Latest reviews

James Wood reviewed: Advanced throwing masterclass with David Frith

"David Frith is an inspiration with a wealth of practical experience developed over years as a top potter. His teaching is clear and supportive whilst encouraging participants to stretch themselves."

Diane Jacques reviewed: Beginners Upholstery Workshop in Warrington, Cheshire - Make a Footstool

"I attended the Footstool Upholstery Workshop at Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden on 21st February (2020) along with five other ladies who were totally unknown to me. Joanne was the tutor and took us through the process of creating a footstool from scratch. Helped and guided by Joanne's clear and simple step by step instructions, we all managed to make wonderful little footstools to take home with us at the end of the day. We got on very well and had lots of fun in the process. It was lovely to see how the fabric we had chosen gave a personality to each of the footstools. They looked amazing and we all felt very proud of ourselves when we viewed the finished items. The workshop took place in a heated potting shed and was very pleasant, despite the inclement weather that day. I would thoroughly recommend this workshop and, of course, Joanne, our excellent teacher."

The Boho Shed responded:

"What very kind words Diane. Thank you so much. I am so pleased you enjoyed the workshop. The footstools were all really gorgeous. Thank you for contributing to such a great day."

Steve Ford reviewed: Guitar Strumstick Dulcimer 3 strings instrument

"Teds day course was fantastic ! He is a very helpful man with a sense of humour too! My wife paid for a Gift voucher which was valid for 1 year, so in Feb 2020 I decided to use it. The Strumstick 3 stringed instrument was built in just 7 hours and sounded great at the end of the day. I learned about Acoustic instruments building including :- Fret boards, Fret levelling, Tonewoods, neck shaping, band saw use, sanding, finishing, and wood selection. I would recommend this craft course for anyone with or without experience in woodwork. I had 30 mins for lunch and tea breaks at any time we wanted. I chose a weekend day but I could of easily had any evening or daytime. I now have my instrument to play at home for many years to come."

Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses responded:

"Thank you Steve, it was a pleasure my friend. Tell your wife Wendy, thank you for the purchase of the Gift voucher and good luck and happy strumming for 2020. Kind regards Ted Ps We have a Bandsaw box and jewellery box day if you are interested ? Later this year we hope to do a Marquetry day too."

Sharon Coleman reviewed: Intro into Quilting Weekend

"I had no previous experience of quilting beforehand. Claire was very patient and was able to answer, any questions I had. I learnt how to use a quilting ruler, a rotary cutter and now know what some of the feet on my sewing machine are used for. I brought with me, my 6 fat quarters, that I wanted to use and was able to purchase the backing and binding in the shop, the batting was provided. Lovely small, friendly class. Tea and homemade cake. Went home with a beautiful quilt, that I'm very proud of, which I made for my granddaughters first birthday."

Sew Me Something responded:

"Those 'other' feet with your sewing machine have finally come in handy eh! So pleased you enjoyed the Quilting Course, hopefully you will continue to use the skills you learnt and make another. Thanks Sharon."

Ann Coleman reviewed: Mosaic taster session @ White Stones Studios

"Very enjoyable day and really pleased with the finished mosaic. No pressure but help there when needed. Highly commended."

Niki reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"What a wonderful day at Crafty Gal HQ - a warm greeting, an inspiring space, lovely company, fantastic cakes and I just loved the entire process of creating my moon gazing hare. Denise made me feel so very welcome, comfortable and inspired. Step by step process, very easy to follow and I'm delighted with the outcome. I hope to return!"

Crafty Gal responded:

"Thank you Niki for such a wonderful review - I enjoyed it as much as you did! Great to meet you, and your Moon Struck Hare! Dx"

E. Higginson reviewed: Oil painting for the scared - 8 week course

"This course is presented by Ian Walton with a 'can do' attitude. He prompts and encourages students to learn and use their existing skills to develop art work that is comfortable for them in a way that they perceive their own skills and abilities. When I enrolled on the first 8 week course I did not think that I had sufficient abilities or personal vision to create a painting but with the appropriate approach and guidance, I was able to produce a painting that I was proud enough of to have it framed and on the wall. I would recommend Ian's courses to anyone who is sceptical about their current skills in the world of painting. The course provides guidance, tuition on colour selection and the various techniques that are required."

Ian Walton Gallery responded:

"Thank you so much for such a fantastic review Ellen. It means a lot ❤️"

Sharon Morris reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"Fabulous day with Denise. Such a relaxed atmosphere and so easy to follow. We got to choose our 'animal' that we wanted to create, which was great. I did a badger which I was really really pleased with. We all started off chatting etc, by the afternoon there was deathly silence! We were all so engrossed in our needle felting. We learnt quite a few tricks of the trade and everyone's was different. I would definitely recommend Denise's courses. Lovely place, great atmosphere, easy to follow and great home made cake. Have a go! I am definitely hooked, or is it barbed!"

Crafty Gal responded:

"Thank you Sharon! It was fantastic to meet you and spend the day needle felting with you, I'm thrilled it's only the beginning for you in the world of needle felting! Dx"

Gail reviewed: Mosaic taster session @ White Stones Studios

"Really enjoyable day creating an outdoor mosaic plaque. Totally new skill which David instructed and guided us through in a clear and relaxed way. Small group in a bright & inspiring studio."

Rohini reviewed: Create a wet felted landscape using wet felting, needle felting and embroidery

"I attended the wet felted landscape class with my mother. We both had a fabulous time, Claire is a great teacher so enthusiastic and explains and demonstrates every step of the process in a clear easy to follow way. We both came away with a beautiful picture each that we had created, cannot wait to get it framed! We also got a very tasty lunch, the day flew by and I look forward to doing some more classes."

Teesdale Felt responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review. I am so pleased you enjoyed your day with me and created a felt landscape to be proud of! I hope to work with you again in the future. Very best wishes, Claire x"

Rebecca Appleton reviewed: Create a wet felted landscape using wet felting, needle felting and embroidery

"I thoroughly enjoyed the wet felting workshop! Claire is a fabulous teacher and gave us lots of useful support and advice throughout the day. I learnt a great deal and left feeling proud of my first attempt at a felted landscape. The lunch provided was really tasty and there was plenty left if people wanted seconds :) I’ve now got the felting bug and am saving up to buy the materials I need to get started on more felting adventures!! I’ll definitely keep my eyes and ears open for more of Claire’s workshops..."

Teesdale Felt responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to write a lovely review. I did enjoy working with you and discussing all your crafting experiences. You created a really lovely landscape and I loved your use of texture and colour. Please get in touch if you need any help in the future or would like to attend another workshop! Very best wishes, Claire"

Elaine England reviewed: Animal clay sculpture workshops with Jill Collier

"Very enjoyable Good atmosphere; helpful and friendly High quality support, instruction and materials Good value for money ...... provided the penguin turns out ok!"

Jackie Nash reviewed: Try Enamel workshop - suitable for all abilities

"From start to finish this was a wonderful workshop. Teresa is extremely welcoming and her workshop is well equipped and a great space to work in. Lots of choice of materials too!! I have never enamelled before and with Teresa’s help I produced some wonderful work that I am really proud of. Thank you for a fabulous day."

Graham Williams reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"An excellent teaching day and well worth a 2 hour journey from the Midlands. Les is an excellent skills teacher and coped with a complete novice turner. The teaching is hands on from the moment you enter his Aladdin's den of a workshop and the theory is picked up as it arises, rather than in a formal presentation at the beginning. We moved rapidly through all the basics, with tips on technique and general advice throughout the day. As an experienced woodworker, I was a little unsure as to whether turning was a natural progression for me. A few minutes with Les convinced me that a new world or woodworking lies out there. A one day course is extremely good value for money as it is one-and-one tuition for the whole day."

Pren responded:

"Thank you so much for the review, Graham. It was a very enjoyable day and your desire to learn and enjoyment of what you were doing, made my job a very easy one."

Janet reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"The perfect way to spend my birthday. A wonderful day and came away with two special items to treasure."

Amanda reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"What an awesome day! Great teaching and very pleased with resulting bangle. Lovley refreshments with home made cake. Jonathan is very chilled and patient!"

Maggie reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Great fun! Being on the boat gives an extra dimension to an already good course. Highly recommended."

Maureen reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"Really enjoyed every part of the course, the people, atmosphere and the tuition. Going forward I will definitely continue with the felting."

Crafty Gal responded:

"Delighted to hear that Maureen, great to meet you and spend the day needle felting with you, Dx"

Jane reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"A lovely way to celebrate a friends birthday."

Helen whysall reviewed: Raise your own copper bowl, two day course

"What a wonderful way to escape reality and focus on a creative experience. Charlotte’s patience and knowledge meant that I had a wonderful 2 days immersing myself in the copper bowl raising class. It was hard work, for sure, but very rewarding, and I love my bowl . I would wholeheartedly recommend this course. Thank you Charlotte"

Anne reviewed: Natural (cold process) soap making workshop with afternoon tea

"Having attended Julies “melt and pour” course earlier this year I was keen to continue my soap making experience. Initially apprehensive about the face masks, protective goggles and gloves, Julie soon put us all at ease with school level chemistry. Julie explained each stage of the cold process eloquently and answered every question - even the most basic ?‍♀️. Before lunch we had already made one batch of soap, adding fragrance and colour. Lunch was styled like afternoon tea which was absolutely delicious and plentiful. Afterwards we made another batch of soap - more confident now with our new found experience we could easily experiment with colours, scents and additives such as poppy seeds for exfoliating. Some people were there for the experience and others there like myself trying to make it into a second income stream. Julie gave me lots of labelling and legal advise without hesitation. I highly recommend this and other courses."

George T reviewed: Two Day Hand Spinning Workshop in Norfolk

"An excellent weekend, with wonderful instruction from Theresa, who was very encouraging and used a number of ways to instruct us. A real treat to meet the sheep producing the fleece and then to process from start to finish with a skein of yarn. Can highly recommend, and great company plus catering to boot. Thank you"

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for reviewing the workshop George. I know you made a great effort to attend so I am really pleased that you enjoyed it. I cant wait to see one of your knitted masterpieces created from your own yarn. And please keep in touch so i can see how you are getting on. Theresa &James"

Lindsey Beale reviewed: Jewellery making with silver clay - one day beginners workshop

"Fabulous course. Small group, good selection of materials. Charlotte is supportive, knows her stuff and will alter and amend the session to accommodate our ideas. I'm really pleased with my pendants. I was looking forward to the course but it far exceeded my expectations. I would certainly like to do another course at Felix and Reuben."

Felix & Reuben Jewellery School responded:

"Hi Lindsey, we are very pleased that the workshop exceeded your expectations! Well done on your gorgeous silver clay creations!"

Sarah Exell reviewed: Colourful stained glass panel making course

"Jo was brilliant! Only me and my partner on the course which Jo kindly ran on his birthday. We both had a fab time, learnt loads and took home 2 wonderful panels. Would recommend the day and course. You don't have to have any prior experience as Jo explains everything! A five star experience."

Jo Snowdon Stained Glass responded:

"Hi Sarah, Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review. I'm so pleased that you had a great day and I hope your short stay in Gloucestershire was just as enjoyable. Many thanks for coming, Kind regards, Jo ?"

Lesley Hitchen reviewed: Furniture Painting Workshop (levels 1&2 techniques covered) in Warrington, Cheshire

"Great course for anyone wanting to enhance or reminder of techniques, or like me start from the beginning not having tried it before. Great tips on which paints work better with the different techniques. Friendly and relaxed atmosphere in a great location. I will definitely be going to more of Jo's courses!"

The Boho Shed responded:

"Thanks for your lovely review Lesley. You did such a great job of your furniture particularly it was your first time. I look forward to seeing you again."