Latest reviews

Karen (Northampton_ reviewed: Crafternoon Tea - recycled book tree workshop

"What a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Friendly company, great afternoon tea, finding out you can be creative and discovering a new skill :)"

Clair & Tom reviewed: Beginners linocut printmaking

"Thoroughly enjoyed this course! In just over 2hrs we’d drawn, cut out and printed our design on several sheets under the guidance of Claire who had a lovely laid back, but knowledgeable manner. Can’t recommend highly enough!"

Rob James reviewed: One Day Stained Glass Workshops For Beginners

"I attended the one-day course with Ruth, she is very nice and I felt at ease with her, the course was excellent, she is a very good teacher and I was amazed how quickly I could learn each process. I would definitely recommend this course, and I have already purchased all the equipment I need to continue."

Ruth Mullan Stained Glass Artist responded:

"Dear Rob Thank you so much. How exciting that you have purchased all the equipment you need to continue on your creative glass journey. Have fun creating! Don’t forget if you need any advice just message me and I will be glad to help! 😀"

Andrew reviewed: Woodcarving with sculptor Jason -handtools -gouging and whittling

"I had a great day at this wood carving course. Jason is very nice guy with a relaxed approach. He was helpful with the project and with his years-long experience he showed me how to proceed whenever I got stuck. Jason was very good at giving me all the artistic freedom and still being there with (the much needed) guiding hand. I did not manage to finish the project in the one day. Jason said he was considering putting on two day courses in the future - which would be very tempting! I have since ordered sculpting tools and will finish my project at home. All in all this is a fantastic experience and highly recommend it."

Jason Thomson - Sculptor responded:

"Thanks Andrew, great to meet you and the other attendees with their diverse projects. I have indeed put some 2 day woodcarving courses on my Craftcourses entry and a few dates for embossed metalwork too. It will be very satisfying to see your Nordic crow through to completion…"

Mary reviewed: Festive Fused Glass Taster Workshop with Crafts in the Valley - Make a Bird and a Pendant with Decoupage Jewellery box.

"I really enjoyed the class. Went again with my granddaughter and am booking other courses. Melanie is an excellent teacher, clear and patient. Good communication throughout too. "

Fiona Butler reviewed: Festive Fused Glass Taster Workshop with Crafts in the Valley - Make a Bird and a Pendant with Decoupage Jewellery box.

"Festive Fused glass 2 hour workshop Thank you Melanie for a great day, a calm relaxed atmosphere and lovely festive treats! Lots of creative options and help and encouragement from Melanie. A lovely afternoon spent , thank you ! 👍🧑‍🎄🎄"

hannah reviewed: Watercolour Art & Spa 2 day full board learn to paint @ The Flackley Ash Hotel Rye Sussex

"Thank you Vicky for guiding us through a wonderful couple of days. Thank you for persevering even through a broken rib, you're trualy dedicated to teaching and we felt it very much. Fab time, fab venue and has reignited a love of watercolour for me and my mum. "

Arty Party Breaks and lessons responded:

"Thank you Hannah for a lovely review. It was great meeting you both and thank you so much for your amazing help too. Keep painting your work is beautiful and I hope I will see you again at another Art & Spa retreat. "

Sally reviewed: Christmas Cracker Workshop (private workshop at your own venue)

"Thank you Laura for a wonderful morning - I’ve had nothing but compliments from the rest of the participants - the quality and quantity of the materials provided to make the crackers was first rate. I’ll definitely be organising another course (or 2) in 2026."

L & S Crafts responded:

"Thank you Sally. I am so glad you all enjoyed the workshop and I would love to run another class for you next year. Enjoy using your crackers at Christmas!"

Sue Heath-Caldwell reviewed: Watercolour Art & Spa 2 day full board learn to paint @ The Flackley Ash Hotel Rye Sussex

"Fantastic course from start to finish. I learnt lots of useful methods and tips. Vicky is skilled and knowledgeable and happy to pass on her many solutions to deal with issues and mistakes that can occur with watercolour. The location was perfect and the hotel was very comfortable. "

Arty Party Breaks and lessons responded:

"Thank you Sue for your kind review. I hope to see you again on another retreat. Best wishes Vicki"

Craig reviewed: Seaglass jewellery workshop at Sea & Solder, Dorset.

"Had an amazing time at the cause. I made my sea glass necklace for a friend on her birthday. I believe Jules told me mine was the first necklace to have a dog pendant. Jules my friend loved the necklace, thank you so much. sorry for long awaiting review. All the best X"

Lynda Barrett reviewed: Coffee, Cake, ‘n’ Craft – Mini Felt Bag in New Romney, Kent

"This is my first course here and it was totally brilliant. We crammed so much into the time and I learned a lot, it was very inspiring. I'm already booked onto another course this weekend doing something completely different. I will definitely be back and would recommend it to everyone. Five stars.•••••"

Isabel reviewed: Picassiette Mosaics on Slate – Thistle or Flower

"Excellent course for a complete novice. Enjoyed the personal small class. "

Mosaic & Glass responded:

"Thank you so much for the feedback Isabel, it was so lovely to have you in the workshop. Hope to see you again and enjoy your beautiful mosaic for years to come. Rhona"

Andrew Bourne reviewed: Wood joints class using reclaimed materials

"I was interested in doing a woodworking course and this one day course on making joints fitted perfectly. Tyler was on hand throughout the day giving me tuition, guidance and advice. Testing me with questions and making sure I was doing the learning. Lots of cups of tea to hand in his new spacious workshop the day progressed speedily and enjoyable. I was very happy with the work that I'd completed and would highly recommend this course. "

Simon Lewis reviewed: Private or private group silver jewellery making/silversmithing workshop day at Silver Designed Personally

"A super one-to-one course with Sara, who is very knowledgeable and patient. Really pleased with the items I made. Highly recommended! "

Silver Designed Personally responded:

"Thanks so much for an amazing review Simon, I loved working and chatting with you - great results too! Thanks again for choosing me. Sara"

Tracy King reviewed: Watercolour Art & Spa 2 day full board learn to paint @ The Flackley Ash Hotel Rye Sussex

"What a relaxing break. Never painted before but have enjoyed learning to paint with watercolors. Vicki is a star, great fun but knows her stuff. Really lovely group and lovely to have dinner and breakfast together. Will definitely do this again as a treat to myself. "

Arty Party Breaks and lessons responded:

"Thank you Tracy, it was great fun and I’m glad you enjoyed your first painting experience. I hope to see you again on another art retreat. Best wishes Vicki"

Judith Ineson reviewed: Three days traditional wood carving

"I came on this course as a complete beginner, and left with most of a barn owl! Sebastian is a kind, gentle, patient tutor and clearly enjoys passing on his immense skills. Pupils have the freedom to choose what they would like to carve and Sebastian then makes it possible. The course started with a lesson on the various tools and how to use them safely, and then concentrated on how to turn a chunk of wood into something beautiful. Once I had got over my initial nervousness I found myself getting totally engrossed, with occasional interruptions by Sebastian to show me how to improve my work. I strongly recommend this course both for complete beginners like myself, or for people wanting to improve their wood carving skills. "

SBCW responded:

"Thank you so much Judith for your review. I'm glad you are enjoying the wood carving. Take care and keep carving."

Suzanne McNee reviewed: Create fabulous & festive wire and paper birds in Derbyshire

"A thoroughly enjoyable course. The location was beautiful, excellent teaching enabling everyone to make a variety of birds. There was also helpful guidance for creating more birds at home. Thanks so much Liz "

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Suzanne, Lovely to hear from you and thank you for letting me know about your visit to The Slipper Studio. It was great to meet and work with you - thank you for your positivity and humour. Both the metal foil and fine wire enable you to create beautiful pieces, with lots of potential to continue working at home. Happy making Liz Wellby"

Vickie reviewed: Christmas fused glass workshop - Forest Row

"What a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. Jayne was very welcoming and knowledgeable. Lots of choice of materials. Great venue with lots of parking on site. I’m looking forward to seeing how my creations turn out! I would recommend this session. "

Sally reviewed: Scrap glass mosaic stepping stone one day workshop in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"I really enjoyed the process of making this although I wasn't confident I'd love the end result. Kate was very encouraging and could visualise my finished design better than I could. I knew what I wanted and went through the steps to achieve it, but along the whole process I wasn't convinced I got it right. Kate was right all along, now it's finished I love it, and it's become exactly what I had envisioned. "

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Glad you enjoyed the workshop and thank you for the review."

Phil Sutcliffe reviewed: Christmas Themed Hardened Fabric Jewellery Making (An Introduction)

"Had a fantastic afternoon learning how to make jewellery from hardened fabric. Diane is an excellent tutor, who explains everything in a calm and reassuring manner. You have the opportunity to make several pieces of jewellery, all with the support of Diane. Would have no hesitation of recommending this course. "

Diane Taylor Textile Designer Maker responded:

"Thankyou Phil for your kind comments. It was a great afternoon and great to share good practices ! Hope your daughter liked the creations you made for her ! Have a superb Christmas !"

Clare W reviewed: Quilt in a Day, one-to-one course with Amanda Jane Ogden

"I cannot recommend this wonderful day enough! Not only is Amanda extremely knowledgeable and passionate about quilting but she is a patient and gifted teacher. I thoroughly enjoyed my day, and feel lucky to have been taught by a real expert. I also came home with a beautiful quilt! Inspirational! "

Amanda Jane Textiles responded:

"Dear Clare, Thank you for this generous review. It was a pleasure to teach you and I hope there will be lots of quilt-making in the future for you! Amanda"

Meg reviewed: Gelli Plate Printmaking - Introduction & Festive Leaves & Wreaths

"Super day experimenting with the gel plate techniques, using lovely colours to make lots of patterns on papers. Karen showed us so many different ways of working, it was fun, different and the day flew by. I've made 20 Christmas cards with my days efforts."

Karen Patricia Hendry responded:

"Thank you for your lovely feedback Meg. I'm thrilled you so enjoyed the day and how wonderful you have been so creative since it. It will be very special for those who will receive those handmade cards this Christmas. "

Martyn reviewed: Kitchen Knife Course

"Fantastic day. I learnt a lot AND I've made a knife. Would not hesitate to recommend this course to anyone."

Julie C reviewed: Children's whittling & wood carving classes

"Nico (aged 11) really enjoyed this course - he has come home enthused by the techniques he learned and the possibilities of whittling! Alan is an excellent tutor and I would recommend this course to anybody looking to pick up the basics and the principles of safe carving/whittling. "

Alan Astbury reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"This was a public course with 5 attendees, only two had met previously and no-one had any experience. Alex established a rapport with everyone really quickly and after the safety briefing got us 'forging' straight away. It was full on day, you could choose the type of knife you wanted to create- even carving the handle from a block of wood. There was no wasted time or messing about; Alex kept the pace moving and helped everyone along so that no-one got left behind. Plenty of equipment and space to do your work safely. At the end everyone was pretty happy with their creations. This is an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable experience that I would highly recommend. My only regret is that I didn't think it through enough beforehand in respect of the type of knife I wanted to make. So I'll be going back and do another course."