Latest reviews

Linda reviewed: Upholstery for Beginners Workshop - in Cheadle, Gr Manchester

"What a fantastic day, I was lucky enough to be on the course with a lovely lady and our tutor Jo who made us both feel very at home and welcome. Having never attempted upholstery, I was soon put at my ease and encouraged throughout, I’ve got the bug now and would recommend this course to anyone. A really fun and relaxing experience and a fantastic and fun tutor (with lots of patience). I was thrilled with my footstool and will be back to try another skill. It was really nice to do something for myself, be spoilt with endless tea and home made cake and two great ladies for company, what’s not to like you must give it a try."

The Boho Shed responded:

"Linda, what a great day we had! Thank you for your lovely review. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the day and delighted you now have the bug. I look forward to seeing your future upholstery projects and to seeing you again for some furniture painting. ??"

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

"My husband and I attended this fantastic workshop on Sunday 1 May and we both had a fabulous time. Jo is an attentive, friendly and extremely well organised host. Her garden studio is wonderful, warm, cosy and well laid out. We both became totally immersed with our hare sculptures and creating something 3D with wonderfully tactile materials which was incredibly therapeutic. We would highly recommend this unique experience."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Alexese - so lovely to have you both here creating wonderful sculptures. I hope you enjoy making the kits you took away on the day. Jo x"

Mike reviewed: Beginners half-day pairs woodturning workshop

"I spent a wonderful afternoon in the workshop with my young son, who has special needs. We were able to attend the workshop in advance of our actual day to make sure he was going to be comfortable with the surroundings, the noise of the lathes, extractors and band saw and what we would be doing - which he was and every day from then on he was so excited about going and how long it would be until we went. On the day Simon was very attentive to his needs and we both had a great time and my son went away with a newly lathed Harry Potter wand which he very proudly took to school on the Monday to show everyone. Very much enjoyed by us both and would definitely recommend."

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi Mike, Thanks for such a lovely review and soooo glad that your son enjoyed the day - he was really fun to teach and so inquisitive and interested in it all! Also really glad that you enjoyed yourself too :) -- Simon"

Joanne Booth reviewed: Drawing Techniques Tuesday evenings - 4 week course live on Zoom

"Learning with Purnima is fun and very effective. She explains every step in detail and enables even absolute beginners like me to achieve a result to be proud of. Thank you Purnima"

Jonathan Moore reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking at Sallerton Wood

"I had a day on the introduction to green woodworking and was quite taken by how involved it is, from choosing a specific piece of wood to make a particular tool because of the grain or a knot. Andy is a very skilled passionate teacher for whom nothing was too much trouble. Very much enjoyed the day. Thanks to Andy and Jane."

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Thanks very much indeed, Jon, for your review. We're very pleased that you enjoyed the course, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Sallerton Wood one day if you choose to do a further course. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your summer. "

Des Barr-Davies reviewed: Landscape Photography Lessons for Beginners

"An excellent course for the photographer at any level. Although, the course notes state Intermediate/Advanced level, don't let that put you off as a beginner. Frank has an excellent teaching style, that is relaxed and tailored to the skill of the individual. I felt that the main importance of my time on the course was to have fun and take photographs, all the time learning through practice and example rather than being full of technical terms. Don't get me wrong, if you want techy terms he has techy terms. I learned more in the time spent on the course, than reading the various photography magazines. The weather didn't allow for night shooting, but the relevant techniques were taught using a 10 stop filter (see I learned something). I would recommend this course, and try and stay at the pub, you'll not regret it."

Frank Clarke responded:

"Thank you so much Des for your great review!! Very pleased you enjoyed the course and you felt you benefited from my teachings. Hope you stay in touch and fingers crossed we get a clear sky for some night shots."

Anna reviewed: 4h mosaic workshop for beginners

"A lovely afternoon spent being freely creative. Warm, welcoming and accommodating host with very friendly dogs. An abundance of materials, equipment and professional assistance to help create your desired mosaic. Will definitely be going back to create more mosaics."

David Cowling reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Had a very enjoyable experience, found lots of things very useful. Would recommend it to anyone who is interested in woodcraft."

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi David, Thank you for your review - most kind! It was great to have you visit - do pop by if you fancy another go sometime. given how close you are to us (but do book first ;) ) -- Simon"

Melanie Homewood reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"I really enjoyed my day at the spinning barn. I had never spun before and was delighted to be lead through the whole process from fleece to useable yarn. Theresa is a very knowledgeable and careful teacher. I'm looking forward to really getting going with my spinning and revisiting the spinning barn when I'm ready for the next set of skills."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Melanie. It was such a pleasure to teach you and I am very excited to see how you progress in the future. Looking forward to seeing you again soon. Theresa"

Christine reviewed: Mosaic stepping stone workshop (PM)

"This was a fun course and I am delighted with my final mosaic paving stone. Chrissy provided all the materials and an amazing range of tiles and glass to choose from, along with books full of design ideas. This was my second workshop with Chrissy, and probabaly won't be my last."

Madeleine reviewed: Introduction to Epoxy Resin Block Casting

"We had such a good afternoon learning how to cast resin blocks with Dave. The course is really well structured and Dave is great at explaining everything really clearly. He has lots of knowledge that he's built up over years, and he's happy to share with you on the course. Also, Dave has lots of materials to choose from so you can get really creative. I would definitely recommend!"

Hand forged Yorkshire responded:

"Very pleased to hear you both enjoyed the course, really appreciate your kind review Madeleine many thanks indeed much appreciated. Kindest regards Dave"

Laurette reviewed: Make your own leather dog collar and lead

"I really enjoyed this course, and would highly recommend. Nice flow and pace and easy to learn the steps, Cathy was so lovely and patient and made me feel very welcome, the doggy cuddles were an added bonus ? cant wait to get started on my next leather piece"

Catherine Edwards Leather responded:

"Thankyou for such a lovely review Laurette, please do come back ! Best wishes,Cathy"

Susie P reviewed: Upholstery workshop mornings - bring your own project

"What a fabulous day! Jody and Graham are amazing. Both were extremely helpful and patient. I even walked away with a finished project from my first session. Well worth the price!"

Katherine reviewed: One day leather bag making workshop

"My sister and I had a fantastic day spending time together and making our bags with Rosanna. We both came away with beautiful leather bags. Rosanna helped us create just what we both wanted and gave us as much help as we needed at every stage - my bag has attracted lots of compliments and no-one can believe I made it myself (and tbh nor can I!)"

Rosanna Clare responded:

"Arh thanks Katherine, so glad you enjoyed the day - you deserve all the lovely comments ??"

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

"Thanks Jules for a wonderful and enjoyable workshop. Your patience and excellent instruction enabled me to create a pendant that I absolutely love. Class size was just right too at four. I highly recommend this class to anyone. Thank you and I look forward to coming to another one soon!"

Michelle Folkes reviewed: Mixed Media workshop with Clare Cosens

"Myself and my friend had previously attended Clare’s Gelli Printing workshop where we were introduced to the basics and shown techniques and tricks to produce some wonderful prints. Clare had a wealth of resources available to help inspire our imaginations and utilised easily available resources to produce unexpected results. We immediately booked onto her next workshop where, working with our original prints, Clare showed us how to manipulate, embellish and layer the pieces to design and produce our own original piece of mixed media artwork. We look forward to attending more of Clare’s workshops in the near future."

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"I’m really pleased that you both enjoyed the workshops. Many thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I hope to see you both again in the near future."

Elaine reviewed: An introduction to decoupage

"A great way to spend the afternoon. Would definitely recommend the decoupage course!"

The Summer Lane Collection responded:

"Thank you Elaine for your lovely comments, It was great to meet you and Bobby. I hope you have been decoupaging everything! Really hope to see you both soon. Best wishes Laura"

Andrew reviewed: Blow a bauble at Chew Valley handmade glass

"I did the taster and the bauble sessions, a wonderful experience and a beautiful momento of the day... highly recommended ?"

Chew Valley HandMade Glass responded:

"Thank you Andrew for your review, we are glad you enjoyed your time with us. Regards Angie, Steve & Chris "

RHS reviewed: Mixed Media workshop with Clare Cosens

"Loved this workshop! Clare was really inspiring and full of helpful hints and tips on how to create our mixed media piece. There were lots of materials available for us to use which included embossing, pastels, moulding paste, foil to name a few. Clare demonstrated various techniques and how to use each of the mediums. Highly recommend this workshop."

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"Many thanks for your kind words. I’m really pleased you enjoyed the workshop. Your mixed media landscape looked amazing."

James reviewed: Group Soap-making Workshop - Soapology Studio - Nottinghamshire

"I really enjoyed the soap making course. Emma was really knowledgeable and helpful and led the whole course well, from the introduction and teaching on all aspects of soap making to the creative and practical elements of planning and choosing fragrances and creating our soap. A great day thank you."

Maureen reviewed: Paint pouring with tea & cake

"Really enjoyed the paint pouring class, no need to feel nervous, as each canvas is unique to you. Help always on hand and each stage explained , with excellent surrounds to complete your art work."

Alison reviewed: Wood carving course at Little Moreton Hall

"This was pitched at just the right level, assistance when needed but also able to get on without interruption in between. Venue was lovely too!"

Claire reviewed: Full day introduction to glass fusing course.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the day and felt quite tired at the end from concentrating so hard! There's a lot to learn and you can choose to do something straightforward, with sort-of guaranteed success, or if you are a bit bolder you can try something harder and Amanda will help and advise; she is very patient and supportive of your attempts. Lunch was very good indeed, as were flapjack and coffee! Thanks to Amanda for a stimulating day, encouraging our creative inclinations."

Ruth reviewed: Basic blacksmithing course

"I booked this for my husband and his Dad as a birthday celebration. They had a brilliant day and came back with a beautiful garden ornament and knife. They’re both keen to get back and do more courses in the forge!"

Tamara reviewed: Beginners half-day pairs pottery / ceramics workshop

"We had a wonderful time at Louise's pottery studio. She was very welcoming and friendly and we felt very at ease. We were shown three different pottery techniques and enjoyed them all. It felt really relaxed and creative freedom with you pieces was encouraged. Spinning was particularly fun and we had a good laugh. I would highly recommend! Can't wait to see the finished result."

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"I'm so pleased you had a good time in the pottery studio guys! It was an absolute pleasure to meet you both and you made some really lovely pieces :-). You should feel really proud of your creations and I'm also looking forward to seeing them when they emerge from the kiln. Thank you for the lovely review!"