Latest reviews

Olivia Walker reviewed: 6 wk Mixed Level Jewellery Making at Jewellery Workshop Leeds

"I couldn't make the 6 week course I booked and paid for a month earlier as I dislocated my left arm the week before the course and so I called to explain this to Bernard who basically accused me of being a liar & making it up to get out of the course by saying "oh really that's interesting - you would be surprised how many people break things just before the start of the course". I took exception to this as I let him know within an hour of getting back from A & E and finding out I would likely need surgery to fix it, and so obviously would not be able to make the course I had booked & paid for & had been really looking forward to. He refused to give me a refund and when I challenged him on this I just got a speech about that's why he is still in business when many others are not as he refuses to give refunds, which honestly I thought was a little harsh!!! I complained to CraftCourses where I saw the ad and a week later I received a £60 refund for a £120 course and no apology or email or call to explain why. I'm grateful for the refund but it took a lot to get even what I got. So I would say to anyone thinking of booking with them to make sure you are not going to have a life at all before the course as if anything 'life like' happens you won't get your money back & you will be verbally abused for free as it turned out!!! So be prepared to loose your money & get a tongue lashing for having any courtesy if you are thinking of booking with them would be my advice!!!!"

Kira reviewed: Copper wire jewellery making at Madeley, Cheshire - do not make live calendar incorrect

"I had this course bought for me as a birthday gift and it’s been one of the best experiences I’ve done. Kami was warm and welcoming and very multi skilled. I was able to make my very own beautiful ring which I’m really proud of and I will definitely be returning to make a matching necklace. Great company, lovely teacher and very relaxed atmosphere."

Mya Designs responded:

"Thanks for an awesome review. Kira, you're a natural with your creative skills. So glad you learnt so much and hope it's another string to your bow! Yes you're welcome to book again anytime and I'm looking forward to it xx"

Jane reviewed: Explore your camera part 1 - Get off Auto

"I attended this course held by Sid. I'm a complete novice when it comes to cameras. Sid was a wonderful teacher, patient and attentive to each person. He was clear with instructions and gave all of us individual time also. The group size of 6 was just right. The setting at Dartington Hall was beautiful. I highly recommend this course. Thank you ?"

Going Digital Devon and Cornwall responded:

"Jane thank you so much for your kind words. It is so rewarding to receive such positive feedback and greatly appreciated. I hope to see you again soon on another workshop..."

Leigh Oliver reviewed: Powertex Stone Art Clay Hare (medium) Sculpture - by Inky Escapades

"I attended the course on 12th January 2020. I am a complete novice to all things craft, so starting from a blank canvas as far as my skill set is concerned. Karen took us through, step by step how to build our masterpiece, not just explaining how but showing us how, which was extremely useful. The course was well run and suited all abilities with each of us producing a decorative piece for our gardens. Karen's attention to detail throughout was fabulous and she was very supportive. The workshop was a perfect creative environment and everything I needed was provided. A lot of thought and imagination had gone into running this course and it showed in the final results. I would recommend this course to anyone who just wants to give something new/different a go. With such an inspirational teacher everyone will produce something amazing!"

Inky Escapades responded:

"Why Thank you Leigh for your very kind words The Owl is such a lovely subject I love helping people to create such a lovely garden sculpture I am very glad you enjoyed your day and I hope you get great enjoyment from looking at the beautiful Owl you created. Well done and I hope to see you for another Powertex Workshop some time in the future Kind Regards Karen Hewitt"

Denise Roberts reviewed: Bespoke Interlined Curtains

"Janet arranged to do two courses in one day, the interlined Roman Blinds and Interlined Curtains. Busy day but learnt a great deal. The comprehensive notes she gives you to take home are a great help to refer when you are flying solo ! think I have made a good friend and mentor with Janet....thanks x"

Mike reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"Rosanna offers a unique and personable service. I was lucky enough to be in a class of only myself and one other person and it meant the workshop was extremely productive with fantastic one to one tuition to give me a great springboard into the hobbling world of leather craft. Rosanna is very warm and welcoming with tremendous and admirable experience in leather craft. Having spent the day with her I feel very equipped to start my own projects and enjoyed my day very much - as well as being able to take away the fruits of my labour that I made under Rosanna’s very capable supervision. The cafe next door is a real bonus and provides a delicious lunch and the workshop is situated on a lovely little estate filled with all sorts of crafts and artisan shops to poke your head into, but the real gem here is the workshop on offer from Rosanna. A perfect gift for anyone crafty or wanting a gateway into Leatherwork, I cannot speak highly enough of this one day workshop! HIGHLY recommended indeed and I hope to be back soon to do her bag making course. Don’t miss out!"

Georgie Adams reviewed: Introduction to slab-building pottery workshops in Denmead

"I spent my birthday making mugs at Sally's workshop with a group of friends and we had the most wonderful day. It was lovely to learn new techniques of pottery-making and how to integrate natural patterns and textures into our creations. Sally is a passionate teacher, with a wealth of experience & has lots of great examples of her work to inspire your own ideas. She works with the energy of each student and is happy to help you tailor the workshop to fulfil your own tastes. (Some of us made mugs, others made a cat food bowl, snack bowl, etc. and we didn't all use the same technique.) Our workshop with Sally was so relaxing and filled with joy and laughter. We couldn't wait to go back for the second session, in which we decorated our mugs (after being fired) and when we did, we had another memorable time together. We're already planning the next visit! I highly recommend visiting Sally Mareike Ceramics for a peaceful, fun, creative and tech-free afternoon. It's time we learnt how to get our hands dirty again!"

Sally Mareike Ceramics responded:

"Thanks Georgie! It was so much fun with you guys. I'm so glad you all enjoyed it and that you love your beautiful pots too!"

Wood Turning reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I did this course in September. It is intense and the day is packed, but you learn so much. I came away with a small bowl, which was finished off by Mark and I have been honest when I have shown people. Mark knows his stuff and you will leave knowing all you need to get going. But expect to have to concentrate a lot, fine if you are used to it."

Kay Stowell reviewed: Boat making day using the technique of sgraffito on coloured glass

"Very enjoyable and educational day spent with Brian. Brian is generous with his wealth knowledge in all areas of glass and it was inspiring working in his lovely studio. It was great to learn a new technique and thoroughly please with my boat. Can't wait for my finish boat to arrive after firing."

Sasha reviewed: Creative Being: Intuitive mark making with mixed-media and collage

"Dolly holds such a rich and potent space, yet in such a gentle and understated way. During the workshop I found deeper feelings, desires and patterns I have in life becoming obvious to me and what my being needs to do to satisfy or change them. I found it really interesting that I had no 'plan' to find out these things, I just went with Dolly's guidance which was clear and yet invited so much freedom, I was just having fun, exploring and enjoying myself....and then there it was!"

Amanda reviewed: Creative Being: Intuitive mark making with mixed-media and collage

"As a novice to paint and making marks on paper I am delighted to discover that I can do this and find depth in my work that I could not have conceived outside of this process."

Biz reviewed: Creative Being: Intuitive mark making with mixed-media and collage

"Pure, unadulterated joy! Perfect amount of facilitation and guidance. Great range of tools and techniques to learn. Good pace of one activity to the other. Great location, good music, delicious lunches beautifully presented."

P David reviewed: Bring Your Own Upholstery Project - 1 day workshop - Week Days

"A super day learning about the skills used in upholstery and producing my first small piece of upholstered furniture . Sarah is a passionate and knowledgable teacher who demonstrates, supports and guides you to develop your upholstery skills in a lovely well equipped environment. A thoroughly enjoyable day and I will be going back!"

Ann Leonard reviewed: Felt picture making workshop in Rugby!

"I had a really enjoyable morning. Karen is a lovely tutor, friendly, relaxed and is knowledgeable in her craft. Everyone's results were excellent. I've already booked for the Advanced workshop. Can you get a better recommendation?"

Karen Wyeth Contemporary Felt Artist responded:

"Thanks for taking the time to leave a review Ann. So pleased you enjoyed it, and what a great flax field picture you created! Look forward to seeing you again in March."

Viv Craze-Wuttke reviewed: Explore your camera part 1 - Get off Auto

"I recently attended the Get Off Auto course run by Sid Smallman at Dartington and cannot praise it enough. Sid is passionate about photography and his presentation style encourages learning and participation. The workshop benefits from being a small group and this ensures everyone can contribute. As a novice camera user I learnt so much about my camera and whilst only scraping the surface of what it can do, I still feel more confident to go and try different things and get that perfect shot! Thanks again Sid."

Going Digital Devon and Cornwall responded:

"Thank you Viv, I'm so pleased you feel the workshop has been of practical benefit to your photography. I look forward to seeing your progression in our dedicated Flickr group. Enjoy..."

Sarah reviewed: Hare Needle Felting workshop with Frankie and Sidney

"Fantastic day of creative fun! Mandy was a fantastic teacher and we had such a good giggle along the way too."

Rob Murphy reviewed: Introduction to leatherwork with Armitage Leather

"Excellent in every sense of the word. Nigel is a natural educator but he's also someone who has clearly worked hard to perfect not only the craft of leatherwork but also his skills as a teacher. Often these skills don't go together but Nigel has both in spades. A highly professional approach at every step, from email communication to location instructions and throughout. A great training facility too with an abundance of tools of the highest quality and a well laid out and welcoming environment right the way down to the quality of the coffee! Add to that a first class teacher and you can't really ask for more. It's not a surprise to me that even seasoned leatherworkers travel from far and wide to learn from Nigel."

Michelle Walters reviewed: Hare Needle Felting workshop with Frankie and Sidney

"I attended a day course at Homedarm with Mandy where i made a hare. Atthough i knew nothing about felting before attended the instructions were easy to folllow and i came home lovely a hare that o throughly enjoyed making, so much so i purchased another kit to make and a needle handle so it will be a hobby i continue"

Phil Picton reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and hospitality yesterday. The training was fun, safe and enjoyable, enabling us produce beautiful bowls by the end of the day. I really value the advice on tools and machinery as almost certainly I will be taking this up as a hobby. I still have so much to learn so will definitely be returning for some further training in the future"

Jessica Jackson reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I have just spend a lovely weekend with Elaine in her studio. I am amazed to have gone from having zero experience to producing a yarn that I am really rather proud of! Elaine was incredibly patient and looked after us well over the course of the two days. I can't recommend this course highly enough - especially if you are an absolute beginner or even if you need to brush up on your skills. Thank you so much for this wonderful experience - I can't wait to start practicing myself at home!"

Heather reviewed: Beginners Silver Jewellery Course

"Myself and two friends had a thoroughly enjoyable day creating some lovely pieces of jewellery. Thank you Mark for being so patient and making us feel confident in what we were doing. Both Mark and Terri (super lunch and copies cups of tea - thank you Terri) were the perfect hosts. I can't wait to return and make some more items of jewellery for myself and as gifts for friends and family."

Janet reviewed: Layer, bond, stitch and burn! With textile artist Karen Lane

"Thankyou so much, Karen, I loved this class....can't wait to start another project."

Sue reviewed: Layer, bond, stitch and burn! With textile artist Karen Lane

"It was an excellent workshop. Thanks, Karen. ? Another wonderful textile technique to have lots of fun with. ?"

Samantha Leigh reviewed: Painting animals in watercolour

"As a convert from acrylic painting to watercolours, I learnt so many valuable tips and techniques form Liz, how to make use of the colours, tones and how to put them on your paper, very simple once you know how!! So thanks for that Liz, the demonstrations are easy to follow and understand and offer many 'light bulb' moments. Liz herself was a great mentor for the day, and thanks to her guidance, I've sold a couple of my own paintings recently. onwards and upwards! Highly recommend, whatever level you are at :)"

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Thank you for such a lovely review and congratulations about selling your paintings. I think it’s a huge compliment that someone wants to live with your work every day! Really pleased you enjoyed it and hope to see you again soon."

Melissa Davies reviewed: Lino cutting & printing workshop: make a lino cut picture(beginners)

"Truly lovely day spent with the expert tuition of Sally. Special day as 1:1 with Sally. She is very friendly and informs you with the knowledge and tools of the craft in simple practical terms. Facilities were good with hot drinks and biscuits available. She also gave me some useful websites to check out too."

Craft Workshops responded:

"Thank you Melissa ~ it was lovely to meet you and I look forward to seeing the prints from your lino cuts as you make more of them. Many thanks Sally"