Latest reviews

Lynne reviewed: Full Day Mosaic For Outdoors on slate with Laura Barnes.

"Laura was a wonderful teacher, really supportive with ideas and techniques. I learnt way more than I thought I would and have a fantastic piece off outdoor mosaic to show for it - far better than I could have imagined for a complete beginner. I had a lovely,relaxed day. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in mosaics or wanting to try something new. Thank you Laura"

Laura Barnes Crafty Fox Studios responded:

"I love to work with people at all stages of their learning. You had an open mind and got excited about the possibilities so guiding you was a joy. A lovely and permanent outcome! Thank you so much for your review. You are welcome anytime. Laura"

Maria Poole reviewed: One day beginners painting course with Sue O'Mara Art - all materials provided

"I had a thoroughly enjoyable day with Sue, she is a brilliant host, and exceptionally good teacher. I was amazed that with her help, knowledge and tips I was able to produce a lovely oil painting that I am proud to display."

Sue O'Mara Art responded:

"What a fab and speedy painter you were, we had fun. Thank you for the kind words. Hopefully see you again soon. Best wishes, Sue"

Ted Edwards reviewed: Woodcarving for beginners - two day course in Suffolk

"This was an excellent weekend course as an introduction to woodcarving. Gerry is a very good and patient teacher and I learned a lot in just a few hours. Thank you, Gerry."

Alison reviewed: Introduction to Epoxy Resin Block Casting

"David gave a really comprehensive course whilst still explaining everything in a way anyone can grasp and was really good at guiding you through the process in a friendly and fun way. You gets lots of information on how to continue working with epoxy if you wish and take-home instructions. Would thoroughly recommend this course and it’s not as messy as you think it might be!"

Hand forged Yorkshire responded:

"Thank you very much for your review Alison, it is greatly appreciated. It was great having you in the forge and I think the block you made looks fantastic, well done. Kindest regards Dave"

Michelle reviewed: Spoon Carving with Touchwood Glasgow

"I would highly recommend this workshop! Alison and I were looking to learn a new skill and try out something new. The spoon carving workshop was great, Robert was attentive and knowledgeable in his field as well as personable and down to earth. The carving stations were equally spaced apart and as it was in small groups it was reassuring in terms of Covid risk. After looking and touching an array of different carved spoons, all done by Robert, we spoke about the best wood for carving and styles of carving. The work shop was in depth and it was great hearing about the history behind the axes and carving tools and getting an insight into Roberts obvious passion for carving. The workshop in itself was well equipped and a really relaxed atmosphere. An authentic experience that will stay with me, and I have my lovely chicken feed scoop pride of place ( in the chicken feed bag of course). I also am grateful for a follow-up beginners guide which will give me a realistic jump start to wood carving at home."

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

"This was an extremely enjoyable, if tiring!, two days. The instructors were really helpful and clearly expert at their craft. We were blessed with lovely weather and the sense of achievement at the end was fantastic. I would wholeheartedly recommend it."

Les Dean reviewed: Spoon Carving with Touchwood Glasgow

"Robert is clearly passionate about wood carving and his enthusiasm rubbed off on ourselves. He was clear and concise in all safety and technical matters from start to finish and explained each process in sufficient detail that allowed us to create our own individual spoons. Happy to recommend Robert to those interested and perhaps those who might not think they are!"

Paula reviewed: Pottery/ceramics wheel throwing (full day)

"Excellent course, really enjoyed the day"

Caroline Prosser-Lodge reviewed: A One-day Feltmaking Course to Make a Fabulous Felt Hat in the Beautiful Forest of Dean.

"I had a great time making my unique wet felted hat with Christine! The day was enjoyable throughout, very relaxed. Lunch included, a very sociable time. Amazing to see the felting process turn gradually little shreds of wool into a wearable garment. Many thanks to Christine and her husband."

Christine Waygood. Contemporary Textiles. responded:

"Thank you Caroline. I had a great time too. I hope you'll enjoy wearing your hat, and look forward to seeing you again when you need a pair of slippers . Do come over to see us when the studio is open in July."

Linda reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Felted Pictures Workshop in Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"I really enjoyed every minute of this course with Melanie Louise who was extremely, helpful and professional throughout the day. And there were lovely cakes and treats supplied, too! A super experience and I shall book again as there's still so much to be learnt."

Amanda Jones reviewed: Felt Trilby or Fedora - Millinery Workshop

"I bought a two day course as a present for my friend. We had the best time and came home with hats we are really proud of. Virna is a great teacher; patient , clear and encouraging. We learned a lot and enjoyed every minute. Amanda Jones, Ewhurst."

Virna Pasquinelli Millinery responded:

"Thank you Amanda for joining my workshop. It was a lot of fun working with you both! You will certainly turn some heads with the gorgeous hats you made! Absolutely beautiful! Hope to see you soon. Take care. V xx"

Heidi Mandera reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"A super day in a lovely venue....quite a challenge at times but Marianne is THE most patient person with a very kind, calm manner! Very rewarding to come home with something usable at the end of the day...would thoroughly recommend. I have a much greater appreciation of traditional skills having had a go myself!!"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thanks so much for your recommendation and kind words. It's good to hear that you had a super day at King John's Nursery in Etchingham, my first time at that location. Just your kind of place, a nursery! Hope to see you again soon. Perhaps at the Farmer's Market at Ashburnham Place. Thanks again very much, All the very best, Marianne Angeloni-van Niekerken Crafty Basketry"

Sasha Lean-Vercoe reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Hedgerow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden

"What a fantastic day! So pleased to have done the one day basket weaving course with Crafty Baskets. I would like to reiterate Helenas prefect review above, Marianne was very patient, relaxed and has a wonderful manner of teaching, keeping you on track and encouraging your own style. Along with her knowledge of basketmaking, its history, process and plants made it a fascinating day. The Cowshed Workshop was also an inspiring location and it added to the tranquil and mediative process. I am thrilled to bits with my basket and ready for the next course! Thank you so much Marianne"

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Oh Sasha, I'm blown away by your review of the course you attended! Thank you so much. It makes me super happy to hear that. Look forward to meeting and catching up with you on Tuesday at your first plant support course. With best wishes, Marianne Angeloni-van Niekerken Crafty Basketry"

Claire Warrilow reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"I had such an amazing day with Ed learning how to use the plaster lathe, and how to make moulds. I learned so much in one day, as Ed is so experienced, knowledgeable, open and has a genuine want for you to get the most out of your time with him. Aside from the practical skills, what made the day special was Ed’s warm and friendly approach, putting you at ease and making you feel like you spent the day with a friend instead of a teacher."

Jennie whitemore reviewed: Beautiful Batik

"I had a great time in a wonderful place. we were given excellent equipment to work with and good tuition - always someone to help if I wasn't sure what to do next. A lovely atmosphere."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Jennie, Thank you for your feedback . It was lovely to meet you last week and we are really pleased you enjoyed the day and had a wonderful time. We hope to see you again. Best wishes Alison and Liz"

Heidi reviewed: Learn willow sculpture online! - how to create a willow deer

"Absolutely love, love, love this on-line course! Fantastic resources, everything you need to create a deer, great community too. I have done some willow sculptures before so have an idea of what it's like to work with willow which I think helps however, working on a much larger scale and over a number of days is very different and the guidance in this course is brilliant. Can definitely recommend!"

Willowtwisters responded:

"Wow! Thank you Heidi, what a lovely review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the course. The online course works really well for a lot of people, as you say, over a number of days and in your own time. Well done and again thank you for taking the time to review, it really helps my little business. We all look forward to seeing your deer in the group, hopefully!"

Heidi reviewed: Denim jeans - be the designer!

"When I saw this course I thought it was too good to be true, how could you make a pair of jeans in a day? Under Angela's guidance and using proper machines (bliss compared to mine at home!) it can be done! Really pleased with my jeans, loved the process, you can be as involved as you want, learn as much as you want, design as much as you want and anything outside of that Angela will show you how it's done. Angela is patient, knowledgeable and a fantastic host. The location is quirky, an old watermill, it's worth being prepared to dress warm as it can get a little chilly, the Cafe on site is lovely. I've shown my jeans off already and the overriding reaction is disbelief that a) they are 'home made' and b) they were made in a day. I will definitely try to make another pair on my own at home and have come away inspired to try some other sewing, creative projects. Thanks Angela!"

Anne Mapson reviewed: Willow Pig Sculpture at Haymoor Studio

"Thoroughly enjoyed my pig making course today. Jo is an excellent tutor- knowledgeable and encouraging. I am so pleased with Petunia. She now stands proudly in the garden! Thank you Jo"

Jo Sadler Willow responded:

"Fantastic Petunia! You all made a brilliant herd of pigs? A gathering, truffle, or snuffle of pigs. Thank you for your company too. ?"

Viv and Malcolm Jones reviewed: Intensive 1 Day Beginner's Jewellery Making Class with Helen London Silversmithing

"I was looking for something unusual as a gift for my husband to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary when I found Helen’s website. We had an amazing day making silver rings as a special keepsake for our anniversary. Helen was so patient, encouraging and really good fun. We couldn’t recommend her course highly enough! Being able to do this as a couple at a pace tailored to our skills was really special. Helen really took the time to explain the techniques and processes in an interesting and helpful way and we both haven’t taken our rings off since :) Thank you Helen for a fabulous experience"

Helen London Silversmithing responded:

"Wow, what a lovely review, thank you Viv and Malcolm. It was a genuine pleasure having you both in the workshop."

Joseph Morley reviewed: Beginners 1-day pairs woodturning workshop

"My parents got me this experience day for my birthday and I absolutely loved it would highly recommend it."

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

"Hi Joseph, Thanks for your review and really glad you enjoyed the day. Do get in touch if you need any help. --Simon"

Sharon reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"I highly recommend this course. I'm a beginner at candle making so the wealth of knowledge Jo shared is going to be invaluable. It was a relaxed session, with just 3 participants so there was plenty of time to ask questions and it was great meeting others also on the candle making journey. I'm also looking forward to lighting the 4 beautiful candles we made to take home. A really inspiring course. Thanks Jo."

The White Candle Company responded:

"Ah! Thank you Sharon for the review (and doing it so quickly!!) It was such a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to seeing your journey. Do stay in touch :) xx"

Cliff Broom reviewed: Masking Tape Box Masterclass

"My second workshop with Hannah and this was just as enjoyable as the first. The box masterclass was fun and allowed us to focus on more challenging techniques. Hannah was her usual patient and helpful self!"

Tread Softly responded:

"Thanks Cliff! Thanks for coming back and I'm thrilled that you found doing this second workshop useful. Looking forward to seeing your masking tape designs now! Thanks so much for leaving a review :)"

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

"What a fantastic experience, I can't recommend Jo enough! A truly wonderful day! Jo is a natural, patient teacher who offered advice throughout the day to ensure our finished sculptures looked fabulous. The surroundings are beautiful and peaceful, making it a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. ‘Harriet’ hare takes pride and place in the garden and has been admired by many, but I couldn’t have made such a good job without Jo’s guidance. I love being creative but have never done anything like this before and fell in love with it. I can’t wait to start on the kit I bought home with me. Thanks Jo x"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Debbie. Harriet was lovely - and will I'm sure be a centre piece in your garden (along with your second!) for a long time to come. Enjoy making the kit and do not hesitate to come back to me if you have any questions. Jo x"

Robert Hodges reviewed: Welding with confidence

"Nigel is a great instructor with tips and tricks and lots of stories from his welding career. His skills are amazing and I soon realised it would take me a lot of practice to get my welds as neat as his, if I ever could. However I did gain the immense satisfaction of actually welding things that stayed together at the end! It has given me the confidence to give it a go. He is very safety conscious and we all came away unscathed and buzzing. It is an immensely useful skill and I'm very grateful to have tried it and learned so much from a master. The beautiful gallery and sculpture park nearby were a bonus, Thanks Nigel."

Anne reviewed: Furniture upcycling workshop - 1 day

"I had a great day, with Hannah, learning to upcycle a small table. From the very beginning Hannah was very welcoming and ensured that everyone in our small group was comfortable. We learned how to prepare our piece of furniture for upcycling, then how to apply paint or wax and how to produce a range of designs and finishes. All the materials we needed were provided and we also got advice on the best materials and equipment to buy for any projects we intended to complete at home. I would certainly recommend this course and Hannah as a tutor."

Tread Softly responded:

"Hi Anne, I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the workshop :) thank you so much for coming and for that lovely review. It was fab meeting you and I loved your masking tape design! Hope you enjoy doing your other side tables now :)"