Latest reviews

Kevin Jones reviewed: Kitchen knife course

"Andy & Dave are friendly, knowledgeable, patient & skilled. Course was fantastic, end product was fantastic even with the added curveball of the current safety guidelines to be adhered to. Highly recommend Highfield Forge"

Neelam reviewed: Taster pottery throwing lesson (various dates)

"I have always wanted to try pottery and the afternoon taster session was perfect. I booked the course for myself and my husband. We absolutely loved the afternoon and were pretty chuffed with our finished little pots. Jack was friendly and so patient during the session - he clearly loves his job! I would highly recommend giving it a go! We will hopefully be back at some point for other courses."

Aidan reviewed: Woodworking - Beginner/Basics - two days

"What a great course this was. We got clear instructions on how to build our piece step by step, and Steve answered any little questions we had. We learned not only how to correctly use each of the tools but also the theory behind them and how to check / correct our work. A perfect course for a beginner like myself, Thanks Steve!"

Dovetail Woodworking responded:

"Hi Aidan, I'm glad you enjoyed the two days you spent at the workshop and hope you took away some new skills as well as the book stand. Steve"

annette with reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"I would highly recommend this 2 day course. So many top tips, the first of which is to read the instructions on how to get there! Andy was a superb teacher with infinite patience and his wife, Martine, produced amazing lunches and constant top ups of drinks during the day. As a complete beginner the pace of the course was perfect and the first day finished with a lovely bowl completed. The second day concentrated on light pulls and apples. Andy gave great advice throughout and I will definitely be booking again. Thank you both for your hospitality and expertise!"

Victoria Goldberg reviewed: Glass fusing workshop - 1 day

"I had an absolutely brilliant day with Jill - what a talented lady and such a great teacher. I didn't know there was so much to learn about glass fusing - thanks to Jill I have come away inspired and informed - ready to have a go at home. Lunch was delicious and refreshments abundant. I will definitely go back for another day to consolidate. My only negative comment 'the day went by far to quickly' - I would highly recommend Jill's glass fusing - a fantastic gift for family and friends - But, make sure you go yourself. Thank you Jill and John for a wonderful day - can't wait to get my pieces."

Fired Glass responded:

"Thank you Victoria we are so pleased you enjoyed your day with us and found it so useful and informative."

Annette With reviewed: Woodturning courses ( beginners and intermediates) in Hampshire, Wiltshire & Dorset

"I would highly recommend this 2 day course. So many top tips, the first of which is to read the instructions on how to get there! Andy was a superb teacher with infinite patience and his wife, Martine, produced amazing lunches and constant top ups of drinks during the day. As a complete beginner the pace of the course was perfect and the first day finished with a lovely bowl completed. The second day concentrated on light pulls and apples. Andy gave great advice throughout and I will definitely be booking again. Thank you both for your hospitality and expertise!"

Andy Browne Woodturning responded:

"Hi Annette - the pleasure was all ours! Love your first tip - you were not the first and certainly won't be the last. Look forward to your return visit and hopefully updates on your woodturning in between! Regards Andy & Martine"

Helen North reviewed: One day fused glass course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"My two teenage daughters and I had an excellent day learning how to cut glass without cutting ourselves, and making some beautiful creations between us. Paul was patient and attentive, full of creative ideas to facilitate the pictures we wanted to create, and pulling all sorts of exciting glass out for us to experiment with. We can't wait to receive the finished product once they've gone in the kiln. I can honestly say that it was money very well spent. The biggest challenge now is saving the pennies to buy my own kiln, to start my new hobby! (Also, very happy with Covid safety ... Very well thought out and delivered. We wore masks all day, socially distanced during teaching, and had plenty of hand gel and paper towels. We also had our own tools to use throughout the day.) Thank you also for the simple but yummy lunch, and endless supply of beverages and biscuits!"

Lucy reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience in Grassington (3 hours)

"Bought this workshop as a gift for my husband's birthday and he absolutely loved it. Richard was really friendly and a great teacher and my husband was really pleased with his finished knife. He is now hooked on watching 'forged in fire' and thinks Richard should offer an axe making course next which he would be first in line for!"

Valentina Cartei reviewed: Clay sculpture workshop

"We very much enjoyed the 2-day clay workshop with Jan. Both my partner and I were total beginners and Jan helped us along the way with our somewhat unusual sculpture requests with patience, artistry and humour. We both learnt a lot, and time just flew by."

Dawn James reviewed: Needle Felting workshops taught live online via Zoom

"I cannot recommend this course highly enough. Im a complete beginner to felting and by the end of the session had made a hare I felt proud of. Heidi is a lovely warm lady and a great teacher. She took time to explain each step in detail and gave guidance throughout the process. She also answered all my questions with patience. Zoom was easy to use and it was great being able to learn whilst at home. We also had a laugh along the way . Thank you Heidi Dawn James"

Heartfelt by Heidi responded:

"Thank you Dawn for your kind words, it means so much. I am so pleased you enjoyed it and have made something you are proud of. Needle Felting is such a fabulous craft and very rewarding and your Hare was adorable. I enjoyed spending time with you and am glad you found the guidance easy to follow and the process smooth, even though you were new to Zoom. Thank you very much for booking with me. Kind regards Heid x"

Jean findley reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Great relaxed day what was not to like one critiscm - too much nice food loved it"

Sarah Mills reviewed: Leather earring making kit, jewellery making

"Great kit, super value too. I know my grand daughter will love making the earings and I'm sure they'll be great to wear too. I'm going to be looking at the workshops for when I can get out and about again. Thank you"

Sarah reviewed: Christmas Twist Beeswax Candle Making Kit.

"Candle making kit was excellent, well presented, in fact so good I went back and bought another immediately."

Rowhill Candles responded:

"Sarah - good evening. Many thanks for the positive review, which is appreciated. Kind regards Brian - Rowhill Candles"

Sarah reviewed: 'Field with Red Poppies' wool fibre painting art kit

"I'm delighted with the wool painting kit, it arrived safely, well packed and looking just like the description. I know my sister in law will enjoy making it and I would certainly order again"

Magic Wool Art and Craft Studio responded:

"Dear Sarah, Thank you very much for your review. I am glad that the kit arrived safely. I hope your sister in law will enjoy making a wool painting. I look forward to hearing from her and seeing a photo of her 'Poppy field' wool fibre picture."

Nicola reviewed: Exploring Collage - workshop with Julie Galante

"A well constructed course, with good follow up online material. Relaxed and informative."

Airtily responded:

"Thank you so much, Nicola! It was a pleasure to have you join me for this workshop."

Liz reviewed: 'Bag in a Day' Practical Leather Course - Mini Bucket bag

"I had a great day at the workshop with Georgie. Never in a million years did I think I could create something good enough to be in a designer handbag shop but I did! My bag is stunning and everything was explained perfectly from start to finish! It was such a lovely, relaxed day with lots of giggles and a brilliant finished product. The food was fab too!! Would love to come back again!"

Hands of Tym responded:

"Thanks Liz you and Lucy were amazing company in the workshop. Enjoy your gorgeous bucket bags and I hope to see you on another in the future BW Georgie"

Linda Morris reviewed: Stained Glass Sun Catchers. (Foil Method) One day class. Beginners and intermediate welcome.

"Such a satisfying and enjoyable day. Clare is a superb hostess and a great teacher. Fantastic value for money. I’m going back for more"

Woodland Crafts responded:

"Thank you Lin, In enjoyed your company and so glad you are happy with what you made. Looking forward to seeing you again soon, Clare"

Patricia Robinson reviewed: Learn to paper cut live

"I really enjoyed this course. Aimee's enthusiasm and bubbly personality made the two hours fun and informative. It was very structured and as well as learning new techniques we saw lots of examples of papercutting art work to aspire to!"

Steven Pardoe reviewed: Stone carving Magical Creatures weekend at the Granary

"Recently completed this enjoyable 2 day Stone Carving workshop (Oct 2020) choosing to create a Green Man. Starting with a daunting block of stone and having no previous experience, with the help of some excellent teaching, instruction, guidance and encouragement from Kezia, I was rewarded with a somewhat comical Green Man at the end. The Green Man allows a large degree of creativity and fluidity in its design which I needed, it was not all easy going and at times frustrating. I could and probably will continue to refine my carving once home. The venue was good, as advised brought my own lunch but too engrossed on the first day to eat it. There were only 3 people on this course and Covid guidelines followed. Be prepared to be covered in dust, masks proved useful. Overall an enjoyable workshop, being pleased with my achievement and will probably continue to try some carving at home and another course in the future (? Christmas present). Thank you Kezia."

J. in Amsterdam reviewed: Exploring Collage - workshop with Julie Galante

"Julie is a calming creative force who embraces where you are at in your art journey right now. Supporting the neat and neurotic to the expansive and chaotic, this collage course was exactly what I wanted it to be. I enjoyed the wide variety of participants in the course and learned to treasure my trash and unleash my creative forces. I'll be on the lookout for more courses by Julie."

Airtily responded:

"Thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed the workshop (and are now treasuring those envelopes!)."

Carol McCulloch reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery for Beginners

"I can highly recommend this one day course. Everything you need to know about getting started with silver clay is covered in a relaxed, friendly and supportive way in the beautifully set up studio. Jo is an excellent teacher and puts you at ease from the start. My sister and myself thoroughly enjoyed the day and we both came away with pieces of jewellery to be proud of. Thank you Jo!"

Jo Hunter Wearable Art responded:

"Thank you for your feedback Carol. I'm pleased you both enjoyed your day. I'm sure your Caduceus will be much admired!"

Dayni JA reviewed: Candle Making Workshop with Bilsington Priory Afternoon Tea

"What a wonderful way to spend the day learning something new. The location for this course is in beautiful surroundings and adds to the overall experience. Karen took us through every step of the candle making process and is very thorough in her teaching. We learned about fragrance, the whole candle making process and everything else needed to make your own candles. Making a large candle in a glass, a smaller candle in a tin and 6 beautiful wax tablets. Using an array of decorations to finish off the tablets allowed us all to be creative. The materials we used were all of excellent quality and Karen has done a fantastic job of presenting the course with social distancing rules in place. Karen is very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions While our candles cured we all enjoyed a glorious afternoon tea which finished the course nicely. I would highly recommend Karen & the course to anyone."

The Aromatic Candle Co responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review Dayni, it's very kind of you. Your creations were gorgeous & I hope that they are scenting your home beautifully!"

Alison Richards reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery for Beginners

"Just had the best time, Jo is an amazing tutor, she explained everything so clearly and was helpful every step of the way. Loved the whole process and my final masterpieces!! Thank you Jo x"

Jo Hunter Wearable Art responded:

"It was a pleasure Ali - thank you for coming, it was good to meet you properly at last!"

James Blair reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"I attended Jamal's 4day painting and leading course with 2 other students of the craft and would highly recommend taking a course with Jamal, he has an immense passion for the craft which is evident in his great tutorage, he has a wonderful personality and with his wealth of knowledge in the craft he delivers an informative and highly enjoyable learning experience."

Clare Sutton reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for Two

"Chris is an excellent teacher - really informative, helpful and patient. My husband and I had a really memorable day in October learning about blacksmithing. It was certainly a day to remember. Chris leads you through the various stages and techniques of blacksmithing and you take the results of your labour (a keyring each) home with you. Everything felt very safe and Covid-secure, with visors, hand gel, painted lines on the floor, etc."