Wyldwood Willow | 🧺 Learn Basketry, Coffin Making, Sculptures & More! reviews

Sharon Thomas reviewed: weave a shopping basket

"I have long wanted to try willow weaving and I picked Wyldwood Willow as I was able to make something a little different - an asymmetric basket with a driftwood handle. Amanda is a great teacher - patient and encouraging and providing support when needed. Everyone on the course was really impressed that we made a basket in just one day and we could all see how we were improving over the course of a few hours. Thanks so much Amanda - I love my basket and will definitely consider coming back for a second go. "

Deborah Clement reviewed: weave a shopping basket

"Amanda is an excellent teacher, clear instruction and help where needed. We were all amazed that we could end a six hour course with a well made usable shopping basket (I went shopping with mine today!) We had plenty of tea breaks and delicious home made cake. The barn is well equipped and in a lovey rural setting. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in basketry."

Wyldwood Willow | 🧺 Learn Basketry, Coffin Making, Sculptures & More! responded:

"Deborah, Thankyou for coming along to the workshop and I am thrilled that you enjoyed the course so much. I love that you have gone shopping with it already, May it bring you lots of joy! Thankyou for the wonderful review and I hope to see you again. All the best Amanda Wyldwoodwillow"

Julie reviewed: Oval shallow basket for the garden at New barn at Usk Castle Chase,Monmouthshire

"Such a great day on my basket making course. Amanda is lovely. Very experienced and a great teacher. It was a very full day, and my hands ached afterwards but came home with a beautiful basket, feeling very proud! "

Wyldwood Willow | 🧺 Learn Basketry, Coffin Making, Sculptures & More! responded:

"Thankyou so much Julie, A pleasure to meet you and I thoroughly enjoyed our day together too. All the best and see you again I hope x"

Rachel Sommerville reviewed: willow sculpture weaving workshop

"It was really good to be able to learn the basics of wicker sculpture from such an expert and be able to finish a heron on the day of the course. It was quite an intense day, as we needed to work quickly to get through each stage. That wasn’t always easy for those of us with no previous experience of using wicker. It might be a good idea to extend the session, even by half an hour, to make sure there is enough time for breaks. "

Wyldwood Willow | 🧺 Learn Basketry, Coffin Making, Sculptures & More! responded:

"Thanks for coming along and leaving a review Rachel. You wove a lovely heron along with the 10 other people on the course who all finished their chosen willow creation too. Sculpture weaving is quite an intense activity especially when weaving a project in one day. We had 3 breaks in total and I work at the natural pace of the group to manage the different projects. I was quite surprised that everyone was finishing up just before 4oclock which is unusual as this workshop tends to run on a bit usually and I am always flexible with the time as there is usually someone needing a bit longer, but on this occasion that was the natural conclusion and it just demonstrates how you all listened and then carried out my instructions with a good level of understanding from start to finish. The level of accomplishment was high considering none of you had woven much before and I for one was very pleased with how the day went and all of your outcomes."

Mandy reviewed: Christmas decorations workshop with Amanda Rayner

"My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop. Amanda was lovely, very skilled and patiently taught us how to create some fabulous Christmas decorations. Such a fun afternoon and would definitely book again in the future ❤️"

Wyldwood Willow | 🧺 Learn Basketry, Coffin Making, Sculptures & More! responded:

"Mandy, Thanks for coming along to the willow Christmas decorations workshop with Debbie. You made some lovely things and it was a pleasure to work with you both. Look forward to seeing you again. All the best Amanda Wyldwoodwillow "

Ceri reviewed: Two day willow deer workshop

"My daughter and I really enjoyed this course. The workshop was lovely, surrounded by countryside, and the size of the group was just right to ensure a good group dynamic while enabling Amanda to give some one to one assistance to keep everyone on track. Amanda is a skilled weaver and a great teacher. Regular tea and coffee and a generous piece of bara brith cake was very welcome during a full day of weaving. Diolch Amanda :)"

Wyldwood Willow | 🧺 Learn Basketry, Coffin Making, Sculptures & More! responded:

"Thanks very much Ceri, Lovely to meet you both. Hopefully see you again. All the best Amanda Wyldwoodwillow "

Claudia reviewed: Traditional Frame baskets with Amanda Rayner

"My husband and I did the traditional frame basket workshop with Amanda and had a fantastic time. Amanda is very patient and gave us really clear instructions and tips to help us make our baskets. The workshop is in a beautiful setting and the tea and cake was a lovely bonus! It was so much fun and very informative."

Ruth McAllister reviewed: Oval shallow basket for the garden at New barn at Usk Castle Chase,Monmouthshire

"A relaxed and very rewarding one-day course. With lots of expert help, I was extremely pleased to come away with a lovely shallow basket that I will proudly use in my garden to gather cut flowers. Amanda is a patient and expert teacher who finds a perfect balance between showing, doing, explaining and guiding. There was even tea and cake. "

Pam reviewed: willow sculpture weaving workshop

"Had a great time on my first experience of willow weaving, was out of my comfort zone but was made to feel very welcome by Amanda and ended up thoroughly enjoying my day. Thankyou "

Eiluned a Dafydd . reviewed: Weaving peaframes and hurdles at Usk Castle Chase

"Fantastic day outside learning how to work with Willow ... Amanda was very patient and allowed the group of 6 plenty of time to interact and catch up ! Felt wonderful bringing home to the garden our pea frames and hurdles.. just make sure you have a big enough boot to the car !! They are taller then you imagine. Diolch yn fawr . "

Sarah reviewed: Weave a willow coffin

"An absolutely wonderful week with a fabulous group...learning day by day...understanding more about willow as the week went by...excellent company and conversations ...delighted to have met Amanda and very appreciative of her kind, gentle, wise experience of supporting people to work with willow- I plan to book again, thank you!"

Fea, Phil & Olive Kelly reviewed: 🧺 3 Day Willow Weaving Workshop

"Just home with our host of baskets created during Amanda’s three day basket weaving course … we all enjoyed it so much, and you really can choose what you want to make. Fabulous selection of willow, and such patience and excellent tuition"

Angharad Burden reviewed: Valentines hearts weaving workshop at Usk Castle Chase in Monmouthshire

"Bought this as a gift for my Mum at Christmas. We both really enjoyed - it made for lovely Sunday morning and we’re really pleased with the hearts we came home with. Amanda was great at showing us what to do, would definitely recommend. "

Sue Wise reviewed: Hedgerow basketmaking

"What a fabulous day! Great place, good company and Amanda is a kind, patient and experienced teacher. This was the perfect antidote to a stressful working life and I made a usable basket. Looking forward to returning one day to make a coffin. Thank you."

Wyldwood Willow | 🧺 Learn Basketry, Coffin Making, Sculptures & More! responded:

"Thankyou Sue for your review, It was wonderful to meet you and I hope you are able to come again. I am just about to list my courses for next year so hopefully there will be something of interest to you. All the best Amanda Wyldwoodwillow"

Lala reviewed: Oval shallow basket for the garden at New barn at Usk Castle Chase,Monmouthshire

"This was a great workshop in beautiful surroundings. Amanda's direction was clear and well paced. She managed to keep us all on track whilst making drinks and offering delicious cake. She was very patient with all our requests for help and made sure we all completed our baskets by the end of the day."

Myra Keatley reviewed: Oval shallow basket for the garden at New barn at Usk Castle Chase,Monmouthshire

"Very pleasant day in beautiful surroundings. Amanda is a highly skilled weaver who is generous with her time and knowledge. I have already booked my next workshop. I was surprised at how physical the craft is. Craftcourses.com - the day didn't start well as incorrect venue information was posted on your website."

Emma Whittingham reviewed: willow sculpture weaving workshop

"A really great course. Amanda is a brilliant teacher with so much knowledge to share and so accommodating of everyone’s different sculpture project. I felt very inspired by what I made and what everyone else made!"

Diane reviewed: willow sculpture weaving workshop

"An excellent day. Amanda started by showing us basic techniques, and then supported everyone to create a different animal. She created a harmonious atmosphere in the workshop. I would attend again."

Amanda cc reviewed: Weaving peaframes and hurdles at Usk Castle Chase

"I had a great day and learnt a lot, and best of all came away with a fabulous pea frame and hurdle. Amanda was very patient and helpful. I would really recommend this days course. I'd now like to do more."

Marion reviewed: 🧺 3 Day Willow Weaving Workshop

"A very enjoyable 3 days. Amanda is an inspiring teacher who kept us all working on our different projects with plenty of time and encouragement for everyone. The Workshop was a loverly building with several door , well ventilated for COVID times."

Lucie reviewed: Oval shallow basket for the garden at New barn at Usk Castle Chase,Monmouthshire

"I loved this course and it's setting and it was great being amongst like-minded people for the day. Amanda was a great tutor. The pace was intense but Amanda was always on hand to guide you and was very encouraging. You were never made to feel pressured, despite the pace. It takes some skill from tutor to get that balance! We all left with a finished basket and smiles on our faces."

Jackie Chapman reviewed: Oval shallow basket for the garden at New barn at Usk Castle Chase,Monmouthshire

"Great day weaving, really enjoyed the course. Very happy with my first basket, and will definitely do another course with Amanda. Only downside, my confirmation email gave directions to Usk Castle and not to the actual venue which was a couple of miles away."

Michelle Whitcombe reviewed: Weaving peaframes and hurdles at Usk Castle Chase

"I had a fabulous day on Amanda's pea frame and hurdle workshop. Amanda is an amazing tutor and very calm and patient. We all waited to catch up before moving to the next stage. Usk castle chase was a fab venue, very peaceful. I am definitely booking my next workshop with Amanda, and her daughter's chocolate cake was delicious too."

Caylee reviewed: Weaving peaframes and hurdles at Usk Castle Chase

"Loved it - really interesting day, in a beautiful location with yummy cake :)"

Tom Dixon reviewed: Weaving peaframes and hurdles at Usk Castle Chase

"My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed our day with Amanda making willow pea frames and hurdles. The instruction was clear and easy to follow. With the small group size meant that Amanda was always available to help out or to answer questions. Nice tea and biscuits to keep us warm and motivated on a fairly wet day, thankfully we were all under shelter in Amanda's teaching area. I would recommend and would be keen to book another day with Amanda to learn more about willow weaving."