Latest reviews

Gareth Cook reviewed: One day Traditional Lead Stained Glass Course

"A fantastic day on the 'foiling' course, set in an inspiring workshop. Hands on skill building from the start, with great advice and professional artistic direction from Cheryl when needed. As a first timer, so impressed with my day's work. Highly recommended."

Christopher Hadley reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Absolutely wonderful course. This is the third course I have done with Ben, having done his stool and chair courses in London. Taking a week out of the city to work intensively on a chair was, however, a totally different experience. The location of the workshop is beautiful, and it really feels like you are away from everything. The workshop offers protection from the inevitable Welsh rain from time to time, while being mostly exposed, allowing you to enjoy the woodland flowers while working! The course is well structured, and the workshop has plenty of good quality tools for everyone to crack on in parallel. Ben is a great tutor - he has a lot of patience and always manages to rescue novice errors! He is a thoroughly nice chap too, and our group got on really well. I did this back in May/June of this year but have only just got around to writing this review. Looking back, this was one of the most fun, peaceful and rewarding weeks of recent years. I'm absolutely delighted with my chair, which will look great in my new flat. I hope to be back one day!"

Bethan Vaughan reviewed: Jewellery workshop for beginners (ring, earrings, pendant or bangle)

"Marion's course was of a very high quality indeed. We were fascinated by her clear modelling of many intricate jewellery-making skills and then found that we were very quickly replicating her techniques ourselves! Marion's close guidance throughout the process was excellent - she was extremely patient and was able to tailor the experience to the individual depending on our preferences. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were very pleased with the beautiful and unique silver rings we made! What a fantastic way to spend a Saturday!"

Annette James reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"Without doubt one of the best courses I have ever been on and highly recommended. Jo's home and studio is beautiful and she is warm, welcoming and friendly - plus a great tutor too! She is brilliant at explaining what will happen, showing you what to do in bite size chunks and then encouraging you to do the work with the bare minimum of help. I never thought I would turn a basic wire skeleton into such a lovely piece of art which has a memento of my late mum enclosed inside. It will forever have a special place in my garden. All six of us were total beginners and we all did incredibly well. Would definitely be happy to go back and make something else another time. Thanks Jo (and Andy, Tula and Mia)."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you for such a lovely review Annette. Your moon gazing hare is beautiful and I am so pleased it will have a special place in your garden xx"

Lesley reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing Workshop by Clare Cosens

"Thoroughly enjoyable course. Claire is an excellent teacher/host. This is the 2nd course I have attended and will not be the last"

Aunty Kay reviewed: Pottery Christmas decorations/ornaments workshop

"Harriet did an early session of this course for us recently so that we could make some gifts to send to friends and relatives abroad. Harriet was a great teacher and we really enjoyed ourselves. She let us make whatever we wanted but gave us excellent guidance and tuition. It’s amazing what you can make with clay! I can’t recommend Harriet’s courses enough, she’s a great teacher, very patient and quite entertaining too. A very enjoyable way to spend a few hours. Loved it."

Emma Smith reviewed: Introduction to Natural Dyeing, Mere, Wiltshire

"What a fabulous day learning natural dyeing with Claudia. I echo all the positive points made by others, and would say that Claudia is an excellent teacher. Everything was prepared meticulously and the day’s lessons were prepared to maximise our learning in the time available. Fabulous resources to take home and enable some alchemy to get going at home straight away! Loved it and a big thank you!"

Elka responded:

"Thank you for the great review Emma. We're so happy you enjoyed the workshop and feel you can now get going at home! Very best wishes, Claudia"

Aileen Rowe reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I purchased this as a gift for myself, and could not have made a better choice. The venue is is beautiful and very relaxing. Mark and Jill are very friendly, welcoming and generous with their instruction and advice. The whole day was one to remember. I have learnt a set of new skills, and have the confidence now to continue independently. I highly recommend this course."

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Aileen, Thank you for taking the time to review the class. We're glad you got so much out of the day. Looking forward to seeing your next spoons. Have fun. ATB Mark, Cristina and Jill"

Kerry Hartigan reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"What a fantastic soap making course. From start to finish, in a beautiful setting, Paula delivers the course in a knowledgeable and friendly manner. You learn the science and art of making soaps and come away with at least 8 bars of your own soap. Adding in afternoon tea makes it a very special session and you don’t go home hungry. Thank you for your hospitality and having me! x"

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Thank you Kerry!"

Anonymous reviewed: Create with a gel printing plate in Derbyshire

"I had a lovely day in Liz's beautiful studio. Liz gave clear instructions and encouragement, I particularly enjoyed exploring colours I wouldn't normally have chosen. I can definitely recommend Liz as a tutor. Jo"

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Jo, Thanks for taking the time to review your day at The Slipper Studio. Really pleased you enjoyed your day and I feel that exploring 2D work will benefit your felt work in lots of ways. Lovely meeting and working with you. Best wishes Liz Wellby"

Melanie K reviewed: Machine made lined curtains

"I attended Janet's Roman Blind course (machine sewn). Janet is full of knowledge, and very happy to share it. She has notes and a spreadsheet to take away, so you are able to focus on watching, practising and learning. When I returned home, Janet also emailed additional information to me. During the workshop she knew when I needed a little extra time on some areas, and adapted the workshop to suit. I came away with a blind, and the confidence and skills to have do this myself now. Her work is of a high quality, and exactly what I was looking for. She is patient, friendly and I'm looking forward to the next courses, which I have already booked. Highly recommended, and thank you:)"

Nicola reviewed: Fascinator making Birmingham millinery workshop

"Yes, I absolutely would recommend! Rachel is a brilliant teacher who is generous with her time, is patient and clearly has a great deal of knowledge and skill to offer to students in these workshops. My friend and I attended yesterday and had a wonderful day. It was relaxing and fun, we were made to feel very welcome and were very surprised at what we were able to achieve. I highly recommend these workshops, if you want something fun and different to do, I loved it! ? Thank you Rachel x"

Sally Austin reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"An absolutely wonderful day in a beautiful environment and led by Jo who is such a clever tutor. Jo made sure we all had the help we needed and 6 amazing sculptures were created by 6 people who had not a clue what we were doing at the start. A wonderful day with a special output."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Sally! Everyone has an art genie just waiting to be tickled ;-) I'm sure your Mum will be thrilled with your stunning leaping hare. I'm looking forward to working with you on your full sized standing hare for your own garden."

Debbie reviewed: Beginners Silver Jewellery Course

"My sister, my mum and I had a fantastic time at our jewellery making workshop with Mark yesterday. He was an excellent tutor and we have come away with some lovely pieces of jewellery."

Dandelion Silver responded:

"Really glad you enjoyed your day, you all did fantastic making some tricky pieces of jewellery. Hope to see you again for the intermediate advanced class. Mark"

Tracy Krueger reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"Myself and 4 art friends were on holiday from the USA and wanted to participate in some sort of art experience, Jane did not disappoint. Her class, her teaching, her hospitality, her studio and the scenery were top notch! We even saw a double rainbow from her studio. It was pure magic!"

Katherine Cropper reviewed: Willow Curlews with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"What a wonderful day- Phil was a brilliant tutor, he kept it fun and encouraging whist managing to get us all to make curlews - all slightly different, but all looking great. Ideal lunch and lots of tempting cake etc."

Eileen Wykes reviewed: Fascinator making in Wellsborough nr Nuneaton

"A most enjoyable day. The professionalism and overall support given to making the most of the basic techniques to create a fascinator from scratch were excellent. What myself and granddaughter Charlotte thought what was going to be a lot of sewing and time consuming was made easy. The perspective of design and creativity was made endless by the expertise given freely and made simple by Rachel. Would recommend anyone to have a go. Looking forward to the advance course in the new year."

Fay Birtwistle reviewed: Wire wrapped ring workshop

"Wendy and Clive are a lovely couple who greeted us with a warm welcome. The venue, their beautiful house, was just as warm and welcoming and I cannot express just how fantastic the course was. Wendy models techniques so clearly that you feel like you could master anything by the end of it. I loved it and can’t wait to sign up to the next Christmas course. Thank-you for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon!"

Evancliffe Leathercraft responded:

"Fay, Thank you for your review! We are really pleased you enjoyed the workshop."

Sam Davies reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Mark ran a short course especially on sharpening gouges. This is the third time I have attended one of Mark's courses. Each one has been superb. As a beginner I have been on a couple of other courses and Mark's beat those hands down. Practical, pragmatic and well paced. As a retired teacher I'm only too well aware of the need to match material to the pupil. In OFSTED parlance he is "Outstanding". I will be back for more."

Phil reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I attended the beginners course on on Saturday 28th September. I found the course to be really engaging as we got excellent hands on experience making a coat hook and a key ring, the guys are very helpful and friendly. The food was delicious with ample tea and coffee throughout the day. I would definitely recommend this course."

Bernardette Patrick reviewed: Powertex Stone Art Clay Hare (medium) Sculpture - by Inky Escapades

"Attended the course on the 28th September 2019 and it was absolutely brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. From arriving and over the whole session Karen and her team (hubby working away) were outstanding. We were both complete novices and managed to make 2 stunning pieces of work, that we took away with us on the day. Everything was provided and Karen made the time to explain clearly the steps that needed to be done and what to be aware of, if you did not do specific tasks. Karen is definitely aware of how Powertex works and is someone who passes on that knowledge willingly and with flare. Karen made us feel very welcome in her home and he workshop is a little haven at the bottom of the garden, which shows off her work with flare. The cake was too yummy to pass up. Definitely be back."

Inky Escapades responded:

"Thank You so much for your kind words and for taking the trouble to leave me a review - I am so pleased you both loved your workshop and your introduction to Powertex. Do let me know whether Asia managed to obtain extra credits based on the fabulous piece she created from her photograph Kind Regards Karen Hewitt Certified Powertex Tutor"

Liz O'Neill reviewed: Mosaic pendants for beginners

"I really enjoyed this workshop with Rachel who is so positive and enthusiastic about her craft. It was great to see the range of materials we could use, and to learn a bit about slate. Rachel's own work is beautiful...and it inspired us all in the class when we were working...with help and advice and encouragement from Rachel...on our own pendants. It was a relaxing, fun way to spend a Friday morning...with the added bonus of having produced two lovely pendants by the end of it! Would strongly recommend it."

Joanna reviewed: Felt making for beginners - learn how to make a beautiful piece of wet felted fabric

"This exceeded all my expectations. With no felting experience I was delighted that we just launched straight in, it was hands on within five minutes of entering the room. I attended on my own so was quite nervous but Kat was Uber friendly - feels like you’re meeting a friend you haven’t seen for years. The ladies in the group were great too. There was a lot of stimulus ideas and not being a creative person I worried. But wet felting is very forgiving and Kat showed and taught us loads of techniques. I wanted to create abstract and others created pictures - anything goes and everyone’s turned out brilliantly. Wet felting was a very soothing and chilled activity and is a perfect wind down after a busy week at work! Thanks Kat it was AMAZING!"

Ben Glazebrook reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"An absolutely brilliant day! My wife bought me this as a birthday gift and it was without doubt my favourite present in 34 years. The location is naturally really beautiful, and what Mark has done there serves to accentuate the surrounding environment. We spent the whole day learning around a campfire, under the canopy of a parachute that is nestled within a woodblock - I felt completely detached (in a good way) and de-stressed shortly after arriving. You couldn't ask for better instruction. Both Mark and Jill are incredibly talented, very personable and great teachers. The whole day was well paced, low pressure, fun and enjoyable, while still being highly productive. The training on the day, the advice given and the follow up information also set you in a great place to carry on spoon carving on your own. I must also mention lunch - a lovely home cooked meal, enjoyed around the table in Mark's home. Absolutely delicious and great of them to cater for me as a vegan. I can't rate this course highly enough! Ben"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Ben, Thank you for such a nice review. It was a great day spent with lovely people, so glad you enjoyed the day. ATB Mark, Cristina and Jill"

Karen Hyde reviewed: Handspinning - for beginners and improvers - Saturday afternoon Sessions

"Arrived a complete beginner and left feeling confident I have the knowledge to develop spinning skills taught by the two expert tutors today. Covered a wide range of material in four hours. Now I need to practise at home before booking another course to build on what I have learned."