Phinefibre reviews

Helen Abbott reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"Jo was really welcoming and patient with 2 complete novices. We both left with pieces we were very happy with and a desire to learn more."

Veronica May reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"A surprise 1 to 1 class due to cancellations. The experience was a very high standard with excellent teaching. I felt that all my questions on how to do the felting were answered . The teaching was far above what i had expected. I left feeling accomplished with a dog that my family said resembled my photos."

Rebecca reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"Brilliant. Great step by step explanations. Made exactly what i wanted and lots of colours and wools to choose from. Tutor is knowledgeable and helpful. Couldn't ask for better experience."

Louise Miller reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"I was bought this class as a mother's day present from my son. I have done some felting before and needed help to progress with my skills. Despite also having a complete beginner in on the same day, Jo tailored her teaching for both our needs and guided us to create our own individual pieces. With lots of different materials available I was able to experiment with textures and fabrics in a way that I can't at home, giving me insight into what I might want to try in future. I left with a piece of work I am very happy with, and some new skills and ideas. A fun and informative class. Thank you Jo"

Joy reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"I would highly recommend this course for anyone with even a passing interest in learning to do this craft. Jo is very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and inspiring to her students. Amongst other things she shared the fascinating history and the technical details of the materials which are surprisingly varied. Not requiring the manual dexterity of many fibre crafts, this makes it very accessible so it is possible to complete a rewarding project within the day. I had a lot of fun and a great opportunity to unleash my latent creativity. Thanks Jo!"

Phinefibre responded:

"Thank you Joy, for writing such a lovely and detailed review which is very much appreciated."

Hilary gleghorn reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"I can wholeheartedly recommend this day for anyone curious about wet felting! The studio is bright and welcoming and has an amazing array of materials available to explore and use. Jo is both a talented artist and a very able teacher: her style is warm and supportive and she skilfully guided us through the processes of felting at our own pace. After that we were free to create whatever we had in mind: there was plenty of inspiration in the studio to help develop those ideas and Jo gave just the right amount of input to each person to keep us all moving forward …and produce pieces that were significantly better than we might have hoped as beginners! Being able to experiment with so many different wools and textures in one day was a real bonus. Overall a very relaxing and enjoyable day!"

Georgina reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"A great course in a nice environment, which provides the basic skills to start needle felting animals. I really enjoyed the day and look forward to making more animals."

Lisa Morley reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"Fabulous day with lovely people in a relaxed setting. Learnt a lot and actually produced a half decent dog at the end of it! Thoroughly recommend."

Jacimay reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"Jo is a very talented artist and creator of all things beautiful so when I visited her at her lovely bright studio at the Birchcliffe Centre in Hebden Bridge I knew I was in for an interesting and fun day! Jo has an abundance of recycled fabrics ribbons and wools of every kind but if you are conscious about using ethically sourced textiles then don't worry because Jo is a great Eco warrior and promotes her passion with pride for using all things that are sourced ethically like her luxuriance of animal wools and fibres. Jo tries to recycle as much as she can so sets her students up, each with a set of simple basic tools to help you create till your heart is content. Jo's approach to mentoring is very relaxed and enabling students to be as free as you like for this type of process. For me it was about being free to explore and compose two small abstract pieces which I didn't really have any pre conceived idea of what I wanted to do other than I was inspired by a visit to the seaside so wanted to incorporate textures and shades of blues that's all. My other piece was just a fleeting thought as I drove in and was inspired by the route into Hebden Bridge, and the sunshine sweeping and creating a veil of intense light over the many alternating shades of green of the rolling hills. I lay down my fibres most precariously in some areas but also added some fibres which represented my responses to my passing thoughts. Jo taught some very useful skills and pitches her mentoring style to suit your pace of learning. I learned how to lay out fibres, and the science behind the magical process of binding them together using the tools. I learnt how to choose types of fibres and how different textures and colour can enhance your little masterpiece. I also did some throwing which Jo demonstrated. Yes you literally throw your felted piece repeatedly on the floor and it doesn't fall to bits, amazing!! It was very satisfying believe me! All in all a fantastic day with Jo, I learnt so much and can't wait to book another workshop when I'm free. I intend practicing at home and Jo also has some recommendations of where to buy some wools and fibres. The tools are easy and cheap to buy too if you don't already have them hanging around at home. Thanks again Jo you're brilliant!"

Lindsey Steele reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"A really good introduction to felting. A wonderful venue and knowledgeable teaching. Jo was very patient and the end result was beyond what I expected. encouraged me to try another dog at home"

Karen Buckley reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"Had a lovely day doing Jo’s course. Jo is clearly very experienced and enthusiastic about what she does and fortunately for us, knows how to teach felt making to beginners. She had lots of wool we can use in many beautiful colours. Everyone made amazing felt pieces. It’s also a really relaxing process and very satisfying to create something so lovely to take home. I also felt I got a good understanding of the process, which was an added bonus. I totally recommend this course with Jo. She is also very warm, friendly and helpful and makes everyone feel welcome. For a one interested in art and felt making, this course is not to be missed."

Karen reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"No cheating here! Learn how to tranform rolls of carded wool into sturdy freestanding models without the need for pipecleaners or wire! I felt like I was sculpting with wool, and it was totally absorbing and therapeutic (we could barely stop for our lunch break!). As a total beginner, I was amazed with what I achieved under Jo's excellent guidance. I learnt that although you can buy any number of needles and needle felting gadgets, in reality, you don't need much more than a couple of needles, a felting mat and some wool. I feel that I now have the confidence to tackle my own projects and can't wait to get started. The course is extremely good value and in the 6.5 hours, all attendees completed their projects and were delighted with the results. No extra charge for materials, and you can bring your own lunch, which suited me. I would highly recommend this course, Jo is a great teacher and I'm keen to try one of her other courses."

Janet Greenwood reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"This was an excellent course ... Jo gave us all plenty of tips and ideas with clear instructions at each stage. She also balanced this by allowing each course member to have the freedom to create their own individual ideas.. and offering advice and support along the way. A wonderful relaxed studio atmosphere too I had a great day..."

Anne Wear reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"I had a great day on this course with fellow felters and Jo was a brill teacher. Inspirational surroundings and a wonderful selection of wools and different fibres to work with. I was so pleased with my felt picture and if anyone wants to learn the art of felting, this is the course for you."

Wendy Carruthers reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"Loved the course and its content and the studio is fabulous. Can highly recommend to everyone . I cant wait to go back and do more."

Jane Craven reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"Fantastic tuition, great atmosphere, thoroughly enjoyable course. Venue was easy to find with plenty of parking, beautiful building, hot drinks, fruit and biscuits provided by our lovely instructor Jo, will definitely attend more of Jo's courses, I was a total beginner but now have confidence to felt animals at home, brilliant!"

Kim Metcalf reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"This is a great course if you want to have a go at this craft for the first time, or even if you have done some before. With Jo's expert guidence you can leave after the single day with a finished animal - made to a high standard. Jo's method is very sculptural so you gain confidence in building your model from the ground up - no cheating wires or frames that you would find in starter kits ! Its a great way to spend a day, very good value, a great teacher and a lovely venue. Highly recommended."

Vanessa reynolds reviewed: Felt Making Paintings

"Absolutely loved this course! Informative and interesting with plenty of opportunity for discussion covering different materials and technique . Excellent practical demonstrations and the right balance of tutorial and practice. Will definitely look to attend further courses in the future."

Kari Birch reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"I'd been longing to have a go at Needle-felting for years. I couldn't have picked a better course. Josephine is a truly excellent tutor. She saw us through all of the difficulties and we came out with a meaningful end product! You couldn't ask for better. I'm going to continue practice on my newly acquired needle-felting skills at home. I will be looking out for more courses with Josephine."

Jo Phillips reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"Had a brilliant time last Friday on needle felting course with Josephine in Hebden Bridge, great course, good atmosphere, lots of fun and laughs. It's inspired me to have a go at needle felting at home and will maybe go back for another course in the near future."

Phill reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"Spent a lovely day with Jo learning the basics of needle felting and having a play at creating a little dog. Really pleased with the result which is entirely down to Jo's brilliant tuition skills rather than anything to do with my ability. It's certainly made me determined to practise some more on my own and then book myself on another one of Jo's lovely courses. Would recommend everybody to give it a try."

Lynne Booty reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"Thoroughly enjoyed the course. Never done needle felting before. Was a nice relaxed atmosphere, had an enjoyable day & went away with a needle felted dog that resembled my own dog."

Adele Edgar reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"Lovely relaxed atmosphere, loved my felt dog, great to spend a day in Hebden too."

Melani reviewed: Little

"I really enjoyed this day long needle felting course. Jo is a great tutor. She clearly explained and demonstrated the processes involved and was super encouraging, all of which I needed as a complete beginner. The small group size and Jo's easy teaching manner made for a relaxed, friendly and productive day. I am now a needle felting enthusiast!"

Melanie reviewed: Needle felt your Dog or Cat

"Josephine's course are great, I loved the needle felting. As a teacher she is friendly and knowledgeable and creates a lovely creative atmosphere. Hebden Bridge is a great town, filled with inspiring art and crafts so it is a great place to spend the day making and creating . Highly recommend."