Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns reviews

Karen reviewed: Needle-felt a Hare - with Annis McGowan. A 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Dear Annie and Annis Just a note to thank you for hosting such a fantastic day yesterday and making us feel so welcome and at home. I drove home smiling all the way with a very smart hare on the passenger seat of whom I am very proud. Annis taught the technique so well and her preparation was excellent and as discussed worth a lot more than £18!!! Lunch and refreshments were lovely (thank you also to Claire) and the whole day flew by. I have definitely caught the felting bug and am already planning a new project using the skills learned. A fabulous day, thank you all of you, Kind regards Karen"

Carol Ward reviewed: 'Applique & stitch' discovering Machine embroidery: a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"A thoroughly enjoyable day working with the very talented Sarah Ames. I loved seeing her beautiful workmanship and she was encouraging and patient in ensuring we all produced some amazing work. It was great to meet so many interesting people and we were made to feel very welcome in Annie’s home. Thank you ?"

Karen reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I had such a splendid time at the café last Saturday I wanted to write and say a special thank you. I've never been to a craft workshop before, and, given the extensive and interesting range, had trouble deciding which one to choose having received a voucher for Christmas. The felting choice was great. Marieke was lovely and a great tutor. The day was a joy from the moment of arriving and getting a cuppa with the yummy warm-from-the-oven biscuit until it was time to go. The venue was excellent, food fantastic and welcoming friendly atmosphere spot on. My partner was delighted that his gift to me had made me so happy and I'm hoping that future birthdays and Christmases might result in more vouchers coming my way! With very best wishes"

Caroline W reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"What a fun day. We went home exhausted, each with a very different pair of wearable slippers. Annie joined in and happily supplied bundles of towels to mop her floor as we added more and more lovely organic soap and water to our creations as we rolled and rolled trying to remember which way up it was and how many layers we'd done. (Future sessions could do with some sort of chart to mark off as one goes along - all the chatting takes one's mind of the job at hand.) Annie's helpers provided a choice of three delicious soups (I tasted all three!) and two puddings for lunch at a table set out in the sunshine in the garden - time to gather our energies for the afternoon. Thanks especially to Marieke who managed to get her instructions across against all the chatter, while making her own perfect pair."

Ros S reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I thought that making a pair of felt slippers would be so easy - just sew up some felt and hey presto ! But no we had to make the felt ourselves ... Lovely Marieke helped us to gradually build up layers of merino wool and patiently explained how to create patterns and colours. We worked so hard rolling and soaping and throwing and massaging and chatting -but what a result. An amazing pair of very cosy slippers which I designed and made myself ! A lovely day - helped by delicious soups and 2 puddings for lunch and scones with jam and cream for tea. Highly recommended!"

Annie S reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"What a great course! Beautiful location; delicious, healthy lunch and refreshments; excellent, friendly tuition, complete with dashings of science and history (local and global) of felting.... this course takes your knowledge and skills of felting to a higher level. It would be suitable for the beginner or the experienced alike as there is always room for improvement. Marieke and demonstrates the process in an unrushed, clear, step-by-step fashion, resulting in beautiful, unique, warm slippers. The other ladies on the course were lovely to be with. We shared ideas, thoughts and knowledge. Ideas for embellishment were shared and observed. Annie made us feel very welcome, even offering childcare at the end after school pick-up in order to finish the slippers. I would recommend this course to anyone needing an uplifting day...and desiring special slippers! I still feel a warm glow from it nearly 2 weeks later. Thankyou."

Lisa reviewed: Casting in pewter - making jewellery, decorations & keyrings: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Ella is a fantastic teacher. She knows how to set you at your ease, tells you just enough without overwhelming you in details, and then proceeds to check in with everyone individually to make sure you're ok. She makes the whole pewter process seem so easy and highly rewarding. I wouldn't hesitate to book with her again. Quirky Workshops is a great location, too. Annie ensures everyone feels welcome with a generous supply of coffee, tea, home made cordials, and of course biscuits and cake! Such is always the best and Annie is a great host. We've been to a few workshops at Quirky now, and are never disappointed."

Lucy reviewed: Casting in pewter - making jewellery, decorations & keyrings: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Ella is a great teacher, straightforward, enthusiastic and lively. We all got stuck in straight away and surprised ourselves with what and how much we made in a day. There was designing and sawing and soldering and carving and molten pewter all going on at the same time and the atmosphere was friendly and creative. I hope to come back to make more in pewter again soon."

Rachel reviewed: Casting in pewter - making jewellery, decorations & keyrings: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Ella was fabulous - we got going really quickly - as Ella gave really concise teaching points to get us underway guiding us and rescuing the minor mishaps with our work. We produced an array of little objects using variety of techniques which were really pleasing. It was an immensely pleasurable day topped off with a really yummy lunch, plenty of nibbles, drinks and some lovely company. Thank you! We are already looking forward to our next visit."

Lynne M reviewed: 'Applique & stitch' discovering Machine embroidery: a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"Thank you so much for a fab day yesterday .. The whole day was lovely from Sarah's Ames' class to the yummy homemade food and friendly people Many thanks Lynne M x"

Linda R reviewed: 'Applique & stitch' discovering Machine embroidery: a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"Dear Sarah and Annie, Just to say how much I enjoyed the embroidery course last Saturday. It was great to spend a day with so many lovely ladies and so many sewing machines! I’ve finished my picture and made a couple of lavender bags using the same techniques. I’m sure I will be doing lots more."

Elaine reviewed: Blacksmith for a day with Adrian Woods: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"An excellent day in the blacksmith artis workshop with Adrian & Andy, with friendly people, being taught traditional skills to produce something worth while to taking home to be proud of... a well set out Sculptured course building up techniques and confidence through out the day, and to top it off we where we’ll looked after and fed with delicious food home cooked by Debbie couldn’t of asked for more. Would I recommend this course YES Would I buy this course as a gift YES Would I come back YES YES YES"

Rosie B reviewed: Two day Silver Jewellery workshop ~ Beginners/ or Ints..~ a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District, Cumbria

"Thank you for another wonderful course! I am thrilled to bits with the beautiful jewellery I made, it was such an enjoyable couple of days. Melinda was a great tutor. Thank you so much and see you at leather making workshops in July!"

Simon Keeley reviewed: Stone Carving (relief & 3D) sculpture for Beginners/Ints. - 3D- with Simon Keeley: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Very many thanks, Simon, for the inspiring and immensely practical course. I had wanted to try stonecarving for years. You will see me again at one of your future course if I am lucky! Gill said she felt all of her 84 years as we staggered back to the car with our lumps of stone - and my muscles this morning tell me which ones I used yesterday.- but we had such a wonderful time. Thank you again. Miriam"

Georgina reviewed: Two day Silver Jewellery workshop ~ Beginners/ or Ints..~ a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District, Cumbria

"I thoroughly enjoyed this Silver Jewellery workshop. The tutor was excellent and very patient and encouraging. I was delighted with my results and it has certainly inspired me to get more tuition in the art of silver smithing. The Greystoke cafe certainly looked after us with a lovely lunch and superb refreshments. It was certainly one of the best workshops I have been on"

Elaine Gorrie reviewed: Two day Silver Jewellery workshop ~ Beginners/ or Ints..~ a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District, Cumbria

"Staggered at what I was able to make on the course. Really enjoyed the whole experience from the venue, home baking to the support provided on the course. Thank you so much, will definitely come again."

June thornthwaite reviewed: Two day Silver Jewellery workshop ~ Beginners/ or Ints..~ a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District, Cumbria

"Melinda was lovely and absolutely brilliant at her craft. She was very patient and positive. She always complimented our work but at same time gave advice and guidance. Annie was also really lovely and made everyone feel right at home. The lunches and cream teas were gorgeous and the property is absolutely beautiful set in an idyllic village. I would highly recommend the whole experience."

Steve Reay reviewed: Stone Carving (relief & 3D) sculpture for Beginners/Ints. - 3D- with Simon Keeley: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Welcoming,rural setting with tasty,nutritious food. Facilities are in renovated Cumbrian farm cottage and outbuildings -comfortable and spacious. The venue is run very well by Annie. Simon is an attentive tutor,whose skills in Stonecarving are amazing. He is friendly and supportive - and manages to produce good works from his pupils by attentive and directed instruction. He makes the course very enjoyable and successful for all on this introduction to Stone carving."

Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns responded:

"Many thanks for submitting feedback about your Quirky course, we appreciate the time and effort this involves. Hopefully, we will see you on another occasion at Greystoke... with best wishes Annie & co x"

Val Rosbrook reviewed: Stone Carving (relief & 3D) sculpture for Beginners/Ints. - 3D- with Simon Keeley: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Really enjoyed the 3D Stone carving course; sitting around the kitchen table on the Friday night making our clay maquettes was an easygoing way to introduce ourselves and our ideas and I surprised myself with the end result. Well worth coming with some clear ideas about what you want to produce. Tuition throughout was friendly and informative; as we had all chosen different projects we had the chance to see lots of different techniques at different stages across the remaining 3 days. At times it was hard to think that my inner cockerel would ever emerge from my block of stone but he did; whilst not completely finished as I was a little overambitious I had enjoyed it enough to go on to buy my own tools on returning home and take my time to refine. It was amazing to see the progress across the whole group and the quality of what we had produced in so little time. The course has given me confidence to complete another couple of projects on my own and this year I've had a go at lettering. Thank you Simon and of course I can't finish without thanking Annie and her team for the food and hospitality."

Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns responded:

"Dear Val Many thanks for submitting feedback about your Quirky course, we appreciate the time and effort this involves. Hopefully, we will see you on another occasion at Greystoke... with best wishes Annie & co x"

Katrine reviewed: Wildlife illustration in watercolours (and optional gouache) with Simon Williams SBA ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I have attended 2 of Simon's courses, both of which were wonderful. Simon is not only a gifted artist but an excellent teacher, giving lots of help and encouragement. He will provide assistance to all ability ranges, from the novice to accomplished artists. His manner is relaxed and informal - nothing intimidating about this young man - you never feel your efforts are unappreciated. Whatever your experience of art and watercolour you will learn new skills to take away with you which will stand you in good stead for future painting. The location is lovely and the food fantastic. I feel it is excellent value for money and a wonderful boost to anyone wanting to improve their watercolour painting. Loved every minute!!!!!"

Lesley K reviewed: Artisan bread making day: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Excellent atmosphere. Very clear instructions. Lovely variation of different breads. The lunch was delicious and everybody was very friendly. Liked working around the large table. Will recommend."

Ruth A reviewed: Artisan bread making day: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Fantastic workshop, great to try and bake a variety of breads. I now have more confidence to experiment at home. Lovely relaxed atmosphere and a great group of people together with a very experienced tutor."

Mary Egerton reviewed: Botanical Illustration Days in Watercolours (and gouache optional) with Simon Williams: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"A really excellent and inspiring course."

Mike H reviewed: Artisan bread making day: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Very laid back so lots of fun. Excellent presentation from competent experienced tutor. Such a friendly experience."

Karen B reviewed: Artisan bread making day: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Enjoyed the workshop and learnt a lot about making bread! Definitely would come again."