Latest reviews

Caroline reviewed: Blacksmith experience day in Tilford, Surrey

"What an amazing experience. I fulfilled a lifelong dream of creating something forged from metal. Neil is not only a great teacher but he has incredible patience. I could only aspire to his level of knowledge and skill but his encouragement allowed me to believe I could go home with two pieces of work that I would be proud of. I would certainly recommend this course ."

Matt reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"What a splendid way to spend the day! We learnt a lot from an excellent teacher running an extremely well organised and thought out course The company and the food were excellent The time flew by as we were totally absorbed, and the wood was a lovely place to be Oh, and i came home with a spoon."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Matt Thank you for coming and the lovely review. Glad to hear you enjoyed the day. All the best Mark and Cristina"

Helen and Ellie reviewed: Pottery and decorating day for two

"We really enjoyed our day learning how to throw pots with Marina. She is an excellent teacher, kind and patient when things go a bit wonky and full of praise for our efforts. Looking foward to seeing how our pots turn out."

Marina Randall Ceramics responded:

"Thanks Helen and Ellie for your kind review. :-) I shall keep you posted and keep our fingers crossed ? Maybe see you at open studios in the next few weeks! Kind regards Marina"

Sean reviewed: Hand forged rustic knife course

"Bought this for me and my brother We had a great time Andy was great at showing us all the technical aspects of the forging. Truly a great experience and we both can not wait to book another course at the Highfield Forge. Thank you Highfield Forge ????"

Julie reviewed: Mosaic workshop for CHILDREN make a mosaic heart using vintage china

"My 13 year old daughter and I had a really lovely time with Eva. She made the heart and I made a door number plaque. Eva is a great teacher, very patient and encouraging."

Marie Colquhoun reviewed: Stained Glass Sun Catchers. (Foil Method) One day class. Beginners and intermediate welcome.

"My husband and I had a fantastic day with Clare. She is very friendly and easy to chat to. We were complete beginners so were nervous about what was involved. Clare explained and demonstrated every process clearly. She helped us choose suitable items to make and then led us through the day assisting us as necessary. Clare has a lovely house and we were made very welcome. You need to take your own lunch which she will pop in the fridge for you. Hot drinks and biscuits are provided."

Woodland Crafts responded:

"Thank you for your comments. It was lovely to meet you both and so glad you enjoyed your day. Clare "

dawn reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"hard days work but amazing...an absolutely lovely teaching duo, lots of patience and humour, blisters and aching muscles!! we needed all of the gourgeoues food provided...would recommend to anyone interested in trying blacksmithing...or just something different...for me it really gave me an understanding of the work that goes into hand metalwork...."

Graham Vasey reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Fantastic day I enjoyed every minute of creating my Dragon Coat Hook. Great food and hospitality as well. Definitely be booking another course soon."

Anna reviewed: Beach Art North Cornwall

"We've booked the beach art experience with our two daughters (9 and 5 y.o.) and had some great time creating patterns on the sand. Bill guided us carefully and we just went with the flow and created a beautiful pattern. I also loved that Bill made some pictures with a drone which allowed us to look at our art from the top. Thank you!"

Samantha reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"Just finished our second course with Marianne, a full day this time as a half day last time wasn't long enough! We made a basket, a fruit bowl and a drsgonfly this time. Great instruction, a relaxing, enjoyable day with a lovely bunch of people. Thank you Marianne, we'll be back again soon. Samantha & Kate xx"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"You're becoming fanatics! So nice to see how your skills are growing as you're adapting different techniques in different ways. You now also know what it's like to work with stripped willow, after the lovely fruit bowl you made. Looking forward to seeing the photos of your items in situ. Thank you for your lovely message. Really looking forward to showing you further new and different items to make with perhaps rattan this time. I'll make sure you'll become addicted, ha, ha. All the best for now, Marianne xx"

Abbie reviewed: Make a leather belt in an evening - Craft it Yourself Practical Leather Course

"Georgie created a friendly environment from the get go, from the warm welcome to refreshments offered. The pace Georgie set was perfect and the instruction thorough. I would love to return and will be recommending it to friends."

Hands of Tym responded:

"Thanks Abbie! It was so great to welcome you and your dad to the workshop. Your belts were amazing too! Hope to see you again, Georgie xx"

Kerry Shipley reviewed: Resin seascape workshop with lunch - Prestwood

"Brilliant day. Anne & Sue were very friendly and welcoming. Really good, clear teaching. Lovely lunch. Came away with two wonderful pieces of resin art. Thank you so much."

Interior Boost responded:

"Hello Kerry, Many thanks for your review, Sue & I really enjoyed having you at the workshop and we cannot wait to be welcoming you for more fun. See you soon. Anne"

Rosie reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"So much fun! Totally absorbing, learnt loads, lovely people and a beautiful setting. Will recommend to everyone."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Rosie Glad you enjoyed your surprise day out and thank you for leaving a review. All the best Mark and Cristina"

R A Selvakumar reviewed: Mosaics workshop with Anne

"I attended this course and can say it was Excellent in every respect. The tutor made the session interesting and educational, she really inspired us all to take our passion and pursue it further. It was a lovely afternoon and very fulfilling artistically and socially. I can recommend it to anyone thinking about trying mosaics. I will be attending the next session."

Nathan Tough reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"What an excellent day! The location, the company, the craft, it was all perfect and I came away feeling peaceful and satisfied. Mark has extensive knowledge, ability, and importantly, patience. Definitely give this course a go!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Nathan Thank you for the review. Great to hear you had a good day. Maybe see you back here a some point. All the best Mark and Cristina"

Lin Cooper reviewed: Mosaics workshop with Anne

"An excellent class which I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. The piece I made is attached to my back door gate and I am delighted with it and very proud of it! I will be joining Anne's next class to hopefully enhance my mosaic skills and re-join the friends I made there."

A Horne reviewed: Mosaics workshop with Anne

"I really enjoyed this course and finding out how to make a mosaic from scratch. Anne (the tutor) explained everything in detail, made it very interesting and made me feel comfortable. I am looking forward to attending her next class on 15th June."

Cath Roberts reviewed: Furniture Painting Workshop (levels 1&2 techniques covered) in Preston, Lancashire

"My sister booked this Upcycling course for my birthday and I loved every minute of it. Jo was so informative and friendly and nothing was too much trouble. This has given me the confidence to ‘have a go’ at home. Can’t recommend Jo enough, had a fabulous day and can’t wait to come back for the level 2 course to try some new techniques when I have mastered these."

The Boho Shed responded:

"I’m so pleased to have been part of your birthday celebrations Cathy. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the workshop. Thank you for your kind words. Look forward to seeing you at the next level. X"

Emma Harrison reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"What an AMAZING day! I loved every moment of the course. With a friendly welcome, Mark took us on journey of skills and information to wooden carving spoonery. The lunch was delicious too. I loved my day so much i could have stayed all week!! BRILLIANT. I have already made numerous recommendations."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for leaving a review and spreading the word. All the best Mark and Cristina"

Iona Kelly reviewed: Cyanotype prints

"Ashleigh was very knowledgeable, which was just as well because we knew nothing about the subject at all! He provided a range of items for us to use and was very open to all of ideas, no matter how random. Cyanotype is a very niche area and it was interesting to learn about it."

Jenny McCulloch reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery - Beginner - 3 Hours - One to One

"We had a fabulous morning in Rachel’s super experienced hands making some beautiful silver pieces. Rachel is a fantastic teacher and her studio is in a gorgeous location, she makes you feel really relaxed, gives great advice and support and really encourages you to give it a go. We loved the fact that Rachel has also taken the time and effort to give you all the information you need to take our new found skills home! Thank you we had a fabulous day x"

Gifted Crafts Company responded:

"Thank you Jenny. You are so kind to take the time to do a review. Thank you so much for your lovely comments too! You both did so well and I can’t wait to see what else you do! All the very best. Rach "

Simon Braschi reviewed: Introduction to Furniture Restoration - Cambridgeshire

"A very educational and enjoyable day spent in the workshop. I would highly recommend to anybody interested in learning more about furniture restoration or woodwork in general."

Rob reviewed: Full Day Woodturning tuition from Registered Professional Turner in Dorset, South West

"Super day with a really tasty lunch. I’ve been on several Woodturning courses/classes over the years and Joe’s has to been one of the best. Thanks"

Joe Creed-Kaile responded:

"Thanks for the great review! Joe"

Denton Capp reviewed: Glass blowing day experience

"Just attended this course at end of May 2022. Absolutely amazing hands-on experience. The 2 instructors for the 6 of us were super knowledgeable, fun and helpful. Whilst I can imagine it is incredibly hard to master glass blowing, the step by step demos and tuition made it incredibly interactive in making a paperweight, bauble and vessel (vase). It has certainly whet my appetite for more and will be contacting Derek to see if more courses coming to take this further. I thoroughly recommend this course to anyone wanting some hands-on fun for the day. Huge thanks to the tutors for making it such a great day!"

Bransfield Glassmakers responded:

"Thanks so much, Denton! Just the sort of feedback we hope for, and of course we'd love to see you again!"

Rob Britton reviewed: One day welding course: an introduction

"A wonderful experience with a truly great guy who has a passion for his trade. I personally struggle to learn from books/YouTube and pick up how to do things much easier if I spend time hands on with a master tradesman. Julian is definitely a master of his trade and he willingly shares his knowledge with a passion. I would highly recommend anyone wishing to learn MIG welding to contact Julian. Thank you so much for a great day and for teaching me MIG welding theory and techniques. I can now start my scrap metal sculptures with confidence"

Julian Wadsworth - Artist Blacksmith responded:

"Hi Rob, Thankyou for your review. One bit of kit I am hearing of and have seen one , is the Arc Tech 180 mig. British made and come in around £500 I am told.Keep me informed on how you are doing. Regards, Julian"