Latest reviews

Anne Butler reviewed: Encaustic art beginners class - paint with molten wax

"I enjoyed a great day with Toni, her explanation of encaustic art was well thought out and explained to an absolute beginner. I bought all the equipment I need to continue with this fascinating art. Thank you Toni for igniting my enjoyment of art, it’s been a long time since A levels. I would have no hesitation of joint you again on a course. "

CG Crafts responded:

"I’m so glad you enjoyed the class and are going to continue with this wonderful art form. It was a pleasure to teach you."

Jennifer Trapp reviewed: Wheel Throwing Workshop

"Great session with Kate yesterday, lovely relaxed couple of hours learning some basics of wheel throwing with clay. Looking forward to collecting our ‘rustic’ creations in a few weeks once Kate has glazed and fired them. Easy location to get to and park up on road outside. Bonus cup of coffee on arrival! "

Gail & India reviewed: Jewellery design workshop - silver pendant or silver earrings

"Sheila made our 3hr experience great fun! She has a knack for quietly working out people's level of confidence and expertise and gives you just the help you need to make your ideas a reality. Couldn't have been happier with the earrings I made and although my daughter had done some jewellery classes in the past, she also learned from Sheila too. Can definitely recommend Sheila's class, as informative and exciting - great value and a really unique gift for anyone 👍😊!! "

Sheila Roussel Jewellery Design responded:

"Hi Gail & India, I'm really glad that you are happy with the earrings you made and India learned something new making her pendant. It was great to meet you both. Thank you for sending in the photos too. I wish you well with your Art Degree. Best wishes, Sheila"

Nichola Barron-Robinson reviewed: Hand Embroidery Workshop Friday 20th January 2023

"A thoroughly enjoyable session with a highly experienced and talented tutor. I have definitely learnt some new skills and gained a better understanding of embroidery techniques. "

Rachel M reviewed: Glass fusing whole day private course

"I had a great day doing a one-to-one fused glass course. Sarah was very welcoming and happy to answer all my questions about all sorts of things glass as well as adapt the contents of the day to suit my requests. Lunch was delicious (especially the cake) and it was incredibly useful to build my confidence before getting stuck in with my own kit. Thanks again Sarah, the last bits I needed to get started are on order and I better get practicing as our 4 year old is now desperate to design her own 'special glass pebble' after seeing my test piece!"

Sarah Greening Glass responded:

"I am so pleased to have helped your confidence to get started at home! Happy fusing! Thanks very much, Sarah "

Christian reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I had such a great time in the course and came away with a Viking knife that I’m genuinely proud of. I particularly enjoyed working between the forge and hammering on the anvil. Spencer was a brilliant instructor, he gave us a lot of independence but was still accessible for opinions and guidance. He was quick to tell me what I was doing right and constructive when explaining an error. I absolutely recommend to anyone interested. "

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Christian thanks for your comments , I will pass on the review to Spencer. I know he enjoys working with you all and he told me at the end of the day that he enjoyed the session as well. What is also really good is the feedback that we are doing it right for you guys ( trainees) and achieving the right mix of giving you the freedom but still keeping a close eye on you when needed . best wishes John"

Eve Williams reviewed: Lampshade Making Workshop with Clare Cosens

"Thank you Clare for a lovely morning. Really enjoyable. Clear and understandable instructions given by Clare. Her studio is light and bright and my fellow " trainees" were very nice. We had fun chatting whilst producing our lampshades. Thank you again for your skill, hospitality, and patience. I'm so pleased with the result. My lamp shade looks perfect in my Moroccan inspired living room."

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"Thank you Eve, your Moroccan inspired lampshade looked amazing! I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the workshop and I hope you go onto to make many more lampshades."

Lesley reviewed: Hand Embroidery Workshop Friday 20th January 2023

"lovely workshop, very relaxed, clear instructions from Annie regarding how to complete embroidery stitches, would definitely attend another Annie Morris workshop"

Janice Wilson reviewed: Walking stick making - Friday mornings, come and make a stick with Bill at Dukeries Community Workshop, Ollerton

"Really enjoyed my first session and looking forward to my next."

Dukeries Community Workshop responded:

"I will pass your kind comments onto Bill your tutor. Regards Alan "

Sian & Stef reviewed: Forge Your Own Wedding Rings- Blacksmithing Experience Day

"Just finished making our wedding rings with Jon at Kerr Forge. We'd previously visited on a knife making course and both times Jon was an excellent host and a great teacher - knowledgeable and patient. We are both so happy with the rings we've made and can't wait for the wedding so we can start wearing them. Thanks Jon! "

Tina reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing Workshop by Clare Cosens

"What an amazing afternoon so FUN and I produce a print that I’m so proud of I’m getting a frame to put it on the wall. Mainly to remind me how important it is to find time to be Creative . Clare is a fab teacher so concise in her instructions and such an intuitive guide. Will be up for more courses for sure and will be taking friends ♥️"

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the workshop and had fun being creative. Your prints looked amazing! Thank you for the lovely review and I look forward to meeting you again on future workshops. "

Lucy Sayles reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing Workshop by Clare Cosens

"The Gelli plate workshop was wonderful. Clare is fantastic tutor - she is clearly very experienced, she is patient and clear plus her enthusiasm for her craft is contagious and inspiring. We had a wonderful time and are looking forward to booking on the experimental gelli plate printing and mixed media workshops soon! Highly recommended."

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"Many thanks for your kind words Lucy. I'm glad you had a wonderful time. Your prints were fantastic - such beautiful detail. I hope to see you again soon on my experimental Gelli plate printing or mixed media workshop and hope you will find these equally inspiring."

Elga reviewed: SAORI weaving taster session

"Really enjoyed the taster workshop. Amanda is a great tutor and all four of us produced something we were pleased with. Lovely to learn something new and to have so many wonderful threads and extras to choose from."

BEAUTIFULcloth SAORI Studio responded:

"Thank you very much Elga, it was a joy to share SAORI weaving with such a fun group of friends!!"

Vanessa Baylay reviewed: Art clay silver

"It was fantastic- we learnt lots and are hoping to Try at home. We were well supported. Such a fun day "

Goldwrightsjewelleryschool responded:

"It was such a lovely day, your jewellery was so lovely and hopefully you have found a new hobby, thank you lady’s Jade x"

Neus reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery making class at Sandra Kerns Jewellery studio, Little Sampford

"Sandra is lovely and her workshop is amazing! Hands on, you get to participate and choose what you will do and she is great guiding, teaching and supporting you along the way. We got amazing pieces to take back home, and had a wonderful time as well! Would definitely repeat and recommend."

Sandra Kerns Jewellery responded:

"Thank you - it was an absolute pleasure and I’d love to see you both again. X"

Colin Smith reviewed: French Polishing workshop full day with Rob Cain

"Excellent day course on French polishing made fun and enjoyable by Rob and his excellent sense of humour. Rob also shared many tips and trade secrets and was generous with his encouragement, energy and positivity. "

The Old Polishing Shop responded:

"Hi Colin, was an absolute pleasure to spend the time with you , and thanks so much for these encouraging words, and for picking up the skills with ease , all the very best Rob "

Libby Batacanin reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I was welcomed and within a few minutes had a hot drink and flapjack. The instructions were very clear and Jonny and Becky were very patient. A lovely hot lunch for a very reasonable price. The day was value for money, I felt proud of my basket though it wasn’t the best of the group. I went with two friends who also enjoyed it. I would certainly consider doing another one sometime in the future."

AJ reviewed: Welding For Beginners

"Friendly atmosphere, great environment. A cracking day getting to grips with arc and MIG welding. So good to benefit from Liam's practical experience ad patient tuition, something you won't get from watching videos online. Great value and thoroughly recommended. I'm now off to buy a welding machine..."

Sara Jones reviewed: Bespoke Workshop Day - Sara J

"Excellent experience! We were warmly welcomed and instantly knew that we'd have a great day, as we were listened with enthusiasm. The wealth of knowledge was incredible and we left feeling that we had gained many skills. Thank you so very much!"

Ali McGill reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"I booked this course for myself and my mum, it was a small studio which was very relaxed. My mum has early onset dementia and Josephine was patient and broke down the skills into manageable chunks. We were very successful in our doggie creations and came away very happy :-)"

Pauline Curtis reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"3 of us did this course the hosts John and Becky were very welcoming when we arrived. The day starts with a warm cuppa and cake. Then with lots of help and loads of patience from our hosts we all made a beautiful basket as did all the class. We had a great lunch made by a local supplier and of course followed by more cake. I would say a terrific fun day had well worth the cost. Would certainly recommend for people looking for something different to do."

Sharon warnes reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day for 2 students

"The course was brilliant and Les is a careful and excellent tutor. We would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn, improve or to professionals. Great"

Pren responded:

"Thank you Sharon, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the day."

Kate Gilbert reviewed: A day on the tiles: one-day mosaic workshop

"I did this course yesterday and it was great. Fiona is very welcoming and it was a relaxing day. There are lots of tiles to chose from. You can make mosaics for indoors or outdoors. I would definitely recommend Fiona course. "

Claire Smith reviewed: Woodturning for beginners

"I have just finished my two day course with Stuart, and it was a great experience and very informative. I was a complete novice with a desire to learn this craft in order to gain enough of a feeling for it to know if I want to move forward with it and get my own workshop. Stuart was knowledgable, patient, with a passion he wants to pass on, I now know what the craft takes from preparation and design to hand tools, machinery and taking you to a final product. His workshop was organised, stocked, warm and fully equipped with PPE. I would highly recommended with course for any level, from someone who fancies and day or so out to try something new, to someone who want to pick this up as a hobby or a professional who just would like to improve or learn new skills. I’m confident from what I’ve learned that I will take this further and I know that when I’m set up on my own I will book again to keep learning more from Stuart."

The Scottish Woodturner responded:

"Thanks for that great review Clair. Hope to see you again when you are up and running."

Mark reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"I really enjoy every aspect of the day. The course leaders are skilled and interesting people, other participants were great company and my Japanese chopping board was pretty good (if I say it myself)."

Explore The Great Outdoors. responded:

"Thank you for your kind words.. Yes you did a really good job., Well Done."