Latest reviews

Kate reviewed: Weekend Stacking ring making workshop (morning) with Jess at Yardley Arts Northamptonshire

"My children took part in a 1:2 session making rings. They both thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Finn and Liv are very creative but lack confidence! They really didn’t think they would be very good.Beccy’s teaching skills put them both at ease and the end results were superb. Both very proud of the rings they produced. A great gift for someone, something a little bit different. Or treat yourself. Hoping to take part in another one of Beccy’s workshops soon."

Beccy Gillatt Jewellery responded:

"I had such a great time teaching Finn and Liv to make a set of stacking rings. I loved their interested in all the tools and techniques and Finn’s enthusiasm was inspiring. Lovely to teach children new skills."

Sue G reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 2 (beginner) - Surrey

"Having attended Fundamentals Part 1 last year I was keen to explore Fundamentals Part 2 and have just completed this 4 day course. It was a revelation. Before these courses I'd had no prior experience of wordworking at all but I'm practically minded. This course gave me the confidence to use tools like saws, planes, chisels and spoke shaves including setting up and sharpening. It made me think about the use of markings and having faith in them - using the measure twice (at least!) and cut once rule. While I'll never need to go on and create fine furniture - just having this knowledge will see me in good stead for any home project - such as the larch wood store I wish to build - although I doubt it will have the beautiful jointing I learned on this course. Aidan is an amazing teacher - everything has a meaning and a purpose and he explains at a level that you understand. He's interested in everyone and creates a relaxed but focused atmosphere. Without question I recommend this course and Aidan /AM Fine Furniture"

Leona reviewed: Stained glass taster day in Worcestershire

"I did the copper foiling course led by Vicky and Vic. I had a fabulous day, making a feather and a heart to hang in the garden ( yes they are garden proof!). I learnt loads, met friends old and new, and had so many laughs. Vicky and Vic were sooooo helpful at showing us what to do, but importantly doing most of it ourselves. We were offered endless drinks and a delicious hot and cold lunch in the Orangery, where we chatted and it was really sociable. There was a generous amount of glass to choose from some were beautifully iridescent. I would wholeheartedly recommend this course to people who are used to working with glass or beginners... there is so much help on hand. I’m looking forward to doing more copper foiling work. Thank you to both Vicky and Vic"

Kingcot Gallery responded:

"Hi Leona, thank you for this and good to hear that you enjoyed the day. The feather will certainly look lovely in your garden and hopefully we'll see you again so you can do a companion piece. Thanks Vicky"

Maggie reviewed: Shimmer & Sparkle: polymer clay jewellery making

"Thank you Jo, a very enjoyable day. It was my first Foray after the Covid 19 lockdown and I was a little concerned about meeting others in a room but I have to say you had that room organised perfectly with plenty of sanitiser and other precautions. I felt very safe. You were an excellent teacher explaining each stage of the process so clearly. There was a vast selection of materials and colours to choose from and supported help when needed. I came away with a lovely necklace, more confidence to mix with others and eager to come again to the studio."

Jo Hunter Wearable Art responded:

"Hi Maggie, thank you for your feedback - I'm glad you felt safe and enjoyed your day. Thank you for coming, it was a pleasure to meet you. Jo"

Tim Wills reviewed: Woodworking - Workshop/Taster Day - Wall Clock

"My wife bought this course for me as a gift, to make a clock for our narrowboat. It was a brilliant course and I had a great day! The course numbers were reduced to meet the social distance guidelines and it worked well. The skills needed to make the clock were well taught and I had a thoroughly enjoyable day and happily left at the end of true day with my lovely clock! I would recommend Steve’s courses to anyone, he is a great teacher."

Dovetail Woodworking responded:

"Hi Tim, thanks for your feedback and glad to hear you enjoyed your day at Dovetail Woodworking. Steve."

Tumaini reviewed: Traditional Leather Workshop (small leather goods)

"Absolutely loved the leather accessories workshop. Kingsley you are truly inspiring. Thank you for all the little gems of knowledge."

Jessica reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Thank you so much Jo - had a lovely time on the candle making course. I learnt everything from the legislation required, to wick and wax recommendations - the course flew by and Jo was so lovely. Had lots of lovely goodies to bring home and would highly recommend to anyone - thank you so much Jo! X"

The White Candle Company responded:

"Thank you Jess. Was lovely to meet you (and your mum!) x"

June Marshal reviewed: Learn to Love your Sewing Machine

"We've had a wonderful day with Jennifer on this course. I learned so much and have come away full of enthusiasm and confidence to have a go at some projects. And the cake was wonderful - we'll be back, thank you!"

Charli & Aymeric reviewed: Make your own wedding rings - Bristol

"My partner and I had a fantastic day with Lucy when making our wedding rings this February. Lucy was patient and guided us through the process, helping to relief our anxieties as we went. Sadly, our wedding was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. But we feel so lucky to have had this experience before our wedding plans came to a halt. We had asked for our rings to be engraved with the date of our April 2020 wedding. When it was confirmed that our wedding wouldn’t be going ahead Lucy went the extra mile to try and intervene and stop the engraving. We were so relieved when she informed us she’d stopped them in time. We really appreciate her efforts, as having the original date would have made a difficult situation that little more painful. Although we haven’t been able to get married yet, we are very grateful for the positive and lasting memories we have of this day before lockdown. We found the process very interesting and I would highly recommend this workshop. Thank you so much Lucy."

Clare reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"I would highly recommend this course with Jo. Jo is super friendly, very experienced and generously transparent with her advice. I learnt technical aspects, legal requirements and lots of invaluable tips from Jo's experience of candle making and running a business. The setting in Suffolk is lovely. On top of all of that I came away with a bag full of goodies I had made on the day. A really relaxed and informative day - thank you Jo:-)"

The White Candle Company responded:

"Thank you so much! Look forward to seeing your onward journey! x"

Evie reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"I would highly recommend this course. Jo was very helpful and an excellent teacher. We made a variety of lovely scented candles and melts which we got to take home in a beautiful goody bag. I really enjoyed my day and would recommend this course as you gain experience . Also Jo was happy to answer questions and give general tips . Also the venue is beautiful."

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

"I organised the day as a present for my husband’s birthday. His comments are below: “It’s always rewarding to make something from scratch and to come away with a memento of the day and a functional tool is a bonus. The course didn’t dwell on the theoretical but led quickly on to the practical. So, it was very much ‘hands on’. It involved several aspects through forging and forming and was, at times, fairly physical. Instruction was excellent, facilities good and friendly help constantly to hand. The ‘Smithy’ is a bit remote but accessible. Ludlow Is a close by place to stay if coming a long distance. Overall, I’d recommend this as an enjoyable and an unusual experience.” For myself I found the day really enjoyable and very rewarding. It was better for being a shared experience. Thanks Jake for a great day!"

Karen Cunnington reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"A very enjoyable upholstery Taster Day with Sarah, she is a knowledgeable and patient teacher. I had an introduction into reupholstering an overstuffed chair in the traditional method. Sarah explained the processes very clearly and provided sanitised equipment along with mask and gloves. We each had our own designated work area to allow social distancing. I felt confident and secure with the way Sarah managed our welfare regarding Covid thoughout the day. Sarah has given me the confidence to have a go at continuing this project at home, although I'm sure I'll be needing more expert tuition along the way. Highly recommended. Thank you Sarah."

Cheryl Bowden reviewed: Sea glass silver jewellery making workshop at Yardley Arts in Northamptonshire

"I had a lovely time on this course along with my friends, it was great to have the opportunity to sit and make something together and learn a new skill. Beccy is a brilliant teacher, very patient. Beccy demonstrates the process step by step along the way, stoping at each stage for us to complete that step before moving on to the next, giving clear instructions and helping us when we needed it. She is very approachable and provided a relaxed environment. At the end of the course I learnt a new skill that I can’t wait to use again and we came away with a lovely finished piece of jewellery which I just love wearing and that my friends and family comment on, and also a memory of great day shared with the friends that came along on the course with me. I enjoyed it so much I signed up for the resin workshop and will definitely be signing up for more ?"

Jennifer Slater reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"Enjoyed a wonderful day at the giant seed pod willow workshop. Rachel and Mike are lovely welcoming hosts who make you feel immediately relaxed and what a stunning location! Phil Bradley is a brilliant and talented teacher and I am delighted with the results of my work. The facilities are excellent and homemade food delicious. I can't wait to go back again!"

Jane Roberts reviewed: Weekend Stacking ring making workshop (morning) with Jess at Yardley Arts Northamptonshire

"We had a great time on this workshop and produced lovely stacking rings. I had bought two places for a present. I have never done a jewellery class before but Beccy is an excellent tutor, giving simple instructions and demonstrations that gave me confidence. Very good value for money and a lovely way to spend the evening learning new skills and producing stacking rings that I’m proud to wear every day."

Jim reviewed: Woodworking - Workshop/Taster Day - Coat Rack

"A fantastic day was had making the coat rack. Tuition was spot on and the end product was great. Steve is a very knowledgeable tutor and spent the time passing this on. I can’t recommend the course and the company enough."

Dovetail Woodworking responded:

"Hi Jim, thanks very much for your rsponse, it's good to know you enjoyed the Workshop. Steve."

Stephanie Donnelly reviewed: Sea glass silver jewellery making workshop at Yardley Arts in Northamptonshire

"I attended a seaglass jewellery making evening with Beccy in July. Due to coronavirus, Beccy had had to change the normal set-up to accommodate for distancing and single-user tools, and I felt very safe throughout. I had brought my own seaglass and pottery, but the pieces Beccy had brought for us to use were beautiful. She talked us through each step at a level that was understandable, and made a necklace along with us. This made it so much easier to visualise each step we had to take, and video of her making along with us was projected onto a screen behind her so we could see without getting close-up. Beccy was able to come round and help us with anything we were uncertain of, and I always felt she was approachable and supportive of our efforts, with clear instruction where needed. The necklace turned out beautifully and I now have a wonderful piece of jewellery that I will treasure. I've already signed up to another course and intend to do more in the future. It was excellent value for 3.5 hours of teaching, plus all the materials required. I felt that I had truly learned a new skill, albeit at a novice level! I was surprised that we could all make such beautiful pieces without previous experience, which is testament to Beccy's teaching."

Kate reviewed: Weekend Stacking ring making workshop (morning) with Jess at Yardley Arts Northamptonshire

"Beccy is an excellent tutor and I absolutely loved this class. Social distancing was great and I felt comfortable in the classroom, with all of the measures in place. I was most impressed at how I ended up with perfectly round rings with no solder marks in my first ever class. I was not expecting to create something that I'd have chosen in a shop. Looking forward to talking more jewellery courses with Beccy."

Chris Organ reviewed: Creating a Viking knife an introduction to forging and knife making at Bearded Pig Forge

"Great day. Never done forge metalworking before but Spike explained and demonstrated every process clearly and then supported me through making my own knife, which I now have to keep."

Sue reviewed: Candle making with afternoon tea

"Excellent Course! We attended as a small family group and had a great day; informative productive and fun. Tracy is a very experienced instructor with a professional but relaxed approach to put all participants at ease, regardless of their experience and levels of confidence. We learned so much and had some fabulous products to take away with us. Plus a very good afternoon tea. We would all fully recommend this course and will be looking out for future workshops with Tracy."

Linda Mages reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"A last minute booking and had never worked with willow in any shape or form. I can hardly believe that I finished the day with an amazing giant seed pod and 3 giant rushes for my garden. Absolutely delighted and my friends barely believe that I made them! This was a fabulous day...wonderful hosts in Rach and Mike, an excellent patient tutor in Phil, scrumptious homemade food, a very safe carefully thought through covid environment, spotless spacious facilities, breathtaking location. Many thanks Linda ?"

Ian Mellor reviewed: Woodworking - Workshop/Taster Day - Wall Clock

"A really enjoyable day with Steve at Dovetail Woodworking The course was very informative, relaxed and it was good to learn various woodworking skills to make an excellent clock. I’d recommend this course to anyone looking for great gift experience."

Dovetail Woodworking responded:

"Hi Ian, Thanks very much for the review and recommendation, it's much appreciated. Steve"

Fiona Ibberson reviewed: Silver jewellery making course

"I bought this course as a 16th birthday treat for my daughter and we loved it. Unfortunately the first date had to be cancelled because of lockdown but Karen contacted us and offered alternative dates as soon as she was able. The studio was well set up to provide distancing measures. Both my daughter and I came away really pleased with what we managed to achieve with Karen's help. Karen was really friendly, patient and explained well what we needed to do. I would highly recommend the course"

Sue reviewed: Embroidery for beginners

"Thank you so much for yesterday, I enjoyed it so much, both the techniques and the excellent tuition and company. Sue"