Latest reviews

Derek & Lynne Campbell reviewed: Potter's wheel pottery - half day course Siramik

"What a fantastic way to pass 4 hours, this treat was a gift from my daughter 2 years ago, covid obviously got in the way. Trying something different was the idea and what a good one. From the first minute, Yoka makes you welcome, we and 4 others were educated on the various clays available and their origins before a brief understanding of glazes and finishes, both entertaining and educational. Nobody in the group had any experience of "throwing" a pot but after a demonstration from Yoka and a slow, stage by stage attempt ourselves, with lots of one-to-one help from Yoka we all managed to get something resembling a pot on our wheels. Quite a sensation of actually achieving something. We went on to make 3 further pots, generally, each attempt being better than the last actually started shaping them!!!! A really fun, informative morning. Yoka is delightful, a great teacher and as others have noted a Master (can I use that term) Potter, her beautiful work on display and for sale is a testament to her skill. A great morning out, suitable for all ages, highly recommended"

Siramik responded:

"Hello Derek and Lynne, thank you so much for your review, much appreciated. The course was made successful because of you. Great students and learning a great skill which your lovely pots are an legacy off. Now waiting till they are fired and glazed. Won't be long. Thank you."

Ida reviewed: Glass fusing workshop - half day

"Did the 4 hour course with a friend of mine and we had the best time. Just picked up our items and we still can’t believe we made them! Just an amazing workshop! :)"

Fired Glass responded:

"Thank you Ida. You and Katrina made some wonderful pieces. Jill and I are delighted you are happy with them and that you enjoyed your time with us too! Kind regards John"

Richard Ward reviewed: Bandsaw box making day

"Great Course and very fulfilling day - Thanks, Ted! Highly recommended... Ted was a good, easy-going (and very patient) tutor and was very happy to answer my questions, even beyond the box making course. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole day and will definitely be going back for another course. Thanks, Ted (looking forward to the next)"

Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses responded:

"Thanks Richard you have some good skills at hand indeed. Hope you are well and look forward to seeing you soon mate ! kind regards Ted"

Margaret Martin reviewed: One day introduction to stained glass for complete beginners (copper foil method)

"This is a fabulous course. As a total beginner at this craft, with the lovely Sally’s help and guidance, I left at the end of the day with an amazing piece of stained glass which I’m thrilled with and proud of. Sally is a superb tutor and shared her skills and knowledge and was on hand to help, assist and advise throughout the course - I even managed to use a soldering iron for the first time ever! I was so impressed with Sally’s support and encouragement during every step of the process and appreciated the strict health & safety regime that Sally insisted on to keep me safe during the course."

Craft Workshops responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review. You created a wonderful stained glass saling boat which you should be very proud of - well done! Look forward to seeing you in the workshop again soon :)"

Karen M reviewed: Macrame - Wall Hanging

"Great fun learning how to create a macrame wreath. Wendy leads the way with the basic knots but you are given the freedom to continue to express your own style. There is a choice of wire shapes: heart, star, rainbow and many more. Then you can have one or two colours to make the macrame. So pleased with my shooting star that I bought two wireframes and the cord to make more at home for Christmas presents. Well worth the cost and two hours spent in a delightful craft room enjoying the company whilst learning how to create beautiful works of art. Thank you, Wendy."

Susan Mackenzie reviewed: Reclaimed Wooden Personalised Box Crate

"Replied to messages promptly. Delivered in good time. Love the product."

Gifted Crafts Company responded:

"Thank you Susan. So pleased you like it. And so kind of you to take the time to write a review. All the best. Rach"

Jackie Strohm reviewed: Sculpture workshop two days with Jo Garden Art in beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"Best 2days ever .i loved it .. Nice small group plenty of time for everyone .generous with supplis and all that u needed was at hand ...i dont like holidaying alone and this year i found the perfect break that was better than any holiday .returned home a relaxed and happy person. Thanks so much .love my hare and see u next year"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"What a lovely review - thank you Jackie ;-) Looking forward to seeing you back in the studio Jo xx"

Hilary Ann Holt reviewed: One day introduction to stained glass for complete beginners (copper foil method)

"I attended the course - an Introduction to stained glass for complete beginners (copper foil method) and very successfully made a beautiful gnome. I was a complete beginner. Sally was extremely attentive and I felt very guided by her throughout the day. Many of the skills needed to make the stained glass gnome were very intricate and as the group was small, Sally was always on-hand to help. We had a very enjoyable time and left Sally's workshop feeling very proud."

Craft Workshops responded:

"Thank you Hilary - we did have a lovely day and your stained glass was amazing! From total beginner to completed gnome decoration in a day - well done :)"

Caroline Dickson reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Beginners Morning Course - Weaving an Autumn or Christmas Wreath, Tenterden

"Such a lovely morning making a door wreath woven from willow. Marianne is a patient and kind teacher and it was most enjoyable."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, Caroline! It means so much to me, that you had a super time. The atmosphere was wonderful again and you made it even more special, adding your artistic flair. Look forward to seeing you again soon, who knows, at another basketry course. Many thanks again. With best wishes, Marianne x Crafty Basketry"

Andrea Jenn reviewed: Embellished wire & paper wall hanging workshop

"I attended this workshop with an arty and creative friend, and had my doubts about my own levels of creativity and what I would be able to achieve. However, I was so pleased with the results and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. It started with the location - what a wonderful gem of a place in Leek to hold the workshop. Lovely quirky cafe with a nice atmosphere. Everything was well organised, we all had our own visors for Covid safety, which were so good I forgot I had it on and tried to drink my coffee through it! Judith is very friendly and welcoming, gives great tips and instructions and talks you through the techniques, the tools and the materials. Really helpful and the time just flew by, it was very relaxing even though I was concentrating. Lovely lunch, back to more making and then yummy tea and cake before finishing our items. This workshop definitely brought out my creative side. If you are a craft hobbyist, you will love it. If you are worried like me that you are not very "arty" - you will love it!"

Judith Brown Jewellery responded:

"Thanks for the lovely review Andrea! I'm so pleased that your doubts about your creativity were swept way and you really enjoyed the day, I hope it means you might try other creative things in the future, that you might not have felt confident in trying before this workshop."

Norma reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"Just spent a fabulous day with Rachel. David and I came with ideas of what we wanted to make and were delighted to come home with finished items that we were proud of. Rachel was a kind and patient teacher and we had a lovely creative and relaxing time. Sadly now addicted and Rachel has given lots of advice as to what is needed if we want to carry on at home. The day was well worth the money."

James Agg reviewed: Glass fusing workshop - 2 hours (pm)

"My 8yr old daughter and I attended the 2hr session and loved every minute. From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel exceptionally welcome. Jill's instruction and guidance made the process very enjoyable, allowing us to get absorbed into the creation of our pieces. The time absolutely flew by and we will have to return again to do it all again!"

Fired Glass responded:

"We are delighted you both felt that way James, that is our aim with every course and attendee. Thank you for considering us again in the future. Regards John and Jill"

Paula reviewed: Spoon carving taster session

"Excellent afternoon course where we got to carve our own spoons. Dave was a fantastic teacher, patient and supportive, and clearly passionate about the craft. It was a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. I would thoroughly recommend."

Lisa W reviewed: Natural soap & cosmetic products workshop

"I thoroughly enjoyed making soaps, bath salts, bath bombs and body butters with Julie. I liked the fact that we made everything using oils so the duration of the products made will last longer. Julie shared so much including her templates, the products she makes including how to make a holder for soaps without the use of scissors. Lunch was beautifully served, it was a fun and very informative day. Julie also shared her suppliers and recipes in a timely manner. Thank you so much for a great day!"

Rochelle Ham reviewed: Hand spinning workshops - Norfolk

"Fantastic learning experience, really helped me to understand the how's and whys of spinning as well as the skill itself - and s good few tips and tricks!"

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Rochelle. It was a pleasure to meet you and Lisa and I am so pleased that you enjoyed your day and found it helpful. Your spinning was fabulous so I shall look forward to hearing all about your progress in the future. Well done."

Sarah reviewed: 2 day jewellery/silversmithing course - all materials provided

"I really enjoyed this course, Sue was so accommodating about my hearing impairment and made me feel really comfortable about doing the course. It was a great way to learn the basic core techniques for jewellery making and be really hands on. A relaxing and fun time in beautiful surroundings. Sue is an absolute delight !"

Sue O'Mara Art responded:

"Thank you Sarah, I am so glad you enjoyed your course. You made lovely bangles to 'jingle' :) Hope to see you again soon, for the casting day. Take care, Sue"

Garry Humphreys reviewed: Copper foiled glass intro at Blue Kite Stained Glass

"Very much enjoyed the day. Learn't all the basic skills required to produce a piece of work that at least my wife was impressed with. I am now starting to acquire the equipment needed to continue. Many thanks Iain."

Blue Kite Stained Glass responded:

"Thanks Garry, glad you enjoyed it - keep up the good work!"

Ailison reviewed: Short evening course in Copper Foiling Technique

"I recently did the four week copper foiling evening class with Sharon at AWOL studios. First things first, before telling you how brilliant this course was (and it is) I should fess up that I have done three other courses with Sharon - a mosaic introduction and two stained glass panel courses. It's safe to say I think she's brilliant. Back to copper foiling - Sharon is knowledgeable and a wonderful teacher. The studio is set up excellently with very generous work space, and all materials were included in this course in the price. The amount of glass to choose from is amazing - no cheap shortcuts here, thank you! - and Sharon is always on hand to help with any design issues. I completed three pieces, a small practice sun catcher, a bird from Sharon's design collection plus a fox that I found online. I'm really pleased with all three, and I want to do another course in the New Year, timing permitting. If you're thinking about it, stop thinking and do it. You won't regret it. The two and a half hours flew by each Thursday and I felt a real glow of accomplishment. Course mates were brilliant and we all cheered each other on (I am still in awe of the rainbow star and the goldfinch). It's hard sometimes to mentally commit to an evening class; I felt the same. But each time, after I dragged myself out, I found myself happy and engaged and energised at the class. The fact that Sharon also provides tea and stellar choccy biscuits may have helped also.... I highly recommend any of Sharon's courses and this one in particular - I will be back for more."

Cliff Broom reviewed: Furniture upcycling workshop - 1 day

"I really enjoyed my day learning how to upcycle furniture with Hannah. She took us through the whole process from start to finish and it was ideal for a complete beginner like me. The pace was excellent and the supporting materials meant that we didn't have to try and remember everything. Hannah was a very patient and supportive tutor and I would thoroughly recommend the day."

Tread Softly responded:

"Thanks Cliff! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the course. It was a really fun day and I loved how ambitious you were with your design. I can't believe that you are a beginner! Amazing! Thanks so much for coming on the course, it was a pleasure to meet you :)"

Heather Janet Church reviewed: Natural soap & cosmetic products workshop

"Great in many ways 1) Instructor made you feel at ease 2) Location was absolutely adorable and craft inducing 3) Lovely lunch although the only comment I would make is a little more savoury and less sweet perhaps? It was sandwiches then cake, yoghurt, tart and fruit. Perhaps swap the tart or cake for some crisps? 4) A lot more to take home then I realised. Definitely great value for money and I will be booking more courses like this."

Nicola Bowyer reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"What a fantastic day, Jake was a brilliant teacher, so patient. I had never done wood turning before and he explained everything so well. The course was one to one so I had loads of time to practice. I’m so glad.I booked and now I’m hooked"

Jo and Lara reviewed: Amazing encaustic art for two people Day Course

"What a brilliant day. My 12 year old daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our day and were amazed at what we could achieve in the day. Phil is an excellent teacher and made us feel very welcome. We enjoyed the art form so much that we have bought the starter kit and we can't wait to have another go at home. We will definitely be back for another training session so that we can expand our knowledge. Thanks Phil."

Phil Madley responded:

"Thank you. Thank you. Look forward to taking you on the next steps of your encaustic journey. You probably don’t realise but this review has taken me to Platinum level. Also big Thankyou to all the people that reviewed my course x"

Jasvinder Patel reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop

"Absolutely amazing class. I could do this class over and over again because Pauline created a wonderful relaxed class, brilliant room setting, great location, course plan was easy to understand and was not overwhelming. Even as a complete beginner you will come away from this class very knowledgeable and have the confidence to get stuck into candle making. The materials given were really easy to understand at home too. I really recommend this class highly, you really will come away with so much whether it be for a hobby or even if you want to make and sell your own candles. I can't get enough I will certainly be back for more. Pauline's classes are very addictive and so much fun I love it. Thank you Pauline xxx"

Bonita Candles responded:

"Thank you Jas for your awesome feedback. It means a lot to us. You was a great participant in the group. I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon. x"

JACKIE BROOKS reviewed: Wet Felted Flowers

"Myself and my sister-in-law did this course this week. The tuition, the space and the hot drinks (and biscuits!) were all excellent. Shame our skills didn't match up to this but we are still proud of our finished flowers and now feel quite able to have another go at home. Thank you for a very enjoyable morning."

Hazel reviewed: Upholstery workshop afternoons - bring your own project

"The upholstery class I attended last weekend was excellent. I stripped down and made great progress covering a small chair (although there is still more to do) under expert guidance and in a friendly environment. This was my first attempt at upholstery and I am looking forward to my next class."

Jody Gray Upholstery School responded:

"Hi Hazel. Thanks so much for leaving a review and for your lovely comments. We shall see you in January Graham"