Latest reviews

Marita Roberts reviewed: Encasing Special Memories - Resin Memorial & Keepsake Makes

"I really enjoyed the course. It was a good mix of jewellery & floral encapsulations. Louise is a very good teacher. She explains things thoroughly from the basics & health & safety to the reasons behind the usage of each type of resin. A good number of people in the group meant that you could get 1-2-1 advice when needed. I learnt a lot from the course which I hope to expand on now that I am home. "

Catherine W reviewed: SAORI creative weaving day

"This is a gem of a days course, many thanks Amanda, I had a lovely time. The background to Saori weaving was summarised , books were available to delve further and then Amanda taught us the simple technique adding in nuggets of wisdom, tricks and tips . Interestingly the 3 of us on the course each approached the choice of colours and textures we incorporated differently ,creating unique pieces with the ‘ treasures’ of ribbon, wool, material peices we had brought in . "

BEAUTIFULcloth SAORI Studio responded:

"Thank you Catherine for your lovely words. It was a joy to introduce you to SAORI weaving and see the beautiful cloth you created."

Mark Lewis reviewed: Blow a bauble at Chew Valley handmade glass

"Great experience, we were well looked after and it's lovely to have our own handmade baubles as a memory to put on the Christmas tree."

Chew Valley HandMade Glass responded:

"Thank you for your review Mark. We are pleased you enjoyed your time spent at our studio making baubles. Regards The team at chew valley handmade glass "

Sarah Dixon reviewed: 1 Day Forged Geometry Flowers with Bex Simon

"I enjoyed my time with Bex enormously. I was lucky enough to be the only student on the day and the experience was collaborative, instructive, interesting and very satisfying. Bex is obviously talented and experienced in her craft and has a very creative mind. Her enthusiasm for creating in metal was infectious. The time flew by as I learned about heating and cooling steel in a fire breathed into life using hand pumped antique bellows. I learned how to use various tools to get different marks on the different steel templates and then individualize the shapes to create my own geometric flower. After lunch and having got used to the tools and processes, we moved on to the slightly harder work of forming, decorating and splitting the rod for the stem of the flower and voila, by the end of the day, a pretty respectable hand-made geometric flower that my sister is going to very happily put out in her garden here in Devon (if it ever stops raining!) Thanks very much to Bex for her wonderful instruction and generous sharing of ideas and also to David for providing the all essential tea and biscuits throughout the day....as well as being all round assistant as needed. I highly recommend this course!"

Old Pound Smithy responded:

"So please you enjoyed the course Sarah. I hope your sister enjoys the flower for years to come."

A & K reviewed: Introduction to Welding

"Great intro to welding. Father and son team really enjoyed the experience. Given lots of attention and feedback throughout."

AthelstaneForge responded:

"Thanks for your feedback! I really enjoyed teaching them both on Saturday. "

Jayne Everill reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop

"It was an amazing afternoon, we were taught so much and got to take home some Beautiful candles that we’d learnt how to make. I would recommend this course to anyone. "

Bonita Candles responded:

"Hi Jane. Thank you my love. It was a great to meet you both. I'm really happy you enjoyed it . xxx"

Mayu reviewed: Art Spoon Carving with Giles Newman

"I bought this for my partner as a gift but I went along so we can experience it together. I initially chose this purely based on location and I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy it but afterwards I feel like I was really lucky in the course I chose. Giles was absolutely lovely and I like that his approach was more arty lead than just making a spoon. He knew I wasn’t sure if I would like it or not, so he was really encouraging as well as helpful. I loved the environment and how intimate it was due to the group being small. I am so glad I chose this course out of other ones because for me, the art aspect of it made it fun for me. And my partner loved the technical asps of of it. I’d highly recommend this course. It is worth every penny!! "

Giles Newman responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review Mayu. It was wonderful to meet you both yesterday and I’m so glad that you both found your own connections with the art of woodcarving. I hope that you try your hand at relief carving as we discussed and that the techniques we shared can contribute. Thank you again."

Rachael McCall reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"I loved learning to Lino Print with Judith. I am not very artistic and this was a great way to learn a technique that meant I could produce a piece I was really happy with. The day was really relaxing and fun and I cannot recommend more highly! "

print paper stitch experiences responded:

"Thank you Rachael! It was lovely to meet you and I can't wait to see how you use your beautiful 'crown' print!"

Karyn reviewed: 2 Hour Glass Beadmaking session for 2 people

"Very enjoyable afternoon with a great teacher"

Mandy reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing - Experimenting with Image transfer with Clare Cosens

"A very enjoyable workshop, with all materials provided. The course is fast moving with a number of ideas for using gelliplates covered during the morning. Clare is very knowledgeable, giving clear instruction on each technique and which materials work best. The small number of students attending the course (4) meant that everyone could be supported with techniques new to them. Coming away with a wide selection of samples made during the course, I left the session feeling enthusiastic about trying new ideas with my own gelliplate at home. "

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"Thank you for your kind words Mandy. I am really pleased that you enjoyed the workshop and that I have given you some new ideas to try at home. I would love to see your results - Happy Printing!"

Anne Selwyn reviewed: Powertex Gothic/Steampunk Shoe Box

"Brilliant,brilliant time spent with Jan a superb tutor. Relaxed learning and chance to be creative.Used powertex and some other new techniques, can't wait to go and do another session. SO much to still learn from Jan with her wide range of different projects to do. "

Feline Fixins Powertex Fun responded:

"Thank you for your review Anne, I appreciate it. You were a pleasure to teach and your finished project was something to be proud of. I hope you got the appreciation you deserved. I look forward to seeing you again in the future. "

Emanuela reviewed: Half-day pottery with Marina -for two

"Cannot praise Marina enough. This course went beyond my expectations. The day absolutely flew away. We had so much fun and learned so much from Marina. Her knowledge is outstanding, she made us feel so comfortable in her house and so I am so glad we attended this course. Cannot wait to go back to her potting shed!"

Marina Randall Ceramics responded:

"Thank you Emanuela for the fabulous review! I shall keep our fingers crossed for the firings and look forward to seeing the results😊"

Shelagh Tompkinson reviewed: Powertex Gothic/Steampunk Shoe Box

"What a fabulous time I had yesterday! Jan skilfully guided us through the whole process of using Powertex and stencilling onto the shoe box. She is an excellent tutor and I am thrilled with the end result. If you want to have fun while learning a new skill - book a session with Jan - she’s brilliant! "

Feline Fixins Powertex Fun responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review Shelagh, it was a pleasure to meet you. I am so happy that you learnt new skills and your end project was fantastic. I hope your family appreciated your artistic skills. xx"

Sue Thorne reviewed: Needle Felting Mermaids and Fairies at The Hive

"Thank you Jo for a really delightful day that myself , daughter and granddaughter attended recently . We were shown and helped to make our own little herd of very individual highland Cows . Well worth booking . "

Josephine Dawn Munroe responded:

"Thank you Sue - was really lovely to meet you all. You made such a cute herd between you! Very glad you enjoyed it and many thanks for the review. All the best, Jo "

Pat reviewed: Make silver jewellery using precious metal clay or silver clay

"Did this course yesterday. Was totally amazed at what a stunning piece I managed to make for my first time with silver clay. Thank you Toni for your guidance and patience. Highly recommend this course to everyone and hope to come back again soon."

CG Crafts responded:

"Thanks Pat, it was lovely to see your unique designs turn into finished silver pieces. I hope you enjoy wearing them. Toni"

Sofia Marsano reviewed: Half-day pottery with Marina -for two

"My lovely sister in law organised this wonderful day! We had such great time and we actually created 3 beautiful bowls that we can't wait to use! Marina is great teacher and you really do come out from her pottery barn with some knowledge! Thanks Marina "

Marina Randall Ceramics responded:

"Thanks Sofia for your lovely review. It was my great pleasure having you both and delighted you enjoyed the course. You did really well and am also looking forward to seeing the fired outcome!"

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

"I had a brilliant day learning more about the art of pyrography. Thankyou Ruth for being so welcoming, for sharing the skills you have and giving me lots of tips I can use in my work moving forwards "

Sculpt IT - Ruth Wheeler Art responded:

"My pleasure Mel, no problem. I enjoyed to small group and being able to help you on your journey with the art of pyrography. "

Ruth reviewed: Beginner sewing workshop

"I loved this course. Holly was great. Really friendly and incredibly knowledgable. She gave me lots of confidence to start using my sewing machine again. Thanks!"

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

"I had a fabulous time at the two day workshop, it was the first time I'd tried anything like this and thoroughly enjoyed it. Jo took us through each step in the process explaining and guiding as we went along. She offered tips and tweaks to help us get the most out of our time. It was a fun and informative couple of days and Jo made us feel so welcome. I purchased a small hare kit as a gift whilst I was down there and it looks great, includes absolutely everything needed and am looking forward to seeing what gets produced. Thank you Jo! "

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Aunya! So glad you enjoyed the workshop and your first experience in sculpting. Your large 'with attitude' hare was gorgeous and I expect it is now settled in pride of place in your garden. I hope your gift of one of my kits goes down well and something wonderful is created. Jo xx"

Sean Stanley-Adams reviewed: Watercolour Painting Course

"So far, so good🙂 Very welcoming with lots of encouragement. I’m looking forward to the remainder of the course."

SandraK reviewed: 'Bring Your Own Project' Day - Upholstery

"What a fabulous day - great setting, everything you need as a beginner to upholster a chair. And most of all Katie’s patience and manner is just lovely so felt truly supported and proud of what I achieved. Don’t underestimate the amount of time it takes to just take staples out - that is at least half the day for us. And bring a light lunch so you don’t need to pop out and can keep going if you’re short of time. Fabulous day thank toh "

Meticulous Restoration responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Sandra! It was a pleasure to host you in the studio and I'm so glad that you enjoyed the day and felt supported through the processes. Thank you for your kind & helpful feedback."

NickyL reviewed: Get inside an artists mind to create a vibrant lion in acrylic

"Wow! I am amazed at what I've created by following this tutorial. Marilyn has shown me new ways at looking at a work to help reflect it more accurately. I love the vibrancy the colour choices bring and a freedom to be bold. I was going to put 4 stars as there was an issue with receiving the pdf, but this is being resolved. However I managed to follow the tutorial without it and it was so excellent I couldn't but put 5 stars! This really is a tutorial you want to try."

NickyL reviewed: Pen and wash - red kite (the bird, not the toy!) using a folded nib pen

"Highly recommend this tutorial, not only for how to make a 'cola' pen and the increased versitility it provides in your work but Liz is an excellent teacher. Her tutorial is very clear and well explained and it gave me the confidence to go on and try out other images using the cola pen and watercolour wash. "

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Thank you so much for the lovely review Nicky! I’m glad you are a convert. I think they are amazing to work with. Look forward to seeing what you do next."

Nick Sissons reviewed: Clay sculpture workshop

"Interesting workshop about clay sculpture especially in relation to not using armatures. Small group and individual attention from Jan. Enjoyable !"

Laura Krantz reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"This was a fantastic course from beginning to end. I really enjoyed learning about resin and was really pleased with my end result. We’ll be back for more courses! "