Latest reviews

Robert Payne reviewed: Two day (consecutive) stained glass starter course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"Really enjoyed this course with Paul. He is a good teacher with lots of experience and passion for stained glass.I proudly came away with a lovely leaded panel and a desire to take up this up as a hobby.Dont hesitate to book the course!"

Adam Storch reviewed: Needle felt a robin - Kit with step-by-step PDF instructions

"It was so good! I didn't know what to expect but really enjoyed the class. Gwen is an excellent teacher 10/10!"

Gwen’s Felted Paintings responded:

"Adam, thank you so much for joining my workshop and for your lovely review! I am really pleased that you enjoyed it. I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas :)"

Jane reviewed: Pastel Landscapes for Beginners

"Thank you so much Annabel for a wonderful course which I found extremely informative and helpful. I learnt so much. I wish you all the best with your courses in the future."

Pastel Tuition by Annabel Greenhalgh responded:

"Hello Jane, thank you for reviewing the course, it really helps others to see how much students have enjoyed it. Best wishes, Annabel xx"

Jane reviewed: A fabulous introduction to fused glass - one day course

"My second time on this course , really enjoyed the whole experience. Working space was great and the whole day was day informative and fun . Every effort was made for a COVID safe environment ."

Anne Couchman reviewed: Pastel Landscapes for Beginners

"Having had some experience with pastels Annabel thoughtfully tailored her course to meet my specific requirements. Her course outline and notes are very detailed and give good structure to her lessons. There is no pressure to finish each module very quickly. Annabel gives thoughtful and measured feedback with constructive and detailed critique where needed. A good course for beginners."

Pastel Tuition by Annabel Greenhalgh responded:

"Hello Anne, thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback and I am so glad the course worked well for you. I certainly try to give honest and constructive criticism and so glad that I succeeded. All the best, Annabel xx"

Samantha Duffy reviewed: Pastel Landscapes for Beginners

"I had tried several online courses/tutorials before I came across Annabel. They were ok but nothing compared to the one on one I received with Her.It was exactly what I needed. So handy to be able to get the feedback I had wanted and needed. And beautiful paintings. This course gave me so much confidence. I would most definitely recommend this course for anyone using pastels. I loved my time with Annabel, she’s a lovely person as well as a wonderful teacher."

Pastel Tuition by Annabel Greenhalgh responded:

"Thank you so much Samantha, what kind and thoughtful words which are so very much appreciated. I am so glad the course helped you to gain confidence in your work. Best wishes, Annabel xx"

JENNY BROWN reviewed: Pastel Landscapes for Beginners

"Thoroughly enjoyed the beginners course I did with Annabel. She has a well structured way of teaching giving detailed explanation of the various techniques used. She certainly taught me to be more patient with my art and look for the detail and to have confidence in what I have achieved. I initially picked Annabels course because she worked in the style I was keen to improve on and, having spoken to her on the telephone, I could tell she was very approachable."

Pastel Tuition by Annabel Greenhalgh responded:

"Thank you so much for this lovely review Jenny, I like to be friendly and approachable and find that this helps students for feel confident in expressing their concerns about their work. I enjoyed working with you and seeing your beautiful pictures. All the best, Annabel xx"

J Hey reviewed: Pastel Landscapes for Beginners

"Annabel is a wonderful teacher. Her teaching is thorough and she is warm and generous with her advice. Her instructions are easy to follow and it is good to have an illustration to work with. I have done various courses and workshops with Annabel and can highly recommend her and her methods. You will learn a lot and enjoy the process."

Pastel Tuition by Annabel Greenhalgh responded:

"Thank you so much Jacqui. I really enjoyed working with you and am so glad to hear that the instructions were clear and easy to follow. I very much appreciate your kind words. Thank you."

Elizabeth Bosworth reviewed: Pastel Landscapes for Beginners

"As a real beginner with pastels, some while ago, I did the beginners course with Annabel and it more than exceeded my expectations. The time with Annabel gave me confidence to carry on and be a bit braver with what I tackle, and to really appreciate the blending of pastel colour. I’ve tried watercolour and oils, but nothing comes close to the joy of pastels and their versatility, which Annabel conveys to her students so well."

Pastel Tuition by Annabel Greenhalgh responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review Elizabeth. You did really well with your pastel work and I am delighted to hear how much you are still enjoying it. Best Wishes, Annabel xx"

Caroline Pitt reviewed: Macrame Wreath/Mandala Kit

"Quick service, choice of colours by email with vendor and kit received as promised. Clear easy instructions for an unusual Christmas decoration. Beware, once you start this wreath you will be unable to put it down until finished. Highly recommended."

Crafting with Lyndsey responded:

"Thanks so much Caroline for your lovely feedback. You made me smile, as I am so glad it is not just me that can't put the wreath down until I've finished it! Best wishes Lyndsey"

Williams Nichola reviewed: Craft Workshop: Learn to make silver art clay jewellery in a day (beginner)

"Fantastic day with Sally who is very knowledgeable helpful and enthusiastic ? really enjoyed learning a new skill and wonderful to be able to take home some beautiful jewellery I had actually made with help!! Thank you I hope to book again next year Happy Christmas to Sally and all at craft courses Nicky"

Howard France reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Sorry for the delay in sending this review, I am not good at doing reviews as they usual sound naff if they're good. I came on the day out at the end of October after receiving it as a birthday present, I had bought a lathe in June this year and try to get to grips with it, making a lot of mistakes and with all the catches started to get anxious when using it. Did make a few things but wasn't very happy with finished item. So came to see Simon and we started at the very beginning with the basics, went through everything tools, sharpening, how to stand, and most important how to use the chisels the correct way! Well worth it, if I was paying for myself I might have had second thoughts, but I would have been wrong, definitely one to one tuition was ideal for me. I can now go to the lathe and with confidence start turning. Recommended Thank you, Howard"

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi Howard, Thank you for such a considered and honest review ?. I'm glad you found it useful and that the course gave you confidence and encouraged you to pursue the craft. All the best and happy turning! Simon"

Gail Budd reviewed: Pastel Landscapes for Improvers

"I am currently following this intermediate course and am really enjoying it. The modules are challenging but you can take your time and send your work to Annabel for feedback at any time. Already I have learned so much about how to use pastels that I am eager to carry on. I would highly recommend this course."

Pastel Tuition by Annabel Greenhalgh responded:

"Thank you Gail, you are doing so well and its always wonderful to hear that students are enjoying the course. I spend a lot of time planning the modules and exercises and its great to hear that the feedback is helpful. Thank you, Annabel xx"

Gail Buss reviewed: Pastel Landscapes for Beginners

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course on Pastels by Annabel. The modules are easy to follow and Annabel gives you very useful and helpful feedback. It was a pleasure and joy to have discovered this course."

Pastel Tuition by Annabel Greenhalgh responded:

"Thank you so much for leaving this lovely review Gail. I am so glad you found the instructions easy to follow and delighted that you are now enjoying the intermediate course also. I am really enjoying working with you and seeing your work develop. Thank you, Annabel xx"

Sue reviewed: Pastel Landscapes for Beginners

"I spent years looking for a course like this. All the exercises are easy to follow and so enjoyable, plus, you can send each finished piece for a personal assessment by Annabel. She will help you with anything you are finding difficult. By the time I finished the six modules my artwork had improved immensely and I was selling at local exhibitions. It is ok to have every book ever published on pastel painting but it's certainly no substitute for a personal tutor!"

Pastel Tuition by Annabel Greenhalgh responded:

"Thank you so much for leaving this lovely review Sue and well done on your sales, I'm delighted for you and really enjoyed working with you. It is so very rewarding to see student's work and confidence develop, you have done so very well. Any time you want some work assessing, please let me know. All the very best, Annabel xx"

Mairi Mayfield reviewed: Learn to weave with Janet Renouf-Miller

"I have just started this course and am thoroughly enjoying it! The instruction videos are great and very clear and you get loads of additional information in the form of PDFs. It's a really lovely course if you're new to weaving and want to give it a go. Communication from Janet has also been great throughout and I've received very speedy responses to any queries! Excellent value"

Create With Fibre responded:

"Thanks for your kind comments hope you enjoy the rest of the course"

Victoria reviewed: Rings and Things - Soldering for beginners at Simply Amazing Jewellery School

"A fabulous day in which I learnt so much and amazed myself by the super copper and silver rings I made. It was all done in a super safe environment with all the health and safety rules followed. Viv was an extremely knowledgeable, encouraging, enthusiastic, creative and inspiring teacher and I’ve come away wanting to do and learn more silversmithing which is just what you want from a good craft course."

Simply Amazing Jewellery School responded:

"Wow! That was amazing! Thank you so much! I feel really proud about my achievements which is not what this is supposed to be about! I love my job and this is the reason - you, and others like you, make my day with your input, your determination and your achievements. You were complete beginners, like most of the people who attend my workshops, you take the opportunity and run with it, finding solutions to the difficulties you share and helping each other to success. Faith restored."

Kim McAree reviewed: Rings and Things - Soldering for beginners at Simply Amazing Jewellery School

"Really enjoyabke day.Viv was a great teacher and allowed us to gain confidence and provided help whenever needed. Viv made great efforts to ensure all the covid guidence was in place. It was great fun, give it a try , you will love it ."

Simply Amazing Jewellery School responded:

"Thank you for this lovely review, it means a lot to me - I am so pleased you enjoyed the day - you worked hard and made delightful rings you can wear with pride for many years to come x"

Mike reviewed: Two person 'Have a Bash' at Blacksmithing course in Shropshire

"Had a great day on the "have a bash" blacksmithing. As a beginner Jake walk me through everything first before let me have a go only giving pointer as and when needed, & he defiantly tailors the course to your skill level, and a good laugh to be had between smashing at the iron. Also its great to have something to take back to show form your efforts. I would defiantly recommend that anyone gives it a go."

Tony reviewed: Rings and Things - Soldering for beginners at Simply Amazing Jewellery School

"This was such an enjoyable and informative course! The atmosphere was professional and safe, with plenty of room to watch demonstrations, learn and practice the techniques. The day was long enough to grow in confidence in order to express some personal creativity through the various methods of taking raw materials and turning them into wearable and polished rings. I managed to make some out of copper to practice using my finger measurements, then about four in silver I’d happily give as gifts. Just make sure to sneakily get everyone else’s finger sizes!"

Simply Amazing Jewellery School responded:

"Thank you for this very thoughtful response, I am aware the first half of the workshop is a huge learning curve and worry there won't be enough time to just enjoy; but to see complete beginners achieve so much, is extremely gratifying, I am not surprised you are proud of yourself. Loved your last comment - I should make it a booking condition! The chart is brilliant - I'll be using it from now on, thank you x"

Mike Rust reviewed: French Polishing & Woodcare - 2 Day Beginners/Intermediate Workshop

"Very enjoyable two days in the Cotswolds! I arrived with a really old, well used, badly treated side table, and left with a lovely piece of furniture, restored and French polished by myself - a new skill I intend to make full use of in future. Great learning experience delivered by Ollie who has a knack of explaining quite complicated "stuff" in a way I could quickly understand. Looking forward to my next restoration project with OP Woodcraft!"

Pat Dew reviewed: Mini Felt Floral Wreath Kit

"I bought the mini wreath kit as a gift for my sister. Normally we would be getting together so this year I wanted to give her something really special to show I was thinking about her and how she loves to decorate her home for the Christmas festival. She is thrilled with it! The perfect present, very nicely presented and at a very affordable price. Brilliant Thanks"

Crafting with Lyndsey responded:

"Thanks so much for your lovely feedback Pat. I am so pleased you both liked the kits. I hope you enjoy making them and have a lovely Christmas. Best wishes Lyndsey"

Tom Dixon reviewed: Introduction to spooncarving at Hill End

"I really enjoyed myself on this course, it was everything I had expected and more. David and Mike were great teachers and demonstrators, always on hand to answer a question or to demonstrate a technique or give advice on the evolving spoon design. The day was informal but well run. Safety was a high priority given the sharp tools being used. There was plenty of opportunity to try out a variety of tools to help with deciding what you will want to buy afterwards when you get hooked in to spoon carving I have asked Santa for a set of spoon knives for Christmas so hopefully I will be able to pursue my new found interest, I just need to listen out for any chain saws so that I can go and get some freshly cut wood to practice on. Highly recommended!"

David Knight Woodland Crafts responded:

"Hi Tom, thanks so much for this positive feedback. It was an absolute pleasure to tutor you and your fellow spoon carvers on Saturday and I’m so pleased we could spend much of the day outdoors. You’ll need a second mortgage for some of Mike’s axe recommendations, but they are beautiful heirloom tools made by very talented makers! I do hope Santa isn’t grounded by covid and brings you some nice sharp things to play with in the months ahead. Do stay in touch and let me know if you need a supply of green wood- I’m sure we can help! All best David"

Pauline reviewed: 2020 Crochet Advent Calendar

"I’ve actually stopped opening my calendar after getting a tea bag in an envelope. As the calendar cost £75 I was expecting something way better. Very disappointed."

Forest and Dot responded:

"I’m soo sorry you are disappointed with your calendar. The calendar is made by two small businesses souly by hand. A lot of time was spent producing the whole calendar from start to finish and everything was made by just two people. It’s not mass produced and made by hand. The calendar was listed and described accurately. The theme was a Scandinavian Christmas and the envelopes are in fitting with the theme of this. I’m soo sorry for your disappointment, I’m more than happy to discus this further and resolved if you get in touch :)"

Rupert Laslett reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"A great introduction course led by Richard, who is very thorough and talked through every single step in making the best resin pour. I feel very confident in doing this myself now. Thanks!"

The River Shop responded:

"Thanks for your feedback Rupert. Hope to see the results of your first solo project. Best wishes, Richard"