Latest reviews

Jameel reviewed: Work of Iron | The Forge on the Firth of Forth | Edinburgh | 1-Day Blacksmiths Knife Making

"I had a brilliant day forging with jack, I learnt a lot and had fun doing so. If you want to learn blacksmithing work of iron is the place to go with jacks 10+ years experience in the trade! will be back soon. "

Rayner & the girls reviewed: Powertex art journal/canvas workshop

"3 of us ladies of varying artistic abilities attended Marie's Powertex course in June after originally booking it pre-pandemic. It was SO worth the wait!!!!! Firstly, I, as a complete NON-ARTIST attended purely as the chauffeur on the promise of Strudel. Not only did the homemade strudel not disappoint, but Marie unlocked the artist in me and I couldn't get enough, leaving at the end of the afternoon with a piece I am extremely proud of. My mum and our friend Lynn, are both mixed medium crafters and both left feeling inspired. What amazed me was how different all of our pieces were!!! I expected us all to follow Marie's lead and stick to the ideas all around her beautiful studio, and yet we all created something completely unique and learned clever hacks and techniques along the way. Above all, we all left feeling really relaxed - powertex is quite a therapeutic medium, along with the chit-chat and laughter we all enjoyed as a group of girls, including Marie, who we felt like we'd known for years! We all slept brilliantly that night! Thank you for a truly unique and fantastic experience, Marie. We're looking forward to having another go!"

Liz Rowland reviewed: Clay sculpture workshop

"I spent a wonderful weekend with Jan on her 2-day sculpture course, a valuable and rewarding experience. Jan was welcoming and attentive, demonstrating great patience with her students. Jan is gifted, experienced and able to demonstrate her techniques and to successfully coach a novice. I left the studio inspired to go on and practice the skills I have acquired, and I'm happy with my end results. I thoroughly recommend the 2-day course, for all levels of ability there will be much to gain from the experience."

Jan Sweeney responded:

"Hi Liz thankyou for your kind remarks i enjoyed it too! I hope you continue to sculp, as you did some good work Best of luck Jan "

Neil Herbert reviewed: Rustic Furniture Making – 2 day course

"Throughly enjoyable course, and came away with a presentable stool."

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you for the great review. We are so pleased you enjoyed the workshop and look forward to seeing you again some time in the future. Best wishes, The Stanwick Lakes team."

Mandy Harris reviewed: Stained Glass : Mosaic Applique Lantern

"Lovely relaxed class, brilliant venue. Had a really good day and have received lots of compliments on my lantern. "

Jan reviewed: An introduction to decoupage

"Definitely recommend the decoupage course, thoroughly enjoyed it great way to spend the afternoon in good company. Hope to come back again. Many thanks Laura"

The Summer Lane Collection responded:

"Thank you Jan, great to meet you and your husband. I hope you carry on decoupaging ? and continue enjoying your holiday. Looking forward to seeing you again next time you’re in the area. All the best Laura "

Tracy Passey reviewed: 2 Hour Fused Glass Workshop with Glass Quarter Designs

"I really enjoyed my morning with Jane at Glass Quarter Design. I wanted to learn about fused glass and Jane was really knowledgeable and nothing was too much trouble. I was shown lots of different techniques from cutting and smashing glass to drilling. I drew out my design and Jane guided me suggesting subtle colour changes and ideas. I could quite happily have stayed all day ? Really looking forward to collecting my finished, fired item next weekend. I will definitely be back to do another glass course soon. Thank-you!!"

Eileen reviewed: Half day mosaic workshop in the morning

"A really enjoyable morning learning mosaic techniques. The pace was just right and I was very pleased with the pot I decorated. Anne is an excellent teacher, generous with her experience and ideas. The setting was lovely with lots of inspiring mosaics to look at. I would definitely recommend."

Flowerpot Mosaics responded:

"Thank you Eileen, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The pot you made is lovely x"

Steph Whitehead reviewed: Heritage Embroidery - Goldwork Embroidery 2 day workshop

"This was a tremendous way to spend a couple of days. Rosemary is incredibly skilled and knowledgeable with many types of embroidery. She gives just the right balance of help and advice without being intrusive and micromanaging her student. Mainly I am sad that now I've done this course I can't do it again! If you have any interest in embroidery I would definitely recommend this course. "

Heritage Embroidery responded:

"Wow thank you so much for your review of the Goldwork workshop. I really enjoyed your company and I’m glad that you feel confident now to continue with this beautiful craft. Best wishes Rosemary x"

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

"I received this course from one of my daughters as a Christmas present and what a present it turned out to be. I spent a lovely day with five other lovely people making a model of a hare. I chose the running hare as that is how I normally see them but the choice is yours. Jo was the perfect instructor and host, tea an biscuits freely available during the day. We ate our lunch in her splendid garden which displayed many of her other works. All in all a very enjoyable day with something I am very proud of to take home. Highly recommend this course to anyone - but book quickly as she sells out very fast"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Allen - your running hare was fabulous ? It's always interesting to see the different shapes gradually develop over the day. Really pleased you enjoyed the day. Jo x"

Helen Corcoran reviewed: Half day mosaic workshop in the morning

"My friend and I attended a half day course. Anne made us really welcome and her studio is set in her lovely, peaceful garden. Anne shared her knowledge and skills with us and was on hand to advise or help, but allowed us to be creative and create our own mosaic pieces. Both my friend and I enjoyed it so much, that we are going to carry on making mosaics at home. Thank you Anne and we will be back again soon. Thoroughly recommend it for any age group. "

Flowerpot Mosaics responded:

"Thanks Helen, I am glad it’s inspired you to do more. It is really addictive! X"

Jutta reviewed: Crochet workshops in Leeds City Centre

"Highly recommended. I have done crochet many years ago. I wanted to get back to it and Ann was a great help. Ann is lovely and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed the craft session and are now starting two new projects. I am sure I will be back to see Ann again as I may need more help along the line."

Leeds Central Faith and Light responded:

"Thank you Jutta for taking the time to write your review. I am glad you enjoyed your session and found it useful enough for you to be able to start two new projects. Good luck with them. Kind regards Ann"

Cath Westwood reviewed: Introductory pottery wheel throwing taster sessions

"Really enjoyable morning, Lorriane was very friendly and explained everything well. Definitely something we will do again "

Mikki reviewed: Fused Glass Panel

"My daughter and I had a great day out at this course. We are both crafters but had never done anything with glass. The tutor was extremely helpful and encouraged us all the way. Thank you on behalf of both of us."

Susan Milborrow reviewed: Cyanotype/Sun Printing workshop

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course, Val explained what we would be doing & supported us through the process of Cyanotype which was a new craft for me. Val guided us as we put together the pressed flowers, feathers etc in order to create wonderful art which I will proudly display on my wall at home. An excellent course!"

little blue hodgepig responded:

"I’m so pleased you enjoyed it and am delighted that you will be displaying your beautiful art. Thank you for joining me ?"

Penny reviewed: Half day introduction to spoon carving (beginners)

"Really enjoyed our spoon carving. Lots of freedom to design a spoon ourselves and choose the piece of wood to use, and learnt how to use a variety of tools. Our spoons weren't finished by the end of the session, but we've brought them home to finish ourselves, and have been told what we need to do. We were lucky that the other people didn't show up to our class, so it was just the two of us, so we got a lot of individual help. "

Creative Nature HQ responded:

"Thank you Penny a lovely gentle session, I do hope you managed to finish your Spoon's! All the best Stephen "

Mary reviewed: Introduction to throwing on the potter's wheel

"Lovely morning with Geri revisiting clay. She was so clear in her instructions and I learnt lots of new tips. I would certainly recommend this as Geri is an excellent teacher and guides you all the way. Time flies! "

Geraldine Francis Ceramics responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to review the session you attended. I will let you know as soon as your pots are ready. Best wishes Geri"

Phil D reviewed: Beginners 1-day pairs woodturning workshop

"For my very first experience of wood turning by hand, my wife surprised me to this fantastic course for my birthday last year. We had a fantastic day; Simon and Louise made us feel very welcome and everything from the beautiful location and lunch was an absolute treat! Simon is a fantastic teacher, he explains the concepts really well and demonstrates them before letting you loose! I got a bit too keen at one point and accidentally broke my project, but Simon immediately grabbed our practice piece from the morning and set about showing me how to resurrect it into a lovely honey dipper! This moment really showed off the versatility and speed of wood turning, as well as Simon's obvious passion for the craft and his great hosting and teaching skills as it meant I didn't go home without something to be proud of! I have already recommended the course to some keen friends and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to get started or expand their skills in wood turning. Louise's pottery class looks fantastic as well so we hope to return for that in the future as well!"

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

"Hi Phil, Thank you for your kind words - really glad you enjoyed your day despite the hiccup! We would love to see you both again and thank you for spreading the word. -- Simon & Louise"

Anne reviewed: Cyanotype/Sun Printing workshop

"An excellent, relaxed morning spent making a variety of cyanotype prints. We tried lots of different techniques and Val is very knowledgeable answering all our questions. We were free to develop our own creative ideas whilst under the expert guidance of the tutor. I would recommend this course to anyone wishing to explore or develop skills in cyanotype printing. "

little blue hodgepig responded:

"Thank you, Anne. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the workshop. I hope you find exciting things to do with your prints!"

Kate reviewed: Seaglass jewellery workshop at Sea & Solder, Dorset.

"Such a fun day. Jules broke down each process into stages, helping each of us as much or as little as we needed. When I broke my piece of glass at the final stage, she really kindly made me a replacement bracelet using the band I had worked on and I received it only 2 days later. Jules is a really kind a patient tutor who clearly delights in seeing her students learning. I’m so pleased a friend recommended this course to me (when I noticed her own beautiful creation) and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it to others. I’m so pleased with my beautiful sea glass bracelet. Thank-you Jules."

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

"Mum and I spent the most wonderful day with Jo yesterday sculpting our hares. The studio is well equipped and laid out and the size of the group (6) meant Jo had plenty of time to help and guide us all. It’s an incredible process from start to finish. Jo is a fabulous teacher and an amazing host and we can’t thank her enough for such an enjoyable day. ?"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"So happy to have you and Audrey here ?. You both made medium sized hares and they looked fabulous- thank you for sending the photos of them in the garden at your home. Looking forward to seeing you both back here again, Jo x"

maryanna reviewed: Powertex Ceremonial Elephant Sculpture - Fabric Sculpting workshop - Inky Escapades

"This is a wonderful course for everyone. Doesn’t matter if you are not creative or done craft in the past- you will be shocked at what you can create in a day. Karen is friendly, patient, personable and a fantastic teacher! Strongly recommend. "

Inky Escapades responded:

"Hi Maryanna Thanks so much for such a glowing review. I am very glad you enjoyed the workshop and were thrilled your Elephant really resembled an Elephant as I said it would ! Take Care and happy Creating x"

Cathy reviewed: Two day (consecutive) stained glass starter course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"This was a most enjoyable two-day course in a relaxed and supportive environment. Paul was an excellent tutor, patient and well organised and gave us lots of helpful tips so that we were able to leave with a lovely piece of stained glass by the end. Can’t wait to do the fused glass course next!"

Diane Banister reviewed: Two Day Stone carving course, Gloucestershire (Cotswolds)

"I've just had a brilliant weekend and surprisingly have something I'm really proud of. Learnt lots, really well looked after ( the food is a reason to book on its own ) oodles of laughter, conversation, concentration and chiselling. Highly recommended - would do this again. "

Claire Stevens reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery for Beginners

"Had a most enjoyable experience attending this workshop. Jo is a wonderful tutor. Her demonstrations were clear and easy to follow, and her creative enthusiasm is infectious! Delighted to come away from my day with three pendants and a desire to learn more about silver crafting. If you are considering signing up to one of her courses, I’d say do it! "

Jo Hunter Wearable Art responded:

"Thank you so much for the review (and the card!) Claire. I'm glad you enjoyed the day and I hope your gifts were appreciated by their lucky recipients. Jo"