Latest reviews

Hilary Reid reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I booked the pottery day for my husbands birthday. We had no experience of using the wheel and were amazed under Matthews tuiton to be able to complete four pieces ! He is an excellent tutor with care and patience in abundance!"

Sam reviewed: One day fused glass course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"Another really great glass course day with Paul. Excellent guidance and tuition. Thanks Paul from all 4 of us "

Stephanie Lester reviewed: Introduction to Natural Inks and Paints

"I loved the introduction to natural inks and paints course. Firstly the setting was perfect and Claudia is a very welcoming and knowlegable host and teacher. The course numbers are limited so you get very personal tuition. We made ink, oil paint and watercolour and we took samples away with us. I feel so inspired to equally grow plants and forage in our new home. I want to have jars of pigment on my shelf which represent my local area. I was the only one on the course that currently paints, so this course is not just for artists, it really is for anyone who is interested in their surroundings and how to naturally create inks, paints and pigments. Congratulations on such a wonderful course."

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely and detailed review Stephanie (and to Steve for his posts on social media), it is hugely appreciated and so valuable to us, especially in these early days of introducing a new workshop. It was a pleasure to meet you, we’re delighted that you enjoyed the day and will really look forward to following progress with your new adventure! We’ve been busy saving seeds from our dye garden this year so do let us know if you’d like any and we can pop them in the post. Best wishes, Ellie & Claudia "

Emma reviewed: Mosaic Bird Bath Workshop

"I had the absolute best time creating my mosaic bird bath with Sarah. She's got plenty of inspiration for you, and also very happy to advise on any designs or ideas you come in. She helped me scale down my very ambitious design into something achievable and I'm thrilled with the result. She has so many different tiles (colours, shapes, sizes) and enough for everyone in the class. She kept us all topped up with tea and coffee the whole time and is such a lovely fun person. Highly recommend. "

Glass Quarter Designs responded:

"Thank you Emma! You were brilliant!"

Tom reviewed: Hand forged viking knife one day workshop

"I loved my day at Anvil Forge doing the Viking knife making day. We started off making a poker and then moved on to knife making. Only 2 of us in the group so lots of close guidance from our instructor, Spencer (who was excellent), and meant nothing felt rushed but also no waiting around. Really recommend this course, very pleased with the two pieces I made. Now, can I fit a forge in the garage..."

Jo Clunie reviewed: Lampshade making with Grace & Favour Home, Devon

"Thank you Rachel The five ladies absolutely loved the course and the resulting quality of lampshade impressed us all!! You teaching was perfect. Thank you - we will no doubt be back for more crafty antics! "

Grace & Favour Home responded:

"Thank you so much for joining us Jo, you were a delightful group to teach and you all made excellent lampshades so well done all!"

Sam Carter reviewed: Woodwork Hand tools, basic joints (1 day)

"woodwork hand tools, 1 day course. Mark is a really nice guy and a good teacher. I enjoyed the day and look forward to returning next year for a different workshop. "

2 Rivers Tool Training responded:

"I'm glad you had a good day, and learnt a lot through the workshop on woodworking joints, you did really well. I look forward to next time too."

Sian reviewed: Two day (consecutive) stained glass starter course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"Great course, Paul is a very patient and knowledgeable tutor and I am really happy with my panel, can't quite believe I managed to make anything so good, think it's down to the teaching."

Fran reviewed: Needle Felting Workshop - landscape pictures

"A great morning. Pip is very organised, goes through everything very thoroughly and answers all questions. Excellent preparation for starting a new hobby!"

Kel H reviewed: Creative Mosaic Making in-a-Day!

"Brilliant 2 hour workshop, lots of beautiful bits to chose from...ceramics, glass, beads, tiles. Lisa-Marie is a great tutor, relaxed atmosphere, lovely work-room, can't wait to go again!"

Creative Avenue York responded:

"Thankyou so much Kelly. I'm delighted that you could incorporate your own found sherd of china into your pendant. Remember your loyalty card for another workshop, look forward to seeing you again! Kind regards, Lisa-marie"

Heather Raisin reviewed: Paint & Create - Adult Christmas decoration art workshop

"Excellent workshop. Lovely tutor and great atmosphere. Really enjoyed the experience."

Paint & Create responded:

"Hi Heather, Thank you so much for your lovely review and for letting me know how much you enjoyed the workshop . I really appreciate you taking the time to write it. Best wishes Josie . "

Phil Garrett reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"This was an excellent course, I was able learn a great range of skills. There is a lot of work to get done in two days but Peter and Toby explain everything very clearly and I felt i had the time I needed to complete everything. It was really great to come away with a stool that I had made myself."

Chris F reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"A fantastic intro to epoxy resin pouring. Thanks to Richard for all his help and expert knowledge. The workshop is a great space to work with everything you’d need to start learn about resin pours."

Jeanette Pezare reviewed: Furzie's Needle Felt Workshop - Somerset

"Michelle was lovely & was a fantastic tutor, i learnt so much & it has given me lots of ideas & a new enthusiasm as i was feeling stuck with my felting. "

Richard Surma reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"I wish to express how impressed, happy and buzzing I am after spending a day with the Blended Monkey team - a superb experience throughout. The communication through appointment set-up was exceptional, the team friendly and responsive. The day I spent in Simon's artistic and extremely patient hands was thrilling to me - as someone who needed to unlearn a load of self-taught nonsense, Simon put me right carefully, without rushing and indulged my incessant questions like he was enjoying himself..I certainly was. Without a pause, Simon basically put together a bespoke day to guide me through the things I was interested in (if it aint a Bowl...I aint interested....)...but firmly informed me of the things I had to get right like some Zen/Guru of wood...The techniques I have come away with have my hands aching to get to work and my brain alive with plans for my next project (probably a bowl...). The facilities are excellent, clean, safe, peaceful and robust...lunch was great and I have a sneaky feeling the scones were homemade....yummy. Follow-up notes and links are immediate and arrived the day after my course and useful stuff like items in Simon's workshop for safe storage of tools included also, notes are simple, clear and easy to follow......I'm going back, tool sharpening course first....I think. Cant thank Louise and Simon enough for a great experience but even more for lighting a fire under a hobby I have had for about a year now have been enjoying greatly, and now am having trouble containing my enthusiasm for. First class all round."

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi Richard, Immensely grateful for a heartfelt review and look forward to seeing you again soon. Happy turning! — Simon"

Liz Simpson reviewed: Mastering Pen Making.

"An enjoyable, relaxing day spent with Derek making a beautiful fountain pen. There is a wide selection of pen types and woods to choose from and he guides you through the different options to help you end up with what you would like. Derek is extremely knowledgeable and gives you confidence in using the cutting equipment, lathe etc and it gave me an appreciation of how much work goes into the process of making a pen! Can thoroughly recommend this experience."

Assynt Pens responded:

"Well done Liz. Great work, and a cracker of a pen. I’m so glad you enjoyed the experience. "

Lesley reviewed: Needle felted Dogs & Cats in (Halifax)

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day needle felting and creating a model of my dog Tom. The time whizzed by and Geraldine was a great tutor, very calm, knowledgable and approachable. Lovely venue too. Thanks so much."

Phinefibre responded:

"Thank you very much for writing a review. Fantastic to hear the day whizzed by in a good way and you enjoyed discovering a way of needle felting dogs and other animals in our wonderful heritage building. "

Bev Nation reviewed: Fused glass workshop - Plymouth

"A very reasonable price for 3 relaxed and enjoyable hours. Sheena explained everything really well beforehand. We were given a wide variety of glass shapes to choose from and were able to copy her designs if needed. A welcome cuppa and yummy cake made the morning complete. A really lovely course for 6 people which I have already recommended to my friends. Christmas decorations done ✔️ "

Animac reviewed: Watercolour Workshop with Claire Waltier MacGillivray

"Really enjoyable and very instructive morning with Claire. Valuable insight into approach to watercolour from a very experienced professional artist. I was inspired to pick up paints and brushes again. . The venue was excellent and thanks to Hannah for hosting. Tea and cake much appreciated "

M. Hayward reviewed: Create gem-inspired stones: polymer clay workshop

"Meeting Elizabeth and attending this course at Elizabeth's lovely studio was an amazing experience. Elizabeth and her husband were both very welcoming, Elizabeth is very patient and generous with her teaching. I highly recommend Elizabeth's course/workshop. "

Elizabeth Sadler Jewellery responded:

"Thank you very much for your kind words. It was such a pleasure to meet you and show you how to make ‘lapis lazuli’. Now you know how to work with polymer clay I am sure you will go on to make some beautiful jewellery."

Hannah Boot reviewed: Introduction to table loom weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury - Two day workshop

"I had an absolutely fabulous time on this workshop. I've been weaving on a rigid heddle for a few years and wanted to try my hand at weaving on a shaft loom. It was as great as I expected and Ellie was a fantastic tutor. Had a great time. Thanks Ellie. 🙂"

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for the lovely review Hannah. It was a real pleasure to meet you. Your weaving was beautiful, you're a natural! Thank you for coming 😊"

Jim Ferguson reviewed: Pen Making Course (1/2 day)

"A great day and a very interesting course. Derek is very helpful and gives you the confidence to operate the machines. There is an extensive selection of pen types and materials to choose from and at the end of the course you will leave with a working pen made by yourself. Thanks Derek. "

Assynt Pens responded:

"Thank you very much Jim. Glad you enjoyed the experience. "

Diane Shillito reviewed: Mandala Creation Drawing Workshop in the Peak District

"This was a brilliant workshop session. Tamsin was created a relaxed creative environment and was really supportive through the whole process of making my own mandala. It was absorbing and enjoyable "

Tamdala responded:

"Thankyou for your lovely review Diane. It was a pleasure to meet you and I am so pleased you enjoyed the workshop. x"

Naomi reviewed: Glass blowing course - taster

"What a wonderful course!! Steve and Angela were both so lovely, informative and encouraging. I was fortunate enough to be on my own, so I had so much expert tuition. Angela took photos so that I could have them to remember the experience. I absolutely loved my time with them. Thank you so much for an amazing experience!! Highly recommended 😊"

Chew Valley HandMade Glass responded:

"Thank you Naomi for taking the time to leave a review for us. It was a pleasure to meet and work with you. We are so pleased you enjoyed your time with us yesterday. You have definitely got an artistic flare for glass, I have just posted your creations which you should be very proud of. Regards Angie and Steve "

Jane and louise reviewed: Fused Glass Flowers Wave or Candle Holder Workshop

"We had a super day at the fused glass workshop, gentle , and without pressure. We learnt a lot and our tutor answered questions without making you feel stupid. We would recommend to everyone a lovely way to spend a morning. Ps I had no skills but I'm proud of the result !"

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Good Afternoon Jane, Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review and for your lovely words, We're so glad you had a lovely time with us and we look forward to seeing you at another course soon! Kind regards, Stanwick Lakes Team"