Latest reviews

Wendy Davies reviewed: Fountain pen ink and bleach workshops at Creek Creative, Faversham, Kent

"I completed this course last weekend and I loved it! I had very little idea of what to expect but I was able to create works of art by following some simple instructions and having the belief in the medium to work for me. Nick encouraged me to be experimental and try different colours; the pace of the lesson was rapid but it allowed me the confidence to fail and then try again, and as a result I came away motivated to return and to experiment in my own time. Thank you. Try it!"

Kerry G reviewed: Half day Christmas themed cold process soap making workshop with Keri at The Soap Coach

"Keri is a great ‘soap coach’ she is very friendly and helpful, her instructions are clear and easy to understand, the afternoon is great fun and at the end you have some lovely soap. I can totally recommend this course."

The Soap Coach Limited responded:

"Thank you so much Kerry, I am really pleased you had a great time. :)"

Liz Webley reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"I have been to several of Julie’s workshops now and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Julie is an incredibly talented and experienced willow worker and is also very patient and kind! She is very approachable and helpful and I’ve always come away feeling really pleased and proud of what I’ve made. Would definitely recommend! :)"

Pip Cottage responded:

"Hello Liz, Thank you very much for your great review, glad that you have enjoyed the willow workshops, its a pleasure to work with you and you have made some lovely willow baskets and sculptures. It's enjoyable passing on skills to others and seeing their finished products and I'm looking forward to the next workshop. Thanks, Julie"

Lynne Richards reviewed: Pottery / ceramics wheel throwing, full day

"Fabulous course, tutor very informative and very skilled potter, and teacher. Would recommend anyone that ever wondered if they should have a go, then this is the place to attend. Looking forward to booking more courses with them."

Jill Moore reviewed: The Kate Dress Workshop

"A brilliant day, Rachel was a fantastic teacher and I learned so much. The pace was relaxed and I felt very comfortable asking silly questions! Learnt to use an overlocker and now obviously I want one. I finished the dress in a day and it is the first time I have successfully made a wearable garment. I feel very confident to try another one on my own now. Highly recommended."

Sew Me Something responded:

"Thank you so much Jill, really pleased you enjoyed the course. You won't regret purchasing an overlocker!"

Heidi Barker reviewed: Knitting sock workshop

"I really enjoyed this course, it was challenging but very rewarding. I have completed my pair of baby socks and with my new sock wool from CLP I’m ready to start a pair of adult socks. Great teaching from Monica and a lovely environment and people at CLP x"

Community Learning Partnership responded:

"Heidi, I totally agree with you. It required a lot of concentration and it took me all day, a little of Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon to finish just one sock!! But I couldn't be prouder, and I'm looking forward to having a go at a 'big foot' sock next. I have heard tell that sock-knitting is highly-addictive, and I can believe it. Thanks for coming xx"

Nigel Foster reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"Les is a first class tutor with a very easy going manner along with a vast knowledge of wood & turning it. I had a two day session with him & along with learning how to use the lathe & tools safely I managed to produce 4 very pleasing pieces to take home with me. Altogether a very pleasant & educational time, money well spent, I may even do another couple of days when I have gained some experience on my newly acquired knowledge to go a stage further. Thank you Les Nigel"

Pren responded:

"Thanks for that, Nigel....it was a pleasure to work with you and I'm really pleased that you felt that it was two days so well spent. Les."

Samuel Souter reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Really enjoyable day learning to carve spoons with Dave C. The Subscription Rooms in Nailsworth provide a suitably creative, artsy environment, and Dave is a very personable tutor/top bloke. Perfect pace to the day - felt like I learnt a goodly amount in the day to get going with spoon-carving in my own time now, without it being too slow or super-intense. Highly recommend."

Sue Hood reviewed: Machine patchwork courses with Green Man Quilts

"Sheena is a positive, kind teacher. She works hard to give everyone the guidance and encouragement they need and makes classes fun and motivating. I’ve learned about so many aspects of patchwork and quilting- choosing fabrics, colours, shade matching, cutting, as well as specific patchwork and appliqué techniques."

Green Man Quilts responded:

"Thank you, Sue. I really appreciate those kind words. And I am delighted that you find classes fun and motivating."

Christine H reviewed: Nuno felt a silk scarf in fine merino wools and silks with Judi Binks

"My sister gave me this workshop as a birthday present and it was one of the best ever crafting experiences! I'm literally overjoyed with the beautiful scarf I made and it was like being a child again let loose in the chocolate factory with all the amazing yarns, silks and fibres. We're both going to sign up for another course in April on felting a picture."

Felting in Devon responded:

"Thank you for your positive response."

Janet Philp reviewed: Needlefelting workshop at Dalkeith Country Park

"This was a very relaxed course with a very knowledgeable leader. It was fantastic to be able to come away with a finished product"

Peta Sievwright reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"A very enjoyable, well-structured hand weaving course. I learnt a lot, produced a mat I'm very pleased with and hope to return for more tuition in the future. The studio was very snug and warm despite the storm raging outside. Thank you, Alice."

Kerry Hardstaff reviewed: Knitting sock workshop

"Had a very enjoyable day with group of varied abilities. All equipment supplied, sock made. Ways forward discussed. Completed small sock in 2 colours which covered the basics of sock knitting. Looking forward to next steps."

Community Learning Partnership responded:

"Kerry, I'm looking forward to my next STEPS too haha!! Now we've learned the technique, I think it will be less fiddly when we move on to big feet. Well done :-)"

M McAlpine reviewed: Needlefelting workshop at Dalkeith Country Park

"Great to learn a new skill in a relaxed environment. Jo explained the technique and guided us but let us create our own masterpiece. The small group was very sociable and everyone was chatting and sharing ideas right from the start. Would recommend the class and now hooked on felting. Thank you."

Dave Kershaw reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day at Leeds, West Yorkshire

"Loved it, I did not want it to end, Jack was a gentleman and needed all his skills with me, but even I managed to walk out of the forge with a beautiful bodkin socketed arrow head, done by myself... The day was a whole lot of fun from start to end and I will be back!, to make something else pointy. Defo recommend this course, value for money and an eye opener into the blacksmiths world."

Caroline Gibbs reviewed: Friday Morning Upholstery Course (six Weekly Classes)

"Class size perfect, mixed group of people, Jill is a fantastic tutor that takes time to explain why."

Caroline Galpin reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"What a fabulous day, and introduction to spinning. As a complete novice it was a really inspiring experience and one that made me want to know more. Theresa is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and was so kind and patient with us all. I can’t recommend this course enough."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to write your lovely review, it was such a pleasure to read it. I really enjoyed the workshop too and was delighted to have been part of your spinning 'journey'. You made a fabulous start and I really hope you continue to spin and love it more each day! Do please keep in touch and let me know how you get on. Theresa"

Nicola Quinn reviewed: Footstool making workshop - weekend

"I joined this weekend course to learn how to make a footstool from scratch, have some fun and gain an insight into the wonderful world of upholstery and by jove, I certainly achieved all three things and more! Jacqueline is a fantastic tutor ensuring that she gave me the encouragement, help and mentoring all though the process. The weekend was well organised (with great cake!) and the attention to detail and skills I walked away with have armed me to tackle my first solo footstool project, there will be no stopping me now! I thoroughly recommend this course, you will walk away with a footstool to be proud of."

The Bespoke Home - Furniture Maker responded:

"Aww, Nicola, I'm so glad you enjoyed it :-) Thank you for your wonderful comments. It's certainly my aim for you to leave armed with the confidence to make more footstools. The fact you had a great time learning is the icing on the cake! x"

Nick reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"I’ve just returned from a brilliant two days with Peter - he’s a lovely guy with a great teaching style. Everyone on the course came away with a fab piece of furniture to show off. I’m looking forward to trying some of the techniques out at home."

Elizabeth Cherry reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"Thank you Jo for your wonderful sculpture day and hospitality. Very good communication prior to the day and directions made it easy to find the location, despite storm Dennis making his presence known. The day was a present for my birthday and I really could not have had a nicer day. Being a small group of six made for a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and the workshop was held in a spacious, modern garden studio within the beautiful gardens of the teacher’s home. Jo is a warm and inspiring teacher who prepares well and explains every stage of the construction really well. I picked up lots of new sculpting techniques which I shall continue to develop at home. Such an excellent day which felt like a day with the family. So pleased with my sculpture. Can’t think of a better way to spend a special day. Thank you Jo."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Elizabeth ;-) I did spend most of the Saturday night praying storm Dennis would not scupper our power supply! Really glad you enjoyed your birthday present and went away with some new techniques ... keep sculpting! Jo x"

Ali Sleeman reviewed: Pottery workshop at Claynglaze Pottery

"Just attended a two-day tile making course which was packed with information. We learned multiple techniques to create raised relief tiles, finalising in hand carving originals and casting plaster moulds. Handmade tiles are incredibly expensive to buy (and technically aren’t hand made!) - now we can cast our own and tile everything in sight. As usual the lunch provided was a real treat, tea on tap and a pleasure to learn in such a welcoming and well-equipped studio. Highly recommended."

Claynglaze responded:

"So glad you enjoyed it! We aim to please. Your wonderful design on the tile you made will look amazing after glazing. The cost of the course is easily covered in the savings you made on tiles! Well done and look forward to seeing them on the wall Wendy"

Michelle Sargieson reviewed: Woodcarving with Jason Thomson sculptural woodcarving with hand tools, eccentric whittling courses, Sheffield.

"My first time at wood carving, Jason is a lovely person and puts you at ease. He explains things well and can give you all a lot of one on one time in the group. He explains which tools and techniques would be best to use on certain areas of your carving. I was surprised how much we managed to carve in a one day session. It was a great day and I would recommend."

Lynne Atkinson reviewed: Introduction to traditional Calligraphy - foundational hand

"My first introduction to calligraphy. This course was well presented, instructions were clear and helpful and the whole day was thoroughly enjoyable. Sunita was well prepared, understood the problems beginners can have and gave useful tips on how to overcome them. She spent time with all the students, guiding us and supporting our efforts. An interesting and inspirational day."

Sue reviewed: Rings and Things - Soldering for beginners at Simply Amazing Jewellery School

"I have attended one of Viv's workshops before and went again with another friend who fancied it, because I loved it so much (and I wear the silver rings I made virtually every day!!) I made 2 rings for my little finger this time and suspect I will wear one or the other every day in future because again I was so delighted!! Viv encourages everyone to be creative and is so incredibly patient and informative. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who has not had a go before."

Simply Amazing Jewellery School responded:

"Hi Sue, thank you for this lovely review! I am so pleased you returned to develop your skills further and that you enjoyed the day so much. I love the hammered rings you made and hope you find them as fascinating as I do, as you wear them in and all your hard work rewards you x"

Alan Marks reviewed: Half day Christmas themed cold process soap making workshop with Keri at The Soap Coach

"Enjoyed Keris' half day soap making course. Knows her stuff and the instruction and facilities I thought were spot on. I have recommended this to others."

The Soap Coach Limited responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to review. Really pleased to hear you enjoyed your afternoon."