Latest reviews

Angela Rees reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"A really informative day. Ashleigh is very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. Very helpful and definitely went the extra mile by answering my questions and giving me advice on my own newly purchased loom. I had a brilliant day and felt that Ashleigh was a really adaptable teacher to my learning style. As a result I created a woven sampler that has impressed my friends and family already ."

Tartan Caledonia responded:

"Thankyou for you feedback. I look forward to seeing you soon to get loom ready for weaving. "

Margie reviewed: 1 Day Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - Lewes

"What a fantastic day! I learnt so much and Lucy was very patient and knowledgeable. It was fun, interesting and inspirational - best of all, I came away with a beautiful footstool. Lucy went above and beyond to help me finish my project, what a star! I'll look forward to the next course!"

Roundedby responded:

"Oh I thoroughly loved this day - everyone was so engaged, worked so hard and asked brilliant questions! Your footstool gave us a few unexpected challenges but subsequently we got to consider several different approaches, switch from single to double piping and make some more advanced cuts - well done & thank you for being such a thoughtful student! Lucy "

Will Johnson reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"Really good course, Mark and Christina were very welcoming. I was very pleased with my finished spoon."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Thanks for the review Will. Glad you enjoyed it. ATB Mark and Cristina"

Rod and Debbie Morris-Kirby reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking at Sallerton Wood

"My Wife and I had a wonderful day. Andy was a patient teacher and clearly an expert. The wood is a great setting and far removed from the bustle of our usual working day. Thoroughly recommended."

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Thanks for your review and recommendation, Debbie and Rod. We're glad to hear the two of you enjoyed the peace and tranquilty of Sallerton Wood, and that you enjoyed the course too. It's a lovely setting for the running of the course; enjoyed by the staff as well as the students!. "

Richard & Serena Frisby reviewed: Come Frame With Me 2 - Bring a Friend or Relative

"A first class experience and a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to the skills required to frame a picture, regardless of its value. My daughter and I had no previous framing experience and we both left the day much wiser and very pleased with our handy-work, ably tutored and guided by Ady. i would thoroughly recommend a framing course with Ady who is a first class and very patient instructor. Thank you for an enjoyable and informative day. I now appreciate the hard work that goes in to framing even the simplest picture, done well it makes all the difference. A bit of bottom heavy is a great tip, do the course and you will find out what this means!!! "

Studio 93 Framing responded:

"Thank you Richard, it was a pleasure to meet you both and to host you for the day. I hope you can use some of your new-found skills in the future. All the very best and I’m always available for any advice should you need it. "

Claire & James Jackson reviewed: Couple's Rose forging day in Grassington

"We absolutely loved the 5 hour rose making workshop. Richard was a great instructor - really knowledgeable and welcoming. It was so good to spend time learning something new and we made a lovely rose which will last forever. Already thinking about our next workshop! "

Will Adams reviewed: Stool making course at Sallerton Wood

"I thoroughly enjoyed my three days in the woods. Andy patiently takes you through the process of crafting a green wood stool - from wood selection, paring the timber using traditional methods to weaving a bark seat. We finished the course with a treasured piece of furniture and also well fed. Wood-fired pizzas for lunch was a particular highlight! Many thanks Andy. "

Sallerton Wood responded:

"It's great to hear that you enjoyed the course so much, Will. It's good to hear that you enjoyed the pizzas too! We look forward to seeing you again at Sallerton Wood, if you decide to return sometime. In the meantime, enjoy your stool! "

Vijay Khuttan reviewed: An introduction to flint knapping

"I thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was a fascinating insight into the lives of our distant ancestors. Jonny was able to impart and share with great skill the tools and technologies utilised many thousands of years ago. There was a new found respect for the ingenuity and skills required when trying this ancient art of flint knapping. There was also something very satisfying in working with this material. There was definitely a residual effect upon me. Jonny seemed to suggest it maybe in our DNA!! I thought there was a good balance between theory and practice but obviously more time would be necessary to work and develop those skills and techniques. Some fascinating people attended and I think more could have been done for interaction and working together which would be my only suggestion. "

Ingvild Engvik reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course at Pensychnant, near Conwy North Wales

"I really enjoyed my two days at the dry stone walling course, and learned a lot. Beautiful surroundings and welcoming hosts. Iolo was patient with us, and it was very cool to see the wall finished. "

Dry Stone Walling Association North Wales Branch responded:

"Thanks Ingvild. It was a very good course despite the weather on Saturday and the mud. The wall looks very good and when the whole length of all the previous courses is viewed as well it is very impressive. Regards Paul"

Gareth Meredith reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking at Sallerton Wood

"My father and I had a wonderful day on our introductory course. Andy was a great teacher, knowledgeable and patient too! The setting is delightful and really allows for a peaceful and immersive experience. Recommended without hesitation. "

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Thank you very much indeed, Gareth, for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that you and your father enjoyed the course, its tuition, and its woodland setting. We hope to welcome one or both of you back to Sallerton Wood one day for another course. "

Mark reviewed: Beginners Basketry - An Introduction to Willow Weaving

"Great venue, lovely staff and Emma was an excellent instructor with a wealth of knowledge. On top of that there was plenty of tea and a honey cake to die for. "

Barry reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"Thanks to Les, my fascination with woodturning has been nurtured even more and I'm considering picking it up as a hobby or even a profession in the long term. There are countless reviews talking about how amazing Les's sessions are and I just wanted to add mine as well. Overall, highly recommended and I'm delighted that I get to drink my morning hot beverages from the beaker that I turned from a fallen branch of Sycamore!"

Pren responded:

"Thanks foem those kind words and I'm delighted that you're usin g that beaker regularly."

William reviewed: Guitar Strumstick Dulcimer 3 strings instrument

"Bought as a present for my brother in law. His feedback was, and I quote, "Ted was brilliant, really knew his stuff. Can't believe I made a wee guitar thingymabob [dulcimer]""

Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses responded:

"Cheers Will, Craig did excel at the hand skills and I'm pretty sure he also gained some know how too ! I also learned about running over mountains LOL :-) Look forward to hearing from you both in the future and thanks for the booking. kind regards Ted "

Eiluned a Dafydd . reviewed: Weaving peaframes and hurdles at Usk Castle Chase

"Fantastic day outside learning how to work with Willow ... Amanda was very patient and allowed the group of 6 plenty of time to interact and catch up ! Felt wonderful bringing home to the garden our pea frames and hurdles.. just make sure you have a big enough boot to the car !! They are taller then you imagine. Diolch yn fawr . "

Anya reviewed: Silver Stacking Rings Workshop; with Lindsay Forbes of Laconic; Durham

"The course was great fun! Lindsay was amazing at explaining each step, and demonstrating what we would need to do. She was happy to check our work during the process to ensure everything was as it should be and gave us tips and tricks throughout to ensure we got exactly what we wanted. The time absolutely flew by and we came out with some new skills and some gorgeous rings! Thanks so much Lindsay for providing such an enjoyable course! I will definitely be recommending this to anyone looking for a unique experience!"

Bench Box responded:

"Thanks for your fab review Anya! I'm glad you had fun, you created some gorgeous rings to wear! "

Anna Forrest reviewed: Hand stitched leather laptop case

"I spent a very enjoyable morning in Rosanna’s studio making a laptop case. There was a choice of several different lovely colours of leather and thread, and Rosanna guided me step by step through the making process. Leather is a wonderful material to work with, and Rosanna gave me just the right level of guidance. I am really delighted with the quality of what I made. "

Ashley Lynch reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course at Pensychnant, near Conwy North Wales

"A very good two day course with excellent levels of teaching of various levels of skill. The day was well structured and guided throughout, showing the complete build from a poor condition existing wall to a fully built wall. An enjoyable course, good for all levels of skill and strength. All equipment provided and explanations throughout. Fully enjoyed meeting the teachers and working with others as a team with the aim to start to learn this skilled art. Good venue, lovely location to learn and good facilities with easy direction. "

Dry Stone Walling Association North Wales Branch responded:

"Thanks for that Ashley. You were certainly up for the challenge of those huge boulders. It was a very good weekend and a very good length of wall achieved. Regards Paul"

Helen Holbrey reviewed: Sewing Workshop : Make a Kimono Jacket

"As a novice I found this course excellent. From the packs, (containing everything you need including the pattern to make more at home), the clear and helpful tuition and the friendly atmosphere, it was a really enjoyable and informative evening. I felt very proud to make a beautiful garment. Thank you. I will definitely be signing up for more. "

Holloway & Dillon responded:

"Thank you Helen for such a glowing response, I enjoyed teaching you. Hopefully you are able to put into practice the sewing skills you acquired on the day. Happy Kimono making! Hope I will see you at one of my next workshops. Susan x"

Petra reviewed: An introduction to flint knapping

"I attended this course with a friend in April and can highly recommend it. Jonny is incredibly knowledgeable and a gifted (and patient!) instructor. You really get an insight into the prehistoric mind and you learn to look differently at those stones. By getting hands on with the practice of these ancient techniques you gain a sense of ancestral connection and continuity of human experience that is priceless in this digital age."

Jonny Crafts Things responded:

"Many thanks and glad you enjoyed the day."

Daniel Jacobs reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course at Pensychnant, near Conwy North Wales

"What an amazing experience. In a nicely low key way we spent two days taking down a wall, and then rebuilding it. On the second afternoon i think we all stood back amazed at what the group had achieved. The organisers were all very patient and supportive, and the other participants were such a nice bunch of people. This course changed my perception of what can be done - and this has massively helped us with our plans for our own walls."

Dry Stone Walling Association North Wales Branch responded:

"Thank you Daniel. It was a very good weekend and a very good section of wall at the end. It was good that we had the younger, stronger ones to handle those huge boulders. Best wishes to you and Becky. "

Di reviewed: Felt art workshop with Debra Esterhuizen ( wet felting and needle felting embellishments)

"A fantastic day exploring and creating with wool and textiles. Debra is a brilliant guide. Amazed that I came away with two pieces of work and so much inspiration. Thank you. "

Debra Esterhuizen responded:

"Thanks so much Diane so glad you enjoyed it and did such lovely work . Hope to see you again !"

Michael reviewed: Woodturning for beginners

"A hugely enjoyable experience which has laid the foundations for a new skill. Stuart was very thorough and patient and is clearly a master of his craft. No question was left unanswered and the workshop itself is situated in an incredibly beautiful part of Scotland, surrounded by pine forest. Very relaxing and humbling, highly recommended."

The Scottish Woodturner responded:

"So glad you enjoyed it Michael. Many thanks. "

Mel reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"The course was brilliant! Judith is a kind, encouraging teacher who explained each step really well and helped each of us individually too. Her studio space is beautiful and the perfect setting for the workshop. It was amazing seeing my drawings become prints, despite having never done any printing before. I loved every minute and definitely feel inspired to continue with lino printing! I’d highly recommend the course."

print paper stitch experiences responded:

"Thank you Mel, it was such a pleasure to spend the day with you and Hazel, I loved your beautiful prints and how experimental you both were. Enjoy creating more!"

Chris Hamlet reviewed: Work of Iron | The Forge on the Firth of Forth | Edinburgh | 1-Day Blacksmiths Knife Making

"I had a great day. Jack was articulate and patient. The facilities were a touch basic, but were perfect for everything I needed. I managed to achieve a lot more than I had anticipated. I would/will go back again. Nice guy, skilful and a good teacher."

Lindsey McBarron reviewed: Create with a Gel Printing Plate - Mono Printing Without a Press

"I cannot rate this course high enough. Alison is an inspiration and full of good ideas to get the best out of our pictures. I have 4 I will def frame for my walls. The venue in the South Downs is just right. Plenty of light and space. Tea, coffee and snacks supplied to keep us going. I have been on several of the courses and the high standard is always maintained"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Lindsey , thank you so much for your lovely feedback ! Gel plate is such a versatile process , it always makes for an enjoyable creative day with a host of exciting outcomes ! You produced some lovely work and I hope you are inspired to continue creating . Best wishes Alison "