Latest reviews

Tricia Hudson reviewed: Create with a gel printing plate in Derbyshire

"Great day learning a new skill. Liz was very patient and gave good instructions. There were lots of resources enabling us to make plenty of prints. I enjoyed the day very much and would recommend it. I am now looking at other classes Liz provides."

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Tricia, Thanks for making time to review your day. You created some lovely outcomes and I hope you have time to continue exploring the process on fabric. It will be great to work with you again. Best wishes Liz Wellby"

Rakhi Jethwa reviewed: Candlemaking workshops for beginners in Hastoe, nr Tring

"I had a personal lesson with Anne before Christmas and the lesson was excellent. Due to various reasons I haven't been able to make any candles as yet, however I am confident with the guidance notes that Anne provided that I will be able to give this a go and get creative. We made some lovely festive candles and I thoroughly enjoyed this creative lesson. Would highly recommend Anne's class and look forward to attending some future workshops."

Janet Dyson reviewed: Hedgerow basketmaking holiday

"Very welcoming organisers, nice venue, tasty food and expert tuition. I felt the course leader Jane really took the time to get to know the group individually, and her instruction was friendly and pitched at just the right level. Clare was a great host, and happy to help with any query. I am really chuffed with my basket, and have been inspired to carry on learning and exploring this craft. I would definitely book on another course with them."

Special Branch Baskets responded:

"Thank you for your kind response Janet. We are so glad that you enjoyed our course and the wonderful setting of Alyth as a venue. Jane"

Andrew Shapland reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"It was great to be instructed not only on what needed to be done but on how the various stages were developing towards a beautiful shiny and unique knife."

Patricia Macalpine reviewed: Hedgerow basketmaking holiday

"This is the third time I have been on this course so that speaks for itself. I've always taken the residential option which is great value and we are looked after by a brilliant team. Jane, as ever, an excellent tutor willing to adapt to our abilities and always encouraging. My friend and I are hoping to return at some time in the future and tackle rush work."

Special Branch Baskets responded:

"Always lovely to have you and Maureen as part of our class. thank you for returning to Alyth for our courses. Jane"

Jayne Towndrow reviewed: Block print gift wrap workshop

"What a lovely relaxed workshop taught by a lovely relaxed and knowledgeable teacher and shared with lovely relaxed participants and the work space was ideal. I was very pleased with my wrapping paper. I will be following up this activity independently. I had worried a bit about parking but in the event Google maps just took me to the shopping centre. It was all as easy as falling off a log. Lino-cut is a very accessible activity."

Rachel Reynolds responded:

"Thanks Jayne. Really lovely to meet you and such good fun having you on the course! Great results with the Lino cut branch design, hope you get to create more gift wrap prints."

Jayne Towndrow reviewed: Copper fold-forming jewellery workshop

"Excellent course. Parking available, toilet available. Premises totally suited to the workshop. Fantastic views. Patient, quality teaching, guiding rather than instructing allowing participants to follow their own direction. Copious quantities of tea and coffee along with biscuits. And then there was the copper bashing. I do love bashing metal. I have been having a go at various silversmithing and copper courses; I am not that good and my results not very predictable - although on occasion I have made some beautiful pieces of which I am very proud. But I think it's fair to say I feel vaguely nervous around the equipment and much angst in the studios I have worked in previously. I think what I liked best about David's course was that I felt relaxed in the workshop and very comfortable around the equipment. I hope to return."

David J Lilly responded:

"Hi Jayne, Thank you so much for your amazing review. I hope that you continue to enjoy the lovely pieces you made, and I look forward to seeing you again sometime. Best Wishes David"

Judith Midgley reviewed: Natural (cold process) soap making workshop with afternoon tea

"Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Julie was patience personified and we all came away with a bagful of splendid soaps. The natural oils and essences gave the finished product an uplifting perfume not like the mass manufactured soaps which are often overloaded. Lovely afternoon tea and a quirky venue with lots of other goodies to buy."

Rachel reviewed: Dungaree Making with Twin Made One-to-One

"I loved making my dungarees I have very basic sewing skills and thought this would be a bridge too far. With Charlotte’s guidance and the confidence she gives all workshop attendees I managed it. Really wonderful, if you doubt your ability give Twinmade a go, I guarantee you’ll make a lovely item of clothing."

Sarah McCairns reviewed: Bladesmithing Weekend

"Absolutely brilliant day. Really loved it. My husband son and teenage daughter came and loved it so much they want their own forge!! Can't wait to go back."

Osian reviewed: Dungaree Making with Twin Made One-to-One

"I made my first pair of dungarees with Charlotte at Twin Made when I was 12. She’s an awesome teacher, lots of fun and I learned great tips and tricks. My dungarees were very cool and I sold them to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society."

Lesley reviewed: Lampshade Making with Twin Made

"I always wanted to make my own lampshades and had some material to make them with stashed for several years before I found this workshop, but I was afraid to try it on my own as I was sure they would end up wonky and uneven! Charlotte takes you through the process step by step, so it doesn't seem difficult at all and, as with all her workshops (I've done a few!), you go away empowered, emboldened and enthused to make more. I would recommend this, and Charlotte's other workshops, without hesitation!"

Verônica Passos reviewed: Custom Leather Working Course

"My name is Verônica, And I book the 3 (amazing) days course with Nigel. I'm a brazilian leatherworker, and I applied for this course to improve my finishings and my knowledge in handbag design. The 3 days were more than I could imagine. Nigel is an enthusiastic leatherworker and talented enough to let you more involved with leather. He helped and encouraged me a lot about how to build a bag and how to resolve design issues with some patterns that I already had. Definitely it's a master-apprentice mentoring as the old times. I highly recommend!"

Belinda reviewed: Crochet workshops - The Lemon Hound - Kent

"I had such a lovely, cosy afternoon with Maria learning to crochet. She was very patient, lovely to chat to and put me at ease straight away. She gave me lots of tips and even hand written reminders to take away with me. It was just like sitting with a friend in front of the log burner having a natter. Highly recommended and good for the soul :)"

The Lemon Hound responded:

"Thank you so much Belinda! I hope the crochet is going well? :) Best wishes"

Rachel Harris reviewed: Dungaree Making with Twin Made One-to-One

"Loved it!!! Made a dungaree dress and dungarees and they are amazing, just like Charlotte! Thank you x"

Twin Made responded:

"Yay! Thank you so much!"

Rebecca Kruge reviewed: Natural skincare workshop: Balms, Bombs and Body Butters

"Loved it, would’ve happily spent 12 hours learning and creating"

Boo Cottage Botanicals responded:

"Thanks Becca! Really glad you enjoyed the workshop, Nic"

Graham Tunstall reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"I have just completed a wonderful woodturning course with Les. I found him very knowledgeable and patient when teaching, this allowed me produce a very nice wooden fruit bowl. Les explained correct use of all the various tools and techniques needed. His workshop is clean and very equipped with everything required available. I would recommend this course to everyone."

Pren responded:

"Many thanks Graham, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the day."

Sam Geddes reviewed: Blacksmithing course with Longdog Smithy

"Had such a fantastic day at Longdog Smithy with Tom. He was incredibly patient (and firm when required!) with us and made the experience incredibly fulfilling. He is so knowledgeable of his craft, it was a joy to see someone so passionate. We came away with more confidence and a handcrafted tool we can use every day to remind us of what is possible when you have a teacher who engages and respects the learning process - thank you Tom (and Kara for the fantastic homemade soup!). I would recommend this for all ages and will hope to go back and make something else one day."

Ali Mauger reviewed: Calligraphy for beginners - 4 week course

"I did a 3 hour taster session on modern calligraphy. I learnt a surprising amount in just a few hours. Donna walked us through different materials to use, which will be incredibly useful and save me from having to buy everything out there just to find what suits me. Really enjoyable morning. Donna knows her craft and the facilities she provided were excellent . Would recommend."

Ali Mauger reviewed: Shibori resist fabric design & dyeing

"I had a wonderful time on this course. Jane is knowledgeable about her craft and gave us plenty of guidance, tea and chocolate biscuits! I was thrilled with my results and came away with four good sized pieces of fabric, all completely different. I would definitely recommend this workshop and may even do it again myself. Thoroughly enjoyable."

Rowena Johnson reviewed: Private or private group silver jewellery making / silversmithing workshop half-day at Silver Designed Personally

"What an amazing afternoon, i bought this experience as a gift for my mum's birthday! Sara is so knowledgeable and patient, what we produced was beyond our expectations! Her workshop is lovely and easy to find. We all had such a great time and I am so glad that I have booked another afternoon to do it all again! Can't wait!"

Silver Designed Personally responded:

"Rowena - thank you so much for your lovely words and I had a lovely afternoon with you all .... looking forward to seeing what you make next! Sara"

Lorne Campbell reviewed: Portrait in oil paints

"Hi, I attended this course yesterday (15 March) and found it an enjoyable introduction to portrait painting, an area of art very much outside my comfort zone. However we were all made to feel welcomed and allowed to “do our own thing” with general guidance and encouragement, with help and advice from Louise and other artists, when needed. Different levels of competence catered for, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. More “hands on” than being “taught” but maybe that was the important lesson learnt."

Visual Arts responded:

"Thank you for your review. I am pleased that you enjoyed the day. Louise"

Christine reviewed: Jewellery making with silver clay - one day beginners workshop

"I recently attended this one day course and had a great time! Charlotte was really friendly and extremely helpful! I absolutely love the pieces I made and still can’t believe how high quality they look! Size of the class was perfect and gave us the opportunity to ask lots of questions! We were spoilt for choice in terms of the designs! Would love to do this again one day! Thanks Felix & Reuben ☺️"

Felix & Reuben Jewellery School responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review Christine! Well done for making such gorgeous pieces of jewellery!"

Polly Triggol reviewed: Introduction to natural dyeing, Crispin Hall, Street, Somerset

"The teacher's preparation was wonderful, everything supplied for our natural dyeing day . So much information was imparted both by sampling the various dyes in practice, understandable verbal explanations, and written sheets to take home. Also provided a folder to keep all our samples in ."

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for the lovely review Polly, we're so glad that you enjoyed the day!"

Jeanne Weston reviewed: Weaving peaframes and hurdles at Usk Castle Chase

"Thanks Amanda for such an enjoyable and productive day. I love what I took home today! Your teaching skills were impressive and I am amazed at how much covered in one day. I would not hesitate to recommend this course to my friends."