John White Woodcarving reviews

michael kelly reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"Perfect course and venue for the beginner/aspirant woodcarver...…. Think I'll go on to Stage 2....."

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Thanks Michael, good to hear you enjoyed it, and hope to see you again. kind regards John & Carol"

maureen brown reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"I did this course at the end of January. It was great, John had so much patience and made no attempt to rush us. He explained everything clearly as we went along. I really enjoyed the whole course and learnt so much. I had never done any carving before so was a wee bit scared of making a mess of everything. If you enjoy making things or just messing about with wood, have a go at this course, I am sure you you won't regret it. Maureen Brown"

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Hi Maureen, thank you for your kind review. I am very pleased you enjoyed it, especially as you travelled quite a distance. Very best wishes John & Carol"

Paul Birchenough reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"Always been keen to work with wood and this course offered a new challenge and l certainly wasn't disappointed and would highly recommend."

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Thank you Paul, glad you enjoyed it and hope you continue; always happy to help kind regards John & Carol"

Tim reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"An excellent, easy to follow course which even for a total beginner in his 50s was basic enough for me to follow!! John was extremely patient, even with me and my very sharp tools ? ?"

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Thanks Tim glad you found it interesting, you were great with the tools, feel free to contact us if you need any more information. Kind regards John & Carol"

Pam Richardson reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"My daughter and I had never used chisels or dabbled in woodcraft before we attended the Beginners Class but the prospect of creating a carved owl in a weekend really appealed to us. Although we were apprehensive at first we were soon under the spell of John’s brilliantly humorous but technical way of teaching. A small class with all tools provided and lots of one to one encouragement meant the whole weekend was a great time for all the students. We absolutely loved the course and hope to continue woodcarving now that we have been instructed in the basics. A ‘must’ course for anyone interested in crafts and wanting a new creative challenge."

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Thanks Pam, very pleased to hear you both enjoyed the course and that you are now on your way to being happy woodcarvers"

Barbara Lamb reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"Had a fantastic weekend on John's woodcarving course. Learnt loads and came home with my own piece of carving (an owl). Thank you John (and Carol for organising everything). Will definitely keep on carving. Was a complete beginner but feel confident I have the right basic skills now. Great fun too - even for someone with limited mobility - John made sure that I was still able to fully participate. Thanks xxx    "

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Thanks Barbra, pleased to know you are continuing"

Gill Lloyd reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"Great course and a super environment to get creative in, this is my 2nd course as I enjoyed the 1st one so much. From a taster weekend beginners course for carving, the course turned my slight interest into a passion for working with wood. The tuition was perfect, the tutor was friendly, patient and professional. Learning from someone with this level of skill and knowledge is truly inspiring."

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Thank you Gill, so glad you have enjoyed the courses."

Andrew Browning reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"I have now completed the beginners and the intermediate course and my only complaint is that there are no more to do! From absolutely no knowledge at all, John managed to extract two pieces of carving from me, which really are all my own work. This is due in no small part to Johns teaching style which gives everyone the confidence to have a go and with an emphasis on the fundamentals. Great teacher and a very relaxed and enjoyable course."

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Thank you Andrew, so glad you enjoyed the courses. We may well include an Advanced weekend course in the future. Kind regards John & Carol"

Lain Burgos-Lovece reviewed: Wood carving intermediate course (level 2)

"A really useful course. I find the number of attendees just right, as it allows John to answer individual questions and to help directly when problems arose in my own carving. The course was challenging and the format very flexible, allowing John to cover extra techniques as required during the two days. Also plenty of advice on tools and other sources of information and inspiration. The setting in Ness Gardens is very relaxing and inspiring."

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Hi Lain, thank you for your helpful comments, pleased you enjoyed the course. kind regards John & Carol"

Stuart Meek reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"A weekend well spent with expert hands on tuition from John, offering masses of help and advice along the way. I would recommend this beginners course for anyone wanting to learn the art of wood carving. So much advice and information, I went away inspired and ready to move onto my next project. Take part, take notice and you will not be disappointed, but don't take any sandpaper with you."

John White Woodcarving responded:

"Thank you Stuart, glad you enjoyed it, especially as there was a ban on sandpaper lol."

Christine Holcroft reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"I decided to do this course as I've never worked with wood at all (in my day the girls only did needlework/cookery at school). It's been on my bucket list for a while. I was apprehensive at first but John's teaching technique soon made for a relaxing weekend. We had loads of ideas and information given to us and expert demonstrations from John. Lots of help was given where needed. I feel shattered now it's over but really enjoyed my weekend, doing something different. I actually just about ended up with an almost complete owl (very proud) but could probably have done with an extra day to complete that and practise some more basic techniques. Would definitely consider doing a follow up course; this was excellent and well worth the money. Thanks John."

David Bedding reviewed: Wood carving for beginners and improvers at Ness Botanic Gardens Cheshire

"For anyone who is thinking of taking up woodcarving, or has started and wants to get some coaching then this is one of the best ways to do it John is an excellent teacher. He has great patience and unfailing good humour His explanations are clear and easy to follow and he always seems to be on hand to assist anyone who is finding anything a little difficult to do. Everything is provided - including tools if you don't have any of your own. You start by practicing the ‘basic’ cuts but soon move on to making recognisable shapes On the second day you move on to carving an owl starting with the explanation of how to mark out the piece of wood ready to carve. Getting the carving fully finished does require concentrated effort but it is well worth it to take home a completed piece and leaves the beginner with a great sense of achievement."