Latest reviews

Sue reviewed: Rainbow mosaic wall plaque (interior) - a mosaic kit in a box

"I really enjoyed doing my rainbow mosiac. Everything that you need is included and the instructions are very clear as well."

Julie Vernon Mosaics responded:

"Well done Sue - so pleased you enjoyed the kit. Hope you find a nice place on the wall to display. All the best Julie"

Sharon-Leah Perry reviewed: Cyanotype prints

"I had a fantastically inspiring time with Ashleigh who shared so many different techniques & ideas with me. He made the workshop very understandable, fun & enjoyable & had so much material prepared for me to choose from to use for my printing. I loved being able to experiment with soaking one of my pieces in a strong tea solution, that I currently have another piece soaking in very strong coffee for comparison. I have since shared my with my family who also appreciated the learning experience & knowledge that Ashleigh shared with me. I would highly recommend doing this workshop with Ashleigh, or even one of the other workshops he does. He is very knowledgeable & has a gift of breaking things down into easy to understand pieces. THANK YOU ASHLEIGH !"

Maya reviewed: Felt Pictures-Painting with fibres - intro to 2D wet felting/felt making

"This class was excellent and surpassed all of my expectations. Neither myself or my mum had ever done any felting before and we aren’t particularly artistically inclined. Heather was an excellent teacher and even made cake for us! She talked us through the process of creating the felt as we went, and provided us with everything we needed and every colour of felt under the sun. We were both able to produce a piece of felt that we were happy with thanks to heathers tuition and now have the building blocks to be able to create more. We may book on to the course again, and we would recommend the course to anyone!"

Chris Roberts reviewed: Mosaic wall hangings using vintage and retro china

"Loved this course. Wendy was very welcoming. She explained the processes clearly and was ready to help and advise throughout the day. Came away feeling that I can carry on with this hobby on my own. I have no hesitation in recommending this course."

Jane reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"We spent a lovely day making birds and turtles. It was lovely chatting to Rachel as we worked in a relaxed atmosphere, with our tea, biccies and glass cutting. I was surprised at how much I learnt and did in a day. And we had something nice to take home. Thank you ?"

Swanwick Studio responded:

"Thank you Jane for your lovely feedback :-) I hope your sister was impressed with your efforts ;-) Your turtle is lovely & so nice to spend the day with you both x"

June Crow reviewed: Introduction to small goods leather crafting

"A very enjoyable day. I learned a great deal in a short time which is testament to a good teacher. After just 6 hours in a comfortable, friendly and beautiful location, I went home. Very pleased with my first attempt and rearing to go with my own projects. Thank you Paul."

Bardster's Crafts responded:

"Thank you for your kind words. Best wishes"

Alison Crosby reviewed: Pottery Wheel Taster Private Session

"We had an extremely fun time learning how to use the potters wheel. Alison was great at explaining what we needed to do and then kept us on track when we had a go ourselves. Nothing was too much trouble and we came away fully enthused to have another go in the future."

Loveheart Workshops responded:

"Thank you for your lovely words. It was a fun session and I'm glad you both enjoyed it so much! ?"

Sally reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"Spent a day with Lucy focusing on soldering and I enjoyed it immensely. Lucy listened carefully to what I needed and what experience I’d had and tailored the day accordingly. The workshop is fantastic and so well equipped. I learnt how to make jump rings, which I’d never done before and I came away feeling much more confident about soldering. I’m now looking forward to finishing my bracelet at home. Information sheets provided before the course were great, and afterwards, Lucy sent me more information and pictures of key areas of the pieces we were soldering so that I can now refer back to them. Lucy was patient and encouraging and I was well looked after all day. Highly recommended, and I’ll be returning ASAP!"

Penny reviewed: Silver jewellery making class for beginners

"Had a great day and made several pieces of jewellery to show off my new skills! Lovely day :)"

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you Penny, Your gift voucher worked out well in the end! I am very pleased that you enjoyed your day at Salt Way Silver, ad well done with your new jewellery making skills! Jonathan "

Rachel reviewed: Beginners/improvers glass fusing workshops in Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire

"Carole is very organised and explains techniques really clearly. She is also friendly and very welcoming, she is a great teacher too. My friend and I had a brilliant day and talked about the course all the way home. We are definitely booking again and aim to bring with us other family members too. Thank you Carole."

Gore Tree Studio responded:

"Many thanks for the review Rachel, so glad you both enjoyed the day :)"

John wood reviewed: Small Leather Goods Workshop

"I would highly recommend having a day with Richard. Very informative and knowledgeable. It was that good I intend to have 2 more days with him."

John wood reviewed: Small Leather Goods Workshop

"I would highly recommend having a day with Richard. Very informative and knowledgeable. It was that good I intend to have 2 more days with him"

Melanie Louise reviewed: Art Spoon Carving with Giles Newman

"This weekend I had the pleasure of attending a Pendant Carving workshop with Giles Newman, he is a master craftsperson in fine art wood carving! I have affectionately named my pendant carving the Grubby Moth! After 6 hours of carving I came away with a lovely oak pendant that I'm very proud of (it's slightly grubby from being handled by my sweaty hands for so long ?). There was a lot of "white knuckle" carving with a super sharp knife going on! This workshop really tested my patience and determination. I usually work in a much freer, faster and more colourful way. It's worth challenging yourself out of your comfort zone sometimes, and this workshop helped me do that. It was an amazing experience to be in Giles' beautiful studio, which is purpose built in his garden. The carving process requires you to work slowly and steadily in a mindful, meditative way to carefully, and calmly carve your creation. There's no scope for rushing this process, I had to rein in my slap dash tendencies, which is a good thing! I carved a small moth, and came away with some useful life, and craft skills as well as my little pendant. I highly recommend Giles' workshops. It's a real privilege to work with an artist who has absolutely mastered, and created new dimensions within his craft form. His wood carving really is out of this world!! He is also a very knowledgeable, humble, wise, sensitive guy with a gentle and encouraging teaching style. Check out his work if you need anymore encouragement to attend one of his courses. It really is amazing, and all carved with one very small, very sharp knife and a massive amounts of love, skill and patience."

Giles Newman responded:

"Wow! I cannot thank you enough for this lovely, very kind and thoughtful review Melanie. It was a real pleasure to meet both you and Miranda and to share my carving techniques with you. I do hope that you will both continue to carve and that it will in some way find a place in your lives along with the other crafts that you do and that you teach. My thanks and best wishes to you both."

Rob Thompson reviewed: Make your own shavehorse with Gedwood

"I attended the shave horse making course in April. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and came home with a lovely piece of kit, which I look forward to start using. Ged is a great teacher, and creates a calm and friendly atmosphere, sharing his knowledge and passion for his work. The course was inspiring and we were given plenty of time to learn and practice using a range of tools and skills. Thanks again Ged! Hope to attend another course in the future!"

Gedwood responded:

"Thanks Rob! Just sent you through links for ordering tools Happy carving!"

Coursejunkie reviewed: Macrame - Feather

"I booked this course for a friend and I. Having done macrame back in the 70s it was a delight to have Wendy teach us the feather. My friend and I had a thoroughly delightful couple of hours. Wendy is patient and really takes time to ensure you are following and understand what you are doing. I would highly recommend her."

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

"This is a great day, very relaxed and you end up with a great piece of work you have created yourself. Jo is an expert host and guide throughout the day."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Janice - it was lovely having you and your daughters here ?. Great work all round! Jo x"

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

"I was unsure what to expect as first, but the course was brilliant. The greeting was warm and friendly. When everyone arrived we were equipped with safety gear and given a short introduction to safety in the forge. Then we were into making the first item. Adrian gave an introduction to the techniques and steps needed to start and off you go. The staff are always on hand, attentive and willing to gently guide you with the current process. What seemed daunting at the start, faded into easy to replicate steps and I now have a snail key fob and a dragon coat rack. It's a superb course, with friendly people and you make something that initially seems out of reach given your inexperience. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who's thinking about it. Physical strength not needed but it can get a touch warm around the furnaces."

clyde brown reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Very enjoyable. Paul, Chris and the other instructors were great. Good graft and a great group which made the weekend. Would 100% recommend"

Dry Stone Walling Association Lancashire Branch responded:

"Clyde & Chantelle Many thanks for you kind words Paul"

Caroline Elliott reviewed: Introduction to leaded stained glass

"Had a brilliant day with Gen. Did the stained glass course which was a bit trickier than I had anticipated but Gen was really patient and showed me what to do when I had gotten in a muddle. Had a super lunch and sat chatting with the other lady Joanne on the course. Learnt a lot of new things about cutting glass with the different tools. Would definitely recommend this course and I’m sure the fused glass course it just as educational. Thank you Gen."

Wicked Gen Crafts responded:

"Lovely to have you on the course and so pleased you enjoyed the day, learned lots and took away your own hand-made lovely piece. "

Carol H reviewed: Jewellery making with Precious Metal Silver Clay - Full Day Workshop

"This course was bought for me as a birthday gift. I absolutely loved the Silver Clay process and the excellent teaching method from Charlotte. I came away with 3 very unique and wearable pendants. I would definitely do this course again and even buy a small kit to try at home Thank you Charlotte for a lovely day :-)"

Felix & Reuben Jewellery School responded:

"Hi Carol, thank you for the lovely review, I'm so glad you enjoyed the workshop. Well done on making such gorgeous jewellery! Regards, Charlotte"

Melanie Alexander reviewed: A day on the tiles: one-day mosaic workshop

"I booked my friend and I for A Day on the Tiles as a birthday treat, and we loved every minute. After welcoming us with cups of tea, Fiona explained the process of making a mosaic, how to keep us safe and gave us guidance on our designs. The studio pinboard of photographs provided plenty of inspiration; there were many colours of tile to choose from and the supply was plentiful. Fiona worked alongside us, and was available to give advice when needed. We enjoyed plenty of hot refreshments alongside carrot cake. We chose to grout our own creations at home, so Fiona provided us with the grout and a set of instructions. The whole experience with Fiona was relaxing and enjoyable, thoroughly recommend it!"

Martin Chandler reviewed: Beginner's Weaving Class / Introduction to multi-shaft weaving (Weekend Course)

"Alan is a great teacher and guides his students through a range of weaving techniques using different looms that demonstrate a variety of set-ups. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun and you learn so much about the fundamental aspects of weaving. Alan guides you through the technical language and how to thread up a loom to start weaving. A great productive weekend!"

Alan Oliver Handweaver, Dyer & Print Maker responded:

"Thank you for such a lovely review, Martin. I had a great time teaching you and Caroline and I'm so glad you both enjoyed yourselves."

Sarah Richardson-Cornish reviewed: Double-Sided Lampshade Making

"Really enjoyed this course in a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. Clear directions/ instructions given throughout and Wendy was always on hand if any additional help or advice required! Given this was the first time I’d ever made a lampshade I was suitably impressed by the finished professional look! Bought more kits to make at home too!"

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

"Fabulous day with 2 very approachable and knowledgeable blacksmiths and some scrumptious food to boot! Thankyou all for a super day"

Ang reviewed: Make 3 Rings in a Day

"We were a group of 6 from Bolton The workshop was a fascinating journey into silversmithing, from raw silver strip to a beautiful wearable personalised piece of jewellery. Rachel is friendly, knowledgeable and very skilled, and it was a joy to learn from her. The 3 rings programme is excellent value and an empowering experience where we try various techniques and let our creativity run wild. We all left feeling pretty proud of ourselves, and determined to make a return trip :-) Angie"