Latest reviews

Andy White reviewed: Router Day Class

"Great course : A Day with a Router. The whole day went very smoothly and I was not disappointed in the slightest. Full of content and quite a tiring day. We covered all aspects of routing with particular attention to safety - a huge must! For me the routing table and free hand was excellent. Full hands-on with every question answered clearly. I would certainly go back for another course. Congratulations David and Thank-you. Andy W "

June Riley reviewed: Linocut - Print your own greetings cards! EVENING workshop

"A thoroughly enjoyable evening learning Lino cutting. Thanks to Judith I produced a far more accomplished result than I expected as a complete novice. This is something I will definitely want to take further."

Rambling Hen Prints responded:

" Thank you for your lovely review June! Your linoprinted wreath cards are sure to get a lot of admiration from the lucky recipients!"

Christine reviewed: An Introduction to Weaving with a Table Loom, Oxford

"I had a lovely day learning how to weave. The day was well organised, and everything set out in a lovely studio. Jeremy was very patient, and I could work at my own speed. Having started with no knowledge or experience I am now a convert and eager to do more"

Jeremy Uden Designer/Handweaver responded:

" Thanks Christine. I'm really glad you enjoyed the day and that you're a new convert to weaving! Jem"

Claire Parker reviewed: Fused glass at the Stratford School of Jewellery

"Really enjoyed this workshop, small numbers so plenty of help when needed. Would definitely recommend Thanks so much Helen "

Annemieke reviewed: Full day pottery experience

"Fantastic course, friendly staff, took great care to teach me one on one, would highly recommend. "

The Crafty potter responded:

" Thankyou for your lovely review, it was a pleasure having you join us in the studio. You did awesome x"

Anthony Lupson reviewed: Sword making course

"This course is wonderful. Andy is great teacher. I have a huge respect for blacksmiths, and this course has only deepened that. This three day course is worth every single penny. The one-to-one teaching was excellent."

Veronica reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"Really enjoyable day. Jon and Becky were excellent teachers and so patient! Can't believe that I brought home such a big basket! Great to learn some baskets techniques. Would recommend this course. "

Kath Busfield reviewed: Hare Sculpture one day workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"Fab 1 day course. We had a great day... it was very relaxing and good fun. We have all come away with a hare.... all very different but all really impressive. Would definitely consider a 2 day course or doing the 1 day one again!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

" Thank you Kath - I often have people return for another 1 day workshop as they know the process in advance and have worked out what they wish to do. As you saw from the photos, the 2 day course is just bonkers fun!!! Jo x"

Val Murphy reviewed: Hare Sculpture one day workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"This was a lovely day making hares. Jo is a great friendly tutor explaining and demonstrating in a clear easy to understand way and we all came home with sculptures that exceeded our expectations."

Jo Garden Art responded:

" Thank you Val! I keep on tweaking my explaining & demonstrating, so it's lovely to hear the delivery works 🙌. Jo x"

ANNIE reviewed: Beginning spinning

"A very interesting course in a small group with a supportive atmosphere. There is a lot to learn and we all gained a lot of skills with Caths guidance. I was pleased to bring home some lovely yarn and hope to develop my skills further in future"

Beechwood Crafts responded:

" Thank you Annie, it was lovely to meet you and see your skills developing so well. Your yarn was beautiful. best wishes Cath "

Hannah reviewed: Beginners Woodworking: Make a Bread Board

"I chose this course as a taster to see if I wanted to invest more time and money into woodworking. I’m glad I did! The class size was just right with everyone getting enough time to complete the steps and use the machinery. Richard is a very balanced tutor, there to offer support and advice but also allowing you to explore your own ideas and find your own way with the tools. I’m currently looking at Richard’s other courses as well as ones more focussed on joinery and hand tools. Thanks for a great day. "

Carole H reviewed: Jewellery making for beginners in the Vale of Clwyd

"After my one-and-a-half-hour drive, Lucy welcomes me with a relaxing hot drink – especially useful as winter approaches. We then review the project, agree on a plan and proceed to a wonderful day of jewellery making. Lucy is a great teacher with lots of patience, keen to encourage creativity, and I continue to learn a lot."

Caitlin reviewed: An Introduction to Weaving with a Table Loom, Oxford

"So fun, so interesting! I agree with the other 5* reviews; Jem is patient, clear & generous with his time & expertise. High calibre of biscuits, too."

Jeremy Uden Designer/Handweaver responded:

" Thanks Caitlin. I'm really glad you enjoyed the day. Jem"

Nat reviewed: Beginners Woodworking: Make a Bread Board

"The course was good and Richard was an amicable and thorough instructor. I really recommend it if you want to get a taste of working with wood and to see if it's a hobby for you. My only gripe was that everything was done with machines, which is not a bad thing, but it does mean I can't really take the things I've learnt on the course and try myself as I don't have access to a fully kitted out woodworking studio! Also, it's advertised as 7½ hours duration (10:00am to 5:30pm), so I was really surprised and disappointed to find myself being done and leaving at 2:30pm. That was 3 extra hours I thought I'd paid for that I wasn't getting. I'd almost spent longer travelling to get there than I did on the course. "

The River Shop responded:

" Hi Nat, Thanks so much for your feedback. Our course times have been a tough one to get right for some time now. We are now currently we running a 5 hour course rather than 7.5. Although when the winter cold arrives we will go back to 7.5 to allow more drying time for glue. The workshop tasks don’t vary at all. Noted re machining. We do offer the facilities of our workshop to students who want to embark on bespoke projects although this might not be suitable for those that travel further. If you’d like any input on best tools to buy starting off, do not hesitate to get in touch. Thanks again for coming today and we appreciate your input. Hopefully we have you back for another course soon. Look out for your breadboard in the post! Richard "

Ben reviewed: Beginners Woodworking: Make a Bread Board

"Fantastic course to dip your toes into woodworking! Richard was a great teacher and I’ll certainly be looking into some more advanced courses with him."

Carolina Preo reviewed: Online Lino Printing Course with Oxford Linocut Workshops

"Claire was really lovely and so very accommodating when something came up and I could no longer do the original date for the course. Picked up lots of useful tips for embarking on my printmaking journey! "

Teresa Robinson reviewed: Autumn copper wreath workshop with Gill Bridgestock

"I attended this course last week and thoroughly enjoyed it . Gill had everything ready for us to successfully complete the wreath with clear instructions. Even as a total novice it was very satisfying to have an end product that I will be very proud to display ."

Gill Bridgestock Metal Artist responded:

" Thanks Teresa your creative skills showed no bounds and your creation cries out to be on show! X"

Andrea Woods reviewed: Create with a gel printing plate in Derbyshire

"I can highly recommend geli printing with Liz. She was welcoming, very knowledgeable and supportive throughout the day. The course is thoughtfully structured with demonstrations and tips interspersed with practice time. A beautiful goodie bag to take home with your work is the icing on the cake. Slipper Studio is a fabulous venue, cosy due to the log burner and very inspiring with Liz's beautiful work on show. And with the added benefits of a studio cat, pristine facilities and chocolate biscuits, what more could you need. I can't wait to return for more."

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

" Hi Andrea, Thank you for taking the time to let me know about your day and thank you so much for your kind words. It was lovely working with you and I am absolutely stunned and sat here with a huge smile on my face. I love running workshops and get to meet such lovely folks. I am very fortunate to have such a great place to live and work and sharing it with other people is such a pleasure. It will be great to welcome you back, so hope to see you here in 2023. Best wishes Liz Wellby "

Sharon I reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop 9.30am-4.30pm

"Had an absolutely fantastic day on the course last week and came home excited to book another session. Sarah was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful throughout the day making sure to spend time with each of us, answering any questions we had. She explained how the day would pan out early on and was really friendly engaging in conversation as a group so we could get to know each other. It was a lovely calm environment and I will most definitely book again as soon as I’m able to. Thank you for a lovely day! "

Elaine reviewed: Stacking Rings - Jewellery Making Workshop

"Vicky was super lovely from start to finish. Very friendly with easy to follow directions to make some beautiful jewellery. I'm a total beginner and with her help I was able to make some beautiful rings I was really proud of. "

Bigbury Mint responded:

" Hi Elaine Thank you for your review and your comments, they are much appreciated, I have passed them onto Vicky who thanks you very much. Kind regards Dawn"

madeleine reviewed: SAORI weaving session with Wayward Weaves (Weds evenings 7pm-8.30pm)

"Nicola is a wonderfully encouraging teacher who has worked out a way to get you straight into weaving... no overload of information, just gentle support and tips... loved the class"

Wayward Weaves responded:

" Thank you Madeleine! I'm really happy that you enjoyed the session, it was great to have you there. Hopefully see you again soon in the new studio...."

Jo reviewed: Beginners 2 sterling silver stacking rings jewellery course

"Attended this course today as a total beginner with no experience and had a great day. Sarah was so lovely and welcoming, very relaxed and not rushed. I am so proud of my stacking rings and now have a much greater understanding of what it takes to make handmade jewellery. I would happily recommend Sarah's course as I had a lovely day... Thank you so much X"

Nathan reviewed: Beginners 2 sterling silver stacking rings jewellery course

"This was a gift for my birthday and I have to say it was a really good experience. Sarah was very welcoming and explained all the steps/techniques perfectly. I would highly recommend "

Maya reviewed: Beginners half-day one to one pottery throwing workshop for 1 person

"Brilliant! I learnt absolutely loads and really enjoyed my course. Louise gave a demonstration, and then I got straight in making loads of my own pots, plates and bowls with helpful tips as I went. I really look forward to picking up my finished items soon. Many thanks Louise - I hope to be back again. "

Dyfan and Charlotte reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop

"Such a well organised course with all participants having their own workspace and hob to make the candles. Pauline and the team were all so friendly and accomodating. Pauline’s passion for her craft really shines through. We learned a lot about making candles and also had lots of fun. We really hope to book again!"