Latest reviews

Annie Horne reviewed: Amazing Mosaic Workshop

"I think this workshop is ideal for beginners and for those who've already tried mosaics before. The session is very enjoyable with all materials supplied and the bonus is you take home what you've made, I gave mine to a friend for her birthday and she loved it. I'd never done mosaics before, but always wanted to give it a go. It's well worth attending, it's so enjoyable and creative and the teacher was so friendly and supportive. I felt a lovely feeling of satisfaction and everyone said my mosaic was wonderful."

Martina reviewed: Nettle Fibre Workshop

"A really wonderful course, not only great fun but also full of information. Brigitte is a very knowledgeable and patient teacher. Who would have thought you can make cloth from nettles! :-)"

Sue reviewed: Abstract Art Workshop with Jo Garden Art in a beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"As a novice of craft experiences I can honestly say that I am now a convert to the hands on making of abstract art. The set up of the whole day was first class. The studio, equipment, Jo’s teaching and our outputs made for a really enjoyable experience. Give it a go - bring some colour to these dark days!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Sue! Loved your Mediterranean colours - will look very striking against white walls. Glad you enjoyed the experience, Jo ;-)"

Ronetta Selva reviewed: Amazing Mosaic Workshop

"I was really impressed with this mosaics workshop and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I made a beautiful heart wall hanging which everyone comments on. I’ve learnt a new skill and I made new friends at the same time. I can recommend it."

Linda Cope reviewed: Sculpture workshop two days with Jo Garden Art in beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"An excellent 2 days with Jo, a generous, skilful and knowledgeable teacher! Beautiful setting and lovely airy and spacious studio. Loved it!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Linda ;-) We had a great weekend with everyone making really different sculptures. Let me have a picture of your finished boxing hares, they were shaping up beautifully! Jo x"

Paul reviewed: TIG welding day

"What a brilliant day. I had no prior knowledge of welding. I got to try out MIG, TIG and Stick welding of mild steel and stainless steel. Natalie is a great instructor, down to earth and encouraging. She has individual bays for safety. The course exceeded my expectations and I feel confident enough to attempt small DIY projects."

Shirley Bennett reviewed: "Sparkle & Shine": beginner mosaic workshops with Joss Hughes, Peacock Mosaics

"What a wonderful time we had. A fabulous birthday experience and lovely mosaic to treasure. Joss was an enthusiastic teacher with great resources, inspirations and very helpful. Quality materials and a relaxed atmosphere. Would highly recommend to everyone. Thank you Joss for such a great time."

Peacock Mosaics responded:

"Thanks Shirley... HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES ?"

Kevin Fisher reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Just back from a week of making a Welsh Stick chair with Ben and three great fellow chairmaking novices. Ben was a great teacher. His humour and patience made the week really enjoyable. Having the opportunity to spend a week in the woods to make a green wood chair was a wonderful life affirming experience. I have come away with a chair that I am both proud of and one which I hope will be the first of many."

Daisy Ajderian reviewed: Intensive beginners silver jewellery weekend

"I got given this as a Christmas present, and it surpassed all my expectations. We had the opportunity to learn and make so much over the two days, but it never felt like we were rushing through any of the processes. I was so happy with my pieces - for the fact we were all total beginners I thought the standard we came away with was really high. I put this down to Lucy being a really good and patient teacher. I feel like it has given me a good foundation to learn more and hopefully continue making jewellery at home, or on another course. The studio itself was lovely, bright and airy (on a very hot day), and Lucy made us some delicious brownies. And if all that isn't enough, Lucy's has a really beautiful dog who came and sat with us throughout the weekend (!!!) who was a lovely presence and made it even more special."

Steve Hall reviewed: Abstract Art Workshop with Jo Garden Art in a beautiful rural Norfolk/Suffolk border setting

"I was the only bloke on our course and Jo ( and the others ) made it a really good and enjoyable experience. Jo has a wealth of knowledge in this subject and was a great teacher running the course at a nice pace and the range of tools and equipment in her studio was vast. She also made some great suggestions that enhanced the final product. I would recommend this experience to anybody even if you have tried something similar before or you’re a complete novice like me. Take the plunge and give it a go!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Steve! Really glad you enjoyed the day - your Jackson Pollock inspired work was great ;-) Looking forward to seeing you again to do a sculpture. Jo x"

Lucie Preget reviewed: "Sparkle & Shine": beginner mosaic workshops with Joss Hughes, Peacock Mosaics

"Absolutely fantastic day! Lots of advice, guidance and fun and a real treasure trove of tiles and mosaic pieces, Joss is a wonderful woman and teacher - cannot recommend it enough :) x"

Peacock Mosaics responded:

"Thanks Lucie! It was such a pleasure to introduce mosaic to your art skills and I can’t wait to see your next one!!! Joss x"

Nick reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"A great day professionally presented. Simon's tuition was excellent allowing even a novice to produce a piece of work to be proud of. A very pleasant lunch in lovely surroundings added to the enjoyment of a fantastic experience."

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

"Nick, we are really glad you enjoyed your woodturning experience. You both made pieces you should most definitely be proud of. It's amazing what you can do in a day! Thanks again for the lovely review :-)."

Nikki reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"A really great day learning the art of wood turning. Simon was extremely patient and clear with his instructions. The set up was very professional and well presented. Lunch was excellent (a big thank you to you both for catering for our dietary needs). In conclusion, a fantastic day which I would both highly recommend and love to do again. Thank you both so much ?"

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

"Hi Nikki, We are so pleased you had a good day! You both made some lovely pieces and it was a pleasure to teach you. Feel free to come back any time :-)"

Alex Brightmore reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"I'd fantasised about learning how to make my own leather goods by hand using traditional methods for some time! I'd been watching YouTube videos and looking at purchasing starter kits online, but I really had no idea where to start or if I'd even enjoy it as much as I thought I would... So when I saw Jason's course advertised I thought win-win! Have a go, learn some basics, get advice, see if I like it, and worse case scenario I've got a fab new bag! In a nutshell I loved it all and I learned so much. Even when I was getting frustrated with myself Jason managed to turn it around and I learnt even more through my mistakes as he showed me ways to prevent them in the future. The setting of his studio was also great and created a really lovely atmosphere. I'm so pleased I decided to do the course, and whenever I use the bag I'm blown away by the positive reactions I get to it! Can't recommend highly enough :) Alex."

Graham Hallsworth reviewed: 2 Day forged chef's knife course.

"Hi Steve, Thanks for a great 2 days forging and knife making ? Top stuff, great teaching, chilled atmosphere, great environment for learning and good company ? Steve definitely knows his stuff which makes the course so interesting. All in all a great 2 days and money well spent ?"

White Tiger Knives responded:

"Hi Graham Thank you very much for your review. It's great to get feedback from students on their courses days and see what I'm doing from someone elses perspective. It was a great, full on and hot two days. ATB Steve"

I G Weeks reviewed: One-to-One Private workshop

"A great two days! Gigha is a fantastic teacher, her enthusiasm for her craft shines through and her workshop is a delight to be in. The whole room is a show case for her talent, full of inspiration and ideas. She explains every process clearly so even complete beginners leave the course with a unique, hand crafted item to be proud of!"

Ryan reviewed: Hide camp - deer skin into buckskin

"I had an amazing week in Devon doing the brain tanning and bark tanning, learned so much and came away feeling like I can do this at home now. Jessie and Jane are great teachers and the best kind of people, such a beautiful location too! I’m looking forward to doing another course with them in the future."

Ryan reviewed: Bark tanning rabbit fur and fish skins

"Learning bark tanning was a great experience Jessie and Jane are amazing people who have such a deep understanding of their craft. I had such a great time in Devon, the beautiful surroundings, living and working around the hearth. I would highly recommend this course to everyone"

Vicki Doe reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"Excellent day. Made a large rabbit, very hands on and great tuition, very relaxed and for someone very un-artistic great to come home with something I had made. I would recommend to anyone."

Luke McAndrew reviewed: Bladesmithing experience day

"We did the one day course and made knives. Can’t recommend this course enough. Steve is a great guy. Approachable and knowledgeable, he made us feel welcome and comfortable during the day. As novices we were outside our comfort zone but thoroughly enjoyed the course. We gained lots of new skills and had a broad overview of what it takes to be a blacksmith. I can’t wait to expand on the skills and start a new hobby. Great value for money!"

White Tiger Knives responded:

"Hi Luke I'm so glad that you both enjoyed yourselves so much on your bladesmithing day with me. It's a pleasure to share what I do with such enthusiastic people. There'll always be a space on the dance card if you'd like to come back again. ATB Steve"

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

"This course is brilliant! My boyfriend and I (both 18) recently attended and had the best time... cannot emphasise enough how Jake is a wonderful teacher, really patient and fun and clearly very passionate about his craft. At no point did we ever feel particularly unsafe or like we didn't know what we were doing because of the clear demonstration and instructions beforehand. Would definitely reccomend this course!"

Jim reviewed: Forge your own knife at Padgett Ironworks Blacksmiths

"After watching Forged in Fire far too many times I was compelled to give birth to my own knife... Connor was an excellent knife midwife ? It was hands on from the start and we both got stuck in to creating my new favourite tool. Connor is a a genuine forgey/metal guy, he’s learnt it from the ground up and he will gladly share his years of experience with you. Had an ace day (that went like a shot) and came home a very happy chap with a very usable, and in my eyes wonderful and practical creation that will last for years & years. Very happy with the day, Connor was great and I’m in love with my knife. Would do again tomorrow!"

Kathy reviewed: The First Cut - lino cutting for beginners & rusty printmakers

"A thoroughly enjoyable day - very well organised and "safe" (as we had to maintain social distancing) - a bonus to be able to eat lunch in the lovely garden. I learnt a lot from Liz during the day and came away with a set of prints which I was really pleased with."

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Kathy, Thanks for taking time to review your day. Really pleased that you had a good time and you created a beautiful set of prints. Time to plan those Christmas cards. Best wishes Liz Wellby"

Philip reviewed: One day beginners painting course with Sue O'Mara Art - all materials provided

"I had one to one lesson with Sue. Sue is a great teacher. She gave me very useful tips, I learned some techniques in oil painting, found it very interesting and engaging. As a novice she made me feel very comfortable. The studio is very relaxed, located in the countryside. The homemade biscuits were lovely, I enjoyed my lunch. With Sue’s help and advice I was able to complete a picture that I was proud to take home. I highly recommend the one day course!"

Sue O'Mara Art responded:

"Thanks Phil, hope to see you again soon :)"

sue coonan reviewed: Copper Bowl in a Day Workshop Sheffield South Yorkshire

"I enjoyed a fun, creative day and came home with 2 beautiful and very different copper bowls. Melissa explained each process very clearly and gave all members of the course lots of individual attention. I would highly recommend the course to people of all abilities as each participant made at least 2 unique pieces of art."