Latest reviews

Karon Phillips reviewed: Painting animals in watercolour

"Not only is Liz a great artist, she is also a great tutor - and the two do not always go together! Liz has a relaxed and friendly manner and delivers a well structured course. Her critiques are fair, constructive and encouraging. I went hoping to learn how to 'let go' and loosen up a bit - and certainly achieved my objective, and learnt good techniques, as well as having fun. The Studio is ideal - and in a fabulous setting. I'll be back for more!"

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Hi Karon, thank you for your lovely review. I smiled to myself as I did the intro and told you what we would be covering. Unfortunately as the ending is more loose I couldn't 'tell em what I told em'! So glad you enjoyed it and really hope to see you back soon. It is a gorgeous venue, isn't it??"

Emma Saunders reviewed: You Choose Sewing days: One to One

"I recently joined Becky for a one to one sewing day at her studio in Wallingford. I took a pair of cropped trousers which I wanted to recreate, but make them longer. She helped me to take an accurate pattern from the existing pair, extending it as required, and step by step we made a new pair! I choose a fab bold leaf print duvet cover from her selection of pre washed fabric which made for a striking pair of wide legged trousers. She even helped me to adapt the waistband to a feature ‘paper bag’ style. The day was relaxed and informal, with an endless supply of tea and snacks! I had the opportunity to ask lots of questions and Becky had lots of helpful tips and advice. She was super friendly, flexible and accommodating which suited my needs for the day. Recycling and reuse is important to me and this was definitely at the forefront of Becky’s mind. I had some great comments on my trousers and no one could believe they used to be a duvet cover! I also have the pattern to make more trousers in the future. Thanks for a lovely day Becky!"

BeccaLou Creates responded:

"Emma, it was a pleasure to spend the day with you. You did a great job! Thanks so much for your kind words, and hope to see you again some time."

PETER TYE reviewed: Sculptural willow weaving

"In July I signed up as a complete beginner. On arrival I was greeted by Stephen the friendly instructor. After explaining the course we set about constructing a four legged animal. I found the whole experience so informative and relaxing. Being totally engrossed in the whole process. Stephen's knowledge was endless and entertaining. We worked together and produced a wonderful piece. Since then I have made another two animals and several other pieces. At the grand age of 78 I have found a great pastime. This is a course for all ages. Thanks"

Carole Doran reviewed: Painting animals in watercolour

"I always enjoy being on the courses that Liz runs. She takes a lot of trouble to make them instructional and fun. Today we worked on painting animals in water colour and Liz was so helpful. She breaks the day into 4 sessions and demonstrates clearly what each section is teaching. She allows plenty of time for students to ask questions and we all had a great day."

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Thank you so much Carole for a lovely review. I appreciate it and I am glad you enjoyed the day. See you soon!"

Heike reviewed: Intermediate glass fusing at the Cheshire School of Glass

"Having attended a beginner's course elsewhere, I can honestly say that Jen's course is excellent. She is generous with her advice, materials and enthusiasm and the two days spent at Cheshire School of Glass were thoroughly enjoyable - as well as very productive. Her power point show with handouts at the beginning revised different types of glass, cohesion factors, kiln programmes etc and then we learnt how to make and use our own moulds, slumping and about different frits and paints etc etc by making a bowl with the moulds, a lace bowl and a personal artwork ... and that was just the first day. Second day included ceramic paints, inclusions, use of mica, metal, foils, how to cut circles and we made a mirror and another, large artwork and we could have made more, had we wished to. There was no restriction to set templates or standard sizes for pieces, we were allowed to make whatever our imagination came up with (which, in our cases, was what we both needed for our bathroom door/window) and expertly guided so that these were successful. Actions speak louder than words - I've decided to do another day working with Jen when I go to pick up my pieces after firing (although the artwork made the first day was ready by the second morning and is already on display at home) and I have signed up for the Christmas decorations course in two months' time as well. Thank you Jen for being such an excellent teacher and for your enthusiasm in helping me learn so much and come away with pieces that I am really pleased with."

Hilary Griffiths reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"Attended a one day willow weaving course making a curlew. Rachel is a wonderful host providing a warm welcome on arrival to a wonderful renovated barn. I was very reassured that all measures in line with covid regulations were in place andIi was able to completely relax and enjoy a fantastic course with Phil at the helm encouraging us all that we would be able to make a willow curlew by the end of the day! - and he was right! Homemade biscuits quiche and cake all made by Rachel really made me feel so looked after and it was the best day I have had since March! Really well worth going on. Thankyou Rachel for making me feel very welcomed."

Donna Chamberlain reviewed: Painting animals in watercolour

"Liz is a wonderful teacher: engaging, enthusiastic and encouraging. The course covered some basic and more advanced techniques with lots of time to practice and experiment. I would thoroughly recommend Liz’s courses to any one who loves watercolour"

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Hi Donna, thank you for such a lovely review. I thought your otter was excellent and meant to take a photo, along with the silhouettes - but didn't. If you share on social media tag me and I with 'love' it! I am so glad you have booked on more courses. See you soon!"

Emily Trenwith reviewed: Beginner's Patchwork and Quilting Course

"I'm reasonably confident with my sewing machine thanks to the Sew Forest of Dean "Learn to Love Your Sewing Machine" course, but was worried I wasn't precise enough to do patchwork. She's helped me with my cutting and piecing skills, and I've now made cushions, and a baby quilt. Feel like I'm now ready to tackle my first grown up quilt, I've learned so much! Thank you Jen!"

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"You have some great ideas for your projects Emily, I'm so glad I've been able to help you gain confidence and to get you started with them. Your bookcase quilt is going to be stunning, I can't wait to see it finished."

Emily Trenwith reviewed: Learn to Love your Sewing Machine

"Jen is an excellent teacher, with a passion for needlework that's infectious. She explains things very clearly, has endless patience & creativity, and will get you excited to use your sewing machine! Love going to the studio for some sewcialising, and looking forward to my next course. Highly recommend this lovely lady."

Sew Forest of Dean responded:

"Thank you so much Emily, it's always a pleasure to spend time with you in the studio x"

Jak Christon reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience in Grassington (3 hours)

"I just had my foot in the door, had a forge and a make shift anvil at home but not a clue on how to blacksmith besides hitting hot metal till it moves. I received this experience for my birthday, and it was one of the best gifts I’ve received. Richard is an excellent blacksmith, he explains things very clearly and he is very patient. I entered his workshop knowing very little about how to blacksmith and left knowing a lot about moving the metal, from where to strike on the anvil, how to position the metal and hammering techniques. During the time I spent with Richard we made a knife, key chain and a bottle opener. Thanks Richard I can now continue at home practising what he taught me. I would highly recommend booking time with him."

Jackie from Ledbury reviewed: Hand embroidered flowers - mini books- with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"Another lovely workshop. Very relaxed but learnt so much again. Thank you."

Ruth MacArthur reviewed: Candlemaking workshops for beginners in Hastoe, nr Tring

"A lovely morning spent with my daughter, while Anne taught us about candle making, very informative. We made a variety of candles, coloured and scented, which be brought home. A real pleasure to meet Anne, can’t thank her enough."

Susan from Gloucester reviewed: Hand embroidered flowers - mini books- with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"A lovely relaxing and inspiring day. Good to have structure to the day with clear instructions when needed."

Paula Loveday-Smith reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"I took the one day hare sculpture course - what a wonderful day with a super teacher - would highly recommend. Thank you Jo!!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thanks Paula ;-) Fabulous hares were made and a great group to work with! Hope all goes well with the kits you purchased (photos please ;-)) Jo x"

Alison reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Felted Pictures Workshop in Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"Great felting workshop with free form embroidery. It was a brilliant day I felt I had accomplished loads . Melanie was a fantastic teacher sharing her knowledge and experience. She also plied us with tea/coffee and cake all day . Well worth the money ."

Ann reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Felted Pictures Workshop in Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"The wet felting/free motion embroidery course was fabulous. There were loads of sources of inspiration and Melanie was a great teacher....informative, helpful and relaxed. We loved it. We’ll be back."

Kate reviewed: Mosaic Craft Kit - Unicorn

"I bought this kit as a birthday present for my daughter (obsessed with unicorns) and it arrived very promptly and beautifully packaged. Can't wait to now see her reaction when she opens it (and also to spend an afternoon happily crafting together)."

Montet Designs responded:

"Lovely! I hope you both enjoy creating the unicorn together : ) Many thanks for your purchase."

Caroline N reviewed: Make your own natural beauty products

"Fab session this morning with Lucie! My friend and I have learnt a new skill! So glad! On top on this Lucie is very kind and flexible. She explained very clearly all the steps and taught all the ingredients' properties to let us tailor our beauty products. I would highly recommend her sessions!"

Anais reviewed: Make your own natural beauty products

"Don't miss it- an exciting one and a half hour experience, with Lucie. Lucie was very knowledgeable, able to answer numerous questions. Don't forget to book one day before your arrival. Lucie is more than flexible and will arrange a session for you. Product range is wide and we could just pick the ones we were interested in learning how to make them. Thank you so much for this hands on session, we will come back soon!"

My Slow Experience responded:

"Thank you for your kind review. Hope you will enjoy using your very own beauty products. Happy to have met you. xxx"

Sheila and Paul Child reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"We thoroughly enjoyed our two person Wood Turning Beginners course with Simon and are delighted with what we took home. We made a beautiful bowl, a butter pat press, a light pull and two honey dippers, the latter being the result of our first practice pieces. It is amazing how a square block of wood becomes cylindrical with just a few, carefully guided, moves. Excellent, patient instruction and an altogether very interesting and satisfying experience with real, tangible, output. We learned a lot. The lunch provided was also excellent and just what we would have chosen had we been asked for a preference. We were looked after extremely well and it was just 20 minutes from home. Could not have been better."

Blended Monkey responded:

"Sheila/Paul, So glad you enjoyed your workshop as much as I enjoyed meeting you both. You were lovely to teach and I'm glad you're pleased with your creations. Once lock down is over, I must go to Canada and see the bears fishing for salmon! :)"

Daniel Cox reviewed: Pottery Throwing (Group Discounts Available) Lessons in Worcester

"I bought this course as a present for my girlfriend's birthday - safe to say, we both loved it! As true beginners, this course was perfect. Chris is clearly extremely knowledgeable and a very good tutor. Chris gave fab hints and tips throughout the pot-making process, while still allowing us to keep the pots looking like our own - a tad wonky :P With Chris' help we were able to pick it up very quickly and come away having made and decorated a succession of fantastic looking bowls, which we can't wait to pick up and display with pride in the coming weeks! The social distancing/PPE guidance and measures put in place by Chris were more than adequate and allowed us both to enjoy the evening without concern. Bonus points, we stumbled across a fellow geologist!!! Thanks again, Chris, for a fabulous evening - we will certainly be returning! Cheers, Dan & Charlotte :)"

Chris Greening Pottery responded:

"Hi Dan & Charlotte. What a wonderful review - I'm blushing (an Orthoclase feldspar pink of course...)! It was a great session and it is always lovely when people thrown themselves into the session. I'm also always impressed when people start off (quite rightly) trying to work out where the hands and fingers go but very quickly get to grips with the processes. Really well done - the pots are now drying nicely and will be in the kiln in a week or so for the first of the two firings and glazing. Best wishes, Chris."

John reviewed: Sourdough workshop

"I really enjoyed this course; it was fun and well paced covering each stage in the process both in practical skills as well as the underlying theory. The location is lovely and luckily the weather held out so we could eat the delicious breakfast and lunch outside. Due to Covid we wore visors which worked very well...I felt safe and comfortable all day and often forgot I was wearing one. I came home with several different loaves of very tasty bread and 2 starters which means I can now bake bread instead of the brick like substance I produced before. I would definitely recommend this course and the fact that half the attendees had been on previous courses speaks for itself. Thank you so much Helen."

Claire reviewed: Botanical Candles with Leah Chapman at Cambridge Art Makers

"It was amazing! We both really enjoyed it and Leah was great – we’d love to do more!!"

Jennifer Cawdron reviewed: Frame Baskets, 2 days with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"I enjoyed making the square basket. It was a very different type of basket to ones I have made before and was clearly explained by Phil. The venue was a very pleasant space, with plenty of room and light. The food was excellent."

Nicola Pentland reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience in Grassington (3 hours)

"I booked an afternoon with Richard for my husband as a gift - best decision ever! He had an amazing time and was so impressed with the knife that he made. Two weeks later and he's still raving about it! He said Richard was really knowledgeable and had a real gift for explaining things really clearly, and declared it the best gift he'd ever received! The booking process was easy and all communication from Richard was spot on. The photos he took were an unexpected and much appreciated touch too. Thanks Richard, you really gave him a great experience! We wouldn't hesitate to recommend you to anyone - actually, we already have! All the best x"