Latest reviews

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

"Excellent course. Sue is a mine of information and takes time to show you whatever you need or want to learn. The beautiful surroundings are an added bonus! I made a ring which i will treasure and skills which i am keen to add to now i have had a taste of what can be done. A fantastic way to spend a weekend and im so grateful for Sues patience and experience."

Sue O'Mara Art responded:

"Hi Cheryl, thank you for the kind words. and anytime you want to come back it will be great to see you. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask :) Sue"

Rob reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"First time in a forge, so didn’t know what to expect but Graham, Dave and Dex made me feel really welcome in a very relaxed atmosphere. As a proper novice, the 1-day knife course was ideal. The instruction was clear, constructive but not intrusive - the guys got it just right. As a result, I was really pleased with my knife at the end of the day - testament to the quality of the teaching. In short, a great day and highly recommended."

Kat reviewed: Brush lettering kit - modern metallics in colour

"Bought this as a birthday gift for my mum in Australia. She’s a keen card maker, working to a high standard, and always looking for new designs to challenge herself with, but her hand lettering has not reached the level of her cardboard construction skills. Jen, who produces this kit, was beyond helpful, researching the cost to post abroad and providing a bespoke payment option for me and keeping communication open throughout. My mum was really impressed at the presentation and quality of the kit on arrival, and invited a couple of likeminded crafting friends to explore the kit over coffee. They all enjoyed following the written tutorials (with varied success!) and commented that the quality was excellent. Thank you so much for producing something so different for my very-difficult-to-buy-for mother, and for going to such lengths to get it to her in time for her birthday ?"

Jen Roffe responded:

"Thank you so much Kat, I am so pleased that your mum (and her crafting friends!) loved the kit ? I am delighted to have been able to help you out providing a brand new kit for her to enjoy and learn along with. Am glad she had an excellent birthday! Best wishes, Jen"

Mark reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"Fantastic beginners course, great insight into how to start making resin pieces, will definitely try to make the 2nd course to learn more."

Marina reviewed: Metal jewellery and silversmithing, beginner to intermediate, 4 weeks.

"I just finished the Course with Tracey. She is very helpful warm and approachable. She knows everything about making jewellery. Her workshop is very comprehensive and well organised. Just in for sessions she helped me to produced the silver set of earrings and pendant with cornelian stones!!! I will recommend this course most highly!!! Thank you Tracey ."

Sandi reviewed: Calligraphy: four-lesson correspondence and/or zoom courses with Gaynor Goffe

"Gaynor is an excellent and inspired tutor who will help you to master calligraphy from 0 to 100. I can highly recommend Gaynor to everyone wishing to have calligraphy taught by a truly professional and very attentive teacher. Thank you very much Gaynor, Sandi from Switzerland"

Julie reviewed: Small needle felted animals or pictures

"We had a wonderful time making rabbits with Barbara on this course. A small group and everyone was so friendly, can’t remember when we laughed so much and had so much fun. Great day out, got more confidence to have a go at making more needle felted creations."

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"I'm so pleased that you had a great day :-) and you both made the cutest characterful bunnies ever lol. There is the more advanced needle felting armature technique to learn next. Keep creating. Barbara"

Kevin Cheetham reviewed: Two day (consecutive) stained glass starter course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"A very enjoyable and informative experience. The two day course has inspired me to take stained glass making up as a serious hobby. From the outset Paul led us through every stage with meticulous attention to detail, only getting involved when necessary. I cannot recommend this course highly enough. And the tea was great."

North Norfolk Stained Glass responded:

"Hello Kevin - thank you for your feedback! Glad you enjoyed the course and the tea ☕️ ? Best wishes Natalie"

Damian reviewed: An Introduction to Pyrography Wood Art with Ruth Wheeler

"So it was pouring with rain and 10 degree’s colder but no matter to the talented Ruth. My first pyrography course and I learned a great deal. Very welcoming and I learned a great deal and created a piece far better than I expected. I will be back."

Sculpt IT - Ruth Wheeler Art responded:

"Thanks for your review Damian, I am pleased that you enjoyed it and learnt loads, hopefully see you on the next course."

Charlotte reviewed: Birds on a wire - creating small sculptures in Derbyshire

"Had a really lovely day with family. Liz was so welcoming, we felt immediately at ease and the studio is just beautiful. It was great to learn a new skill and Liz is an excellent teacher. We’re already planning what we can try next! Thank you :)"

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Charlotte, Thanks for taking the time to review your day. It was lovely to work with you all and a great way to celebrate multiple Birthdays. You all created some lovely pieces, with lots of originality and personality. Bert and I will look forward to seeing you. Best wishes Liz Wellby"

Luis Rosa reviewed: Make a leather belt at the Wolfram Lohr Hove Studio

"What an amazing experience! Wolfram is super friendly and knowledgeable and he makes you feel right at home. He gives you enough space to express your creativity but is always there to help and guide you through the process. I'm very pleased with the end result and I'll proudly show it to all my friends. Can't recommend this course highly enough!"

Jane Stubbs reviewed: Natural soap & cosmetic products workshop

"Had such a lovely day with Julie. There were 5 of us in the group and we were all made to feel very welcome with a cup of tea/coffee on arrival. The location was easy to find, parking was easy to locate and the cottage itself was a charm. We all had our own space where all the equipment and our first set of "creative" ingredients were laid out ready. To begin with we were made a soap load using the liquid soap method. Julie went into great detail, explaining the different methods of soap making before we moved onto creating our own soap scented with uplifting grapefruit. There were various colours to chose from, all natural, and lots of different embeds and embellishments to choose from. I went for poppy seeds and calendula. I was very pleased with the final result, which cut into 5 bars of soap. From there we went on to make a lip balm, body scrub, body butter, bath bomb and bath salts. Julie provided all the pots and labels needed and we were handed instructions on each to take away with us. The lunch we had was wonderful. It was a shame that Covid prevented the "afternoon tea", but they picnic hamper style box we each had was lovely, with sandwiches, cake, fruits, and a pastry along with a mug of tea. All in all a fabulous day. I would definitely recommend and will certainly be looking to take part in some of the other courses run by Julie."

Hannah Emerton reviewed: Taster pottery throwing lesson (various dates)

"What a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Jack was a delightful tutor and I even managed to make 3 pretty even looking pots.....rescued once or twice by Jacks skillful hands! A great introduction to using a pottery wheel. Will definitely do some more"

Bill Good reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"The level of tuition was exactly right - clear, well explained and the right pace. I was pleased to learn so much and come away with pieces that looked good. The facilities there are good, with a good light lunch and pleasant surroundings too. I'd readily go back for more, but wondering how and where I can put kit of my own! Many thanks to both."

Blended Monkey responded:

"Hi Bill, Thank you so much for a lovely review and we're glad you had a great time. If you do manage to find space, please keep in touch around your progress and shout if you have any questions or issues. -- Simon & Louise"

Ian reviewed: "2 Crafts in 1 Day!" pairs - woodturning & pottery experience

"We decided to give each other as a Christmas present 2020, the 2 crafts in 1 day course, wood turning and pottery with Blended Monkey, managed to book it in July. I have done woodworking which is not the same as wood turning and have never done pottery, my wife had not done either. The day started on time at 10am and ended at 5pm with one hour for lunch at 1pm. Enjoyed both, good teaching in the wood turning and we both manged to produce the set piece of a honey spoon. Also, good teaching in the pottery, three styles taught hand formed, slab and wheel. The wheel is the hardest one and found the slab the easiest or more productive style. We await the outcome of our pottery efforts when they have been fired. Lunch was provided which provided a relaxation and chance to chat, with the hosts Louise and Simon. Overall, I would recommend this Blended Monkey course, regardless of skill level."

Blended Monkey responded:

"Thank you for your review Ian :-). It was lovely having you and Ann in the woodturning workshop and pottery studio. You both produced some fabulous pieces and Simon and I enjoyed your company. Your pots are drying nicely and will be biscuit fired shortly. I'll let you know as soon as they are ready."

Shirley Scott reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery Workshop - Beginner - 1 Day - One to One

"What a fantastic day. I learnt lots of techniques in a wonderful environment and had all the help and support I could ask for from a wonderful lady. I would not hesitate to recommend this course. I knew nothing and came away feeling I had achieved a great deal, with two pairs of earrings that I made, and the skill and enthusiasm to want to make more."

Gifted Crafts Company responded:

"Thank you for taking the time and your lovely comments. Such a pleasure. Take care. Rach x"

Lynnette reviewed: Paper Making - Hand Made Recycled Paper

"My friend and I had a lovely time making decorative paper with Wendy. She supplied a nice mixture of dried flowers, glitter (eco), papers, seeds and even tea bags to make our individual sheets. Friendly, informative and a lovely couple of hours. We each made five different pieces and were given the molds to take home to continue crafting. Would definitely recommend."

Felicity reviewed: Small needle felted animals or pictures

"A fabulous morning spent making a lovely unicorn. Despite my ambitious ideas Barbara was helpful, friendly and enthusiastic. Thank you for a lovely morning!"

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"Thank you and well done for jumping in with both feet and creating an intermediate cute unicorn :-) . I do hope that you continue with needle felting. Barbara"

Amy Jones reviewed: Small needle felted animals or pictures

"Excellent course. Lovely small group. Made to feel very welcome."

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"Thank you Amy. Your bird looked fabulous, I hope you get the needle felting bug and continue with needle felting. :-)"

sue o'regan reviewed: Ashes to Glass Heart Sun Catcher (9cm)

"I found the customer service for this piece so refreshing. Crissy was very flexible and understanding when making this item for me. I will be buying from her again."

Owen reviewed: 2 day axe making course

"We had a great time on the 2 day axe-making course. The guys were great teachers, being patient, supportive and encouraging and always happy to help. And most importantly fun - we were all friends within hours. A really good experience!"

Margaret Everley reviewed: Stained glass weekly classes in Sheffield (South Yorkshire)

"I have been attending these courses for quite some time now and can thoroughly recommend them both for the tuition given by Martin and Kate and the atmosphere generated which is usually one of friendly, happy calm in a Covid secure workshop. During the last course Kate was not only helping the beginners to develop their skills but also keeping an eye on the rest of us and giving help, advice and encouragement where necessary. Looking forward to returning in September."

Erin reviewed: 1-to-1 Beginners Leatherworking Workshop

"A fantastic day where you get to play and experiment with different leathers and leather working techniques. She has taken some the mystery out of the how things are made and how you can get creative using leather. I now feel much more confident using this medium and cannot wait to see what future ideas she has for courses in the future! I will definitely be going back for more workshops in the future. Thank you very much Pipa!"

Margaret Everley reviewed: Introduction to fused glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"Another enjoyable, fun day and at the end the excitement of waiting to see how the pieces turn out.Martin is excellent at putting people at their ease and giving them the confidence to try their new skills and develop their ideas so there is always a mixture of new comers and returnees - like me!"

Kellie reviewed: Rucksack in a day workshop

"This was my third workshop with Rosanna, this time my fiancé joined us to make 'his & hers' rucksacks! We love the fact we’ve made something unique & learnt skills for future use. We thoroughly enjoyed the day, choosing the canvas, leather & the templates definitely made things easier. Rosanna is a great teacher and was always on hand, especially with some of the tricky sewing, which the sewing machines handled with ease. If you like crafting, the opportunity to learn from a great teacher, to use great materials & take away something unique then book yourself on this course, you won’t be disappointed!"

Rosanna Clare responded:

"Thanks for a lovely review Kellie - so glad you enjoyed it ?"