Latest reviews

Graham Slinn reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"As a relatively new woodturner but a background in building I was looking for someone to fill in the gaps and give me some practical direction to develop my turning. Colin tailored the day to suit me and my questions, with demonstrations, hands on exercises, notes of different techniques, and examples of his work showing points he was making. I was especially interested to learn practical ways to harvest and prepare logs to build up stock for the future, something he does himself. I got guidance in sharpening my own tools on my own system and advice on tools I want to buy. No point in having the best display of tools on your wall when you only need the ones to do the job. He clarified the use of texturing tools for me and we did a bit of colouring as well. Colin is a very talented, practical and successful craftsman in his own right, which makes him a very good teacher. If anyone is thinking of getting into woodturning, a day with Colin would be the best thing to set you in the right direction ideally before you bought your gear as he would save you a lot of time and money. The best day I've had in a long time, many thanks Colin"

Devon Wood Crafts responded:

"Thank you Graham. Happy turning!"

Peter reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"My son and I had a great day. We had waited over 12 months for this and it was worth it. Graham and family were excellent teachers. The day was very informative and they explained every stage very well. Very aware of our needs and caught us just in time when we were going wrong. Eventually producing a knife that I will always treasure because I made it. Excellent day, James and I really enjoyed it. Thanks again."

Joseph bloom reviewed: Copper wire jewellery Workshop, Madeley, Cheshire

"We went as a couple to make each other a ring as a surprise for my partners birthday. It was AMAZING! Personable, comfortable and Kami went above and beyond, a truly lovely lady. Ended up with beautiful pieces of jewellery and a very fond memory. I implore others to give it a try :)"

Mya Designs responded:

"Hey Joe and Chrissy Thanks so much for coming to the workshop and so good to meet you. I love the way you guys went with the flow with your designs. So glad you made use of all the tools and great that you personalised your rings with letter stamps, which makes them absolutely unique to you both. You looked so very happy with your finished creations. Looking forward to seeing you again in the future :)"

Toby reviewed: Introductory pottery wheel throwing taster sessions

"Booked in for a taster pottery wheel throwing session and had an excellent time. Had no experience with pottery and no idea what to expect. Lorraine was very friendly and a great teacher. Gave use a short but useful demonstration and then allowed us to get straight into it, giving us plenty of time to have a go ourselves. Have recommend to family and friends and look forward to returning to see how our pottery turns out after being professionally finished by Lorraine."

David Taylor reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"Mike is an excellent teacher, I learnt a massive amount from him in a day. A fantastic experience all round and would definitely recommend!!!"

Kerry mills reviewed: Contemporary Furniture Refinishing & Upcycling with Woodcare - 2 Day Workshop

"This was a fantastic course and Ollie is a great tutor. I have learnt a lot from him about how to bring wood and furniture back to life. Due to the variety of students and furniture pieces I also had the opportunity to learn about french Polishing, stains and painting. It was a really enjoyable and relaxing 2 days. I hope to do more courses with olllie."

Lisa Dobson reviewed: Private or private group silver jewellery making / silversmithing workshop day at Silver Designed Personally

"Had a totally brilliant day with Sara. She showed me how to set a stone into a ring. I am really pleased with the end product and have been practicing what I learnt. It was such a fun day and Sara was very knowledgeable and able to answer my many questions."

Silver Designed Personally responded:

"Lisa - thanks so much for your lovely review and I'm so glad you've been able to have a go at home too! Sara"

Jackie Gregory reviewed: One day introduction to resin art

"**Challenged myself to do something creative, good for my wellbeing after working from home for 16 months in lock-down! ** The Resin Painting day was certainly something that I had no experience of beforehand, nor for that matter have I done very much in the way of anything artistic for too many years ... but I was determined to be creative and even brought along with me some small items of colour and texture to see if they would inspire me or even if they could end up in my final art work (which they did). Eunice has a great set-up, the studio worked well for the 4 of us and her instruction was clear, easy to follow and also very engaging. It wasn't difficult to get inspired by the techniques and all the colours of the mica pigments that we were able to use. I had fun. I have 2 pictures, bookmarks and coasters to show for my time. I will keep going with this as I want to become more confident with colour and technique. Thank you."

Eunice J. Friend responded:

"Jackie it was pleasure and your embellishments were a perfect addition to your work. Keep enjoying your new Resin adventures Eunice x"

Stephanie Clark reviewed: Beginners candle making kit + online videos + live online workshop

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course. Sarah is an excellent tutor, really thorough and I learnt so much. It is also informal and great fun. It is really worth doing whether it is just to learn a new skill or to start a business. Highly recommend."

Candle by Events responded:

"Thank you Stephanie, really pleased you enjoyed the workshop."

Elaine W reviewed: Saturday Silver Ring Making Workshop - Ransom's Pavilion, Hitchin

"This is my second session, I did the Silver Clay Saturday morning class last September and really enjoyed both. Tuuli is a very good communicator, very patient and helpful. The groups are small, so everyone is able to get the help and support they need. I was very happy with the ring I made, it’s amazing what you can achieve in a 4 hour workshop with little or no previous knowledge of working with the equipment and materials. If you’re thinking of booking a session, I would definitely recommend it, you won’t be disappointed!"

Tuuli Parker responded:

"Thank you Elaine for leaving such a lovely and detailed review! Your feedback is very important to me. I'm so glad you enjoyed the workshop. Kind regards, Tuuli"

simone laura lee reviewed: Upcycling Paint & Paper Decoupage Furniture Workshop Experience: Spend Two Days with ReVamp Boutique

"This course has changed my life. Try stopping me upcycling everything I can get my hands on. I so enjoyed the course and the relaxed but thorough teaching style with Sarah who was friendly, supportive, informative, informed, talented, inspirational and committed to making us get the most out of the course, just so encouraging. I loved the studio. The environment was bright and spacious and Covid safe and we also were informed about general health and safety. The equipment was good and well thought through and Sarah was generous in supplementing us with odds bits and pieces that we needed. Also we picked up so many tips along the way. Arriving as a total beginner I have learnt so much that I am raring to get to the next level and perhaps do a fabric upcycling course (this was the wallpaper one) or one of the other courses she will be running. Sarah is wonderfully talented and a very good teacher, but more than that she has a sparkly way of being and extraordinary interpersonal skills that add the extra dimension. Cannot recommend this well-priced course highly enough."

ReVamp Boutique responded:

"Ohh Simone! You are so very kind! It was lovely to have you along after such a long wait ( COVID 19) to meet you!!! Really pleased you are now on the up cycling reuse path and looking forward to seeing your work and having you along back with us again for another workshop in the near future! Best wishes Sarah"

Mandy reviewed: Log to Stool with Gedwood

"We had a lovely time making stools with Ged as a Father’s Day treat for our family. Ged was super patient with the younger family members and we were delighted with our fabulous stools. Thanks Ged"

Gedwood responded:

"Was a pleasure having you and the family over for the day Mandy ??"

Dorota Hawthorn reviewed: Beginners silver art clay with Hampshire School of Jewellery

"Wonderful workshop.Highly reccomended. Laura is very knowledgible and supportive for us to complete our ideas .The finished products are of a very high standard - our taster day left us yearning for further courses! The room was nicely laid out - very Covid rlted - roll on when restrictions are lifted and even more people can come along!"

Hampshire School of Jewellery responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review Dorota. I am so pleased you enjoyed the class :-) Laura x"

Tim Cartwright reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"Great course, very good tutor in Colin, took me almost a beginner through what I needed to know to give me the confidence to carry on woodturning. Very relaxed atmosphere and good lunch. Many thanks ."

Devon Wood Crafts responded:

"You're welcome, Tim. Enjoy your woodturning."

sally eaton-baudains reviewed: Stained glass weekly classes in Sheffield (South Yorkshire)

"a joy as always! I Have been attending Martin's glass class for quite a while and even though I have no more space to put my completed projects I would really miss the classes if I stopped going."

joan Leifer reviewed: Printing Ink 4 pots 30ml, for block relief printing, mix + match choose from 20 shades, UK made, water based & mixable

"I was delighted with this lino kit and I ordered extra colours too. Catherine responded straight away to my order request and it was quickly despatched and beautifuly packaged. If times change I would happily stay in Liverpool (I live in Surrey) a few days to attend one of her face to face sessions. Catherine is an excellent person to interact with !! **************** THANK YOU"

Mark Sheehy reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"Fabulous wkend spent in a glorious setting doing the introduction to green woodworking. Peter and his apprentice Toby couldn't of made me feel more welcome. So much knowledge gained from just two days thanks to this course and now i have a beautiful small table which i cannot believe i made myself. Great group of people on the couse to and it felt like we was all best buds by the end of the wkend. I highly recommend this course and please have a look at some of Peter's work which you can buy it is incredible."

Peter Lanyon Furniture responded:

"Thanks Mark. Thats very kind of you to say. Great to meet you and enjiy your beautiful table."

Sarah Hessing reviewed: Log to Stool with Gedwood

"We went on a family day with Ged along with another family. We made a mixture of stools and tumblers and the children all enjoyed Ged's patient instruction and information about the tools they were using. T Highly recommend Gedwood to any adults or families and we will certainly be booking again when we can. Many thanks Ged."

Gedwood responded:

"Many thanks Sarah. Look forward to seeing you and the boys on another course sometime soon?"

John Savill reviewed: Glass painting taster day

"I write to say thank you for such a very enjoyable day. It was a very good course and was very nice to meet you again, together with fellow students and like minded people appreciating the beauty of stained glass. Look forward to seeing you again, best wishes, John ''Cherished Glass''"

Derek Hunt Artist responded:

"Hi John, great to hear you enjoyed the course, and so nice to see you again. Best wishes as always, Derek"

Carol Downes reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop

"Wow what a lovely day, I learned so much and came away with so much knowledge and a lot more candles ? than I thought I would. Pauline and her mother were so welcoming and the refreshments were yummy lovely lemon cake ?☕"

Bonita Candles responded:

"Ah, Carol. How lovely! It was great having you with us. Thanks for your awesome feedback it means a lot to us. Xx"

Pam Cummings reviewed: Jewellery making with silver clay - one day beginners workshop

"I had such a great day. Charlotte is a very talented teacher, extremely knowledgeable and very patient and encouraging. I loved my finished pieces and would recommend this day course to anyone. I had never done any work with silver clay prior to this but that really wasn’t a problem at all."

Felix & Reuben Jewellery School responded:

"Thank you for your lovely words Pam. I'm really pleased you enjoyed the day. Well done on making such beautiful jewellery :) Regards, Charlotte"

Sarah reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 pottery / ceramics workshop for 1 person

"What a day!! I loved every second of this course! Started with hand building pinch pots, coil pots and slab, understanding techniques and tools. Went on to throwing on the wheel coning and shaping and came out with three pots. I could of spent all weekend doing this! Information that Louise gives is extremely valuable from such a talented lady. I cannot wait to see the final glazed pieces! Louise and Simon are great hosts and make you feel very welcome - this was my second trip to blended monkey after my partner and I completed a woodturning course, it was lovely to be back doing this pottery course with Louise."

Blended Monkey responded:

"Sarah, it was a delight having you in the studio. Such a creative and talented young lady! I'm so pleased you enjoyed the day and the various aspects of handbuilding and throwing. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you need any more help :-)."

Carla reviewed: Colour for ultimate well being: Retreat in Nature

"I really enjoyed Lucy’s colour retreat, it helped me to unwind and regroup. Lucy’s passion for colour is infectious and it was so interesting to experience it growing from a one dimensional concept into an accessible language as the day progressed and we looked at all the different ways in which colour nurtures us in nature, food and our subconscious. Lucy and all the other participants were supportive and there was sense of everybody’s unique thoughts and feelings being valid and welcome. Lucy Kay’s talk about food and colour was fascinating, and the healthy salads, cakes and teas throughout the day.. delicious!"

Lucy Renshaw responded:

"Really lovely to meet you Carla, I’m so glad you enjoyed the day. Hope to see you again x"

Caren reviewed: Pottery throwing course in the South Downs National Park 1 day for two people

"My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our 2 day course with Rowena. Rowena is an excellent teacher, explaining and demonstrating each technique before we tried it for ourselves, then staying close at hand to help as needed - but without taking over. Rowena is very encouraging and motivating and explains the rationale behind each step as you go along. We felt a real sense of achievement at how far we progressed over the course to the 2 days. We would wholeheartedly recommend this course."

Olly Kinsey reviewed: 2 day axe making course

"Spent 2 days creating a tomahawk axe with Gary and his team as part of a stag weekend. To say it was excellent is an understatement! Gary and his team were such a great bunch, they allowed us to just crack on with a great balance of minimal supervision whilst also ensuring that as a complete novice i didn’t end up with an awful axe. They were so knowledgable and the skill they have is just unreal! Other than the actual axe making and fantastic team, they kept us all entertained put on some great food and there was never a moment you felt that you couldn’t be doing something. Would highly recommend!"