Jo Garden Art reviews

15 Feb 21'

Cathy reviewed: Bronze Clay Duo 'Hare' & 'Sleeping Cat' Sculpting Kit

"We loved this kit so much ! We have never done anything like this before and thought it would end up a bit of a mess but this kit is so carefully thought out that it really helps you every step of the way . We had great fun doing our cats together (we asked for 2 cats instead of a hare and a cat) and found it extremely relaxing . I never usually take time out to do things like this and I decided I should do it more often . We are going to try a hare and a dog next . The kits are extremely organised and the instructions so clear with a really well paced and thought out video that you can play as you are working on it . I will get some more kits for us to use but I will also get some as gifts as I think they make a really sweet and fun present ."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Cathy - really pleased you managed to find some 'zen' time doing something new. Sculpting in clay is very tactile and absorbing (and quite addictive!) Jo x"

8 Feb 21'

Ruth reviewed: Bronze Clay Sculpture Kit: Sleeping Cat

"I really enjoyed my sleeping cat sculpture! What a lovely project. The kit was perfect and the instructions easy to follow. Thank you!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Ruth! I loved the picture you emailed me of your fabulous sculpture ;-) Jo x"

29 Jan 21'

Heidi reviewed: Family & Friends 4 x Bronze Hare Kit using air-drying clay - including on-line video with Jo Garden Art

"Not just a 'good hare day' but a brilliant one! Four friends, different households, zoom and away we went. The kit was excellent; instruction sheet, tools, materials, access to the video. The video excellent too and a great reference. Thoroughly enjoyed the sculpting, painting and final bronzing and we all have very different results. We would all happily recommend the 4 person kit and look forward to being able to join the workshop in person."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Oh wow Heidi! Your hare is amazing - as mentioned in the video, I generally guide people away from putting face details as it can go a bit wrong - but you have nailed it - really well done ;-) And knowing you had a friends zoom session is very heart warming. Thank you for your lovely review - I'm really glad you all enjoyed your time making the hares and hope to see you in person soon. Jo x"

28 Jan 21'

Harriet reviewed: Bronze Clay Sculpture Kit: Sleeping Cat

"Fabulous kit and great video. Really has inspired me to do more! Mega chuffed with the results my sleeping cat looks great! Though I am clearly bias! I would recommend this as a great gift with brilliant instructions. A pleasure to recieve and to make!!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Harriet - and also for the photos you sent me - fabulous! Lovely to hear you will do more clay work - enjoy! ;-) Jo x"

24 Jan 21'

Jane Hardy reviewed: Bronze Clay Sculpture Kit: Sleeping Cat

"The kit was a gift for a friend in Scotland, I can say she was delighted to be receiving it. The ordering, personalised message and postage was quickly and efficiently organised when purchased and posted very promptly."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Jane - very happy your friend received her kit and was delighted ;-) I've been re-learning the geography of the UK whilst sending out these kits!"

22 Jan 21'

Ann-Marie Thomas reviewed: Bronze Clay Sculpture Kit: Sleeping Cat

"My Husband purchased me the Sleeping cat sculpture kit as an Anniversary present. The Kit had everything I needed to build the cat and paint it. The Step by step instructions were easy to follow. I was able to grab a drink and a bite to eat between stages like the drying process. Overall a really nice kit and introduction to Sculpturing techniques. I whole heartedly recommend."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Ann-Marie ;-) Really pleased you liked the Sleeping Cat Kit and found the stages easy to follow if you have not tried sculpting before. I hope it has launched a new creative pastime! Jo x"

21 Jan 21'

Jill Westrick reviewed: Family & Friends 4 x Bronze Hare Kit using air-drying clay - including on-line video with Jo Garden Art

"After I had placed my order Jo very kindly rang me to go through the stages of our Hare construction as I wanted to try a moon gazing hare. We spent two very enjoyable days making the bronze hares, and exploring our creativity. Everything we needed was included in the kit and the instructions were very clear, and easy to follow. The YouTube video was also very helpful. We were very pleased with our finished results, and having bits left over means we can try our hands at something else."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Jill - and for sending me your photos of your fabulous finished hares - I have put one onto the Craft Course photo slide show under the Family & Friends x 4 Bronze Hare Kit. Your moon gazing poses are just lovely ;-) Jo x"

20 Jan 21'

Sarah reviewed: Bronze Hare Kit using air-drying clay - including on-line video with Jo Garden Art

"I purchased the hare kit and omg loved making it at my own pace, tweaked it to suit my tastes and family have commented how good it is. With some leftover clay made a hand and footprint from my 6month grandson as a keepstake too. Love it"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"What a lovely review Sarah! So glad you enjoyed making your hare and used the leftover clay in such an inspiring way. Jo x"

20 Jan 21'

Julia reviewed: Bronze Clay Sculpture Kit: Sleeping Cat

"I had a lovely time doing my sleeping cat sculpture, not sure it would make it into a gallery lol ?, but I love it! The instructions are very good & easy to follow and the YouTube video was very helpful, love the tips you gave. I will email you some photos, feel free to use as you wish. I had a bit of clay left so made a mini cat, maybe don't include that as it looks a bit random. Will definitely recommend your kits."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Julia. Your photos have come through and your sleeping cat looks lovely - well done ;-) So glad you enjoyed your time making her and mini cat! Keep safe, kind regards Jo x"

7 Jan 21'

Mandy reviewed: Family & Friends 4 x Bronze Hare Kit using air-drying clay - including on-line video with Jo Garden Art

"My children and I received craftcourses gift vouchers for Christmas, and with continued Covid restrictions, decided to go for this kit instead of waiting for an in-person course. Every part of this package was brilliant. Postage was fast. The written and video instructions are very clear and make what seems initially a bit of a daunting task completely achievable - and fun. No additional equipment is required and everything was clearly packaged and great quality. My children (aged 11-17) really enjoyed it and we had enough spare clay, paint and gilt to create little hedgehogs (using a ball of tin foil) to go alongside our hares! Super results. Thank you Jo. Hopefully we can come to your workshop one day!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Mandy! What a lovely review and I'm so pleased you liked all the contents in the kit. I kept them separately packaged per person just in case the 4 hares are split between households. Loved the hedgehogs; what an ingenious way of using up spare produce - thank you for sending photos ;-) It would be lovely to see you and your family on a workshop. Once we are in a lower Covid Tier, I will be working with individual 'bubbles' rather than mixed groups. Thank you again for your review. Keep safe, kindest regards Jo ;-)"

6 Jan 21'

Jane Fearn reviewed: Family & Friends 4 x Bronze Hare Kit using air-drying clay - including on-line video with Jo Garden Art

"We were sent this kit as a surprise Christmas gift. Very exciting opening the box of goodies, very well packaged and excellent quality. We were going to let our daughter make them all but Jo suggested we do it as a family. What a great experience it was everyone beavering away making their own version of the hare. The video was clear and concise and we paused it as and when we needed to. So excited g putting the hares in the oven to bake. Once cooled the painting was so enjoyable and relaxing. The gilt finish really sets these sculptures apart they end up looking like bronze, fabulous. You don’t need any special skill to make the hare just time and Jo in the background on video directing you ?."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Jane ;-) Really glad you shared the experience as a family, I bet the different personalities came out in their hare sculptures! I've had a number of photos sent to me showing hares being made with 'me' in my video playing in the background - it's a very odd feeling ;-O Warm regards, Jo x"

4 Jan 21'

Jean reviewed: Large Outdoor Plaster Hare sculpture kit

"I received a Large moongazing hare kit as a surprise Christmas present. I had been to Jo’s on a 1 day hare sculpture workshop pre-covid and saw the large hare sculptures in her garden. At that time you could not buy a kit and covid hit before I could book a workshop to make the bigger hare. I had the most amazing three days between Christmas and New Year making my hare at home. Great video of Jo showing each stage and the kit contained everything I needed. I put some sand from a wonderful holiday into the glass pod which sits in the heart area, so whenever I look at my hare I will also remember that holiday. My hubby had chosen the black colour finish which is stunning and will look amazing in the garden. Great pressie and thoroughly recommend the kit which is not as difficult to make as you may think!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you for your review Jean ;-) Simon contacted me just when I was developing the kit, so he actually was my first customer! So glad you enjoyed making your large moon gazing hare - and like the Obsidian black colour. Thank you for the photos and letting me use them on my website. Hopefully the holiday sand in the heart and star gazing will result in another fabulous holiday soon. Keep safe and Happy New Year! Jo x"

25 Dec 20'

Nicola Wellband reviewed: Small Outdoor Plaster Hare Sculpture Kit (30cm) with full video instructions by Jo Garden Art

"Bought as a gift everything 5 star"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much for purchasing the Hare Sculpture kit as a present Nicola and hope the recipient has a fabulous time creating their unique sculpture. Kindest regards Jo ;-)"

2 Dec 20'

Linda reviewed: Small Outdoor Plaster Hare Sculpture Kit (30cm) with full video instructions by Jo Garden Art

"I have just finished my first ever sculpture and am thrilled and amazed at how well it has turned out. This medium sized hare kit is beautifully assembled - also included in the kit is information for a nearly 2 hour video link where Jo explains and demonstrates the step by step process to the finished hare. This made the whole process so enjoyable and relaxing to do. (I could pause the video while I worked on my hare then restart it when I was ready - perfect!). It was so fun and pleasing to do that I am going to order the large hare kit, so I can have a moon gazing hare in my garden. Can't wait to get started ? - these kits are a wonderful way of occupying the stay at home situation because of Covid and would also make amazing gifts as well. Special thanks to Jo who with no worries at all arranged delivery as I am overseas."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thanks Linda ;-) Really pleased I could get the kit over to you! So glad the video worked out well and you had a great time making your hare. The large hare kit makes a hare 60 - 80cm tall (depending on how you position the ears), so it will have quite a presence in your garden ;0) kind regards Jo"

1 Dec 20'

Lee Templeman reviewed: Small Outdoor Plaster Hare Sculpture Kit (30cm) with full video instructions by Jo Garden Art

"2x kits bought for my inlaws, for christmas gifts, as Jo is unable to take courses, currently. Placed the order and within minutes Jo called to make sure order was correct. They arrived a few days after, packed very well. I did have a quick nosey through, and it looked amazing. Really looking forward to seeing the results. Thanks again. Lee."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Lee! So glad they arrived safely and you had a peek at the contents ;-) As you would have seen the two hare armatures would have been slightly different as each is hand made. The ears, head, legs and tail can all be bent around so your in-laws will end up with completely different hare sculptures. Pictures please! Jo x"

28 Nov 20'

Karen Maw reviewed: Bronze Hare Kit using air-drying clay - including on-line video with Jo Garden Art

"The kit has arrived. Looks brilliant, can't wait to get started. I will view the video first and then get stuck in. Beautifully put together, everything you need to make a stunning hare!!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Karen ;-) Have a great time creating your hare. Remember you can wrap him/her in a wet cloth if you cannot finish the sculpture part in one go. So long as the cloth does not dry out, the clay will remain soft! Picture please when you have finished!!! Jo x"

28 Oct 20'

Nat Hayes reviewed: Sculpture workshop two days with Jo Garden Art in beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"Such a wonderfully joyful weekend! I attended the 2 day course and from the moment I emailed Jo with the idea of my curved female form, Jo was amazing, encouraging and downright excited for what we would make. Andy her husband created a brilliant metal armature for me to use as a base, even though it was a tricky one for him, he smashed it! Jo is an incredible teacher, creating such a relaxed, enjoyable and natural learning environment. I've worked with clay before but never with plaster. Jo's got a great teaching style and is incredibly inclusive. I loved watching what the other students were making and you get invested in each others works. We had tunes on the radio and had a lovely giggle in the studio. It has relit my passion for making sculptures. I will certainly be back very soon! I cannot recommend Jo's courses enough - go go go!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Nat - the photos of your lady sculpture in the setting autumn sunshine are amazing. I agree that Andy smashed the brief for the armature; it was a sculpture by itself! So pleased to introduce you to the plaster work ;-) See you soon! Jo x"

26 Oct 20'

Fiona Anderson reviewed: Sculpture workshop two days with Jo Garden Art in beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"Just completed a 2 day course with Jo and created a sculpture which is so much better than I could ever have imagined! Jo has a fabulously set up studio and working environment. Lots of sculptures giving you ideas and food for thought. Although, given a challenge of creating something different to what anyone else has done, Jo is up for the task. Can't recommend this course enough. Creative, challenging and definitely a huge amount of fun!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Fiona ;-) the weekend was great - lovely people and incredible work - well done on your 'lady in the wind'. Jo x"

26 Oct 20'

Carolyn Claypole reviewed: Sculpture workshop two days with Jo Garden Art in beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"An amazing weekend with Jo at her wonderful studio. Guided by Jo, I have made a sculpture that I totally love! Thank you Jo for your work."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Carolyn - your Salute to the Sun was really lovely - so glad you enjoyed the weekend, Jo x"

16 Oct 20'

Carole reviewed: Abstract Art Workshop with Jo Garden Art in a beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"What a wonderful day Sunday was. Jo you are delightful teacher, patient and knowledgeable, explaining everything just right; stepping in when I was stumped but not taking over. I was proud of what I achieved and highly recommend this course to beginners and experienced alike. The surroundings were superb and you had thought of everything to keep us safe (Covid wise). I hope to return to undertake another course sometime soon. Thank you Karen and Diana for your cheerful company and encouragement."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Carole ;-) I was so impressed with your finished diptych of the Welsh countryside (abstract style!), including miniatures of swimming friend and you walking your collie - fab! Hope to see you again, Jo x"

12 Oct 20'

Diana reviewed: Abstract Art Workshop with Jo Garden Art in a beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"Jo, I can’t tell you what a joy it was to share the abstract art day with you, Karen and Carole in beautiful surroundings. You organise and explain everything so clearly and encourage us” budding artists” to experiment and have fun! I own up to not having a love of abstract yet learnt a lot yesterday and am already planning on working on old canvases, to be bolder in my experimentation. Many thanks Diana"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Diana - it was a lovely day, and I enjoyed watching you create two completely different pieces. I hope you have a great time working on your old canvases. The medium to use over the oil painted canvas's is Liquitex clear gesso. Jo x"

12 Oct 20'

Karen reviewed: Abstract Art Workshop with Jo Garden Art in a beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"This was a day out that gave me a COMPLETE break from thinking of anything but FUN and PLAY...with so many lovely materials! AND Jo is so organised and has a keen eye to help any “beginner” make and finish a product they are proud of! I think I might consider signing up for a second time, just for the lovely experience. Karen"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Karen ;-) Really hope your son enjoys the monochrome abstract piece with embedded mathematic equations - fabulous! Hope to see you in the Spring, Jo x"

6 Oct 20'

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

"Dear Jo Wow, such a relaxing yet motivating day making a hare. The setting and your practical demonstration really made the day a success for me! I came home with a wonderful sculpture as well as another to make at home. Thank you for being so warm and welcoming to us all."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Chris ;-) I enjoy the day as much as people who are making the hares! Have fun making your sculpture at home - give me a buzz if you have any questions. Jo x"

5 Oct 20'

Beverley & James reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"Thank you so much for brilliant workshop, the space and instruction given was spot on and plenty of tea which was great. We loved the final result of the hares and would highly recommend this experience to anyone. The house and setting was tranquil and beautiful. We felt welcomed and really spoilt."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Bev & James! So glad James enjoyed his surprise and well done keeping the secret so long ;-). So which hare has got pride of place at home?! Jo x"

5 Oct 20'

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

"What an incredibly lovely day spent making a hare sculpture with Jo. A joyful, creative experience. A chance to forget about the challenges of life for a few hours. Easy to follow instructions - I was pleasantly surprised that someone with no previous knowledge like me could make something so gorgeous that I'm genuinely proud of my creation! Stunning location, calm, peaceful - the addition of constant tea, chocolate snack options, bananas and of course cute dogs to cuddle was a real bonus. Thank you Jo! :)"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you for such a lovely review Lisa. I'm so glad you and your sister had time to relax and enjoy some 'zen' time as well as create fabulous hares. Hope to see you again, Jo x"