Latest reviews

Jane hyde reviewed: Design for patchwork and quilting - online course - distance learning

"I did this course a couple of years ago - would definitely recommend, very comprehensive and yours to keep so you can revisit it."

Karen Platt responded:

"Thank you Jane"

Dianne Nunn reviewed: Photoshop for textiles, photographers and artists

"This course enhanced my basic knowledge of photoshop and gave me confidence to develop my own ideas and designs. Karen was always happy to help whenever I was unsure and the course notes continue to be of use."

Karen Platt responded:

"Glad you enjoyed the ecourse Dianne. Always love seeing your work."

Sherrie Charlton reviewed: Online Interactive Upcycling Furniture Workshop

"Sarah is an excellent tutor and I really enjoyed the course. I had booked to go on the 2 day course but Covid-19 put an end to this so when Sarah suggested trialing the online option I was delighted. The interactive online sessions were great and there was just the right amount of time between sessions to put everything into practice and be ready for the next session (everything dry and ready to go) without feeling pressurized. Obviously, you need to make sure you have the right materials but Sarah gave the list out in good time with plenty of suggested alternatives in case they weren’t available and it also meant I have everything ready to do my next piece. Sarah’s style is creative and supportive and I’m booked onto another workshop when we can meet in person and learn more techniques. I would thoroughly recommend the workshop."

Fohla reviewed: Combined Soap, Skincare and Business Workshop

"I was on this course last week. It was a great experience, and I'm really pleased with the end products. I'd never done anything like this before, but Rose took us through the process in very clear steps, making it fun and accessible for beginners! I received a package with the ingredients a few days beforehand, with a list of basic kitchen utensils that would be needed. All the packaging is sustainable, and Rose was really informative about the ingredients, and answered all our questions during the workshop. I'm really happy with the end products (bath melts and body butter). They're lovely to use, and it's great to know that they're cruelty free and organic. Would definitely recommend!"

Organik Orangutan responded:

"Hi Fohla thank you for your lovely review. So glad you enjoyed the workshop and your finished products. Hope to see you again on another workshop. Take care. Rosie x"

Madeleine Casey reviewed: Combined Soap, Skincare and Business Workshop

"Took this online course on Friday. It was such a diverting, practical and fun course. I learnt such a lot about different oils and butters. Rosie sent all the organic ingredients and some equipment several days before. You just need a few basic kitchen utensils to hand. It worked brilliantly on zoom. The participants could see each other and Rosie, who came across loud and clear, taking us through each step calmly and expertly. By the end of the two hours, that flew by, I had a jar of gorgeous Lemongrass and Bergamot body butter and 10 body/bath melts. I highly recommend this course. It's a lovely thing to do with family and friends that we can't see at the moment too. I felt really connected to them."

Organik Orangutan responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Madeleine, glad you enjoyed the workshop and the products you made. Hope to see you on another workshop. Take care Rosie x"

Angie reviewed: Online beginners candle making kit & LIVE workshop

"The kit was excellent and includes a nice variety - a pillar candle, a fragranced container candle and a rolled beeswax candle, so there are three different projects to learn. Dyes and fragrances are also included as well as a handy pan, for double boiling, and thermometer. Sarah is so generous with her knowledge. I've gone back to her to ask her many more questions since the class and she has always been very happy to help with where to get supplies and how to fix some of the problems I've encountered when experimenting with new candle ideas."

Candle by Events responded:

"Thank you Angie, really pleased you enjoyed the kit."

Audrey biscotti reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"Loved this course. Was a real boon during lockdown. Clear concise guidance and with a lovely sense of calm. Really enjoyed the videos and everything was accessible and reasonable to find material wise. ?"

Making Mosaics responded:

"Thanks Audrey!"

Alison Nixon reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"I am so glad I found this website - I am a complete beginner to the world of mosaic art and found the instructions clear & concise. Anne’s teaching method is excellent, she is very skilled and imparts her knowledge in a friendly and easy to understand format. The absolute best online mosaic site I have found - have recommended it to many. Thank you so much Anne!"

Making Mosaics responded:

"Thank you so much Alison. Kind words."

Liz reviewed: Developing Sketchbooks

"I’d never done an online workshop before and wasn’t sure what to expect, but a friend had recommended it and I needed a bit of a kick up the proverbial to get my creative mojo working again. In fact I found the online aspect really helpful – you can work at your own pace to fit in with other commitments and surrounded by your own materials, sources and inspiration. The Facebook group gives you interaction if you want it, and also provides helpful individual feedback from Dionne plus the motivation to try and keep pace with course-mates so you can share work at the relevant time. Having a bit of breathing space between tasks also helps as you can mull things over as you go about your day, and see inspiration everywhere which you can bring back into the sketchbook. I found Dionne’s approach really helpful, with the videos clear and to the point with helpful examples. The course was as inspirational as I had hoped it would be – encouraging you at all times to play, explore and follow your instincts, but within a really nicely structured framework which helped you to gradually develop your ideas. I’ll be using the techniques for years to come, I’m sure."

Caroline reviewed: Silk screen printing online course

"I have been inspired by you: your online workshops helped me overcome being locked in my house with depression. In one year I've built a workshop, printed with two old screens and sold my first thousand pounds worth of work. I can't thank you enough. Everyone who's finding it tough should try your online workshops."

Jackie reviewed: Silk screen printing online course

"The videos are brilliant - very clear and easy to follow. Just enough information to be able to get started without overwhelming my limited brainspace! I have to admit to feeling a bit pressured at first when the workshops came thick and fast, but once I started, I found it was good to have all the information at hand when I needed it, rather than having to wait for more to come, so I think getting it all upfront was great - I just needed to calm myself and do it at my own pace! Although I would have liked to be able to do a workshop with other people around (always great to share ideas and experiences), this has been an invaluable alternative - I have certainly been able to take more time perhaps to consider what I have done before I make the next move, without knowing I have to complete it all by the end of the day, so I have probably spent more time on it than I would have done on a workshop. However, I have tried to treat it like one of your studio workshops and learn the techniques without getting bogged down in developing ideas at this stage. The course has been fantastic for this and I have been inspired by what I have learned - I had never done breakdown printing or used flour paste before, and I am wowed by them both - can't wait to develop them further. It has been a great way to learn the techniques - I can't think of any constructive criticism to give - it has been a well planned and structured programme and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Great value, great education and great inspiration!! Thank you very much for a wonderful time with stimulating ideas and a wealth of inspiration!"

Kerina Hawes reviewed: Online beginners candle making kit & LIVE workshop

"Done the online course due to isolation events and am so glad I did. My world has been opened up to candle making! I’m new to it and want to eventually sell wax tarts. The course covers many variety of candles and the live workshop was fantastic - I felt like I was in the actual workshop with Sarah! I ordered the online candle making which included the kit (which was very generous and everything you need to get started and more). Sarah is thorough and patient, and I thought it’s great that she has Q&A after every section of the course completed. Can’t wait to do the advance course. Thank you Sarah ?"

Candle by Events responded:

"Thank you Kerina for your lovely review. Would be delighted to welcome you to our advance face-to-face workshop when life returns back to normal!"

Hester reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"I had a super fantastic day and learned loads... I have even put some of it into practice!"

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

"I bought this course for my mum and myself, to spend some quality time together. We both really enjoyed the morning. Neither of us had made a mosaic before, and I have little creativity but that didn't matter at all. Joss gave us full instructions and encouraged me find some creativity that I didn't know I had. The studio was full of all the mosaic tiles, I felt like a kid in sweetie shop choosing all the tiles I needed for my mosaic. The studio was set in beautiful surroundings and the snacks Joss provided were delicious. All in all it was a wonderful morning, I would highly recommend it. It's a perfect mothers day gift, birthday present or as I arranged, a treat for your Mum/family/friend."

Peacock Mosaics responded:

"Thanks Amanda, and I really loved seeing your finished mosaics after you grouted them at home. Your review has taken me to my gold badge ! ?"

Dr Gillian Hayes reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"Learning with Anne Cardwell has enabled me to create some mosaic pieces that look great, even as a beginner. She has a very encouraging teaching style, makes everything very accessible and achievable."

Making Mosaics responded:

"Thanks Dr Gilly!!"

Sandra Whaites reviewed: Snowy Owl - needle felting with The Lady Moth

"An excellent workshop - my first zoom workshop and it worked really well. Very impressed as always. Zenia is an excellent tutor, very easy to follow and very helpful too."

Claire reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"Anne is a lovely teacher and explains the methods clearly. She has skillfully created and offered a great online course which answers many of the questions that people ask and wonder about. If you are new to mosaic or have some experience there is something to learn in her classes. I recommend them highly and I look forward to the next one."

Making Mosaics responded:

"Thank you - I hope to answer the questions before people have even asked them! It took so long to learn all this stuff pre internet, which has made mosaic such an accessible art form - it even used to be quite hard to get hold of materials. Yes more courses coming Claire.... thanks for your interest and review."

Heather Higgins reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"Anne's courses have introduced me to the amazing world of mosaic art. Her guidance is clear and detailed giving you all the information you need to get started and progress with this wonderful form of art. The lessons are easy to follow and its great to be able to review the online lessons whenever you want. Thank you Anne."

Making Mosaics responded:

"Thank you Heather - yes and you can download them and print them out too for easy reference. Thanks for the review. Hope you are keeping well!"

Cathy Schwab reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"I took Anne's course just before the lockdown started. It was so great to have her videos and instructions. I have had a great time making variations of her designs and I have learned a lot. A great teacher and the videos are such good reference!"

Making Mosaics responded:

"Thanks Cathy - seems like a long time ago already! Glad you are continuing to make and referring to the course. There's lots of ideas on there for more projects."

Sue reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"Mosaicing is a great hobby and Anne is an excellent teacher with a warm and friendly manner. She takes you through the process in a clear and easy-to-follow way and you’ll soon pick up the basic skills you need to start making your very own works of art! The materials you can choose to work with are gorgeous (Anne makes her own lovely tiles as well). But be warned - mosaicing is addictive!"

Making Mosaics responded:

"As you have discovered to your great COST Sue!! - but you have now made many lovely mosaics, keep posting them online! Thx for the review. NB we have a Facebook group called 'Making Mosaics art group', where everyone can post their work and comment."

Lynne Chisholm reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"Being a complete beginner at mosaics I was looking for a course that would teach me the basics and also help me on the journey. Well wow, Anne has certainly done that with the clear, concise, educational online courses with just the most informative videos. I have learnt so much and i am not ashamed to say, I am now a mosaic addict. Thank you so much Anne for your guidance and sharing your expertise."

Making Mosaics responded:

"I did give a clear warning this could be addictive! Happy you enjoyed it and thanks for the great review."

Mihaela reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"Anne has introduced me to the wonderful charming universe of mosaics and I am forever hooked. I've learned a lot of things from her courses, she is such a knowledgeable person, yet so kind and willing to teach complete novices the secrets of making lovely mosaics. She has such a sweet way of permanently encouraging you and making you believe that yes, you can make it! Thank you, Anne, you are the best!"

Making Mosaics responded:

"Wow, thats a nice accolade! I think when you dissect any process and lay out the component parts - it is not such a secret, just taking it step by step. I hope you go on to make many wonderful things and hopefully when this is all over you might get along to a local class."

Diane Few reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"Easy to follow instructions and loads of advice and help. Love the time lapse videos. Inspirational. Thank you Anne"

Making Mosaics responded:

"Thanks Diane - I hope you are enjoying your new mosaic tiles too!"

Meri Bonavita reviewed: Recycle that saucer - making mosaics with china

"Loved having Anne’s videos while home on quarantine. They are easy to follow with very straight forward instructions. Lots of fun projects and great information . Thank you Anne!!!"

Making Mosaics responded:

"That is the idea - straightforward, once you have the basic skills you can go on and discover your own mosaic style. Good luck and thanks for the review."

Janelle reviewed: Online Class - How to Design a Rag Rug

"I discovered Ragged Life by Elspeth when I was researching new crafts to try. Elspeth's YouTube videos and book inspired me to start rag rugging and I purchased tools and kits from her website. After trying some small projects, I'm ready to design pillows and rugs. In the online class, Elspeth shared a wealth of tips about choosing fabrics, colors, creating designs, transferring designs to hessian fabric, and so much more. She had great visuals and she emailed them to us after the class. The class was also small so we were free to ask her questions. I live in the U.S. and this is the only way I can take one of Elspeth's classes. Thank you for the online class!!"

Ragged Life Ltd responded:

"Thank you so much Janelle, it was a pleasure teaching you. It was great to be reaching that far afield with the workshop. Keep in touch and send us pictures your creations. Happy Rag Rugging :-) Elspeth x"