Latest reviews

Maria reviewed: 1hr Potter's Wheel Heskin, Chorley

"Our tutor was lovely and took us through what to do then we had free time to do our own thing. It would have been beneficial for our tutor to stay with us as we still needed her guidance me in particular as one of our lovely items just needed our tutor to help finish it off and avoid a collapse."

The Crafty potter responded:

"Hi Maria Thank you for your review. Our classes are designed to give you both tutored & time alone, so you can have a play and experience the wheel. During time by yourselves it is explained that we are around and shout us over as much as you need to. We always ensure that you get at least one pot of the wheel even if this means going over time, as we did for you on your visit. Unfortunately your last try was to wet to be saved, it all part of the fun when learning :)"

Clare Goldsmith reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Basket Making for Beginners/Improvers - Day Course at Cowshed Workshop, Tenterden, Kent

"This was my first 2 day weaving course that I'd ever tried and am so pleased I took the plunge Marianne made me feel very welcome and she is a great tutor offering her expertise to help us make a basket we can be proud of. It was a peaceful setting where I was able to relax and get away from my normal life and indulge in some me time Marianne is very clever and has inspired me to want to do more weaving! So watch this space I will be back!! "

Crafty Basketry responded:

"So elated with your review, Clare! Thank you so much for sharing that with the world. Can't wait to see you back and challenge you with something new that you can then start applying to other projects. Can I tempt you with wreath weaving? ;D See you soon. All the best for now. Marianne"

Jane Scott reviewed: Lino printing workshop - introduction to linocut block printing

"Great class and lovely, very helpful teacher. We did the 2.5 hr class and came away with a lino cut and multiple prints … all very satisfying. Vicki is a lovely teacher, very knowledgeable and helpful. The venue is comfortable and easy to access, with an amazing antique letter press and lots of lovely art to admire in the gallery."

Vicki Jordan Art responded:

"Thanks for your review Jane, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the session. Your prints were fab!"

Sue Watling reviewed: Willow Weaving class: Dragonfly, Bee or Daisy

"I leant new skills and came home with a lovely willow weaving dragonfly. Chrissy was informative and encouraging. "

Sue reviewed: Introduction to leaded stained glass

"It was well set up and I had an enjoyable day learning how to make a stained glass with a little creativity so came out with my own little creation. Lunch was delicious and Gen was very patient. "

Wicked Gen Crafts responded:

"Thank you for your lovely feedback. I had a great day with you and am glad you enjoyed making your leaded Stained Glass panel."

Sally reviewed: Painting with beeswax & dyes - Batik Pictures

"This was a relaxed and informative day and I felt able to experiment, with support from the very helpful and experienced tutor. I was pleased with my finished piece and feel I learned enough to pursue batik painting further. I enjoyed the course very much. Thank you 😊"

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"Thank you for attending my creative day. Your batik painting looked amazing and I do hope that you keep creating. You are very talented. "

Josh reviewed: Wild flower and copper foiling workshop

"Everyone enjoyed the class.and really helpful tutor! Would definitely recommend "

Jillian reviewed: Wire Wrapped Crystal Necklace Workshop with Hand Crafted Jewellery by Jo

"I enjoyed the class very much, Jo gave easy instructions and the finished piece turned out well. Thank you"

Handcrafted Jewellery by Jo responded:

"Thats brilliant. See you soon x "

Jan Hamill reviewed: Beginners spoon carving

"Lovely to meet everyone. Had a very educational and productive day. First time attempting anything like this. The end result, l got a lot of positive feedback from my friends etc. ´It actually looks like a spoon’. I must admit l did receive a lot of help from Nick, great teacher, and thanks to Debbie too. "

Gosman Spoon Co. responded:

"Thank you Jan!"

Matilda reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"Lucy's stone carving course was great! She has decades of expertise and she shares this knowledge in an informative, fun and really helpful way. She also provides loads of 1-to-1 support and guidance throughout the course. If you're keen to learn stone carving, I really recommend this workshop."

Eva reviewed: Wooden Pendant Carving with Giles Newman

"Last weekend I attended Giles's pendant carving course. They are in a lovely location. Giles and Maddy were lovely and taught us so much about the carving skills, keeping ourselves safe and to have a great time. I came away with a lovely pendant and really enjoyed the day. I have already mentioned it to my friend and we may join them again next year for another day. Thank you so much Giles and Maddy. It has been very inspiring and have bought a carving knife and will definitely be practicing. Eva"

Giles Newman responded:

"Oh that’s so lovely to hear Eva! Thank you. I’m so chuffed that you enjoyed the day and especially that you will be carrying on with the woodcarving."

Helen Smith reviewed: Introduction to fused glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"A lovely class with lots of step by step explanation, demonstration and individual support as needed. Freedom to try your own ideas or take inspiration from lots of different examples. I learnt a lot and had a very enjoyable day. Thoroughly recommend!"

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review."

Helen reviewed: Table Loom Weaving Workshop - Dobby & Rose

"Excellent course, really enjoyed it and would like to try it again. Rebecca is very helpful and offers clear explanations."

Ron McConnachie reviewed: Cleft ash gate making with Gedwood

"Had a great time learning something new with the use of hands and woodworking tools, Ged is a great instructor, explains and demonstrates what needs to be done and then lets you get on with it, he will stop you if he hears the wood splitting with a crack in the wood that is not correct, only experience gives you this knowledge.... Met other great people on the course and three individual gates were made, looking forward to seeing them in their final position, Cleft ash gate making with Gedwood is highly recommended. A positively 5 Star Plus experience, Bravo Zulu Ged."

Gedwood responded:

"Yes it was a great weekend of shaving and carving Ron. Enjoy hanging your gate!👍"

Carole reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"A brilliant basket making course, from start to finish. Johnny & Becky have a well structured method of teaching, the day went like clockwork. Such an enjoyable day spent at their lovely workshop in an idyllic location. I was totally amazed that the basket made was as big & strong as it was, couldnt wait to bring my first attempt home to show it off . Thank you so much both."

Heather Roy reviewed: Log to Stool with Gedwood

"Had a fantastic day with Gedwood making a stool. Not only did the sun shine throughout the day and make it an enjoyable experience. Can’t wait to enjoy my stool. "

Gedwood responded:

"Thanks Heather. Glad you enjoyed the day making a lovely stool😊"

Jennifer reviewed: Make a Stamped Silver Ring - Jewellery making workshop

"My daughter and I attended Ruth's ring-making workshop and had a lovely time learning so many techniques and making silver rings. Ruth is such a lovely teacher, with a great deal of knowledge and patience! It was such a lovely afternoon and we hope to return for a follow-up workshop soon."

Ash reviewed: Cleft ash gate making with Gedwood

"Really enjoyed the course. Ged was an excellent instructor knowing exactly when to let us get on with and when he needed to intervene. His experience, knowledge and passion for his craft were insightful and inspiring. I’d never done anything with greenwood before and have learned so much in a short space of time. I found the whole thing quite a mindful experience and got a beautiful gate out of it at the end!"

Gedwood responded:

"Hi Ash, thanks for that and i'm glad you enjoyed the green woodworking experience👍"

M Ostheimer reviewed: Stained glass sun catcher lesson

"My wife and I have just finished a fascinating sun catcher course with Graham. We not only learnt a whole new craft skill but had a fun day too, chatting with Graham and exchanging experiences. His skill is amazing and we came out with two extremely cool good looking sun catchers. This course is highly recommended to anyone looking to brighten up their house or garden with some self made colourful radiant glass ornaments. "

GrahamsGlass responded:

"Thank you very much I’m so pleased you enjoyed yourselves."

Vera reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"I feel very fortunate to have attended a 5-day workshop on plaster for models and moulds in my home country (BE), led by the brilliant Ed Bentley. The main focus was on sledging, a technique that, to my knowledge, is not commonly taught here—except perhaps in construction work. We were a very demanding group, each with our own project, but Ed navigated this masterfully, seamlessly switching between students. Every step was explained clearly, with a touch of British humour. As non-native English speakers, we found Ed perfectly understandable (though communicating the other way around may have been more of a challenge!). We all managed to create several models and moulds by the end. Some of us also had the chance to try out the lathe and the whirler, though sledging remained the central topic. It's worth noting that Ed was teaching outside of his own studio, without his usual materials or even the plaster he was used to. Yet, as participants, we hardly noticed this. Throughout the workshop, Ed remained good-humoured, pleasant, and fun. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, both in terms of technical learning and the human connections we made. I will definitely sign up again if Ed crosses the channel once more!"

Simon sweeney reviewed: Pen making and wood turning introduction

"Phill is very knowledgeable and a great teacher learnt so much in just 1 day it was fantastic."

Judith reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"My partner and I absolutely loved this workshop. We each completed a basket. We were able to each make a different basket-him a large round basket and me a foraging basket. We love them and they will be very useful. Becky and Johnny were very good teachers and the lunch was delicious. I thoroughly recommend this workshop."

Timothy Hill reviewed: Cleft ash gate making with Gedwood

"Terrific weekend with a great group of green woodworkers. Ged gently guided us through the process and each of us produced a distinctive gate at the end of the course. Really satisfying and I can’t wait to hang the result!"

Gedwood responded:

"Hi Tim, Glad you enjoyed the course! Hope to see you again on another green woodworking adventure!👍 "

Ceri reviewed: Green Man clay sculpture course

"What a fantastic experience! Miranda has such a talent, and is also a great teacher. I was thrilled with the Green Man face I produced, and everyone else on the Worksop day produced a wonderful result too. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this workshop to anyone, and I’ll certainly book again. Thank you Miranda - a 5* experience! "

Amerton Arts Studio responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review Ceri, glad you enjoyed the day. Best wishes Miranda"

Robert reviewed: Green Man clay sculpture course

"The course is excellent, regardless of skill set the instructions are delivered in a very clear manner and tutor is more than happy to help and provide expert feedback throughout. Would highly recommend to anyone who is looking at Ceramic crafting. "