Latest reviews

Suzanne Wilson reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"This is something I had always wanted to have a go at and had no experience whatsoever. From the start Matthew put me at ease, explained everything really clear and guided me throughout, he showed me lots of techniques and was very supportive and encouraging. The day went by so quickly and I have six amazing products to show for it which I actually made on a potters wheel! I cant wait to come back, I would encourage anyone who is thinking about having a go to book with Matt, you wont be disappointed, this course is truly brilliant! X"

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Hi Suzanne, Thank you for the lovely review, it was great to see your skills develop throughout the day and you produced some lovely forms on the wheel. The pots will be fired next week and I will be in touch about collection. Best wishes Mathew"

Alan Duncan reviewed: Stool making course at Sallerton Wood

"I was really looking forward to attending this course but it far exceeded my expectations. I had done very little green woodworking before which was not a problem for Andy. He explained everything clearly, whilst demonstrating the next stage and was always at hand if I needed extra reminders! Sallerton is an idyllic woodland, with a stream running through the site. The working area is well equipped and the tools in good condition and regularly sharpened by Andy. We were well looked after, with regular coffee/tea breaks and good lunches. The group appeared to gel together in part because Andy encouraged people to help each other, working in pairs for certain jobs. We all completed ours stools and I was certainly very pleased with my finished piece. All that is required in a oiling once it has dried out. Brilliant Thank you."

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Thanks very much indeed for posting a review, Alan. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the course so much, and the lovely environment and resources at Sallerton Wood. We'd love to see you back again one day. Many thanks for your kind review."

Stephen Hyde reviewed: Stamping, embossing & wet-moulding leather

"Attended this course with my 11 and 16yr old daughters - they absolutely loved it. It was about a month / six weeks ago we did the course and still they are proudly showing off what they did to anyone who will look at it and telling me I must arrange days like this one."

Evancliffe Leathercraft responded:

"We are really pleased that you all enjoyed the workshop and thank you for the review. Great to hear the work is still being shown off! :)"

Jane Bartlett reviewed: Upcycling Paint & Paper Decoupage Furniture Workshop Experience: Spend Two Days with ReVamp Boutique

"What an inspirational experience the decoupage course has been ! There is so much to learn and yet Sarah's reassuring style makes you see the possibilities are endless- and of course you can do it! I'm heading back for some upholstery tuition next......."

ReVamp Boutique responded:

"Thank you Jane for such a lovely review! It was a huge pleasure! So glad you enjoyed your 2 days with us...you made a fabulous transformation on your piece...it looked amazing! Deco meets Rococo! Looking forward to seeing you again very soon..."

Isabelle Cooper reviewed: Mosaic Workshop for Beginners, Broadstairs

"We had a wonderful day doing mosaics with Lynda! She was very helpful and gave us lots of ideas to play around with. She was very friendly and gave us endless supplies of tea and biscuits! Would definitely recommend."

Creating Mosaics responded:

"You were all such a delight to spend the day with, thank you. I loved all your mosaic creations. Hope to see you again."

Anthony Culley reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Great day. Mark is patient, skilled, knowledgeable but never patronising. A very enjoyable day covering what I wanted and a few other things that Mark thought I should know and do. This is the third session I have had over the last three years. Great to sort out the bad habits that creep in (or never go away) and an opportunity to do something different."

Mark Thornton reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"I jumped straight into the Intermediate course with a little trepidation having not done the Beginners course first but I needn't have worried, Ciarán is an excellent teacher. He takes you through each process and is always there to guide/rescue when needed. Best of all you come out of it with a real piece of furniture (a coffee table)!"

Yvonne reviewed: Mosaic in a day at Cowshed Creative in the Lake District National Park near Kendal and Windermere

"A really enjoyable day, a small friendly group of ladies who all supported one another. The tutor had time to spend with each individual which was good and the range of tiles and equipment was more than expected. The venue is brilliant and well thought out to accommodate a wide range of students. Our hostess was welcoming and the catering was excellent. It’s a little way out geographically but the drive is well worth the fabulous views. I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone who is looking for a lovely day of craft, company and good food. Well done the Cowshed x"

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Thanks Yvonne. We so appreciate all your lovely comments and hope to see you again!"

Harriet McKay reviewed: 1 day introduction to silver jewellery making - Ely

"I chose to take Jonathan's course in particular since he has such stellar ratings; spending the day at his studio on a one day workshop yesterday I totally endorse all the great things previous students have said. The day was superb for Jonathan's approach and hospitality and generosity with time, tools, knowledge, support and welcome at his lovely home (and wonderful lunch). Jonathan is closely involved with education and it shows; the day was a magical combination of being well-structured but informal. It provided the perfect mix of theory, information, demonstration and explanation and space to let us get on with it and allowing us to learn through practice with Jonathan always good humouredly close at hand for support. The after-care and guidance offered is also excellent. SUPERB! Thanks so much Jonathan!"

Rachel Watson reviewed: Jewellery workshop for beginners (ring, earrings, pendant or bangle)

"Had a excellent experience at Marion’s ring making course. Her expertise and attentive teaching allowed us to be very hands on and use our own creative process with expert supervision. I love the ring I produced and the creative process was really rewarding. Can’t recommend this course enough."

Silvia Kumar reviewed: Saddle bag in a day workshop

"I have enjoyed this course very much, in particular I have appreciated Rosanna’s excellent skills and easy to follow instructions. The Studio is a nice friendly environment, which is ideal to allow creativity to blossom. I have been thinking of taking a leather course for a long time and I am really glad I did it."

Adam Brown reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"An amazingly inspirational course. From day one Lucy is an amazing teacher and great host, the other students are equally as amazing to be with. Lucy's knowledge as both a stone carver and an artist, allows her to help you carve your imagination and bring it to life."

C P reviewed: Pottery Throwing (Group Discounts Available) Lessons in Worcester

"A fantastic few hours with my family celebrating my birthday. Chris is a patient teacher......he needed to be, we were rubbish but we had such fun. ? I've collected our fired pots today and I'm so pleased with the results, they look beautiful."

Anne Goodwin reviewed: Make a leather bag in a day workshop

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course and was delighted with my bag. The course was very informal and Esther was a great teacher who adapted her tuition to the individual needs of her participants. I am not someone who sews but was pleasantly surprised by how I managed (under Esther's watchful eye) to create my tote bag with such ease."

Leather Needle Thread responded:

"Hi Anne, thank you so much for your lovely review! It was so nice to meet you and I hope you get many years of pleasure from your beautiful hand made bag! Best, Esther"

Nicholas Palmer reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"I have just finished my third carving course with Lucy (first time in York). I had just as great a time as my previous visits. Lucy is a marvellous teacher and person altogether. She is very encouraging and urged me to try something new, and because she did I got to use tools more effectively and came away with new skills. Her home is in a perfect area close to the centre of York so dinner is easy to find and Hotels very nearby. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t sign up."

Rachel reviewed: Felt Lampshades

"I have loved doing this short course and was amazed with my finished felt lampshade - my friends don't believe I made it! Emma gives you just the right amount of support and step by step instructions throughout - she is a wonderful teacher. There are lots of beautiful coloured and un-dyed wools to choose from and a mouthwatering selection of fancy fibres and yarns to use too. Working over two days helped me to digest everything, from felt making to making the lampshade, I've learnt so much. The detailed handout instructions given back up anything I forget and will help me have another go. I left so inspired, thank you."

Janet Fearn reviewed: Craft Retreat at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"Rosie is the icing and the cherry on the cake! The course content and accommodation met the description, however it is in the detail that you find the excellence. Rosie's consummate people skills brought 6 strangers into a cohesive group. Anyone wondering if the course would be suitable for them as a lone traveller worry not! Yoga teacher Joannie brought us peace and relaxation, Ele amazing folk singing and Ali beautiful wool! Josie's forest home where we spent time dyeing wool in cast iron pots over open fires and felting is amazing with stunning views. Her huge barn workshop was like walking through the wardrobe and finding yourself in Narnia...........magical."

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Janet, thank-you so much for your lovely words, it was so nice to have met you and i'm so glad you enjoyed your time with us. Come and see us if you make it up this way again! Yours Rosie"

Esme Kettle reviewed: Felt Lampshades

"What an excellent experience. I am thrilled with my lampshade. Emma made us feel so welcome and her garden studio is beautiful. She gave us plenty of advice and guided us through each stage of making the felt and constructing the lampshade with patience and skills. I have a limited amount of felt making experience, but this didn't matter as Emma's support, advice and encouragement helped me bring my ideas to life. Thank you Emma - brilliant workshop!"

Allison reviewed: Embroidery for beginners

"I enjoyed my day. It was good to be broken of some bad habits I had picked up as a child. And put some demons to bed! I haven’t touched embroidery since school days except for a few french knots and blanket stitch on my felt Pied Piper last year. It was that which made me realise I enjoyed stitching but needed help and your course did just that. I was delighted to see your work as well. I am keen to carry on stitching."

Glynis Hillier reviewed: Burnt Fen Alpacas - Amazing Alpacas Spinning and Weaving Workshop

"Thanks to Annie and Julia for an excellent and enjoyable course. The Alpacas are such characters and, despite the fact that the spinning was a challenge, I came away with a beautiful book cover! The setting for the first day at Burnt Fen was lovely, working in the yurt, delicious lunch in the open air and the chance to feed carrots to the alpacas. The second day, in the studio, was relaxed and productive with more lovely food to keep us going. The whole experience was great and has given me the taste for doing some more. If you get the chance try walking with the alpacas too, you won't regret it!"

Megan Collins reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"Awesome weekend with Rosie! We learned so much from her. The course was very well-paced and we covered a lot of material. I would highly recommend doing one of her workshops if you have ever been interested in natural dyes, or want to learn a bit more! Thanks again! And thanks for all the amazing food and all the tea!"

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Megan, I'm so glad you enjoyed our natural dyeing weekend, it was lovely to have met you and I hope you can now really get stuck into dyeing. Yours Rosie"

Jane reviewed: One day Mosaic workshop Moon Hare Studio, Devon

"Dear Adela, Both Jacky and I thoroughly enjoyed our day with you, thank you so much. I was amazed how the grout brought everything to life, I am really pleased with the result. Thank you again Jane"

Jacqui Kent reviewed: Mosaic in a day at Cowshed Creative in the Lake District National Park near Kendal and Windermere

"The mosaic class was excellent. It was a small, friendly class so we all had plenty of individual attention from our teacher Kay, and we had a good selection of materials to choose from. The barn is beautifully converted with a great atmosphere and an enormous wood burning stove to keep us warm. The lunch was delicious and plentiful with yummy cake in the afternoon. The day was great value for money, I'm very pleased with my mosaic and I'll definitely be going back to learn more."

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Thanks for all your lovely comments Jacqui. Hope to see you again!"

Laure reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I recently spent the day spoon carving with Dave at the Woodward. It was a fantastic day, Dave is a great teacher with plenty of knowledge and patience. Safety was paramount and yet we all came home with two handmade pieces, a spoon and a spreader, not bad for a days work, considering we started off with a lump of wood and an axe. I also purchased a few more spoons which I will use as reference for my winter spoon carving. So all in all I found this day enjoyable, relaxing, informative and I totally recommend it, my only regret is that I didn’t stay for the second day!"

Kath Dane reviewed: Glass Bead Making Workshop - For Two People

"Fantastic course! I am a complete beginner and wanted to learn the new skill of glass bead making. Found Julia's course through this website and I couldn't have made a better choice. She is excellent at explaining how to make a bead and use different techniques to personalise and decorate them. I was on making a bead within 15 minutes of entering the room and felt very supported, guided and directed throughout the session. I was really pleased with the beads I made and gave the first one to my Mom on a lovely sliver chain for her 94th birthday present. I left the day feeling like I wanted to learn and practice more. I have since done a second day with Julia and made myself some lovely earrings. I can't recommend Julia enough as an competent and encouraging instructor and the course as a great way to learn a new art or refine your existing skill."