Latest reviews

Paula Harmer reviewed: Create beautiful animal portraits in workshops on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales

"I am quite experienced with pastels, but learned something straight away! I came away knowing more than when I arrived and having had a very enjoyable time. Teaching was good .... a very mixed ability group! My only criticism - too short!"

Kate West responded:

"Hi Paula, thanks for taking the time to leave a review, it’s really appreciated. Great to know you learned something in spite of being accomplished in pastels... When you told me you could transfer the skills used to draw the Fox to any pet I knew I was speaking to a teacher... I used to teach mixed ability groups in FE and think the group as a whole can often benefit from this mix of skills. Following the group feedback I’m thinking of making a 5 hour workshop for next year ? Kate"

Richard Adams reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I wanted a one day throwing lesson for my friend Rina who was visiting from Holland, I could not have made a better choice, Mathew was just perfect. Rina wrote her review (sic) “It was a wonderful gift. A few hours on Saturday, Mathew taught me basic techniques for working with pot turning + same relevant tools. At the end of the day I was able to make my own idea for a clay jug on the disc. It was a perfect day.” Thanks from both of us."

Dimbleby Ceramics - Studio Pottery Courses responded:

"Thank you Richard,it was lovely to meet you both. It was great to see Rina achieve her goals during the day and go away with the confidence to use her new skills. Best wishes Mathew"

Patricia reviewed: Business candle making workshop - one to one

"I recently attended Kerry's Business Candle Making Workshop and found it fantastic both in terms of presentation and content. Kerry is an excellent teacher and provided comprehensive notes to take away. I travelled from Ireland and found Kerry very helpful when making travel arrangements and that was very much appreciated. She also provided a lovely cup of coffee on arrival which was very welcome. Attending the course was very worthwhile and I now have the knowledge to start making candles. I would thoroughly recommend this course."

John Leahy reviewed: Make a shave horse at Sallerton Wood

"A really great experience in a beautiful setting. The tutor was very knowledgeable and a grand host. Learnt a lot, had a lot of laughs, and got to make a shave horse that I will treasure for years. Highly recommended."

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Thanks, John, for your review and recommendation. We're very pleased that you enjoyed the course and its woodland setting."

Denise Elliott reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this workshop. There were only 4 of us which meant good individual attention and no waiting around for assistance. Alice is a very patient teacher and I learnt plenty. The location is fab. An all round great experience."

Sarah Bridger reviewed: Stained Glass Beginners Workshop

"Excellent day, and absolutely delighted with my stained glass. David was patient and explained things clearly. Would thoroughly recommend."

David J Lilly responded:

"Hi Sarah, Thanks for your lovely review."

Janine Timms reviewed: Powertex art journal/canvas workshop

"Had a fantastic day with Marie. Can't believe how easy she made it for us. So happy with my finished piece. Highly recommend Marie, she is welcoming, a great teacher and extremely talented."

Jane Abbey reviewed: Small needle felted animals or pictures

"Had a lovely day learning a new skill and very pleased with my first attempt. It was a really friendly group and Barbara was very helpful and patient with us. Humbert the Hare is now in pride of place at home. Many thanks Barbara for a great experience - and a lovely lunch too!!"

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"Thank you Jane. I so glad that your Humbert is taking pride of place, looking as handsome as ever lol!"

Audrey Reiss reviewed: Beginning spinning

"I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from the day at Beechwood Crafts with Cath. I took my own wheel, wanting to learn with it. Cath is a very good teacher. I had felt nervous beforehand but she welcomed us with warmth and put everyone at ease. We learned about our wheels, and about different breeds of sheep and their wool qualities and we tried spinning with different types of fleece. I feel encouraged to follow a long held wish to learn to spin and to go on and do more courses. Thank you so much Cath. I recommend this course, highly. It was stimulating and very enjoyable."

Dave Colwell reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A fantastic day learning the basics of blacksmithing. Mort is a very friendly chap and made me feel very welcome. I'd not done blacksmithing before but Mort's teaching techniques soon made me feel as though I could give it go. The end results were pretty good for a complete beginner. I would recommend this to anyone who has even a slight interest in blacksmithing."

Julia reviewed: Dye Recycled Materials + Create Mixed Media Embellishments

"Great workshop! I enrolled to learn Jess’s disperse dye techniques. I loved her ideas for spray painting washers and making handmade sequins out of plastics straws and bubble wrap. Jess was a generous and knowledgable teacher with loads of tips. I came home bubbling with inspiration, with a stash of hand-dyed and upcycled plastic embellishments. Well worth the trip from London to Leeds."

Jessica Grady embroidery artist responded:

"Thank you Julia - so pleased that you enjoyed the day!"

Melanie Smith reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Absolutely beautiful venue and an excellent course, building confidence and independence with lots of support (and I need plenty!) Totally recommend this course - a fabulous day with a great and patient teacher!"

Alison Knight reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"A fabulous day - wonderful surroundings on the canal, set off by glorious weather, followed by great company. Excellent tuition and some lovely pieces of jewellery made by myself at the end of the day - A perfect Sunday!"

Liz Jubb reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Had a fantastic day and ended up with some lovely jewellery, with the satisfaction of having made it myself. Great fun."

Ann Stelling reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"A really excellent workshop with clear and helpful instruction which built confidence and enabled me to make three items, a key ring, rings and a silver bangle which all turned out successfully. The venue was a tranquil canal boat with swans sailing by - and the cake was to die for. I would heartily recommend this workshop, and indeed will pass on information to my friends."

Susan Sanderson reviewed: Level 2 Advanced FURNITURE PAINTING Skills Workshop Intermediate/Advanced (1 Day) - Lancashire

"Completed both Level 1 and Level 2 courses in furniture painting techniques with Jo. Great to learn about different products and gain confidence in how to use them. Jo is a lovely teacher and encourages creativity and the desire to go home and paint everything using the skills learnt.!. The courses are fun, informative and friendly and I have already booked on the upholstery course. Highly recommend......plus the cakes are delicious x"

The Boho Shed responded:

"I'm so delighted you are enjoying the workshops Susan. Thank you for your lovely words and I look forward to teaching you how to upholster next week. x"

Hazel Gillott reviewed: Mosaic experience workshop for two with award winning artist Julie Vernon Nottinghamshire

"Amazing day. I booked the day for myself and a friend for her birthday and we had a fab time. Julie is a great teacher, the workshop was planned to perfection and on top of that lunch was lovely. I’ve already had some lovely comments about my work and I only made it yesterday. We are going back in a couple of months to make more advanced projects!"

Zoe H reviewed: Autumn eco printing (on paper) - abitmoreink workshop, Saltaire

"I attended this course in Leeds recently and thoroughly enjoyed it! Issy and Sue were friendly, helpful and informative, and I learnt a lot. The process is so enjoyable, and it's really fun to unwrap your prints and see how they've turned out!"

Pam reviewed: Create a ceramic animal sculpture with Twisted Earth Ceramics at Ilkley Manor Studio

"Had an amazing time today making a hare, Richard was a great teacher and I managed to make a good sculpture that did look like a hare."

Caje Moniz reviewed: Stained Glass Weekend for Beginners

"From just an idea, to completion of a leaded stained glass panel was such an accomplishment for me, made possible by Jude's excellent patient guidance. The class was small and studio facilities excellent, enabling us to focus wholeheartedly to learning and trying out new techniques towards a pleasing piece and art form. Jude has a pleasing and professional approach, covering aspects of history of the art and craft form, gives excellent and patient guidance taking each one from scraps of coloured glass to a delightful art piece in 2 days. I thoroughly recommend the course as a taster with a view of developing it to more ambitious projects of leaded stained glass and fusion."

Louise Goss reviewed: Small needle felted animals or pictures

"Very knowledgeable and friendly tutor with a lovely relaxed manner. Really enjoyable time."

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"Thank you Louise, it was lovely to meet you :-)"

Lynn burrow reviewed: One day atmospheric landscape oil painting course aboard the narrowboat Peewit with Melanie Max

"As a complete beginner, I spent a fabulous day with Melanie on her beautiful floating studio. After a short boat ride onto the fens with views of kingfisher, egret, coots and moorhens, Melanie gave a good introduction to the day, explaining about paints and how to mix them, even teaching me how to use the palette and various brushes, then demonstrating creating a gradient before cutting in and adding colour to create a wonderful landscape. When it was time for me to have a go she was extraordinarily patient, providing advice about how to create perspective and create light and using tone and colour to create interest. She provided rescue remedies when things went wrong and I was amazed at the artwork I created by the end of the day and delighted to go home with Melanie’s demonstration piece. It was an absolutely amazing experience with a wonderful instructor which I will remember forever. I would highly recommend it."

Jackie reviewed: Paint pouring with tea & cake

"Thoroughly enjoyable day. Perfect for someone like me who has no artistic abilities. Lovely setting and lovely teachers. I would highly recommend."

Sue Pell reviewed: Relax, stretch, and release tension with a small group, in the woods

"The day was much more relaxing and calming than I had expected. An experience for all the senses. Walking through the woods. Noticing the small things you never usually see...the raindrops sparkling on the leaves. The sounds and smells of the forest. The touch of soft moss on the trees. This was my first experience of outdoor yoga. Under the trees dappled in sunlight through the trees. By the river, and in an open field with only trees around you. A beautiful experience."

Stephen Fallowfield reviewed: Introduction to beekeeping near Bishops Waltham

"Having completed Louise’s course in December 2018 we established our first colony in April 2019. The structure and content of the course along with Louise’s enthusiasm for beekeeping and willingness to share her own experiences enabled us to prepare well and go ahead successfully. Louise took us through all the crucial first practical steps of beekeeping and the essential underpinning information relating to the practical basis of beekeeping, colony life and health; the use of the “virtual” hives allowed us to put theory into practice and become more confident. Would recommend Louise’s course to anyone who has already decided to start beekeeping or for those who are yet to decide whether it is for them."

Louise's Apiary responded:

"Thank you Steve. Glad it has allowed you to get started and progress your beekeeping."