Latest reviews

Steph reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"Really great experience. Practical experience as well as technical knowledge to get me started with spinning."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Steph. It was lovely to meet you and your mum and to help you on your spinning journey. Keep up the good work! Theresa"

Alison Cotterill reviewed: Kitchen Knife Course

"Many thanks, Dave, for a fascinating and productive day. We came away with 2 hand made knives which will last a lifetime and experienced almost every stage of the knife making process. Just what we hoped for. Dave is a clear and patient teacher and I would recommend his course without hesitation."

Hand forged Yorkshire responded:

"Many thanks indeed Alison for your very kind review. I’m really glad you enjoyed the day and you’re happy with your knife. Kindest regards Dave"

Sonia Lofthouse reviewed: A relaxing day of clay making

"I had a lovely day with Trisha and thorough enjoyed learning the processes. She’s a great host and lunch was delicious"

Helen reviewed: Enamelling on Copper for Jewellery (vitreous glass kiln enamelling)

"Eleanor is a very good teacher and passionate about getting the best for her students. Enamelling is fun."

Eleanor Designs responded:

"Ah thank you Helen, it was lovely to have you on my course, your enamelled pendants and little bowl worked very well! Thank you for coming, hope to see you again! "

Frances reviewed: Carve your own picture-relief, with experienced woodcarving teacher in Devon

"Fabulous course! I feel I learnt so much and in just one day. The teacher was really knowledgeable and very receptive to my particular learning style and needs. I feel very privileged that she shared her extensive knowledge with me. It was lovely to spend such a relaxed and informative day working with wood. I would definitely highly recommend this course and this tutor."

Jackie reviewed: Beginners Silver Jewellery Course

"I had a fantastic day with Mark learning some of the techniques involved in making silver jewellery. He is a very good teacher taking you through each process and explaining what it does and what it is for. We started off making a ring and then moved on to more complex pieces. I came away with 3 pieces of jewellery which I love and will wear regularly. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone interested in learning about this craft and am still amazed at what I achieved under Mark’s careful tuition."

Carole Paterson reviewed: Gemstone Stacking Rings: Silver Jewellery Making

"I absolutely loved the course. I'd never done anything like it before, so it was a brand new experience. Nina had loads of knowledge and tonnes of patience. I'm now the proud owner of two gorgeous rings. They're not perfect, because it was my first go, but they're all the more precious because I can say I made them myself!"

Sue and Simon Atkinson reviewed: Glass Experience Day: Try fused glass, stained glass and enamelling in 1 course!

"What a fantastic birthday present! We had a really fun day of glass fusion and enamelling, including a gorgeous homemade lunch too . Sarah was a brilliant instructor and very patient! Our finished pieces arrived in the post last week . I’ve already worn one of my enamel necklaces and our glass is on display at home ! Thank you Sarah and Chris ."

Sarah Greening Glass responded:

"I had great fun teaching you these 3 very different glassy crafts and you made fabulous creations! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! Happy Birthday!"

Anita Cunningham reviewed: Natural dyeing course in Pembrokeshire

"I did the course with my sister and it was so much fun we both loved it. Susan is a brilliant teacher and we learnt so much. It was a different experience, great to be in nature and totally memorable. I highly recommend Susan and the course!"

Rosemary reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"A very enjoyable and informative course. Lovely environment and welcoming atmosphere. Lots of 1:1 tuition plus time to experiment and practice skills learnt. Thank you, Elaine."

kay wardman reviewed: Glass Fusing and enamel painting on glass

"I attended the one day course with 2 friends, we had a wonderful day, Jane gave us the opportunity to paint with enamels in glass and also make glass panels for fusing. We had a delicious lunch too, and cannot wait to see our projects once fused. I would recommend this course to anyone especially if lacking in confidence as Jane encouraged us to channel our hidden creativity"

Peter Carr reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"A fantastic day out! I would highly recommend the course to anyone that has even the slightest interest or curiosity around the blacksmith trade. The welcome on arrival was very friendly and everyone at the forge was made to feel comfortable. Both Adrian and Andy's knowledge is second to none and both are very friendly and helpful during the entire process. A big shout out most also go to the food and the amazing Debbie, who made sure that no one was without food or drink throughout the day. It must also be said, that the food was amazing! Don't go on a full stomach!"

Susan reviewed: The First Cut - lino cutting for beginners & rusty printmakers in Derbyshire

"I enjoyed the lino cut course so much this is the second time I've done it! Your pace Liz, style of teaching and support is great. I come away with some great pieces and having had such a thoroughly enjoyable and indulgent time with the friends who i came with. I am sure i will come again ......... quite fancy a bit of wire work!"

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Susan, Thank you for letting me know about your day. It was lovely to have you back at The Slipper Studio and thank you for bringing more people with you! I think the time is now right for you to settle down to your lino cutting and printing, with opportunities to try different images and techniques; it’s going to be great! Birds on a Wire would be fine choice for another visit. Happy cutting Liz Wellby "

Claire reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A deeply fulfilling day in wonderful surroundings and I would wholeheartedly recommend this experience for anyone and all ages! It left me feeling that it’s definitely the start of a new historical craft appreciation chapter. Many thanks, Mark for sharing and Cristina for an amazing lunch and welcome."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Claire, Thank you for joining us and your review. I'm flattered to hear you had such a profound experience :) All the best Mark and Cristina"

Tracy & Caroline reviewed: Glass Fusing and enamel painting on glass

"Myself and a friend did the full day glass fusing course and we absolutely loved it. Both total beginners but we used a variety of techniques and made 2 pieces we can’t wait to see after they’ve been fired. Jane was very patient, helpful when needed but we were totally hands on and as previous comments said we cut glass, ground it and also used the glass powders and frit. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it."

Karen reviewed: Oil Painting for Beginners with lunch & wine included at Hanwell Wine Estate

"From the welcome to the end of the day a lovely atmosphere of fun and collaboration. Clear, helpful advice and instruction. As a new medium to me I will be continuing my journey in oil. The lunch was great too. I cannot think of any better way to spend a day. Sara you are an inspiration to paint. Many thanks to all the team."

Rural Antics, Hanwell Wine Estate responded:

"Thank you for your great feedback, we are really pleased you enjoyed your day. "

Carole E. reviewed: Bespoke Contemporary Fine Art Encaustic Wax Workshop.

"I had a fantastic time on a two-day workshop as Lyn taught me how to make art using encaustic wax, as well as photo encaustic. She was very warm, highly empathetic, and welcoming, understood very quickly what style and approach I was hoping to achieve, and I've rarely seen an artist so adept at quickly changing style to suit the needs of another. We went from complete abstraction to fully representational and her suggestions, gently proffered, made me realise how much in tune with other people's work she is. She starts off by discovering your intentions, if any. Mine were specific and I wasn't sure she'd be willing to work on them, but I couldn't have asked for a more knowledgeable, resourceful, and creative mentor! She has a wide range of wax/non-wax artistic materials to hand, which was a great help. I enjoyed every moment of the workshop and her company, and she's even introduced me to new techniques outside encaustic (working with hessian) as well as resources in the community that I didn't know existed. I couldn't recommend her more highly and hope to return."

Contemporary Encaustic Wax Workshop with Lyn Kirkland responded:

"Thank you Carole for your very generous review. I am so pleased that you enjoyed the weekend and are already experimenting further. I enjoy working with my students to realise their ideas, and I am so glad that I achieved that for you. Hope to meet you again in the future. Kind regards Lyn P.S. Your review has taken me to ‘platinum’ level teaching award….woo hoo! "

Farrah reviewed: One day Traditional Lead Stained Glass Course

"Fantastic day, great guidance and support."

Cheryl Powling Glass responded:

"You did so well and I hope you come back again x"

Lucy reviewed: Beginners 2 sterling silver stacking rings Jewellery course

"I had such a lovely time doing Sarah's course. It was a great taster session for jewellery making and I was really pleased with the rings that I made. Sarah is an excellent teacher - very patient and encouraging and giving helpful explanations of each step of the process. Would thoroughly recommend Sarah's courses!"

Anne Gahan reviewed: Peg loom weaving a seat pad

"Sounds cliche, but simply the best, perfect food, surroundings and tuition. Plenty of different fleeces to work with, everything explained and shown, nothing rushed, hoping for weaving courses to start, could not fault 5 star plus, thank you for the excellent tuition and materials plus the homemade lunch and cakes."

Smallholding Secrets responded:

"Thank you so much for such a lovely review. Glad you enjoyed. It was an absolute pleasure to spend the day with you. Hope the beautiful rug you made was appreciated at home. "

Robyn reviewed: Felted Soap Workshop in Trowbridge, Wiltshire

"Really enjoyed the day. Lovely venue and well presented course with lots of hands on work taking home some of Catherine’s lovely soap that we had felted."

Herbal Harmony responded:

"Thanks Robyn! Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you have fun doing more felting at home! "

Hazel Hanslip reviewed: Pottery wheel throwing & glass fusing 1-day course

"Just the best day of creativity! We spend the morning with Sarah, Glass Fusing & the afternoon with Chris doing Pottery. Lovely relaxed & informative day, both Chris & Sarah are great teachers. Fab lunch too. Can’t wait to see our final creations after they’ve been fired. Highly recommend ?"

Sarah Greening Glass responded:

"Thank you so much! It was lovely to meet to both and to help you make your fabulous creations! Will let you know when they are all out of the kiln! Thanks again"

Philippa Hunt reviewed: Natural dyeing course in Pembrokeshire

"Susan is very knowledgeable about plants, dyes, the chemistry and much more. The workshop was lovely, a friendly bunch of people learning new skills in a fabulous location. Susan explains things easily, she checks that things are understood and is easy going, making the learning process fun. Came home with lots of samples, labelled for information. I look forward to more courses with Susan."

Susan Martin responded:

"Thankyou for your review. It was lovely to meet you. I hope you enjoy using some of the techniques we explored."

Chris Roberts reviewed: 1920s Outfit Weekend

"This was one of the best courses that I have attended, and I’ve attended a lot. Paula runs a very relaxed sewing studio. Everyone had all the help they needed while being able to work at their own pace. This was one of the very few courses in which I was able to finish everything. Loved it and have no problem in thoroughly recommending it to everyone."

Ellie reviewed: Jewellery - carve a ring in wax, cast it and hey presto your own ring in sterling silver!

"My sister and I did Sue's ring making course on our Birthday, we had a great time and Sue was fantastic, very knowledgeable and a great teacher. Looking forward to seeing the finished pieces and would look to do her other courses, Thank you Sue!"

Sue O'Mara Art responded:

"Thank you Kate and Ellie, it was lovely to have you both here and you both did an amazing job on your rings. I will always remember the Dennis the Menace ring :) See you again one day hopefully. Sue "