Latest reviews

Gaynor Pharoah reviewed: A Workshop in Acrylic Techniques

"Another fantastic day with Shirley. I've waited fifty years to get back into art and to discover Shirley and her wonderful way of presenting the classes has been a joy! Thank you Shirley - Gaynor xxx"

Shirley Davis Dew. Art 4 All responded:

"Thank you Gaynor. It's always a pleasure teaching someone who wants to learn and is enthusiastic. I'm glad you liked the workshop. You're a natural. Shirley "

Nina Perrott reviewed: Glass painting taster day

"Spent a great day on the one day painting on glass course with Derek in his lovely studio. A very informative practical class in a relaxed environment. Would highly recommend. "

Derek Hunt Artist responded:

"Thank you Nina, and so glad you enjoyed the course! Best wishes, Derek"

Suzanne Raffellini reviewed: Glass painting taster day

"I’ve been watching Derek’s inspiring videos and tutorials for some time and when I saw that he was running a taster day I signed up immediately. I had to wait 6 months to attend as I couldn’t make the earlier dates he had available. I was so impatient! Sometimes when something that has been anticipated for such a long time it can fall down flat when it finally arrives, but this was certainly not the case here. Derek’s course was stimulating right from the word go. I have some experience with stained glass painting but felt there were holes in my knowledge base and found that to be true. The participants had a range of previous knowledge starting from zero but everyone had the chance to learn. There was lots of time to chat as well as paint and I got the opportunity to pick Derek’s brain about all sorts of questions I had. I also tried out new techniques that I hadn’t tried before. Derek was so generous with his time and knowledge – it’s fantastic to be taught by an expert. Derek’s studio is an absolute gem in a beautiful village setting, he and his wife were very welcoming and when I got lost on my way there, making me late, went out of their way to put me at my ease. I had the most amazing day, learning, experimenting, being with like minded people. I can’t wait to go there again."

Derek Hunt Artist responded:

"Thank you Suzanne for your lovely review, its very much appreciated. Best wishes, Derek"

Charlie and Tom reviewed: "2 Crafts in 1 Day!" pairs - woodturning & pottery experience

"My partner and I had a great time learning the 2 in 1 crafts, the woodturning was especially eye opening, realising how much skill it takes and what a gentle touch you need. The wheel pottery was brilliant, it was great to finally get on a wheel after a few years doing hand building. Louise and Simon are both great teachers, they took the time to explain the crafts well and you can see the passion they have for their individual crafts. "

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"We're so pleased that you guys enjoyed your 2 Crafts in 1 Day experience! You made some lovely spindle-turned pieces with Simon in the morning and you both created some fab pottery items in the afternoon - well done with the throwing :-). It was lovely to have you in the woodturning and pottery studios and thank you for the great review!"

Alex Smith reviewed: Christmas Fused Glass Taster Session

"Absolutely brilliant. Such good fun. "

Glassification responded:

"Thank you Alex, it was a pleasure to have you on the course. I hope we will see you again soon. Nikki"

Davidkinshuck reviewed: Wooden mechanical toy (automata) making

"I attended yesterday, this was the most wonderful course. Personal tuition, I learnt how to use all the tools and make the model, Stef is enthusiastic and a very clear and helpful teacher. I really enjoyed the course,and will start to make my own models."

Penlan Crafts responded:

"Dear David, thank you for your kind review and glad you enjoyed the course!"

Jackie Blay reviewed: Silversmithing-rings/bangles at Larkswold

"Went to this course last Saturday with my daughter in law. We had the best morning such a warm welcome with coffee and cakes… The course was great very enjoyable and great value. Would highly recommend and will def do again."

Larkswold responded:

"Thanks Jackie! "

Sue reviewed: Willow sculpture at Larkswold

"Great course, really enjoyed it. Fabulous food provided all day in a great environment. Definitely recommend "

Larkswold responded:

"Thank you so much Sue! Hope to see you at Larkswold again soon."

Jacqui & Mick Taylor reviewed: Make a copper bowl

"My husband and I really enjoyed making our copper bowls under Lizzie's expert guidance. Everyone is talking about these heritage crafts at the moment, in light of the popularity of tv's The Repair Shop and King Charles' support for all the heritage crafts with his apprenticeship schemes. Lizzie too has a real passion for working with copper and shared with us some of the other projects she has worked on. She is a very talented lady and we'd highly recommend this experience"

Urban Crafts Foundation responded:

"Hi Jacqui, Thanks so much for your kind words, I'm really glad you enjoyed it! Lizzie"

Amy reviewed: One Day Mosaic Workshop - Indirect Method Technique

"I really enjoyed this course. It’s well organised and friendly and I learnt loads. Hope to go back and do it again sometime! "

Jean Ross reviewed: Mini bee needle felting kit

"Lovely kit, including frame. Quick delivery. Good instructions. Can recommend it."

Natural Craftings responded:

"Hi Jean I’m so glad you enjoyed your bee kit. Thank you for the kind review Happy Felting, SallyAnne "

Rachel reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop

"Such a fun afternoon! I was lucky enough to win my place through a competition in a local magazine but I will definitely be booking another one. Pauline and the other staff were lovely and talked us through everything. The refreshments at the end were lush!"

Bonita Candles responded:

"Thank you Rachel. I'm really happy that you won the competition. I could see how much you were enjoying the workshop. iI look forward to seeing you again. xx"

Ben Grocott reviewed: Half-day 1-2-1 sharpening (woodturning gouges) workshop for 1 person

"I can't recommend Blended Monkey highly enough, Simon's passion, knowledge and calm teaching style made for the most wonderful day and I left with some real skills that will serve me forever. If you are thinking about trying a Blended Monkey course, don’t delay, you’ll have such an amazing time, the facilities are incredible. I will definitely be back. "

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Ben, Thanks so much for a glowing review! Great to have you in the workshop and look forward to seeing you again. — Simon"

Steve Elwood reviewed: Beginners half-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Had a great half day honing my technique. Simon was a great teacher with a good “guiding hand”. Would recommend wholeheartedly. Thank you "

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi Steve, Glad to know the session was helpful. Do get in touch if you need any further help or guidance. — Simon"

Jo Beresford reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"A friend and I did this course as our Christmas 2021 treat (albeit not until October 2022!) and what a wonderful day we had. Jo’s studio is light and bright, set in beautiful grounds with plenty of space to work, get messy and creative! Jo is an excellent tutor and wonderful host explaining every step in detail and on hand to help with any queries and suggest tips to improve our ‘hares’. There are plenty of hare sculptures around the studio to gain inspiration and develop your individual hare. Everyone who did the course on that day had completely different sculptures and I created something I am truly proud of, I just can’t decide whether to keep indoors or put in the garden! We both bought a small hare kit to do at home and have planned our own sculpture workshop day at home. I thoroughly recommend this fun and rewarding day."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Jo 😀 That was an amusing day with three 'Jo's' in the studio!!! So glad you both enjoyed the day making your hares - you could have them inside during the winter months and outside during the summer. Mind you - they look great covered in frost and snow, so outside is great all year round! Enjoy making the kits! Jo x"

eileen reviewed: October half term willow lantern making workshop (afternoon sessions)

"Excellent course cannot praise Jane and her assistant enough for an excellent lesson even my 6 year old granddaughter thoroughly enjoyed herself and had a lantern to take home. Will certainly look for further courses."

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review, we shall let Jane and Becky know that you all enjoyed it. We look forward to seeing you again soon."

Teresa Crosby reviewed: Stained Glass Traditional Leading Workshop for Beginners

"I found the course to be excellent. Mike explained each step thoroughly and was very patient and encouraging and I'm very pleased with my finished piece. A delicious lunch was also included along with many cups of tea and biscuits! Would thoroughly recommend."

Vitreus Art responded:

"Thanks for your review Teresa - it was a pleasure!"

Sarah Canton reviewed: Lampshade Making Workshop with Clare Cosens

"Course was great. Clare had a methodical approach and gave some good tips. Put it all into practice next day when i made another lampshade at home.. Very enjoyable and great value..Thanks Clare.... "

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"Thank you for your kind words. I am so pleased that you enjoyed the lampshade making workshop and thrilled you went home to make another lampshade."

Julie williams reviewed: Wet-felting workshop with Fabulous Feltings

"Really well taught course, Jane has the patience of a saint! Lunch is also brilliant!!!!"

Fabulous Feltings responded:

"Thankyou so much Julie! It was lovely to meet you and your work was beautiful. I hope to see you again soon 😊"

Gem D'Souza reviewed: Stained glass one day course for beginners: for two people

"We had an absolutely fantastic day with Emma. Booked for my mums 60th birthday and couldn't have asked for a better gift! Emma is a thorough and patient teacher and really felt like we learned a lot in just one day and had fun whilst doing it! Really pleased with the pieces we created by the end of it. Highly recommend and hope to be back some time for another workshop!"

Carol Shaw reviewed: Fused glass workshop at The Butterfly Effect Studio near Halford

"Absolutely loved this workshop, learned loads and was really surprised at how much we made during the day. Great tutor and venue ."

Butterfly Effect Studio responded:

"Hi Carol, thank you for taking the time to submit your review. I’m delighted you enjoyed the day. You created such beautifully unique pieces which are currently going through a series of firings. I hope you’ll be impressed with your finished results and look forward to seeing you at future workshops. Kind regards, Helen🦋"

Ray Lewis reviewed: Woodwork Day Course

"I enjoyed my day with Ted. I had never had any formal training in woodworking and needed the basics. I completed 4 joints which I could take home and show the family. "

Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses responded:

"Thanks Raymond you certainly have some good skills at your fingertips my friend. Look forward to seeing you soon on another course? Your welcome any time 👍👍👍 kind regards Ted 😎"

Emma reviewed: Beginners bowl carving

"An absolutely wonderful relaxed but very skill focussed weekend making Sami bowls. Nick was there to tutor us through the processes of axe and knife work but also allowed us to bring our own artistic elements to the finished products. We all came away with the most wonderful bowls and spoons and the skills to make more in the future. Thank you too, to Debbie for the most wonderful welcome and catering. Highly recommend this couple and their company. "

Gosman Spoon Co. responded:

"Thank you Emma. We’re so glad you all enjoyed your weekend!"

Patrick Barry reviewed: Fused glass bowl and dichroic glass jewellery in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire

"I had a fantastic day at the glass works studio, a really interesting process and one that allows your creativity to flow. Melanie is an amazing teacher, and I will most definitely be coming to the next course. "

Jane reviewed: Stained Glass: Poppies (Copper Foil)

"Thoroughly enjoyed the class. Tutor was helpful, relaxed setting and came away with a finished product"

EJaRt Creative responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us your review. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your session with us. We hope that we can welcome you and your family back to more sessions in the future. The EJaRt Creative Team"