Latest reviews

Sue Barrass reviewed: One Day Leather Bag Making Workshop

"Great, course, great tutor, great place, great company and great lunch. Had a wonderful day- Sarah was so helpful and kept everyone at the same stage, even though we made different styles of bag, by surreptitiously doing little bits to help us along. Thank you, Sarah- really pleased with my bag."

Andrea reviewed: Beginners half-day 1-2-1 pottery / ceramics workshop for 1 person

"Fantastic afternoon. 1-1 my first introduction to using clay and Louise was very patient and clear. She is an experienced gentle teacher who guided my learning brilliantly. I am looking forward to seeing the pots we made fired and glazed. "

Mike Wyatt reviewed: Pole lathe turning taster day: bowl turning

"First rate course in an attractive setting. I was amazed at what could be learned and achieved in a single day. The course members were an agreeable bunch of individuals and the tutoring and support were at just the right level. A good day, much to be recommended."

Zsombor Levai reviewed: Gem cutting - faceting basics - the step cut square facet

" Thank you so much James for a fantastic day.It helped a lot and I hope to see you again."

Don Macfarlane reviewed: A one day introduction to good beekeeping practice

"It was a wonderful day led by a man of some importance in the world of beekeeping. The setting is beautiful and the other members of the course were easy to get on with and it was a small group. His wife prepared a lunch including cake. We were out among the bees and the bee hives. Indoors there was tuition and discussion and considerable help. I felt at the end that I knew what to do if I was to have a beehive and that experience and further reading would make it an interesting and valuable occupation."

The Barnyard Apiaries responded:

"Thank you for your review, though I can't claim any importance in the beekeeping world. We are just hobby beekeepers and like to share our fascination for the subject. We are delighted you enjoyed the day and found it interesting and useful."

Lyanne reviewed: Silver jewellery making workshop for 2 people

"I had such a great time at this course!! I bought this for my mum and we were both new to it and not that creative. Julie was an excellent teacher and was very patient with us and helped us along the way. I was impressed by how many steps you got to be involved with and all the detail that goes into it. I will definitely be booking again to make some more jewellery as this was a lot of fun with a great end result! Definitely recommend to all! "

Jewellery By Julie responded:

"Thank you for the wonderful review. It was a really good workshop and you should both be proud of your pieces. Well done. Hope to see you again. "

Charlie Osborne reviewed: Wood Carving Course

"Fantastic course - fantastic tutor. Lovely pace, great knowledge & beautiful place. Would recommend 2 day courses as it's a lot to get in the one day. Keep this course going as they are dying out too fast!"

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you so much for your review. We were really happy that you enjoyed the course and shall let the course tutor know. Best wishes, The Stanwick Lakes team."

Amanda Mainard reviewed: Watercolour Mastery An Intensive 4 Day Live workshop (2nd-5th Sept)

"A very friendly and inspiring group where we had the freedom to experiment and to paint with a structured approach. Very informative. (Leicester Botanical Gardens)"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Well done you have made a great start to painting florals hope to teach you again in the Beautiful botanical Gardens"

Mary Morton reviewed: Watercolour Mastery An Intensive 4 Day Live workshop (2nd-5th Sept)

"Very Interesting ArtbyPurnima was very helpful. (Leicester Botanical Gardens)"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Well done you have made a great start to painting florals hope to teach you again in the Beautiful botanical Gardens"

Emily Fry reviewed: Watercolour Mastery An Intensive 4 Day Live workshop (2nd-5th Sept)

"I had a great time earning to paint a peony. The lesson was very well paced and at a good level for beginners like me. I enjoyed learning all the basic techniques with layering watercolours and colour theory. Leicester Botanical Gardens"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Well done you have made a great start to painting florals hope to teach you again in the Beautiful botanical Gardens"

Zaahira Kidy reviewed: Watercolour Mastery An Intensive 4 Day Live workshop (2nd-5th Sept)

"Really enjoyed it! I learnt many skills and Purnima shared some very useful practical tips. Excited to try art at home and encourage the kids to get involved too!"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Well done you have made a great start to painting florals hope to teach you again in the Beautiful botanical Gardens"

Aaron Eason reviewed: Watercolour Mastery An Intensive 4 Day Live workshop (2nd-5th Sept)

"From not painting before, Purnima was patient and knowledgeable from start to finish. I feel inspired to give painting a go and feel I have acquired many skills to help me along the way. Thoroughly enjoyed myself. Thank you very much! (Botanical Gardens Leicester)"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Well done you have made a great start to painting florals hope to teach you again in the Beautiful botanical Gardens"

Sue Hopwood reviewed: Watercolour Mastery An Intensive 4 Day Live workshop (2nd-5th Sept)

"Helpful, well-paced workshop with a good mix of demonstration, independent work and feedback. Learning how to layer colours was particularly helpful."

Art By Purnima responded:

"Well done you have made a great start to painting florals hope to teach you again in the Beautiful botanical Gardens"

Allison reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"This was my first visit to Lucy's course. What can I say, fantastic. Lucy made me feel so welcome and I truly enjoyed myself. I did an Enamel course, making earrings and pendants on copper blanks and took them home. Lucy was a great teacher and I learnt so much in a day. Highly recommended. Thank you Lucy x"

Claire Havard reviewed: Silver jewellery making class for beginners

"We had a lovely day making jewellery. The instructions were very clear and Jonathan was very patient. We are very proud of our creations and would definitely recommend. "

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you for choosing Salt Way Silver. It was a pleasure to help you and your mum with your silver jewellery. The stacking rings and earrings that you made are really impressive. Well done! Jonathan!"

Chris reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"I spent a day with Marianne last Sunday at the Cowshed Workshop and made an obelisk, plant stand and a dragonfly! Marianne is a kind, patient teacher who explains really well and I came home with 3 things that I am really proud of. A fun day in beautiful surroundings, learning an ancient skill."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you very much for your review, Chris. So wonderful to hear that you're loving your items. They look so amazing. Especially the cloche! Lovely. Great to meet your friends. You were a lovely bunch. Hope to see you again sometime. Many thanks and best wishes, Marianne"

Martin Sims reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Thank you to Simon at Blended Monkey for a fantastic day being introduced to the delights of wood turning. If you have been wondering what wood turning might be like, then I urge you to reach out to Blended Monkey - Simon's patience, direction and encouragement was the best way to experience wood turning for the first time. I ended the day with a fantastic sycamore bowl - something to remember the day and inspire further wood turning efforts. Thanks again Simon - likely to be in touch soon to learn more about the craft. Ride the bevel and keep those tools sharp :)"

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

"Hi Martin, Thank you for your (very prompt!) review. So glad you enjoyed your day. Your notes will be with you shortly and, if you have any questions or suggestions, please get in touch. -- Simon"

Annie reviewed: Silver jewellery making class for beginners

"What a great day! It was relaxed and friendly and Jonathan had the course pitched at just the right level for beginners making it really easy to understand what we were trying to achieve. We built up skills during the morning that allowed us to make our own silver jewellery in the afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed learning a new skill and think we were all proud of what we had achieved in a day - very wearable, individual jewellery. "

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you for your very kind words Annie (and Sally!). It was a good day and great to see your confidence grow, and your designs become reality. Well done, and thank you for choosing Salt Way Silver. Jonathan"

Kate D reviewed: Bug box, family home pottery kit, DIY craft at home, takeaway clay fun

"My kids LOVED this kit, spent several hours making little big families and flower nests which they proudly presented to us as gifts... a mum wasp, dad wasp and 3 little kid wasps... just brilliant and very nicely packaged and described. Thank you.. we'll be back for more kits!! Ideal for rainy school holidays. "

Joseph Meadows reviewed: Rustic Stool Making Course, 2 days

"Loved it, attended with my girlfriend and we both enjoyed the experience. The instructor was very friendly and knew his stuff. I'm now on the lookout for some woodworking tools to expand on these skills at home..."

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you for leaving us a lovely review. We are very pleased that you both enjoyed the course. Best wishes, The Stanwick Lakes team."

Hazel Clark reviewed: 3 hour Silver jewellery course

"Richard made us very welcome in his workshop and taught us how to make a silver ring by demonstrating the techniques on his own worked example. His step by step instructions were very clear and gave us confidence to do our own rings. It was a surprise to end up with a shiny, decorated ring after just three hours! "

Richard Hartley reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"My wife bought this course for my birthday. I'm glad she did. What a great experience. IAN WAS FANTASTIC. The whole day was interesting from start to finish and you go home with the hand crafted knife you make with your own hands. Thanks for making my day "

Phil Sutcliffe reviewed: Yorkshire Rose stone carving class

"My grandson and I had a fantastic day learning to carve with Helen. Would recommend the course to anyone who has been thinking about stone carving. Helen is a brilliant tutor, she is friendly, confident in her students ability (even when we weren’t!), is patient and makes you feel very welcome. Thank you for a great experience Helen "

The West Riding Stonecarving Association responded:

"Thank you. I'm glad you both enjoyed the day.😊"

Cath Daley reviewed: Small outdoor plaster hare sculpture kit (30cm) with full video instructions by Jo Garden Art

"We took 4 of the hare sculpture kits away with us on holiday for something to do with my severely sight impaired mother-in-law and my aunt. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were delighted with the finished “works of art”. My mother-in-law was particularly pleased as it is so difficult to find activities for us to all do together. The instructions were really clear and it was good that we could break it down into stages and do a little bit over the course of a few evenings. She wants to do another one very soon. Fab!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Cath - what a lovely review and it was heart warming to receive your email with photos of your family making the hares. Sculpture is so tactile and personal and I'm delighted your sight impaired mother in law enjoyed the experience so much. Jo xx"

Becci W reviewed: Batik - hot wax full day workshop

"I had a lovely day with Jane today learning about batik. Jane is friendly and knowledgeable about batik. I have learned so much today and will be looking at future courses soon. Thank you so much. I highly recommend taking one of these courses. You wont regret it. "

Jane’s Celebration Services responded:

"Thank you so much Becci for a lovely review. It was lovely to meet you, so glad you enjoyed your day. I hope you get your batik pot out at home and continue to explore this lovely craft. See you again. Jane x"