Latest reviews

Kerri reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Had a fantastic day learning how to make candles with Jo, she’s so knowledgeable and friendly and I got to take home some beautiful products that she taught me to make. Her workshop smelt amazing too!"

Jackie Holley reviewed: Beginners watercolour taster day

"I really enjoyed the day. Liz is a fabulous tutor who I've met before and didn't fail to instruct and make sure I understood what I was doing!"

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"So glad you enjoyed it! Hope to see you back at Micklems soon!"

Charlotte reviewed: Small needle felted animals or pictures

"Had an amazing morning at Feltworld learning the basics of felting with Barbara. She is extremely knowlegable and really supportive helping you to achieve your desired outcome. Can't believe the result I managed to achieve in a morning. I would 100% recommend this course to anyone thinking about it. Will definitely be back to try something different."

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"You took to the technique like a duck to water :-) . Looking forward to teaching you in the future. Maybe at my new Studio in Stafford!"

Natalie reviewed: Small needle felted animals or pictures

"Barbara was a wonderful host and teacher. We had an excellent morning and have been suprised with how good the outcomes were! Tea and cake was a fabulous addition too! We will definitely return for another session."

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"Thank you so much for the lovely reviews :-) . Looking forward to sharing my skills and knowledge with you again. Barbara"

Fiona Gruchy-Craven reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"Richard was very patient and informative. The pace of the course was good and the information was relevant and useful. He gives you confidence in being able to use resin in any of your next projects. All and every questions answered, giving advice on a range of possible uses for resin. Would definitely recommend the course to anyone who wants to feel more confident about using resin."

The River Shop responded:

"Great to have you Fiona! Stay and touch and see you on the next course!"

Colette Peacock reviewed: Alien spoon carving

"My daughter and I joined Alan for a day of spoon carving yesterday. We spent a full day that went by in a flash, both our first experiences with wood carving. From splitting the log to our finished spoon, Alan was the perfect teacher for taking us through the whole process. Alan is very knowledgeable and attentive and provided a relaxed environment for learning. Alan and Sim were so welcoming, Sim making sure we didn't go home with an empty stomach with her gorgeous and plentiful cooking and baking! I would highly recommend for everyone to spend a day here. Thanks again, we have learned so much!"

Shae Harmon reviewed: Lost wax carving jewellery workshop

"This was such an excellent course. Angela was super knowledgeable, helpful, very kind and really patient. I would take a course again with her in a heartbeat. Despite me actually accidentally ruining my work, she helped me start again and make something I really like. Also, her personal work is amazingly beautiful."

Stephen Dowling reviewed: Beginners watercolour taster day

"Having never used watercolours before and being very sporadic in my artistic endeavours I was a little apprehensive going into the class. I needn't have been, as Liz is an excellent teacher and swiftly put me (and the other students) at ease. Her instructions were clear and concise with a nice dash of humour. Liz demonstrated on a TV screen the techniques before giving us an opportunity to practise what we have just been over. I found the progression from the basic techniques, through tones, washes and eventually using a mask to get white into an image well judged. Throughout the day Liz would wander around and help us refine what we were doing, and in places where perhaps we hadn't been successful suggested options for what to do to improve the picture, or give an explanation as to why it happened and how to avoid pitfalls in the future. The venue was perfect with plenty of space, a gorgeous setting and very welcoming. I'm looking forwards to experimenting more in this medium."

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Hi Stephen - thank you for such a lovely review! I am delighted you enjoyed it and am well impressed with the koala and fish you and your family have already painted. Be less sporadic and you will make huge progress, I promise! Lizx"

Diane reviewed: Introduction to container candle making half day in Henstridge near Stalbridge Dorset Somerset

"Didnt realise how technical it was to achieve great and consistent candles. Going to a class reminds you there's always something new to learn. Thanks Sally. Great session. Lovely candles to take home. We will definitely give it a go."

Jill Glover reviewed: Painting with beeswax & dyes - Batik Pictures

"I did this batik course on 17 September 2020. It was just wonderful. All equipment was available and thanks to Barbara I was able to make a beautiful batik first time. It is gorgeous and I will be framing it. Barbara is so friendly and relaxed with you to make you feel comfortable with the process. I would definitely promote her classes. A lovely light place to create your art. I can only thank her for her friendly manner, tips, tricks, and information."

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"It was a pleasure to teach you Jill. Your picture looks fabulous, well worth the wait during the lock down and Covid! :-) I hope you continue and I will look forward to seeing your future creations. B"

Joanne Doherty reviewed: Beginners watercolour taster day

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course and learnt so much. The set up worked very well, the explanations and demonstrations were clear and concise and the TV screen was very helpful to see the demonstrations in detail. Good range of practical tasks, well paced and nice resources to use. The venue was beautiful and hosts very welcoming. I feel much more confident in my skills now!"

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Hi Joanne, thank you for a lovely review. So glad you enjoyed it. Please keep painting!"

Sophie Parsons reviewed: Macrame Pot Hanger Workshop

"Alice’s course is brilliant, was a great location in the round tower, enough space and lovely to hear the sea around us. Alice is a great teacher, I really enjoyed learning how to make a macrame hanger and have now got the skills and knowledge to make some more!"

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

"The service was excellent, my order came within two days. I brought the wool painting art kit for a family member as a gift, I'm sure they will love it when they open it. The website is really good there are so many courses I would love to try, when things get back to normal."

Magic Wool Art and Craft Studio responded:

"Dear Jane, Thank you very much for your review. I am so glad that the kit arrived safely. Here at Magic Wool Art and Craft studio we do our best to keep our customers happy and help them learn new skills. I hope that your family member will enjoy using the kit. Craft courses offer a great range of courses and I am sure you will like them. Kind regards Raya Brown"

Mick Hand reviewed: 60 layer damascus knife/axe making course.

"Excellent 3 day course for my birthday, Gary and Joss really informative and helpful in all aspects of the forging process and the making of my knife and handle and the final assembly. There was a great atmosphere in the forge, lots of laughs, but all the health and safety requirements were explained before the course started and re-highlighted if they needed to be. Nothing was too much trouble for the guys who were on hand to help if you needed it and the 3 days just flew by ending with 2 beautiful Damascus knives made by me and my partner We will be back to make another knife/ axe and can thoroughly recommend Friargate Forge if you want to try the forging experience."

Biola reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"I enjoyed myself so much, I’ve already recommended the course to friends & family. It's a lovely way to spend a day out with friends. The Workshop content was packed with easily digestible information and Paula provided a truly pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. Looking forward to trying the soap I made out once it’s cured. Top marks too on the protective measures taken to ensure everyone felt safe on the day. Thank you, Paula - wishing you all the best! xx"

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Thanks Biola, I am very pleased to hear you enjoyed the day so much and also that you felt safe on the day. xx Paula"

Adele & Mick reviewed: 60 layer damascus knife/axe making course.

"I bought this for my partners 60th birthday and when I spoke to Gary I decided to give it a go myself. What a great course. Huge thanks to Gary & Joss who made us feel so welcome and relaxed. Mick did 3 days and made his own Damascus billet. I bought my billet and just did 2 days. Well worth the extra for the patterned blades which look more like a piece of art. We had much fun and the guys were there to give us as much or as little help as was needed. Very knowledgable and informative. Can’t give enough praise. We have come away with 2 very beautiful knives and will definitely be back to do another course."

Friargate Forge responded:

"Thank you so much was a pleasure especially the cake ?!"

Serena reviewed: Needle felted framed picture

"I thoroughly enjoyed my needle felting session with Lorraine, who was very warm and friendly. With her guidance and help, I managed to create my first ever needle felted image. Thank you, Lorraine."

Jacqui reviewed: Flower making kits for all the family. The Beginner's Translucent Kit. (247)

"Ordered Wednesday and the kit arrived Friday morning. Really good value for money with excellent instructions and links to videos. Looking forward to making some beautiful flowers! Thoroughly recommended. ****"

Inion responded:

"Thank you so much Jacqui for your kind review. Please send us photos of your creations as we love to show off all your good work. Best wishes Abigail and Melody"

Shani Plackett reviewed: Needle Felting Workshop - landscape pictures

"My Sister and I had a lovely morning with Pip and Lola, neither of us had done this before and we both came away with 2 pictures that we were both very pleased with. Pip is a very patient tutor who puts you completely at ease. Would definitely recommend"

Pippaluk Crafts responded:

"Thank you Shani, it was a pleasure"

Dom and Sue Rice reviewed: Pottery wheel throwing and hand building full day

"Brilliant day. Neither of us had thrown pots before. Richard explained everything simply and clearly. We were totally engrossed in the process and the morning flew by. Playing with the clay in the afteronn was also great. Making coil pots took me back to my school days. Cant wait to return to glaze our creations."

Potterydayz responded:

"Thanks guys- see you soon for glazing Richard"

Margaret reviewed: Amazing Mosaics Workshop

"This was my first Workshop and I thought it was a good introduction to mosaics."

Marie M reviewed: Amazing Mosaics Workshop

"The workshop met all my expectations and it was my first one. I had a lovely time. Can recommend it."

Celia Thornley reviewed: Amazing Mosaics Workshop

"The workshop was interesting and fun. It is really good value for money. I would have liked more time as I enjoyed it so much."

Rena reviewed: Amazing Mosaics Workshop

"The course was well organised with easy instruction. I really enjoyed the class and the group was also a lot of fun."

Carolyn Crossley reviewed: Make your very own Tote bag

"Really enjoyed this intensive detailed class. Despite snapping threads and nearly ruining the bag by cutting the leather incorrectly; the super patient Richard managed to rescue me from my incompetence. This resulted in the creation of a beautiful colourful tote bag which I will treasure forever. He even let me make a leather key fob to match the travel card holder I made earlier. Great stuff! Thank you so much Richard for your expertise and patience! Carolyn"