Latest reviews

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

"Brilliant course which resulted in a gorgeous quilt that I can't believe I made! Amanda is an excellent teacher, so patient and clear, and I had a wonderful day working with her and learning so much. Thank you Amanda!"

Amanda Jane Textiles responded:

"Dear Georgina, Thank you for your kind review. You are now so much at home with using a sewing machine and you were immediately comfortable with using the tools for quilt-making. I am so pleased! Amanda"

Thomas reviewed: Introduction to MIG welding and metal fabrication with Conan Sturdy, Artist Blacksmith

"I wanted to try out some welding to gather some experience and new skills. Spotting this course in the process and I booked myself in for a solo workshop. I arrived, Met Conan and we got stuck in after deciding what to make. (A rocket ship ornament for the Garden). Conan gave me a crash course on how MIG welders work, the safety equipment and the strength of tacks and different joins. I was even offered to try out some different MIG welders and later dabble with the forge and anvil. Conan is a great teacher, both patient, knowledgeable and willing to help out with work and ideas. (He made so many panels before we decided to scrap them as we ran out of time). Sadly, our Rocketship had to be a wire frame version instead. Though I am still chuffed to have something completed. Hands down a 5 star course! Would weld again! *****"

Conan Sturdy, Blacksmith responded:

"Good to hear you enjoyed the day, learnt about the MIG welder and got creative in the process. Thanks for popping down "

Tony Brown reviewed: Bowl Carving (Round Bowl) in Walderchain Wood

"What a great day we had yesterday at Walderchain Wood Kent A full day doing a Bowl Carving course. We learnt a lot about wood a lot about various tools and their uses. Who knew you could carve small items with an Axe. A very sharp Axe. Thanks to Mark a great patient instructor and his wife who cooked a locally gathered lunch. Well done to the pair of you and thank you "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Tony Thank you for joining us and for taking time to review your day here. Glad to hear you enjoyed the day and got so much from it. Keep making stuff. All the best Mark and Cristina"

Leonie Parkinson reviewed: Highland cow Powertex 2 Day

"We had a lovely couple of days creating our Highland Cows, Jan is lovely, knowledgeable and had lots of patience in making sure we were happy with each step while also allowing it to create our own piece. Thank you Jan we are looking forward to trying something else. "

Feline Fixins Powertex Fun responded:

"Thank you for your review Leonie, I enjoyed meeting you both and helping you create your unique cows. Thank you for the laughs. I hope to see you again in the future, you're welcome any time.xx"

Sharon reviewed: Autumnal Silver Clay Jewellery Workshop

"What a brilliant day, Julia was so lovely, nothing was to much trouble, I learnt loads of new things and can’t wait for the next course I booked "

Iris & Lolli Jewellery responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely review! It was a joy to have you in my classes & the pieces you made were all beautiful so you should wear them with pride! Look forward to seeing you again in November for some festive fun!"

Steph reviewed: Slate mosaic workshop at Jo Garden Art

"I’ve done two of Jo’s slate workshops - one making two small pieces and one making a larger piece. Jo is an amazing artist and makes crafting alongside her easy. Her workshop is in her beautiful garden, so is a lovely place to craft in - her cute dogs and kitten also add a level of magic to the day! Jo has a huge array of beautiful slate, glass, tiles and wonderful ‘bits’ to choose from. The workshop is well paced. Jo models each step of the process and is on hand to help you with every step of your make. At the end of the day, you leave with a huge sense of satisfaction and a beautiful piece of art that can go in your home or garden. If you enjoy being creative and are looking for a new craft to try, I’d recommend self-taught Jo. Give it a go - you won’t regret it!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Steph! Lovely to see you back in the studio to make your larger piece. It was really great - and I'm glad you strung it so you could hang it in each direction. See you again next year 🤗😄👍 Jo xx"

David Yates reviewed: Bowl Carving (Round Bowl) in Walderchain Wood

"I did the bowl carving course with Mark which was excellent. Mark is an inspiring teacher with the rare combination of great expertise, ability to get the message across to rank beginners, and all the time treating them with respect. The set up of tools and workspaces was well thought through and the tools themselves were obviously of very high quality and had been looked after in an exemplary way. The lunch was home cooked and delicious, and biscuits and coffee/tea available throughout. I can not recommend this course highly enough. Brilliant!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"David Thank you for such a lovely review of your time here. I'm so glad you enjoyed the day and gained so much from it. I hope you'll continue to make things now you see what you can achieve. All the best Mark and Cristina"

Paul Cowdry reviewed: Welding with confidence

"Had a fantastic day. Much more confident welding now. Nigel really knows his stuff and is a great guy to spend the day learning with. Some great stories to tell too. Definitely recommended."

Jen Clark reviewed: Slate mosaic workshop at Jo Garden Art

"Jo is a fantastic teacher, and doing the mosaics was just great. It was simple pleasure at it's very best. The value for money too is really good. Thank you and am planning my next workshop!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Than you Jen. So glad you enjoyed the day. As you say, it's simple pleasure, going at your own pace with lovely surroundings. Would love to see you back in the studio! Jo xx"

Helen reviewed: Slate mosaic workshop at Jo Garden Art

"Had a wonderful day at Jo’s workshop,she is such a friendly,approachable teacher and made the whole experience fun and relaxing."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Helen. Your slate art was lovely and will bring 'life' to wherever you place them. Jo xx"

Allisonh reviewed: Large outdoor plaster hare sculpture kit

"My sister and I both made the large hare kit. It was excellent fun and the hares are both amazing. It was easy to follow the instructions. Anyone could make this spectacular sculpture."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much for this review Allison - and for sending photos of both your fabulous hares 🤗. Really glad you enjoyed making up the kits - the big hare can seem daunting at first, but the process works every time! Jo xx"

Laura reviewed: Bead and Banter

"Wonderful course at BeadingDiva! Comfortable atmosphere and everything explained well. Jean is lovely. Fantastic for mindfulness. Highly recommend this course. "

Helen Tillett reviewed: Cyanotype Lampshade Print Making Workshop

"A fabulous day learning 2 new skills. Lisa is a warm and welcoming person, a great teacher, patient and generous. We cannot recommend this day highly enough, one of the best craft days I have five. "

Handmade Being responded:

"Hi Helen. Thank you so much for your lovely words! I’m so glad you enjoyed the day and got to explore two new skills. I really enjoyed meeting you and Jess, it was a pleasure to share the workshop with you both :-)"

K & B reviewed: Slate mosaic workshop at Jo Garden Art

"Had a wonderful day. Aside from the excellent instruction from Jo, and the myriad of material options out of which to make our pictures, the workshop setting is beautiful. A really relaxing ambiance. We thoroughly enjoyed our day and are now working out where to hang our art work! Thank you so much.😊 "

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much! The slate days are more 'zen' than the very busy hare sculpture days 😄. So many places your work can go - I hope you find the perfect spot. Jo xx"

Melanie reviewed: SAORI weaving taster session

"This course was fabulous. Totally absorbing and I went home ‘buzzing’. I loved every minute and learned so much from Amanda who was a very generous and encouraging tutor. Thank you"

Ali reviewed: Fused Glass Panel

"Excellent course, Claire is very knowledgeable and helpful. Would definitely recommend. "

Flora M reviewed: One to one needle felting session with Zenia aka The Lady Moth

"This was such an incredible experience. Zenia made my mother’s birthday incredibly special with her amazing one-to-one workshop, I would recommend this to anyone who wants to have a lovely few hours with a wonderful teacher. Thank you!"

Mina Crisp reviewed: Alcohol Ink Painting

"A lovely relaxed day at Barbara’s home learning all about Alcohol Ink painting. The technique allowed us to experiment with the paints on different surfaces. Barbara was the perfect teacher- calm and encouraging throughout the day. Barbara is very talented and inspired my young companion. A most enjoyable day. "

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"You were both very creative and made some lovely pictures to frame. I am pleased that you had a lovely day Mina and continue to explore alcohol Ink art :-) "

Gemma reviewed: Introduction to Professional Silver and Gold polishing with Sappho Brammer

"Sappho is a great tutor, she is very patient and has a lot of knowledge of the jewellery industry. This course is perfect if you want to achieve the perfect finish on your jewellery pieces."

Tim Osborne reviewed: Introduction to Professional Silver and Gold polishing with Sappho Brammer

"Sappho is an excellent teacher! She knows everything and is very patient / understanding with her students. Highly recommended! "

Phyllida reviewed: Introduction to folk art painting - Cumnor

"Great course, with a tutor who had thought of everything.. thank you. "

The Crafty Boater responded:

"Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed the workshop. "

Sally reviewed: Silver Ring Making Workshop for Beginners

"Had a lovely day ringmaking with Liz. I am a complete beginner and achieved more than I expected to. Made 3 rings and others made more. Thoroughly enjoyable day. "

Chris Rann reviewed: Mig Welding For Beginners Introductory Day Course.

"Excellent days tuition today, truly one to one instruction. Tony is very knowledgeable and very patient with my first stumbles into the MIG welding world. I really enjoyed the experience and hope to go back for another session when I have practiced a bit more with my own machine. I am confident now to have a practice under my own steam but know if I get stuck, I would be able to give a quick ring for advice. Well worth doing for a complete starter. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in starting MIG welding as a hobby. Very careful with the health and safety side of tuition to keep his students safe. Five stars from me!!!"

Newport Wrought Ironwork responded:

"Thank you Chris for your great review I really appreciate it. Carry on practicing in your workshop and if you require any further advice please feel free to contact me. Regards Tony "

Ali reviewed: Pyrography (wood burning ) Course with Kez Halliday

"Had a great day on Saturday with Kez. It was at a really good pace, starting with the basics. Kez was encouraging, sharing her expertise, knowledge and lots of hints and tips, really relaxing pace and the day flew by. I left with so much more confidence to develop. I would really recommend Kez and the course."

Emma reviewed: Introduction to Professional Silver and Gold polishing with Sappho Brammer

"Fantastic course. Certainly one to take if you want to give your jewellery that extra shine. Makes such a difference to the pieces I make. I’d highly recommend it to both those who already make & those who are just starting out & want to learn more. It’s a fantastic learning environment & you’re well supported. "