Jo Bee reviewed: Sea glass on Wood (Eve)

"Super, enjoyed it immensely. Karen is great, very warm and friendly. Will be booking another soon. "

Sarah reviewed: Introduction to learning leather craft skills

"I really enjoyed the introduction to leather craft course. The day was very well organised and more than covered the areas advertised. Thank you to Sara and Melissa."

Kishti Sheather reviewed: Creative Landscape Painting with Barbara Peirson

"This was a phenomenal day. Barbara's expertise and ease in conveying the process of landscape painting integrated with experiential encounters in the wondrous surrounding nature of Arlsefird Grange was magical. I would highly recommend this course with Barbara."

JulieRockall reviewed: Enter the world of Pyrography with Bob Neill

"Excellent workshop from coffee before starting, delicious lunch made by Del and a day packed with quality tuition and useful hints and tips. Bob and Del are a lovely couple and we were entertained by them at lunch time with a look back at unusual items from history. Come home with completed items and a list of useful contacts and we left having made two new friends. Thank you both "

Jacky Smith reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"An absolutely brilliant day with friends. We all thought we would be rubbish... but Jo's patience and expert instructions and demonstrations enabled each of us to produce a beautiful Hare, and they were all gorgeous and all different!. The house and gardens are beautiful and Jo and Andy were so lovely, as much tea and coffee as we wanted, snacks, laughter, dogs, a kitten and a lot of fun! Highly recommended, and honestly, you don't need to be "arty" - if I could do it, so can you! "

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Jacky! You completed every part of the day despite having a recently broken arm and 2 fingers taped together 🤗🤗🤗. Andy and I were sooo impressed! It was lovely having the family together, and as you mentioned everyone's hare developed their own personality. Thank you for helping socialise our new kitten! Hope to see you at the Slate workshop next year. Jo xx"

Maren reviewed: One day Traditional Lead Stained Glass Course

"Spent a delightful day learning to cut and assembly traditional leaded stained glass with Cheryl. "

Christine Alger reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"Had the most wonderful day sculpting my hare. Right from the start of the day when you look at what you are going to make and think "I can't do this" but with Jo's expertise and guidance, before you know it you have an amazing sculpture! Thank you Jo and Andy for a wonderful day to remember!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Our pleasure Chris! The staged building process of the sculpture has been well thought out, so thankfully always result in a lovely hare! See you at the Slate workshop 🤗 Jo xx"

Simon Jenkins reviewed: Box making weekend.

"I have just enjoyed my third course at Andrew's excellent workshop. That should be testimony enough but allow me to continue.... On the box course, you will achieve something you can take home and treasure. I have made boxes that I am genuinely proud of under Andrew's calm and well explained tutorage. Modern routers allow even the most kak handed to achieve a level of accuracy never possible. You will learn skills, behaviours and attention to detail that you can take into other woodworking aspects. I have certainly learned to transfer these skills now into mortise & tenon work (but, Andrew I will not mention dovetails!!) To finish off, the workshop is in a very attractive part of the country which is well worth visiting in its own right."

smartBoxmaker responded:

"Thank you, Simon - you are most kind. Thank you, particularly, for pointing out that the skills are transferrable to other areas of woodworking. See you in October for the next one!"

Mhairi reviewed: Beginners 2 sterling silver stacking rings jewellery course

"A great course. Sarah was a great tutor, taking us through step by step. The rings I made were far better than I thought I could make thanks to Sarah's guidance. Would recommend this course, it was great fun and value for money"

Taniar reviewed: DIY Soap Making Workbook - Melt and Pour and Cold Process

"Good book and i enjoyed reading it, however, i would review the recipe section and state what size mould it uses. "

Alice Down the Rabbit Hole responded:

"Thank you for your feedback. I hope you enjoy your soap-making! The recipes section is just an added bonus section to give users some ideas. The mould sizes are not specified so that users can decide on their own sizes/moulds, depending on what they have or that are available. All of the recipes have the ingredient amounts in order to make the correct mix, but then the moulds used are a personal choice."

Symone reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"I had a fabulous day doing the hare sculpture course! It was great learning the technique and Jo tells you exactly what you need and where to get the materials from so you can continue to experiment at home. I bought the greyhound sculpture kit and can't wait to give it a go! We were made a tea or coffee when we arrived then off to the workshop to get started. All went at an easy pace and instructions were easy to follow. Thank you for a great day! "

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Symone! Delighted you enjoyed the processes learned during the day and I hope you love making your Greyhound sculpture (make contact if any questions or you wish me to see a photo of the 'foiled' stage). See you at the Slate workshop in January! Jo xx"

Carol Downes reviewed: Enter the world of Pyrography with Bob Neill

"This was an excellent pyrography course. It was mindful and relaxing. Bob and his wife Del were very friendly and welcoming. Bob is a very experienced teacher of many years and led the session really well explaining everything and offering help and advice where needed. He has a real passion for his craft and so much knowledge in other crafts. They also provide a really tasty lunch. I would highly recommend this course."

Hayley B reviewed: Beginner Watercolour Art Retreat Day

"Fantastic day in a lovely setting. Joan put everyone at ease and was a great tutor. First time but hoping to return. Great lunch and refreshments included."

Joan Kennedy Artist responded:

"Thanks soooo much Hayley for your lovely review. It’s very much appreciated. I’m planning to do an event most months at Rudyard, and look forward to seeing you back again and watch your progress. Many thanks Joan x"

Chris Smith reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course at Freshfields Animal Rescue Centre Nebo North Wales

"Fantastic course with Barney Murray! Under his expert guidance we learnt as a small group by doing - demolishing an old wall then rebuilding it, stronger and tidier than before. We were all really impressed by our handywork at the end! Thanks to the venue Freshfields Animal Rescue also for hosting us at Nebo."

Dry Stone Walling Association North Wales Branch responded:

"Thanks Chris. Barney is the newest of our three instructors and is very good. Freshfields is a good venue as it has that rest room for breaks. Regards Paul"

Sarah Freelove reviewed: Blow a bauble at Chew Valley handmade glass

"This was a gift for my granddaughter’s birthday and somehow she chose a date that was one of the hottest days of the year! However, this did in no way detract from the experience. From the minute we arrived the whole process was explained fully to Ella before she started. Ella was able to choose her two colours and added them in the order that she wanted. She watched while it was shaped, then she blew down the sterilised tube to create her bauble. Finally the loop was added ready for the ribbon once it was cool. Choosing the ribbon colour was probably the hardest choice - lots to choose from! It was a fabulous experience which Ella loved doing. I was extremely impressed with the way that everything was explained fully and it was all done very safely. I can highly recommend this for a gift experience and needless to say Ella is really looking forward to collecting her bauble! "

Chew Valley HandMade Glass responded:

"Thank you so much Sarah for your lovely review, Ella was a pleasure to work with. Regards Steve and Angie "

Lucy reviewed: Raw Fleece to...Tuffets: Making Seat Mats / Cushions

"Thank you so much Emma, it's been a fab day. Learnt so much and its inspired me to do another one!"