Latest reviews

Lee reviewed: One Day Mosaic Workshop - Indirect Method Technique

"Had a lovely day doing mosaic with Giulia - very skilled and helpful. Lovely relaxing thing to do."

Mel reviewed: Willow 'sculpture of your choice' - one day workshops with Willowtwisters

"Had a very enjoyable day making a hare. Lots to learn, but Sara took us through the various stages and techniques, but more importantly to get a feel for material. The group was a good size for the work involved and was lovely to see everyone's sculptures coming to life. Would definitely recommend."

Willowtwisters responded:

"Thank you Mel, It was a great day and you were a pleasure to teach. Im so glad you appreciated how important getting a 'feel' for the willow is. Your hare is wonderful! Thank you for joining the course. Sara"

Lorraine reviewed: Fused Glass Sun Catcher Workshop with Natalie Bullock

"I bought this as an present for my mum. Sadly we weren’t able to go with her so mum took her sister and a friend and they had a marvellous afternoon. Even the person in the group who, ‘isn’t good at art and craft’ really enjoyed herself and was very happy with her artwork."

Rachel reviewed: Half Day Pottery Experience, Chorley

"A really enjoyable 3 hours creating our little coil pots. Great instruction & creative inspiration given. Friendly & organised."

The Crafty potter responded:

"Hi Rachel Thank you for your fab review, you did an awesome job on your pots, see you when you collect Sharon"

Kay reviewed: Glass Fusing with Enamels Taster Class - Make a Tealight Curve

"A really enjoyable 2 hours with a great result. Would happily attend again and recommend."

Nessy reviewed: Glass Fusing and Slumping for Beginners and Improvers

"Janice & Jean are wonderful teachers and the environment is excellent. We were taught 4 different techniques and then had the opportunity after a delicious homemade lunch to use the techniques we had learned earlier to create larger pieces. Would definitely recommend this course and hope to return in the near future"

JJ Fused Glass responded:

"Thank you for your kind words Vanessa. We’re so glad that you enjoyed the way we teach. It was lovely to see you and your creativity. Best wishes, Jean and Janice"

Eva reviewed: Experience the Japanese art of raku using fire and flame

"A delightful day. Relaxed and inspiring. Janet & Suzanne supply bisque fired pots and glazes and everything you might need, but are equally happy for people to take their own along. They demonstrated the process and then let the group try their hand at all the elements of raku firing. Highly recommended."

Gone To Pot Ceramics responded:

"Hello Eva, so glad you enjoyed your day we enjoyed it too, such a lovely group! Kind regards Janet on behalf of the Raku team."

Melissa reviewed: Paint pouring with tea & cake

"What a wonderful afternoon of paint pouring. I was a complete novice, and absolutely loved it. The price is very good, considering you get to make 3 canvasses to keep, and have lovely coffee and cakes too. Dina is a great host, and was supported by her equally lovely and helpful Mum. It's a very well run class, learning the basics of paint pouring. Highly recommended."

Derek reviewed: Wood turning - 2 hour taster session

"A great experience, it’s given me the confidence to try more now. It was good to have some face to face training and Anna was great at answering all my many questions."

Anna L Nichols Furniture responded:

"That’s great. You can go have some fun on your lathe now l?"

Sally reviewed: Micro Macrame - Beaded Bracelet

"I booked this to do with two friends. It was really enjoyable. Wendy's instructions were easy to follow and she was very patient with us! We were all delighted with our bracelets. Great value for money. We would all highly recommend. I'm sure we will be booking to do a different crafting session with Wendy, as she offers so many different things. ( great soundtrack whilst we we working too ?)"

Eve Smietanko reviewed: Introduction to spooncarving at Hill End

"A wonderful day in a beautiful setting. David and Caroline were friendly and welcoming and the location was lovely. It was a relaxed day but with a good amount of structure with loads of support and help on hand when you needed it. As a complete beginner I had no idea what to expect but there was a clear plan from the start of the day and guidance was given in good bite size chunks throughout the day so that it wasn’t at all daunting. A fabulous day, I would recommend to anyone and would absolutely go back."

David Knight Woodland Crafts responded:

"Thanks so much for your review, Eve. I really appreciate that you travelled some distance to attend and I’m pleased you enjoyed the experience. I’ve just sent out the follow-up notes and I hope I’ve sparked an interest in a really immersive and relaxing craft activity."

Hannah reviewed: One Day Stained Glass Foiling Method Course

"Had a lovely day, Cheryl was really friendly and helpful and guided me through the processes, made a lovely rainbow sun catcher which I can’t wait to display on my wall"

Cheryl Powling Glass responded:

"Hi Hannah Thank you for the review .. I’m delighted you enjoyed your day .. your rainbow was so lovely ?.. xx ?"

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

"This was a fantastic introduction to silversmithing! Jules is a really encouraging tutor with a passion for her craft. She has created a lovely workspace with everything we needed to create stunning pieces by the end of the day. The pace of the workshop was excellent - having a maximum of 4 participants means Jules is able to give participants plenty of attention and I never needed to wait more than a few minutes for support when I needed it. I would definitely recommend this workshop and Jules as a knowledgeable and encouraging tutor who will help you achieve something you will be really proud of."

Karen reviewed: Willow Deer Sculpture Haymoor Studio

"I unleashed a new passion in willow sculpting thanks to Jo’s excellent teaching and enthusiasm on the day in this beautifully located centre. Not only were all the deer made on the day worthy of pride of place in our respective gardens but each was individual to the maker. Jo has also been helpful in giving me information and tips on how to go away and continue exploring this craft for myself. I will definitely be booking again for future courses."

Jo Sadler Willow responded:

"Thank you so much so Karen, I feel there is so much to be enjoyed in the willow, it just speaks to some of us!! Keep weaving!!!"

Richard Clark reviewed: Resin Art Experience

"Perfect balance of quality tuition and practical ‘hands on’. 5 attendees meant plenty of opportunity for Eunice to assist each of us during our first attempts. Pitched exactly at the right balance of instruction then supervision of our first efforts. Really pleased with our results!! Everyone involved finished the day with an excellent hand made brilliant resin picture. 10/10"

Eunice J. Friend responded:

"Thank you Richard so glad you enjoyed the workshop. Your ocean inspired resin art was a delight to see materialise. Warm regards Eunice "

Alison Scott reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"My Hubbie and I had a great day with Adrian, Andrew and fabulous caterer Debbie. Never having attempted to work with red hot metal before they guided us through the process and we are really chuffed with the results. Highly recommend the day to anyone who wants to have a go at something different."

Christopher Kelly reviewed: Willow Basket Weaving - with Eddie Glew (2 days) in the Peak District

"Zantium Studios is set in a beautiful location which is made better by the welcome from Godfrey the peacock. Alison and Peter hosted the 2-day workshop beautifully; they are the loveliest people and were available for anything we needed. Ahead of attending the course Alison was on hand to answer all my questions and assured me that they could cater for my gluten free needs. The lunches were delicious as were the yummy snacks, teas and coffees. I attended the 2-day basket weaving class with Eddie Glew. The course lived up to all my expectations and more. Eddie is a great teacher and I couldn't recommend him and Zantium studios more highly."

Zantium Studios Ltd responded:

"Thankyou, Chris, for this wonderful, glowing review. Thankyou so much for joining us here at Zantium. It was a pleasure to have on the course...and my only regret is that I failed to get a photo of you departing by pushbike, with your beautiful big basket on the back! Enjoy your newfound skills and come back soon x"

Tina reviewed: Basic woodturning half day

"Wood Turning course was excellent and Chris is an amazing Instructor. Chris is very knowledgeable and professional. He explained everything that I needed to know ...would definitely recommend. I came away with a wooden bowl that I had completed myself (with Chris's instructions)."

Christopher Bell reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This is the second Blacksmith course I have done here. I have to say it was a great day again and I am looking forward to the next day making a rams head poker. The food also was amazing. If anyone is looking to do or buy a blacksmith course this is definitely the place to do it."

Maximilian Allison reviewed: Beginners Woodworking: Make a Bread Board

"This course was great. The instructor, Richard, was very helpful and made the task very approachable and safe. The pace of the class was good, it was efficient but explanatory. I will be returning again and would recommend this to anyone interested in starting woodwork!"

Nicky Morley reviewed: Glass Fusing with Enamels Taster Class - Make a Tealight Curve

"Steve managed to pack a lot into two hours which can't have been easy as there was a lot of info to impart. I enjoyed the workshop and would recommend it."

Anna Hodgson reviewed: Bladesmithing experience day

"This was bought as a gift for my fiancé as he is into the Forged in Fire series! He hugely enjoyed himself, said it was exhausting and physical but really satisfying creating the knife. Steve is a friendly, relaxed and informative guy who ensured that Lee had a great day."

White Tiger Knives responded:

"Hi Anna I'm glad I didn't put Lee off knife making permanently, but I think he may look at the stock removal process as well now. I'm glad he enjoyed himself so much, it was a pleasure to host him in the workshop. Kind regards Steve"

Mike (Chester) reviewed: 3 Day Damascus Knife or Axe Making Class

"I asked my family to buy the Damascus axe course for a significant birthday. I love Damascus steel, but have never done any metalwork. This was the perfect course. Gary and Jos strike exactly the right balance between instruction, support and enabling you to be hands-on. I couldn't be happier with the end result. Many thanks guys. It was an excellent introduction to the world of the forge"

Gill Thomas reviewed: Introduction to butter knife, spatula and spoon carving

"A first class experience all round - would highly recommend for beginners like me."

Touch Wood responded:

"Thanks Gill, well whittled on the day!"

Lachlan Rowland reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"As a novice with an entry-level lathe, I needed proper tuition and introduction to equip me to safely and competently begin to turn wood. I took the one-day beginner's course with Colin, and it could not have been better. Over the course of the day, I learned everything I had hoped to, about the turning tools and their specific applications, approaching the wood, turning it, and finishing. In fact, I learned a great deal more than that, in the course of some excellent, patient tuition and demonstration. At the end of the day I had two very presentable finished turned items, that had exercised a lot of different techniques and skills in their execution. I also had been properly introduced to the workings of the lathe, safety advice, information on workpiece finishes: waxes, shellac, linseed, mineral oil. Tool selection and purpose, sharpening, with regard to their composition (carbon or HSS steel) were also covered. I came away more competent and confident (and therefore safer) than when I arrived, itching to get back to my small workshop and put the techniques into practice. Colin referred to detailed handouts with comprehensive photographs for reference during the day - actually magazine articles he has written previously - and they comprise virtually an encyclopaedia for beginner wood-turners to refer to. He sent me an electronic version which is going to be an invaluable reference. I highly recommend Colin's course to beginners - I can see me returning for an advanced version once what I have now learned has been practised and bedded in."

Devon Wood Crafts responded:

"Thanks for this great review, Lachlan. It is much appreciated. I hope to see you again sometime. In the meantime ... happy and safe turning. Regards, Colin"