Latest reviews

Sue Astbury reviewed: Abstract Landscape with Award Winning Artist Catherine MacDiarmid at Cowshed Creative in the Lake District

"Really enjoyed this course. Catherine was a great tutor, providing lots of guidance and encouragement. The venue was a lovely building, good location, but a little cramped for the activities. Food provided was generous and very tasty. Overall good value for money."

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Thanks Sue for such positive feedback. You are right, we will definitely increase the table space for painting activities next time and provide some easels. Hope to see you again."

Mike Parroy reviewed: Weekly morning stone carving sessions in Somerset with Sculptor Kate Semple

"Kate is a simply wonderful teacher. I am not a natural artist but she managed to get me creating in stone something of which I was proud. She is enthusiastic, funny, hugely skilful and very kind. Go on her course because you will love it."

Ian Wilson reviewed: Make a shave horse at Sallerton Wood

"Just spent a couple of very enjoyable days at Sallerton Wood making a shave horse. The wood is a lovely place to work, the framed buildings are an inspiration as well as being very in keeping with the whole weekend. The workshop is well equipped and the pace just right - getting on with it without feeling rushed. Andy is a knowledgeable and sympathetic teacher who helps you when you need help and lets you get on with it once you've got the hang of it. As others have mentioned tea facilities and cake are excellent and the camping was very relaxing of an evening. Learning green woodwork in an idyllic setting is an absolute pleasure so I'm looking forward to booking up the six day chair making course soon! In the mean time I'm off to start using my new shavehorse"

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Than you very much indeed for posting your enthusiastic review, Ian. We're very pleased that you enjoyed the course and environment at Sallerton Wood, and we look forward to welcoming you back there for a Chair-making course. Enjoy using your new shave horse in the meantime!"

Joanna Kin reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"I really enjoyed the soap making course. It was very informative and professional and at the same time Paula is very warm and welcoming lady. We were treated to a home made afternoon tea while Paula was still teaching us. I am now confident that I can make my own soap with the knowledge I have gained. Before the course I have watched many YouTube videos but I can honestly say that without the course I wouldn’t have a clue what to do. To anybody who is hesitating - go on book a course I highly recommend it! Thank you so much Paula."

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Thank you Joanna, it was a great pleasure teaching you. Good luck in your soap making journey."

Julie reviewed: Beginners’ Stained Glass, One Day Course, Llandeilo, Wales - archive

"This is a fantastic course! Simon is a very knowledgable, enthusiastic and patient teacher who knows his subject inside out. We were all thrilled with what we took home. (Especially as they were all our own designs) I shall be back for more. Thoroughly recommended!"

Anon reviewed: A year of preserving

"It has been a most enjoyable day"

anon reviewed: A year of preserving

"All of it was really good, nice to have preserves to take home."

Sandie reviewed: Stained glass weekly classes in Sheffield (South Yorkshire)

"A lovely day out! 6 of us took a bespoke Tiffany course and everyone was pleased with the work they did. I definitely recommend taking these classes, the tutors are excellent."

chris reviewed: Introduction to copper foiling workshop

"Sharon, is very knowledgeable and helpful. The studio has a lovely warming atmosphere. Thanks for your help, I enjoyed meeting you."

Manchester Stained Glass responded:

"Hi Chris, Thank you so much for your review, I am very glad you enjoyed the being in the studio and found the course helpful. It was great to meet you too. Sharon :)"

Anon reviewed: Make a Chestnut Garden Gate - one day course

"The chestnut gate making course on Sunday was very good. Please could you pass on my thanks to Mike for his excellent tuition - it was a very enjoyable day!"

Anon reviewed: Make a Chestnut Garden Gate - one day course

"We attended the course on Sunday and had a great day, it was perfect and we are so proud of the gates that we made. Mike was so patient and supportive, the lunch was great and you even arranged for just the right weather!"

Roslyn Pittoni reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"Theresa has so much enthusiasm for her craft that it spills over onto you. Her handouts were just what I needed to start off my journal on the fleeces I have collected. There was a good balance between technical and practical. My problems with carding were answered. I also learnt a different way of spinning to my technique I use already. All in all a great day with a lovely tutor in a fabulous setting."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Ros. I am so pleased that you enjoyed your day and found it informative too. I always say it but it never feels like work to me when I know that somebody else has enjoyed their spinning. As for your individually styled technique, don't stop! Crafting is all about your expression and enjoyment although a few 'extra tools' in the bag are always handy! Do keep up the good work. x"

Julie Williams reviewed: Half-day traditional basketry willow workshops with Pip Cottage in Lancashire

"Hi there, I attended the oval basket course at Lytham - ecopod on Sunday 1st September, 2019. It was an amazing experience and Julie was an excellent teacher. Julie is very knowledgeable about all the different aspects of basket making and made it a fun and interesting day. It was my first basket weaving adventure and would certainly recommend it to others who are thinking about signing up for a workshop. I was so happy with my basket and can't believe how professional it looks. Great day!"

Pip Cottage responded:

"Thanks for your great response and glad that you enjoyed the day. Your basket was very good, especially for a first basket, I really like the flow and shape. Enjoy your basket and thanks again, Julie (Pip Cottage)."

Meryl Davies reviewed: Wheel thrown mug workshop

"What a brilliant afternoon! I'd booked a private lesson for a friend, whose birthday it was that day, and myself. Jack is an excellent teacher - neither of us had done any pottery since school days but we created three pots each! Can't wait to get the finished articles back. Wonderful venue, very friendly welcome and expert tuition. Would definitely recommend and definitely want to go again!"

Sally P reviewed: Relief Carving in Stone with Pip Hall ...a 3 day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Dear Pip, We both wanted to say a big thank you for the wonderful weekend we spent with you, beginning to learn how to letter carve. We had a really great time despite the achy muscles and heads crammed to bursting with new knowledge. Neither of us realised just how physically tiring it would be and I certainly hadn’t banked on brain overload by day three! You’ve definitely turned us into fledgling carvers, keen to do more, so internet purchases will be made in the next few days, if not this evening. It was certainly a very different journey home, with lettering and stone leaping out at us from every angle. Thank you so much."

Sally p reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"Dear Pip, We both wanted to say a big thank you for the wonderful weekend we spent with you, beginning to learn how to letter carve. We had a really great time despite the achy muscles and heads crammed to bursting with new knowledge. Neither of us realised just how physically tiring it would be and I certainly hadn’t banked on brain overload by day three! You’ve definitely turned us into fledgling carvers, keen to do more, so internet purchases will be made in the next few days, if not this evening. It was certainly a very different journey home, with lettering and stone leaping out at us from every angle. Thank you so much."

Hannah Day reviewed: Photoshop - an artist's guide for beginners

"I've just returned from 3 days of excellent tuition from Shelly, with lots of ideas and a vastly increased level of confidence in using Photoshop. We received a very warm welcome into Shelly's lovely home, and were fed extremely well! Highly recommended."

Shelly Perkins Wildlife Artist responded:

"Thankyou Hannah for being such a great student and thankyou for your lovely comments!"

Brent Hoe reviewed: Weekly morning stone carving sessions in Somerset with Sculptor Kate Semple

"Having dabbled with some stone carving previously, I started weekly courses with Kate and found it to be such a rewarding time and so much better than a previous experience I had elsewhere. Kate makes sure you carve something you like rather than a set piece from a book. There is no pressure and everyone works at their own pace, Kate takes her time explaining the process, making sure that everyone progresses to a finished work of art by the end of the course. Its great to create something from nothing! Really recommend it."

Ann Barnes reviewed: Beginner's tapestry weaving workshops

"Matty’s workshop was very informative and ideally suited for a beginner. She gave clear instructions and kept a good pace for all abilities, giving extra support when needed or helping others to progress to the next stage. The course was well structured and highly organised, written handouts supplied to reinforce teaching. Further developments were also discussed using students own visual material. I would be keen to sign up to future workshops, or would be interested in a mini programmed progressive course to develop skills, over several weeks or monthly workshops."

Angela Zhong reviewed: Small Leather Goods Workshop

"The experience was amazing! I cannot describe how happy I was when I finishing making the belt for my boyfriend. Richard was absolutely brilliant and patient. I was the only one that day for the workshop, so I got an absolute 1-to-1 learning experience from him. Next weekend my boyfriend and I will celebrate our one-year anniversary, I can't wait to see his face when he sees the belt. Thank you very much, I will come back for more leather workshops :-)"

Jane Norman reviewed: The Zarzo Flower Basket

"A wonderful afternoon. Nicki and her husband were so friendly and welcoming, as well as being very patient teachers. I went home with a lovely tipi rather than the bunch of sticks I had anticipated! Recommend wholeheartedly."

Linda Collings reviewed: Fused Glass workshops at Bere Alston, near Tavistock, Devon

"Wow! I have had a wonderful day and learnt a lot about Fused Glass. Wendy our tutor was very informative and patient! Loved every moment and would recommend the experience."

Linsey Collings reviewed: Fused Glass workshops at Bere Alston, near Tavistock, Devon

"Thank you so much for your patience and advice. I am really impressed with the course and the end result is something I will treasure. The Studio and facilities are perfect and the whole experience was brilliant, especially for a non-artistic person!"

Cheryll Mills reviewed: Fused Glass workshops at Bere Alston, near Tavistock, Devon

"It was a complete surprise to attend the workshop (birthday treat). Glorious location and great facilities. Wendy is a great and very patient tutor who really supports your ideas and helping you create a personal piece. I would really recommend the day course as you will learn so much and have a piece of work to remember it. Wonderful x"

Anya de Visme reviewed: Introduction to leatherwork with Armitage Leather

"I had two consecutive days under Nigel's watchful eye, and had an utterly fantastic time. Nigel is an excellent teacher; insightful and amusing, he taught me a massive amount in the two days. Before this course, I had never handled leather from a maker's perspective. My experience was so positive that I am inclined to delve much further into the medium, and I feel that Nigel's teaching means I stand a good chance of becoming proficient (with further tuition). The full process of making my chosen item was covered, including measuring, patterning, cutting, riveting, saddle stitching and finishing. Nigel made sure that I did every part of my final piece, while he demonstrated and instructed separately. As a result, I feel much more secure in the skills I learned. I went home with a rather lovely scaled bracer (a fully functional and aesthetically attractive armour piece that I shall treasure for a long time), a confidence boost and potentially a new passion. I cannot recommend this course enough; an absolute treat on every count!"