Latest reviews

Azhara Ali-Howell reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"What an amazing day! The Pottery Workshop with Matt was a 60th birthday present from my son, Yasin. Something for us to share together. There was a cosy group of just four of us in the workshop, and to be honest I was slightly apprehensive. Yasin on the other hand was really excited to try something creative and hands on. In no time at all, Matt had put us all at ease. During the day we were taken through several skill levels, each resulting in a finished product. Matt was an excellent teacher with an abundance of patience, and complete faith in our capabilities. There was much encouragement, enthusiasm and laughter throughout the day! Each of the pieces we made were glazed with a colour of our choice and left to be fired, and collected at a later date. We are both thrilled with our five pieces! Did we really make them? Wow ? An incredible and rewarding experience. Highly recommended!"

Graham reviewed: Stone Carving 'taster session' in Maltese Limestone

"I had a great day at the stone-carving course, and produced a relief of a leaf that was better than I imagined I could do in the time. Kezia is an excellent tutor and provided great light-touch guidance, letting us find our way ourselves and helping as appropriate. Highly recommended!"

Jodie Allison reviewed: Playing with Fire to Make Copper Jewellery

"Thank you Helga I really enjoyed the relaxing few hours in your studio. I learnt how to refine my technique and really appreciated using the tools you have. I love my earrings!! Will book again. Jodie"

Colourbuzz responded:

"Thanks Jodie I thoroughly enjoyed working with you, too. Looking forward to meeting again. Enjoy your gorgeeous earrings!"

Christine reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"I received this course from my husband as a Christmas present and really enjoyed every minute of it. The day was very well organised yet relaxed, and instructions were clear and easy to follow. Jon and Becky gave us individual help and encouragement, and the confidence to produce quite a large and attractive circular basket by the end of the day. Lunch (homemade quiche and salads) was really tasty and enjoyable and gave us all the chance to chat informally. The homemade coffee and walnut cake and flapjack which accompanied the frequent cups of coffee and tea were also much appreciated. It was an excellent day in all ways and lovely to have such a useful and attractive basket to remind me of time spent in Jon and Becky's workshop. I would thoroughly recommend the course to everyone."

Kirsty reviewed: Beginners Ring Wax Carving Workshop

"I had a really lovely afternoon doing the ring wax carving workshop. I am a complete beginner, and Emily expertly guided me through the process, helping as needed to bring my vision to life. I also love the fact that my ring will be totally unique to me, and I'm really looking forward to seeing it once it's back from the kiln. Emily is a great teacher, and I'd definitely recommend this workshop!"

Katie reviewed: Silversmithing Taster Day (Merseyside)

"Carol was very relaxing and chatty which made the experience feel pleasant whilst learning a new skill. Carol helped me to make three rings and was very patient and knowledgeable. A great teacher!"

La Jade responded:

"Hi Katie, Thank you for your lovely review, it was a real pleasure to meet you. ?"

Vicky Madon reviewed: Stained glass taster day in Worcestershire

"We attended Vicky’s course as a three generation activity for my daughters 13th birthday. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed the day. As well as great supervision and encouragement, we had a lovely lunch and we’re plied with teas and coffees. There were lots of laughs and chatter and we all came away with a piece or two of copper foiled glass work to be very proud of. Vicky and Vic are brilliant hosts and teachers. Many thanks"

Kingcot Gallery responded:

"Hi Vicky, it was a real pleasure having your family here, probably more so for Vic who now knows how his knees work.........! Good luck with your future glass adventures."

Debbie reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"I'd wanted to try making something in stained glass for a long time and Matt's beginner class was absolutely perfect. He is a very patient and calm tutor and quickly showed us the basic techniques to get started with our designs. In no time at all we were using all kinds of equipment and working with the beautiful glass samples available, shaping the lead and soldering. The day was great fun, without pressure and it was very satisfying to complete my piece of stained glass art. I can highly recommend the class to anyone wanting to give it a go - do it, you won't be disappointed! Looking forward to the next time and many thanks to Matt for sharing his knowledge and skills so freely with us all!"

Alex Wells reviewed: Green Man stone carving in Yorkshire

"Helen is a superb patient tutor. I had never been before and she couldn't have been more welcoming. Myself, my wife and son each carved a daisy on a stone tablet for just £10 each. It really felt like an experience day and we couldn't have enjoyed it more. Thank you and hope to see you again soon."

The West Riding Stonecarving Association responded:

"Thank you for your great feedback. ?"

jo tuck reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Fun day with excellent tutoring and attention from Mathew. We each had our own wheel and Mathew first demonstrated and helped us achieve our own pots- with careful encouragement, direction and humour. Great day out and left us wanting to do more and have another go another time. Jo"

George reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"Me and my dad went up to learn how to make a Viking knife. Had an amazing day, Aidan was a very clear and patient instructor. Would love to come back agin to make a different knife. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in metal work."

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi George thanks for posting the review, I think Aidan enjoyed your enthusiasm and told me the blades you produced were first class, I will look forward to seeing you again best wishes John"

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

"Thank you so much Jo for a wonderfully relaxing creative day in your studio yesterday. Although we managed to complete so much in the space of one day I never once felt hurried, and you were always on hand to offer advice and help when it was needed. You are a natural teacher and I loved the way you encouraged everyone to enjoy the creative process. I am so proud of my sculpture, especially after the surprised look on my daughter's face when she saw it and said 'actually that's pretty good!' I would recommend this course to everyone as in Jo's safe hands and welcoming studio your creativity will be encouraged - and in ways you may not expect it to!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Nicola ? - Love the comment about your daughter's surprised response ?. We all have creativity hidden inside us. So pleased you enjoyed your day. Jo x"

Ella dunne reviewed: Fused glass items at Bonds with Helen from The Butterfly Effect Studio

"I did the fused glass course with Helen yesterday and enjoyed it immensely. Helen herself is such a warm and welcoming person and made me feel at ease. I thoroughly enjoyed the day, making many pieces that I am looking forward to receiving after they have been fired! I really recommend the class and will probably be at another one again soon?, Ella"

Butterfly Effect Studio responded:

"Hi Ella, thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review. It was great to meet you and I’m delighted you enjoyed the day. I loved that you experimented so enthusiastically with the different techniques for each piece, especially the metal foils and copper oxide, so far the firings have gone well and your pieces look amazing. I hope to see you at future workshops."

Becs reviewed: Powertex Mixed Media "In the Treetops" Textured Canvas Workshop - by Inky Escapades

"I had so much fun! Karen is a brilliant tutor and I’m really proud of what I created. Excellent value for money too!"

Inky Escapades responded:

"Thanks so much Becs for your lovely comments I really enjoyed meeting you and helping you create your "In the Treetops" canvas I loved your choice of colours and you should be very proud of what you created! Kind Regards Karen"

Victoria Clark reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Really fun day - a great experience and love the 4 pots I made - thanks Mathew"

Sam reviewed: Beginners Ring Wax Carving Workshop

"I now own a few pieces made by Emily but to go behind the curtain of the design and crafting process was a truly great experience. Emily is a fantastic teacher and explained everything really well. Would 100% recommend."

Helen reviewed: Resin art course for beginners

"My daughter and I had a great day from start to finish this is a fabulous way to spend a day so relaxing and finished two pieces of art the hardest part is choosing the colours and then let the resin do the rest can’t wait to see our final creations! Would definitely recommend"

Jo Meekings reviewed: Giacometti style bronzed animal sculpture one day workshop Suffolk one-to-one or max 4 students

"I came with my 2 daughters, we made a dog, a pig and a hare. Di is a great teacher, she clearly explained each step in the creation process. She is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The surroundings and studio is calm and relaxing. We all felt we had learnt lots and greatly enjoyed our day. Thank you Di it was fantastic."

Art on the Edge responded:

"Lovely to meet you all. It was such fun being challenged by creating new animals. Thank you."

Helen Sutton reviewed: Introduction to Epoxy Resin Block Casting

"Had my first resin course this morning with Dave. Couldn’t of asked for any more, Dave was so friendly, explained every so clear and even had everything wrote down too for me to take home . He literally went above and beyond in my expectations of the course and even explained and gave me tips for my own resin project thoughts. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute and learn more that I expected. Excellent, thanks Dave , loved it!!"

Hand forged Yorkshire responded:

"Many thanks for your very kind review Helen, really apricate it. It was great to meet you and you did a brilliant job with your casting well done. I'm very happy you enjoyed the course and it exceeded your expectations, best of luck with any future projects!! Kindest regards Dave"

Michelle reviewed: Polymer clay jewellery with Jane Clarke

"A great experience from start to finish. Easy parking at the venue. David is really welcoming to his shop and craft room. The craft room was clean, well set up for our small group. Jane was fantastic, friendly, engaging and clear with her instructions. The afternoon flew by and everyone came out with something individual to wear."

Created By Hand responded:

"Thanks for the lovely feedback Michelle I'm always really impressed with the level of work people come away with from Jane's class and this class was no exception. Hopefully it has given you the confidence to try something like this at home Dave"

Tony J. reviewed: Introduction to Traditional Leaded Stained-Glass Course, 2 days

"I found the two day Stained Glass course extremely satisfying. Having reached retirement, I wanted to try something I had never experienced, and new little about, other than observing the process occasionally on TV or YouTube. I wanted to see if this was the kind of hobby I might like to pursue in my latter years. The course was excellent, all the required tools were supplied as were all the materials, complete with a selection of design guides to enable me to create a sample 'masterpiece'. Step by step throughout the course the help and guidance from highly experienced Jo the tutor was first class and beyond my expectations. Keeping the course to only a few people meant the one to one tutorial was extra useful in the creating and learning process. I'm now the owner of a piece of leaded glass I created during the two days, it may not be a masterpiece or be big enough to adorn a Cathedral window, but during the process of the two days I have cut glass, mitred lead, soldered, cemented and polished my little masterpiece which I'm informed could last over a hundred years! - Now which member of my family should I leave it to....."

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thorough and positive review. We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the course and we hope your masterpiece is admired by all who see it!"

Richard Pedley reviewed: Make a canoe paddle - two day course in Oxfordshire

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course and received a lovely functional item at the end of it with the pride of knowing I made it myself. The instructor was incredibly knowledgable, but approachable and really went out of his way to celebrate the achievements of the participants while providing a high level support to allow them to recover small mistakes. It is physically intensive and my arms are still slightly sore the day after the course. The location is lovely and the workshop was well equipped with the tools we needed."

Sylva Foundation responded:

"We are so glad you enjoyed the course and hope your arms recover quickly! Colin is incredibly experienced as a boatbuilder and a very supportive teacher - its lovely to hear that everyone was able to celebrate their achievements in making a homegrown ash paddle."

robert christie reviewed: Introduction to Arc or Stick Welding, with award winning metal artist, Roger Russell

"Good day. I'm a total beginner and wanted to do a 'proper' welding project but also to understand exactly what I could do on the creative side. Roger helped that I covered everything I needed and more and I got to play with all the toys I wanted to, I'm certainly going to continue exploring this field. Roger was always around with advice and a cup of tea - even if I ddi show up on the wrong day !. Recommended."

Betty reviewed: Linocut printmaking in Cornwall

"I had had a little experience of lino cutting when I went on a one day session with Olivia. She was the most enthusiastic and informative teacher, always positive and seemingly also having all the answers! I wanted to know how to successfully register two different colours and I was glad to have the experience of doing this while Olivia was always hovering in the background. Now I want to spend some time experimenting myself before I go back for another day with another set of questions. The other "students" on the course were really friendly and it was so interesting to see our different styles and approaches, and just great to spend a whole day doing something I really enjoy. Thank you Olivia."

Rowan reviewed: Beginners Ring Wax Carving Workshop

"A wonderful and engaging course! Emily is super professional and is great at helping you create your design."