Latest reviews

Shirley Bradford reviewed: Bowl basket- 1 day course

"Spent two days making a basket and a bowl, totally enjoyed the course with Jane who is a marvellous and patient teacher, safe to say I now have total respect for basket making. Jane is very welcoming with home made delicious soup, and home made cakes. Thanks again Jane we had a lovely time and I got to spent some quality time with my new daughter in law Catherine xx"

Andy reviewed: Peak Blacksmithing Experience days

"What a great time I had, my other half booked this experience day for me and it didn't disappoint. The ability of the teachers astounded me with how easy they made it all look. The facilities were lovely and the food served was really nice, set in great surroundings to top it off. I can assure you I'll be booking onto another course in the near future. Thanks again Andy"

Sally Newman reviewed: Tonal still life

"A great course, would recommend it highly to others."

Micklems Farm Creative Workshops responded:

"Thank you Sally."

Laura and waz reviewed: Peak Blacksmithing Experience days

"All I can say is wow what a day! My partner and I have wanted to try our hand at blacksmithing for a long time and finally got round to doing it, we made a great choice with this experience day. Lots of fun and really interesting and set in such a beautiful area. Will be booking again!! Great hosts and food. 10/10!!"

Janet Tudor reviewed: Two Day Hand Spinning Workshop in Norfolk

"This was a delightful way to spend a weekend. The atmosphere in the spinning barn was warm, friendly and relaxed. This provided an excellent learning environment for all of us,Theresa is knowledgeable and is happy to share all her knowledge and experience. She is an excellent teacher and has endless patience, she tailored her approach to our individual needs and nothing was too much trouble. This approach meant that we all felt valued and we went away proud of what we had achieved and very keen to build on this. In addition the refreshments provided were excellent."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"It was an absolute pleasure to start you on your spinning journey Janet. The workshop didn't feel like work to me as it was so fabulous to see your progress. Thank you for your lovely review and i really hope that you continue with your spinning. Do keep me informed of your progress and remember that I'm always here to help. Theresa"

Alison Pena reviewed: Two Day Hand Spinning Workshop in Norfolk

"The course was excellent and I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to learn to spin or as a refresher. Theresa spent time with each of us and went at our pace making learning relaxing and enjoyable. It was lovely to see the process through from fleece to yarn. Theresa has such a passion for her rare breed sheep (and her other animals) and her craft and her passion is infectious. Her workshop is a credit to her and husband James and both made us feel so welcoming; nothing was any trouble. Great cake too... what more can you want. I would recommend to anyone, give it a go."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Alison thank you so much. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your kind words. I am so pleased that you enjoyed your time here and I really hope you continue spinning on your lovely wheel. You know where I am if you need any advice along the way. Theresa &James x"

Paul Smith reviewed: Introduction to traditional stained glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"Really enjoyed my day. Found Kate an excellent teacher. It was lovely to learn a new skill working with glass"

John yates reviewed: Peak Blacksmithing Experience days

"Fantastic day!!! Full of fun and interesting techniques. Lunch was very good and we even had a beer at the end. Lovely team there would definitely recommend these guys."

Jacob Whitworth reviewed: Explore your camera - Part 1 - Get off auto!

"Excellent course. Knowledgable teacher, good style without too much jargon. Good mixture of classroom instruction and outdoor practice."

Going Digital West of England and South Wales responded:

"Thank you, Jacob. I am pleased you felt it worthwhile and that you enjoyed it!"

Karen Moynihan reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops

"I signed up for one of Elaine’s full day glass workshops with three friends. We had a fabulous day, Elaine is so enthusiastic and her work is amazing. She was so helpful and positive, helping us with our designs, and not making us feel rushed. Our designs were all very different and the finished items look amazing. Not only did we have a full on creative day, but Elaine provided us with a lovely three course lunch. We can’t wait to go back and develop our skills - and thoroughly recommend this course."

Lady of Glass responded:

"Thank you Karen it was my pleasure ,looking forward to seeing you lovely ladies in the near future"

Liz Bega reviewed: Botanical painting workshop with Becki Clark

"A super relaxing, therapeutic and skilful day led by the exceptionally talented, kind and ridiculously patient, Becki. I was lucky enough to attend one of the first of these workshops and I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to have some fun, learn a new skill or hone some existing skills, do something different with a family or friend or someone in need of some much needed brain-TLC."

melanie reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"Jon was very inspiring and friendly, the studio is very welcoming and learnt a lot in one day. Love my basket and a great lunch too. Thankyou so much to both Jon and Rebecca"

Jacquie Primrose reviewed: Tree Stump Planter Workshop - Sculpture Workshop Using Pal Tiya Premium

"A group of friends have just enjoyed a wonderful workshop with Joe and Bob at The Shire Workshops, learning how to use pal tiya. I had been wanting to take this course for a while now and was not disappointed. The hosts were friendly, informative and really helpful. We had great fun sculpting our plant pot creations and were thrilled with the results. I'd have no hesitation in recommending the workshop to others."

Emily reviewed: Botanical painting workshop with Becki Clark

"This course was amazing! Becki is so skilled and knowledgeable and really makes you feel comfortable. She was very professional, friendly and encouraging and I was so happy and proud of the bits I created (with a bit of help from her). Since this course, I have realised I have found a new hobby and have continued to paint for fun. Would highly recommend this course. Thank you Becki!"

Ruby Merrick reviewed: Mug making workshop

"I was made very welcome by Carla upon arrival. A lovely space. All equipment and materials were provided. Carla explained everything clearly and simply. The opportunity to express yourself individually on the clay was encouraged. Overall it was a very pleasant experience which I would both recommend and do again. Carla you made clay fun. Thank you."

Rob reviewed: Highland stool making course - Scottish Highlands

"A relaxed and productive weekend in a lovely location. Thoroughly enjoyed the process of making the stool, as well as spending time in some good company. Aaron clearly knows his stuff and has a passion for what he does, he also makes a good soup!"

Marijke Shrivastava reviewed: Create a wet felted landscape using wet felting, needle felting and embroidery

"Today my daughter and I attended the workshop felted landscape. We had a great day. Claire is a good tutor and we both came away with a fantastic felted picture ready for framing. We had many laughs and Claire provided a tasty lunch. Will definitely come again for more felting."

Teesdale Felt responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review Marijke. I did enjoy working with you both and was very impressed with your felted landscapes! It was a super day and I hope to meet you both again in the future. x"

Louis Mayes reviewed: One day Bag making traditional leather workshop (tote bag / side bag)

"This was a fantastic workshop- having known nothing when I arrived I walked away with a beautiful leather bag as well as the knowledge of the necessary skills of how to make it again. Kingsley is a great teacher and was patient when I wasn't sure what to do. What is better is that he encourages you to develop your own idea of what the product could be so you are more involved with the piece, rather than just making a generic bag that is the same as all the others. The workshop was only me and one other. Thank you!!"

Alison Swan reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"Lovely morning at Can to Candle workshop. Kerry was a great teacher sharing lots of tips and hints. Brought home a candle and my own mixed oils ready to make another one. Fun and relaxing way to spend a morning with delicious fruit crumble and cream to keep us going."

Loraine Sherlock reviewed: Textile landscape workshop in Dorset

"Imogen ran a perfect workshop. Was very generous with her time, individual tuition, and materials. She provided a super lunch that gave time to relax and discuss work with other students. A truly enjoyable and inspiring day."

Imogen Bittner Studio responded:

"What a beautifully sensitive landscape - your delicate use of colour and texture produced such a successful piece of work. I always think that a tube of paint does not make a Picasso and so, my pile of fabrics can only be transformed into such an interesting landscape by the intuition and sensitivity of the maker. Very happy to have helped your inspiration!"

Tammy reviewed: Glass fusion workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"Cathy is a great teacher. Four of us went for a birthday treat, had a great time and a nice lunch and walked away with some nifty things we made ourselves. Lovely way to spend a Saturday with friends - highly recommend. :)"

Amanda King reviewed: Animal clay sculpture workshops- one day

"What a fabulous day! Connie was so helpful and with a wealth of knowledge, but so friendly and happy to answer our never ending questions. Cannot recommend highly enough."

Connie Fielder Ceramics and Crafts responded:

"Hi Amanda Thank you so much for your lovely review. Much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed your day. My other students love your dog.. Connie"

Bradley Lorraine reviewed: A Practical Dry Stone Walling Workshop Central London

"Excellent course, John was extremely knowledgeable and having a great project to work on was a great learning experience. I really enjoyed my day and would highly recommended this to anyone."

London School of Dry Stone Walling responded:

"Hello Bradley Thank you for your review it is helpful to know you spent a great, worthwhile day with us. DSW is a craft heritage that you picked up on very well. Cheek Ends are not to be rushed and are always difficult and time consuming. You completed the CE and carried on in a different location. Interesting how the personal style differs from person to person and it is built to last. You achieved two over one, one over two and juggled the stone to get the face side, positioning long ends into the wall. Take care, best wishes John"

Susan Broccoli reviewed: Pottery wheel throwing taster

"What a creatively therapeutic morning! I spied this special offer over on Instagram a month back and thought what a great present for me and my husband to do together and how right I was! This morning we travelled over to Kings Cliff to the pottery studio of Potterydayz and were greeted by Richard, our master potter, another couple; Juliet and Dion.. and not forgetting the resident cat and a cup of coffee. Richard’s expertise is amazingly quick, not like us beginners, at the three basics on centralising, opening and lifting. He gives you slow instructions with his demonstrations to get you on your way with your own wheel to play on. It looks so easy, especially after watching weeks on The Great British Pottery Throwdown! Alas, it’s not quite as easy as it looks; arms in - speed up - water here and there - remove the water - delicately on and delicately off as one quick move and it’s destroyed before your eyes, but it’s so much fun. Richard guides you into getting the right techniques.. clay after clay as you try to learn by your mistakes. I failed on two attempts with one coming in half lol and the other ending up a wibbly wobbly mess... it’s all in the learning... and then with a bit of help you’ve got something. It’s time to stop and finish off. It’s hard work but relaxing, it’s draining but exhilarating, it’s dirty (very dirty) but you don’t care! After you’ve pushed, squeezed, pulled, you eventually get your vase, jug, bowl or whatever your creation looks nearest to...?, you obviously feel very proud. The workshops are 2 hours give or take, and no rush to get you out the door when you’ve finished. It’s a great experience whether you do the experience with a partner, friends or on your own. I’ll be picking my half-vase up in a few weeks to glaze it. Thanks Richard for a great morning."

Potterydayz responded:

"Delighted you both got so much out of the workshop. Look forward to seeing you both again soon."

Sue matthias reviewed: Weekend landscape painting in watercolours

"Lovely weekend with Georgina painting the landscape & learning new techniques, taking photographs of interest & applying them to the painting."

Georgina Rambton responded:

"Thanks for your review Sue and your contribution to the weekend, it was so great that you came on another weekend workshop and I got a chance to see how your painting had developed. GX"