Reviews for Creative Retreats and Holidays

Superb day spent with very hospitable and knowledgeable host. Matt took great care to ensure that I had a safe and enjoyable experience building up my skills and knowledge to produce 2 pieces of glass work anyone would be proud of.
The glass studio is superb (I want one!), really well equipped and resourced, plus comfortable rec space for "time out" and refreshments; which were greatly appreciated including home baked breads and jam. Very good value for money introduction to a fascinating craft, couldn't recommend more highly.

Spent a fabulous day with my husband and friends on a "Glass Fusing Taster " on Saturday and will definitely be going again.
Mattt is an excellent teacher and was informative, encouraging and very patient. The studio was light, bright and airy and therefore a comfortable place to be and it wasn't long before we were able to put our newly learned skills to the test, by creating a couple of pieces of our own.
We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and are looking forward to collecting our "masterpieces" later this week, after having been left with Mattt in the kiln.

This was my Christmas present from my husband, done in September! a busy schedule plus an injured ankle prolonged the time before I could take advantage of a free day and go along! What a superb day! Matt is so clearly delighted to impart her skills, and her careful explanations and the way she answered all our questions, (there were two of us on the day's course,) proved her patience and knowledge. I am so glad that I did remember how to cut glass, and pleased that I was allowed to follow my own ideas, and not held back at all! M5y glass pieces arrived today, and I am thrilled with them! Thank you so much, Matt.

A friend and I really enjoyed our day with Mattt learning about and practicing glass fusion. Mattt's very welcoming and patient, and good at explaining things and answering lots of questions, as well as stepping in to give practical help if required. We learnt how to cut glass, how different materials react in the kiln, and how to create two pieces of work. If you're not religious - we definitely aren't - don't let that element of Mattt's website put you off. It was a great, practical day and I want to go back for more.

I did a six week course and we had a detailed timetable as soon as we arrived but were told it was flexible. The first week looked a bit boring but NO we learnt how the kiln worked and when we had a pile of greenhouse glass that we have been cutting to learn how to use the cutter and to cut various shapes not just straight lines we made them into designs that were then fused. The result was wonderful. Who would have thought greenhouse glass could be so beautiful. Then tack-fusing which was like gluing glass together so that we kept the texture. Again with good explanations of the changes in kiln settings needed. We were then let loose with full fusing. Flat pieces to begin with and then bowls and dishes. An inspiring six weeks.

Just had such a lovely weekend with Matt and one other student, doing a 2 day glass fusing course. Absolute beginner but Matt made me feel I could achieve anything. She was inspiring, patient and encouraging. There were only two of us in the class so we had all the support we needed. She helped us to work at our own pace and using our own style. Matt just gave us the knowledge to work safely and some inspiration from her own work and then let us explore and discover how to work with glass. I was delighted with the end products that I've seen and I'm itching to see the final pieces coming out of the kiln this week.
Thank you Matt for a brilliant weekend. I hope this inspires others to have a go.

This has been a most enjoyable 6 weeks. I have learned about the science of glass fusion which is fascinating and explains the process and why things happen - such as air bubbles! Mattt has explained working with glass–the safety aspects as well as how to use the cutters and has always been there with encouragement and design ideas. We (it has been a class of two) have had the run of her wide range of materials and I have been delighted with the pieces I have produced. It has been the bright spot of the week.

Matt is a wonderfully calm and inspiring teacher. She is extraordinarily patient and obviously derives joy from her pupils gaining confidence and skills.

I had a real sense of achievement from producing my first piece of appliqué glass work that is now gracing my mantelpiece. She has much to offer the beginner as well as those with more experience within the visual arts.

The surroundings are tranquil; I particularly loved sitting on the swing seat in the garden that reminded me of special moments in my childhood.

I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her courses and tuition to anyone who wanted an enriching creative break and a time for rest for their soul.