad you enjoyed the day learning how to carve a spoon. We hope to see you both again soon! Emma"

Lynn Orr reviewed: Pottery/ceramics wheel throwing (full day)

"My 3 friends and I attended this course on Saturday 5th August. We were all novices. We all had a brilliant day and we all managed to make 5 pots each. Lorraine is a brilliant teacher. Whenever we made a mistake Lorraine was there and she managed to rescue our disasters. We would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone interested in having a go at throwing pots."

Woodsetton Art Pottery responded:

"Thanks for your lovely review. Despite constant wet weather pots are drying nicely and first fired and I’ll be in touch when they’re glazed and refired."

Steve Iddon reviewed: Spoon Carving at Manor Wood

"Great course where I learnt to use a range of tools to shape wood, and now have my own home made spoon, very satisfying ☺️Matt and Emma were such lovely people and the location was superb. Highly recommended. "

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Steve, thank you for your review. It was lovely to meet you and Beccy. We are glad you enjoyed the day learning how to carve a spoon. We hope to see you both again soon! Emma"

Cathy reviewed: Stained glass one day course for beginners: for two people

"My friend and I attended a one day course in stained glass with Emma Edelston. We were celebrating a big birthday and we were total beginners. She was a great teacher and took us through some of the basic techniques in the morning. We then produced our own piece in the afternoon. As there was only the two of us we both received very personal feedback on how we were doing and I felt this really helped me develop and I feel that I could now go on to produce my own work independently in the future which was more than I envisaged before attending the course. It was fascinating and we both really enjoyed and would recommend the day.. "