Latest reviews

Simon Hayes reviewed: 1 to 1 Bladesmithing or Blacksmithing

"Wonderful day and a great 50th birthday present!. We had a great teacher who took us through every step of the knife making process in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Starting with a flat bar of steel and ending up with a beautiful hand forged knife was extremely enjoyable and satisfying. I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone with even a remote interest in learning blacksmithing skills."

Workshops in the Woods responded:

"Glad you enjoyed yourself Simon good to see you hard at work very impressed you got mistaken for Ian! Thank you for the review"

Carol reviewed: Beginner's Candle Making Private Workshop - Marlow, Buckinghamshire

"Booked this as a birthday present for my best friend. Wanted to do something a bit different. We had an amazing time and thoroughly enjoyed listening to Sarah explain all the different processes. She is so knowledgeable. We made pillar colour candle, floating candles, perfumed tin candle and rolled beeswax candles all to take home for presents or to enjoy yourself. The 3 hours went very quickly and would love to do another one. You will have a lovely time!"

Candle by Events responded:

"Thank you Carol, glad you enjoyed your candle making experience :)"

Nichola reviewed: Powertex Mixed Media Seashell Moments or Flow Picture Workshop - by Inky Escapades

"The powertex course was amazing. Karen was wonderful at explaining it all step by step. Her studio is stunning, and full of her work, I can't wait to do another course. The piece I made is beautiful, I fall in love with it a bit more every time I look at it!"

Inky Escapades responded:

"Dear Nichola Thank you so very much for your kind words. I am so thrilled that you enjoyed your day and that you love your Art Work so much. I know you were not convinced you would be able to product a piece to these standards. I am really glad you surprised yourself! I look forward to seeing you again in the future Kind Regards Karen Hewitt Inky Escapades"

Yaran Liang reviewed: Punch needle embroidery

"Very interesting class located in a lovely boutique and garden centre. Vicky is a very fun teacher, sharing the skills of punch needle. The course includes the material (with extra) and tools, cake and drink. You can actually complete a project after this, which is quite an achievement. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it!"

Julie Hicks Textiles responded:

"Hi Yaran, Thank for the lovely review it's much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed it . "

John T reviewed: Introduction to Furniture Restoration - Cambridgeshire

"A great day of learning - Bill is very clearly an expert and a very good tutor. We covered many of the important aspects of restoration and by suggesting I took a small item to discuss, it helped to make the learning very real and the whole day very encouraging. So much more to learn but a great introduction, thank you!"

Janet Maclean reviewed: Introduction to Ecoprinting

"It was a great course that was well structured and gave us the opportunity to try out printing on a range of materials. We were kept busy and I came away with a lot of samples that I will be able to use in future projects. Also thanks for the homemade cookies and lemon drizzle cake."

Earthwise Ecoprints responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Janet and well done to your husband for buying you a fabulous gift! So pleased you enjoyed the day. I was so pleased with all the fabulous prints that were created but such a brilliant group. Fiona x"

Jayne Dickson reviewed: Free machine embroidery with Sarah Sewell

"This was my second workshop. Sarah was very patient and guided me through the process of catching the thread from under the fabric. Again I came away with a lovely piece of textile art in a frame. It is nice to decide on your own design and Sarah guides you through how to put it together step by step. The free machinery embroidery is a great course for beginners and experts."

Created By Hand responded:

"Hi Jayne Thanks for the comments Sarah has a wonderful way of making students of all abilities feel at ease and I am always impressed by the variety and quality of work that comes out of her taster classes. Dave"

Alison reviewed: Mosaic garden plaque workshop pm

"Lovely little mosaic course very local to me. Chrissy was really helpful and it was all laid out ready for us to get started. Plenty of materials so lots to choose from and if you couldn't find exactly what you needed Chrissy would bring out even more stuff! I didn't think I'd get the hang of it at first but in the end I was pleased with what I made (a garden tile) and I will definitely be displaying it in my back garden."

Sue Wilcox reviewed: Punch needle embroidery

"What a lovely morning. Julie is a brilliant teacher and Bonds was such a good venue. I had tried to teach myself Punch Needle using a kit but it makes a big a difference having someone show you the techniques. There were five of us on the course and it was just like a chatty morning crafting with a group of friends. I would recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn this craft."

Julie Hicks Textiles responded:

"Hi Sue, Thank you for the lovely review ! I do appreciate it. Many thanks and see you on the next one !"

Laura B reviewed: Pottery and decorating day for two

"I had booked this day as a birthday treat for my 11 year old daughter (and a treat for me!) We had covered some pottery basics previously but we were both very keen to have a go at throwing pots on the wheel and felt some 1:1 guidance and support with this would be a good plan. We had a wonderful day with Marina (and Poppy the dog!) Marina is an excellent teacher - with endless patience and so much knowledge and experience. She was always there to help (and rescue any disasters) and this ensured we managed to each produce 3 reasonable looking bowls by the end of the morning. After a picnic in the nearby bluebell woods we returned to trim and decorate our bowls which was great fun. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the day, as did I and I can't wait to see the finished results in a few weeks. Thank you so much Marina."

Marina Randall Ceramics responded:

"Laura thanks so much for your wonderful review! It was lovely having you and Holly too and now your results are up to the kiln gods, but I’m sure they’ll do a splendid job. I will keep you posted! Best wishes Marina"

David Little reviewed: Hand percussion drums workshop with David Insua Cao

"A great introductory session to different types of hand percussion given by a professional percussionist. We got to learn different techniques across a range of percussion and put this in to practice with an improvisation session. David was a great workshop leader and explained things very clearly and in a fun way."

Artsmill Charity (Ltd) responded:

"Thank you for your review, David! It was great to meet you and glad you enjoyed the workshop. Best, Harriet"

Fiona reviewed: Willow obelisk workshop

"Lovely experience - Kate was a great teacher and very patient. Delighted with the willow obelisk I managed to create! Delicious lunch and delightful setting. Would very much recommend."

Susan Baines reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"My friend and I attended this course yesterday and can absolutely recommend it. Jo was lovely and a very patient tutor! Having had no experience of working with felt, by the end of the day I knew how to work the different yarns to produce felt and had made a lovely picture in felt to take home and frame. Everything was provided including refreshments. We took our own packed lunch. There was a free car park right next door to the venue. Thank you Jo, a lovely relaxing and enjoyable day,"

Helen, Roz & Stuart reviewed: Resin Art Workshop

"Sophie is a knowledgeable and engaging instructor and the small group size meant Sophie was easily available when we had queries. We were shown a wide range of techniques and materials and encouraged to make more items than first planned when we'd completed our first pourings. We really enjoyed the workshop and made some great pieces which we look forward to receiving once fully cured. We've been inspired by Sophie to look at using resin pouring elsewhere in our homes and hope a longer workshop will be available on this at some point."

Unusual Girl Art responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, it was such a pleasure to have you all along for the workshop. I'm delighted you had such an enjoyable time and are keen for more resin adventures! Looking forward to reuniting you with your wonderful creations :)"

Ameena reviewed: Punch needle embroidery

"I really enjoyed my time on this workshop and was pleasantly surprised at how relaxed I was working on my piece while chatting to everyone. The location was great and easy to find, and Julie was very helpful and friendly. I will definitely be back for another workshop in future."

Julie Hicks Textiles responded:

"Thanks Ameena, What a lovely review and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. see you on the next one !"

Arfa reviewed: Willow obelisk workshop

"Brilliant one day course to build/create an obelisk. Enjoyed myself immensely. I found the experience to be very therapeutic and calming. Lovely light lunch was served in the garden. Would highly recommend."

Sheryl Rogers reviewed: Tunisian Crochet for Beginners - Cheshire

"Katharine and I really enjoyed the course. Emma was very knowledgeable and explained the process clearly to two complete novices..she was also very patient and happy to go at both our paces. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn a new skill."

Katherine Grant reviewed: Durham, in person soy wax candle making and soap making

"My daughter and I enjoyed a brilliant few hours with Diane and Claire learning about candle and soap making. The afternoon tea was excellent too, hope to see you again soon ?"

Harald Lamon reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"The perfect setting, a very skilled and enthusiastic teacher, beautiful wood to work with and quality sharp tools. All that made me go home with an amazing chair I 'm really proud of! Thanks again Ben!! Harald from Belgium. (www.lepelhuis.be)"

Sarah shorthouse reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"I was lucky enough to have a one day mould making course with Ed. It was brilliantly taught and I came away knowing how to make spriggs and the pitfalls to avoid. Ed is a truly gifted teacher and so generous with his time and sharing of his amazing knowledge. Thank you."

Mel reviewed: Learn the Potters' Wheel in a Weekend

"Spending a weekend with Joss was an amazing and genuinely life-changing experience for me. I had no experience of pottery at all, but under Joss's patient, warm and practical guidance by the end of day 2 I was really proud of what I was able to create. I really enjoyed the careful focus on technique rather than rushing to a finished but poor piece, which is what many other courses seem to do. Spending time with Joss isn't just about process - her relationship to the landscape around her from which she creates her clay infuses the experience, and being able to explore the Powder Mills at lunch time was a treat. I highly recommend this course, and am already trying to find time to do it again."

Chrissy G reviewed: Felt picture making workshop in Rugby!

"Fantastic! A calm afternoon of creation in a beautiful setting. Karen is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable tutor - easy to talk to and keen to help you get the most out of your day. Lovely quality wool to work with and easy to follow explanation meaning we all left with something to be proud of. Loved the small group size - made it easy to learn."

Karen Wyeth Contemporary Felt Artist responded:

"Thanks for taking the time to leave such a glowing review Chrissy, it is much appreciated! Let me know how you get on with the felt kit!"

Jamie Smith reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"A good days work and learning. I arrived 10 minutes late which was annoying as I had driven past the place 20 mins earlier, perhaps a sign outside the entrance on course days might be an idea? Sat nav not much use! Adrian is obviously a highly skilled blacksmith and made the demos look so easy. I struggled a bit at times and would have liked perhaps some advice as to whether I was doing it right or not. I persevered and ended up with a key ring that doesn't look too bad but my coat hook bears no resemblance to a dragon, looks more like a hippo. Very tasty food and an interesting day"

Dianne Wilford reviewed: Stained Glass Taster Day

"Hi Derek, I would just like to thank you on behalf of my son, Jason Wilford, and his daughter Shannon (my granddaughter) for your leaded glass taster day on the 23rd April. They had a really fabulous day and they couldn't praise you enough for the course, content and your knowledge and enthusiasm for your craft and for the projects you are also working on. They also said there was a lovely, friendly atmosphere in your workshop too and it was nice to meet the others also on the course. (Shannon was also impressed when you played some Pink Floyd). Your taster course has now sparked an interest in leaded glasswork for them and it was great that they could both share this experience as a 'dad n daughter' birthday learning together day. So thank you once again for this. Many best wishes for the future, Dianne Wilford"

Derek Hunt Artist responded:

"Dear Dianne, Thank you so much for your kind words, very much appreciated. It's great to know the course was enjoyed by your family and they got lots out of the Taster Day. Thank you again and best wishes to you and your family, Yours, Derek"

Laura P reviewed: The Suffolk Silk Scarf Painting Workshops at The Arty Silkworm - Fabulously Creative

"We had a fantastic day with Ruth (and Twiggy!) and highly recommend the course to others. Ruth is very welcoming and knowledgeable and it was a treat to spend a day doing something so relaxing and calming."