Latest reviews

Alison Bravington reviewed: The First Cut - lino cutting for beginners & rusty printmakers in Derbyshire

"A wonderful day - a really good balance of practicalities and inspiration. Liz's studio is a space full of creativity, lined with tiny sculptures and beautiful prints, with a calming garden as a backdrop through the windows. I had never attempted linocut before - the teaching was just right, came away feeling empowered rather than overwhelmed, with lots of good advice on getting started fairly cheaply."

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Alison, Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me about your workshop - I have a big smile on my face. It was a really great day, with such a positive buzz in the studio. Everyone worked so well together and when you left, it was lovely to see you all chatting whilst walking down the lane 4 abreast. For a first time cutter and printer you created a beautiful, carefully cut design and quickly understood how to print with accuracy. I think it’s the start of something very special for you. Happy printing. Best wishes Liz Wellby "

Annie reviewed: Giacometti style bronzed animal sculpture one day workshop Suffolk one-to-one or max 4 students

"A really fabulous day, spent with a great teacher in her beautiful, tranquil surroundings, experimenting and learning something new and what’s more, I’m inspired to try to make some more. What could be better! Many thanks Di. I’d recommend to anyone. "

Art on the Edge responded:

"Thanks Annie. I very much enjoyed our day together. You are a natural crafter. Di"

Ashley Berrow reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"Bladesmithing with Iain Jones This experience was bought for my 70th birthday present by my wife and daughter, it turned out to be a brilliant present. Iain is a great tutor who has a wealth of experience and knowledge, his way of instruction and step by step guidance made the whole experience so easy. By the end of the day I had created a beautiful Celtic knife and an antiqued style wall hook, a truly memorable day. Many thanks to Iain."

Jayne & Gary reviewed: Beginners half-day pairs pottery throwing workshop

"I booked this as a birthday present for my boyfriend & he was thrilled. We’d talked about trying something “crafty” as we’re not naturally like that! We had a fantastic time with Louise who is very patient & motivating. She explains and show you first off and then is there to support you and point out how to get better results through the workshop. We found it fun and totally absorbing, even sad when we’d ran out of clay which wasn’t what we expected. Definitely give it a go, we never thought we’d get 3 each to fire & glaze but we did. Some are a bit wonky but it’s lovely to think we will have made them. Can’t wait to pick them up !"

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

"It was lovely to meet you guys and I'm so pleased you enjoyed your birthday throwing workshop :-). You picked up the throwing processes really quickly and should feel very proud of the pieces you made! I prefer a "wonky" pot any day :-). Thanks for the lovely review! "

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

"Absolutely fantastic day! We would thoroughly recommend anyone give this a try. We attended with absolutely no prior knowledge and had an absolute blast! Adrian and Andy were fantastic tutors and Debbie’s lunch was amazing. We will definitely be back(once my hands have recovered)!"

Adam Harries reviewed: Pottery throwing in Huddersfield

"Really enjoyable and satisfying pottery throwing course with Geoff. We both new to it, but Geoff's excellent tuition, were able to make a couple of pots each of different shapes and are looking forward to coming back to glaze them too. Geoff is very good at demonstrating, explaining, encouraging and coaching you through the process. Thanks. Adam & Melani "

Earth Pig Pottery responded:

"Really pleased you enjoyed the session. Hope to see you again soon. "

Tony Piff reviewed: Blacksmithing experience day

"Well that was fun!! Aided by Arian who is a very enthusiastic, patient teacher, who makes a good soup (cooked on the forge naturally), I was able to produce some authentic hand made pieces. My ‘day’ was bought as a 70th birthday present & it was a really enjoyable experience. Thanks Arian for a really good day. "

Lucy whitehead reviewed: Introduction to glass painting (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"A very absorbing and enjoyable day. Highly recommended. Martin explains all of the basics and techniques needed to create your own work using either provided templates or designs of your own choice. Suitable for total beginners through to experienced artists. "

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review."

Megan reviewed: Needle felt workshop

"Me and my mum had a fantastic afternoon needle felting for her birthday. Yvonne was very accommodating with the course arrangements and made us feel at home. We both thoroughly enjoyed the course and were very pleased to come away with our woodland animals. It has insipred us to do more in the future! A very big thank you Yvonne :-)"

Needle Felt Art responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, I am so pleased you enjoyed the workshop and are inspired to continue with your needle felting. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your birthday, best wishes Yvonne. "

Liz Austin reviewed: Beginner Watercolour Retreat Day Staffordshire - archive

"A very good course.I have learnt more techniques when using watercolours. The course has given me more confidence to keep painting and not to give up. Excellent teaching that was designed to meet my needs. "

Gillian reviewed: Introduction to woodturning: one to one

"It was brilliant! I have watched loads of videos on wood turning and wanted to try it, I am a complete novice and this was my first ever lesson and I made a bowl (with a lot of help from Bill Bennett). Bill has so much patience and knowledge he expalined everything... from the way the wood is cut and why it is cut that way, how and why it is dried, why you use the specific turning tool and how to hold them and kept correcting me when I held it incorrectly. Well worth the money and time."

Jane Hammill reviewed: Leather Traveller's Bag

"Fabulous day with Catherine. Came away with a beautiful traveller’s bag. Catherine is a joy to be with. No complicated mathematics to grasp. Dividers do the job! 😁 The most challenging thing is deciding which leather to use. So happy with this day course. "

Catherine Edwards Leather responded:

"Dividers are my favourite tool! What a lovely day we had, well done you two, the time flew by!"

Sarah Roberts reviewed: Friday (Fortnightly) Bobbin Lace Making - Daytime Mixed Lace Classes (Barnham - West Sussex)

"Joined into a group of various ability levels/ experience. Really friendly and Tina was very helpful at getting me started, really enjoyed the process and will go again."

Tina's Bobbin Lacemaking responded:

"Hello Sarah It was really nice to meet you yesterday, and that you enjoyed the day. Especailly after getting stuck in traffic! I hope you have time to practise and keep the stitcjes going. Looking forward to hearing from you when you are ready for your next instalment of your lace making journey. Thanks for taking the time to leabe a review. Best Wishes Tina"

Vicki reviewed: Mosaics for the home and garden

"A fantastic day, Frances was really helpful as I had never made a mosaic before. Loads of ideas and tiles for indoors and out to choose from. Would definitely recommend "

Mosaic Mania responded:

"Thanks Nicky! It was lovely to have you and your mosaic looks fabulous!"

Sarah reviewed: 1 Day In Person Handbag Making Course - Ten Bag Choices - £199

"Beautiful saddlebag with loads of stylish little details made with the expert guidance of wonderful Bex! Can’t recommend highly enough, thank you Bex, I’ll be back! x"

Michelle reviewed: Fused glass relief plaques and pendants class (pm)

"Thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Bought as a gift for my mum and we went together. What an idyllic two and a half hours. Collected the pieces yesterday and we are absolutely thrilled with them. Would highly recommend. "

Chrissy Webster Mosaic & Craft responded:

"That's wonderful to hear that you loved it! It was great to meet you, and hope you see you again. "

Lisa reviewed: Kiln Fired Enamelling with Katie Sanderson. Half day workshop

"Had a great morning. Quite full on but I came home with earrings, a necklace and a tiny landscape. I will definitely do it again. Thanks Katie. "

Katie Sanderson, enamel artist responded:

"Hi Lisa, I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. Hope to see you on another workshop soon. Many thanks Katie"

Jean-Marie Thompson reviewed: Beginners Linocut Workshop at Hitchin Lavender Farm, Hertfordshire

"Enjoyed this event enormously - Kim is a great, encouraging, teacher. I think we all had a lot of fun and will be doing lino printing in the future. Very pleased with results."

Julie reviewed: Woodwork Day Course

"I did the woodworking course this week. It was very informative and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and making the various joints. As the only person on the course I had one to one tuition. "

Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses responded:

"Thanks Julie your welcome to come back anytime. Just thought I'd mention that your work method is very nice indeed and I'm sure woodworking is in your blood. Keep it up and sharpen that plane 😎 Kind regards Ted "

Karen reviewed: Free-Motion Quilting

"The course was interesting, but I have to admit that I thought it would cover a lot more of the basics, I just wanted to learn the basic technique and getting the tensions correct, my machine was struggling with thread breakage and lots of eye lashes even though I was adjusting my bobbin tensions both up, down and auto. Free motion quilting around applique is not something I plan on doing, if anything, I would have preferred simple basics for a course, and an additional course to cover more difficult free motion quilting including shadowing etc. I appreciate the course help many and several others were having issues like myself. Being told it was probably my machine that was faulty was reassuring, especially as it seemed that I had the technique. Once I get my machine fixed I will keep practicing until I finally nail it. "

Bee-spoke Quilts responded:

"Thank you for your feedback Karen. I am sorry that you had trouble with your sewing machine on the day, and I hope that you manage to resolve the technical issues. Jacqueline "

David Bell reviewed: Willow 'Curlews' with Phil Bradley: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Ullswater and The Lake District

"Very enjoyable course. As a complete novice I was able to produce a curlew at the end ( as everyone else on the course did as well). I think this is due to Phil's skill, patience and clarity of explanation"

AG reviewed: Hazel Hare Kit

"Quite disappointing tbh. It has not been possible to recreate anything like the picture advertised because of the pattern cut (ears far too short)and the colour of the fur which was more chocolate brown and unsuitable for a hare. In the event I have had to buy my own materials and adapt the pattern. I wouldnt go so far as to complain or demand a refund, because the kit did at least provide me with a method for working but for the price charged I guess I was hoping for more quality than this. Would not return for other kits."

Alford Craft Market Centre responded:

"Our maker says "I've used the same pattern each time. The description does say that mohair may vary. I suggest that you return the kit complete for a refund and I will cover postage". "

Adrian Rhodes reviewed: Leather apron workshop

"Just had a wonderful day making a leather apron with Catherine Edwards. It was well out of my comfort zone - but I had such a good time. Catherine is a warm and generous teacher, passionate about her craft and with a lifetime of experience to impart. She gently guided me from one small task to another, making sure I made my own apron whilst she demonstrated on another. I practiced many techniques - and some I even mastered! - till the end of the day came and I realised I held in my hand a beautiful and practical item of leatherwear - and I’d made it! Catherine never made me feel I was slow or clumsy - just that I was achieving something. She has a magic touch - not only as a craftsman, but as a teacher. Oh, and having a quiet lunch in delightful Hebden Bridge was lovely. Highly recommended."

Catherine Edwards Leather responded:

"Thankyou Adrian, you were marvellously easy to teach so it made my job very straightforward! Hope to see you again soon."

Kyle reviewed: Work of Iron | Innovation from the Anvil | Edinburgh | AXE FORGING

"Absolutely amazing! A great and memorable experience!"

A. Farmer reviewed: 1-2-1 Practical Leather Tuition & Consultancy with Georgie Tym

"I had a 1-2-1 1/2 day course with Georgie and couldn't recommend it more highly. I had some previous experience with leather work but had some gaps in knowledge. I had prepared some bags but needed guidance on how to make and attach the bag handles. Georgie not only patiently showed me how to complete these with recommendations, but also showed me other options, how to use a machine as well as hand-sew my solutions, created a bag pattern for me based on my designs and gave me the opportunity to learn more about the tools and products suitable for my plans. She was so lovely to learn from and the studio was enviably peaceful to work in. Would definitely book in another session with Georgie for any further leather-work learning. "

Hands of Tym responded:

"Thanks so much Ani, it was a pleasure to meet you and your work is gorgeous "