The Rushden Sugarsmith reviews

5 Mar 19'

Mary reviewed: Cold porcelain flowers for beginners

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day with Jill - it was good to learn some new techniques, she is a very good teacher, patient and helpful, and very experienced. I was thrilled with the peony spray I took home, and am completely hooked on cold porcelain. I have ordered an airbrush, having had a go with Jill's, and although I have lots of cutters and equipment already, I am going to invest in a few more pieces, ready for my new venture. Thank you so much Jill, for inspiring me."

21 May 18'

Dorothy reviewed: Cold porcelain flowers for beginners

"I recently attended this course and thoroughly enjoyed it. Jill is an excellent tutor and shares her knowledge and enthusiasm effortlessly and patiently. I learnt so much in just one day and have been inspired to learn more. I highly recommend this course. Thank you, Jill, for a lovely day."

24 Apr 18'

Janet Williams reviewed: Sugar flower making day with award winning artisan sugar artist

"Thank you Jill for a lovely day in your wonderful studio and for the excellent lunch. I had no great expectation of what I might produce by the end of the class, but thoroughly delighted and surprised with my beautiful, very professional looking, spray of yellow roses. I had not made a successful sugar flower before meeting Jill, despite many attempts following videos on YouTube. Having taken on the task of making my daughter’s wedding cake, I found Jill on this site and immediately booked my class, and I’m so glad I did. Jill is extremely talented (and patient!) and explained and demonstrated every step of the way. The whole day was so relaxed and passed in a flash. I can thoroughly recommend the taster day, and look forward to further classes."

30 Nov 17'

Nina Simmons reviewed: Cold porcelain flowers for beginners

"I returned to Jill's studio after completing the one day sugarcraft course but this time for two days. on this occasion i wanted to create a poinsettia display for my Christmas cake and I must say, what was achieved in two days surpassed my expectations. For me, (and as a novice), working with cold porcelain allowed me to be more creative and I found it more easier to handle than sugar paste. I will booking onto a third course in 2018 as I have found the experience incredibly relaxing, fun and I must say, incredibly enjoyable, thank you Jill."

30 Nov 17'

Nina Simmons reviewed: Sugar flower making day with award winning artisan sugar artist

"Wow, what can I say, Jilly, thank you so much for a fabulous day. From the start I was convinced I could not produce anything that could look like a flower. I normally have little patience, but with your exceptional patience and step by step guidance what we all achieved as new beginners was amazing and I would recommend this beginners course to anyone."

26 Nov 17'

Laura reviewed: Cold porcelain flowers for beginners

"A thoroughly enjoyable workshop in the comfort of a beautifully clean and relaxing studio. Jill is an excellent tutor, with a calming nature. She makes you feel at ease and is full of encouragement from start to finish. For someone who enjoys craft, but is not particularly artistic, I have created a piece of art I am proud to put on display ?"

26 Nov 17'

Sabrina reviewed: Cold porcelain flowers for beginners

"I was really curious to try something totally different in terms of crafting, as a way to de-stress and I have to say, this course was absolutely fantastic in ticking those boxes and more. Not only did I de-stress by immersing myself in the wonders of cold porcelain!! But I really felt I learned something, building confidence under the expert tutelage of Jill, and had something truly beautiful to show for it at the end. Jill is a great tutor and host. She instantly made me and my coursemate feel relaxed in the unique environment of her workshop. It was well set-up and well equipped and was bright and clean. Her teaching style was really natural and she was always there to help us when we were stuck (or recognising when we were!) without being intrusive. You can see how much she enjoys her craft and how experienced she is in the way she teaches. The enthusiasm and passion is brimming and it's infectious. She was really positive throughout, even when I made mistakes and always helped to minimise the impact. She shared her knowledge of botany too and I learned things and looked at flowers in a way I never did before! I have so much respect for this discipline, and the beauty in living things, having had this introduction to cold porcelain flowers. I recommend it to anyone wanting to learn the craft but also to anyone wanting to de-stress. Great therapy: it should be available on prescription! Thank you, Jill :)"

24 Nov 17'

Mary Prettyjohn reviewed: Sugar flower making day with award winning artisan sugar artist

"I had never attempted anything this ambitious and was astonished at what I achieved with Jill's help and expertise! The studio is great and really well equipped and she is a wonderful (and very patient!) teacher and the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly. Each step is explained and demonstrated and before you know it, you can create something you wouldn't believe possible - I made a spray of roses, with one closed bud, one partially opened and one full bloom, and I'm still amazed that I actually made them myself! The refreshments are also a bonus with a lovely lunch included. I can't wait to go back in the New Year and try cold porcelain and I thoroughly recommend her courses :-) Mary"

23 Nov 17'

Heather Wigmore reviewed: Sugar flower making day with award winning artisan sugar artist

"This was my very first time of making sugar flowers and I can’t believe what I achieved during the day. Jill explained each step and was so patient waiting for me to make each petal or leaf, even showing me again when needed. We had a wonderful home made lunch in her beautiful kitchen, with afternoon drinks and biscuits brought to us by her lovely husband during the afternoon. The day course went so quickly, I had a fantastic day and left to go home on a real high hardly believing what I had made. Jill is such a friendly talented lady, is a great teacher and puts you at ease. I have already booked for another lesson in the New Year with family, can’t wait ?"