Latest reviews

Wendy Brewin reviewed: Needle Felting Bumper Kit - Christmas. A Premium Starter Set for Adults.

"A friend recently got me interested in needle-felting, so this was my first beginners box. I thought I'd have a go at making some christmas decorations as stocking fillers for family members. I looked forward to it arriving and didn't have to wait long. It was like opening a Christmas present for myself!. everything was neatly packed. The wool colours are lovely, and the 'how-to' cards have good images and clear instructions. I've already made a Christmas pudding decoration. It would be useful to have the needles in a container with a lid, but I guess that would add to the price. All in all - very happy with my purchase. "

Bergin & Bath responded:

"Hi Wendy thank you so much for your lovely review! So pleased you are happy with your kit, you have found a wonderful new hobby! Needle felting is such a fantastic craft, there is no limit to what you can create once you get going! Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. Happy crafting!"

Julia reviewed: Abstract Acrylic painting workshop

"Laura’s Abstract Acrylics one day course was fabulous! I had already enjoyed her Colour Loves Colour day, and was excited to try to develop some abstract techniques. Laura is a font of knowledge and is very generous with sharing her skills around what works successfully to make an abstract design. She has a relaxed and engaging personality and teaching technique, and encourages even the most unconfident student to produce work that has positive aspects to it. All materials are provided. Thank you Laura, you are a superstar! "

Laura Donaldson responded:

"Thank you so much Julia, It was lovely to welcome you into the studio again and such an enjoyable day with a great group of people! I'm really looking forward to our next studio day later this year. "

PAT And Leng reviewed: Three Day Indian Miniature Painting Flowers Workshop with Samantha Buckley

"My husband and I both enjoyed this course very much. Lovely accommodation, hosts who made us lovely cakes and lunches. Samantha the teacher was such a good teacher, and the other ladies on the course were very friendly. Hoping to come to another Indian miniature painting course,"

Moor and Sea Holidays responded:

"We are so pleased you enjoyed the course and hope to see you again "

Ashley reviewed: Make a mosaic (for beginners).

"I really fancied trying something new, and this introduction to mosaics was perfect. Plenty to learn, explained in a clear and easy to follow way. Lots of hands of experience in a lovely studio with other like-minded people. It was a very enjoyable day out. Tracey as an instructor was obviously very passionate about the topic, had loads of great examples and books to share, and was such a warm and friendly person! I'd highly recommend this course to anyone."

Tracey Cartledge Artist responded:

"Ashley, thank you so much. That makes great reading and I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the day as much as I did. It was rewarding to see the progress you made - especially with the consideration and decision making for your design and the choice of cutting technique. That was a lot to achieve on your first day of mosaic making and I hope that you find time to continue with your piece, as I'm sure it will be fabulous."

Michele Saville reviewed: Needle felted Dogs & Cats in (Halifax)

"I have just spent a wonderful Sunday making a needle felted interpretation of my Minature Schnauzer Eno. Everything came together to create a truly enjoyable experience. The venue was lovely, Josephine is very friendly and patient, and an experienced tutor who is passionate about her art. "

Phinefibre responded:

" Thank you Michele for your kind review, much appreciated. Very happy to hear you a wonderful, enjoyable day creating a cute mini wool ‘Eno” with lovely face details, whilst discovering new ways of needle felting."

Judith Tasker reviewed: From the garden: Still life with a mixed media approach

"Such a wonderful day. Alison was so warm and welcoming - beautiful setting! It was such a wet and windy day - tucked up painting on the lovely warm barn was such a treat! Thank you Alison for a very nice day - learnt some lovely painting techniques!"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Judith, It was lovely to meet you and thank you so much for your feedback, we certainly had some lively weather that day, definitely a day to be inside the barn painting ! It was great to work with you, and I hope that the techniques we covered have inspired you to continue developing your ideas at home. Best wishes Alison"

Irina reviewed: Fused glass workshop - Plymouth

"Lovely experience, really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend to do it. "

John Tuke reviewed: Router Day Class

"An excellent day! Dave is very knowledgeable and is a good teacher. I learned all the basics of using a router (with many of the differing bits)and was able to safely practice what I was taught as the day progressed. I enjoyed the experience of completing tasks using the router by hand and also in a router table. "

Alan reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day for 2 students

"We had a great day with Les, very relaxed and really enjoyable. An expert wood turner and excellent tutor, Les makes you feel at ease and confident in what you’re doing and what you can achieve. Everything is explained and he helps if needs be, overall a fantastic experience."

Pren responded:

"Hello Alan and thanks for the great review. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed your day."

Jax & Matt reviewed: Beginners learn to make a textured silver ring at The Jewellers Peg

"We had the best 2.5 hours with Vanessa. I booked in for my husband and I to have a session where we both made our own silver rings. The session was excellent. We both enjoyed the experience. We both love the rings we have made and will wear them with pride. We laughed, chatted and made something beautiful. Vanessa is an excellent teacher and ensured we went at a pace suitable to us. I would heartily recommend."

The Jewellers Peg responded:

"Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m delighted you had a lovely afternoon making your beautiful rings! Congratulations 🥂 "

L Irlam reviewed: An Introduction to Weaving with a Table Loom, Oxford

"Had a great day, I was amazed what could be achieved in a day and all the patterns that could be made. I was left with a very large professional weaving sampler. I have found a new passion!"

Jo reviewed: 2 day blacksmithing courses

"Fantastic weekend, would recommend this course to anyone wanting to try out some blacksmithing! Aaron is a great teacher and we came away with things that I never thought a clumsy beginner could make. Lovely people as well. I'm sure I'll be back. Thank you!"

A and T Petersen Ltd responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review, we are really pleased that you enjoyed the weekend."

Nicky Reynolds reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"Judith ran a really relaxed and informative class. We all came with our designs and she helped each of us create something beautiful. A really great class which I would gladly repeat to enhance my new skills. Thank you so much Judith"

print paper stitch experiences responded:

"Thank you Nicky, it really was lovely to have you in the workshop and your bird print was beautiful. I’d love to see some images if you have them printed onto cards!"

Hilary reviewed: From the garden: Still life with a mixed media approach

"I spent a lovely day with Alison learning new techniques and ways with colour. Relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the Long Barn and delicious flapjacks!!"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Hilary, Thank you for taking the time to review the day. I am so pleased you enjoyed the day, and the flapjack ! Hopefully the day has inspired you to continue painting at home with some of the new techniques you have learnt . Best wishes Alison"

Clare reviewed: Confidence with tools for DIY beginners

"I had a great day with Matt and came away feeling much more confident about which tools to use and when. The course is set in a beautiful location and Matt is so helpful, patient and calm. Would definitely recommend!"

matt boysons responded:

"Hi Clare Thank you for the review. I'm glad you had such a good time on the course and especially so that it had such a positive effect. I'm now thinking seriously about a follow up course and will let you know when it comes on line. In the meantime if you're thinking about taking your DIY forwards there are plenty of other options in the area, so go for it and embrace the world of DIY. Cheers/ Matt"

Ben Waterman reviewed: Natural Ink Making

"We had a fun and very informative day with Bec exploring the world of natural ink making. Highly reccomended!! Thank you"

Bev Carruthers reviewed: Improvers' pastel painting workshop at fabulous Glasfryn Hall, North Wales

"Another great workshop with Dave. A follow up to the beginners workshop ( I booked the Improvers the next day, that’s how impressed I was ). Thoroughly enjoyed the day, would highly recommend!"

Oriel Glasfryn Gallery Limited responded:

"Thanks so much Bev - for coming along to another workshop and for leaving this kind review. I'm glad you enjoyed it and hope to see you again!"

Steve Coates reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Very informative day learning how to use my router safely. Easy going day learning what a hand and table router will do"

Amy reviewed: Beginner’s Soapmaking Workshop in Trowbridge

"We had a fabulous time with Cat yesterday, learning all about the science of making soap. We produced two beautiful blocks of soap, which we look forward to using once it's cured. Would highly recommend anyone trying this course."

Stephen Nelson reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Exactly as course description I left feeling more confident in choosing and using a Router for a novice who had never use a router the mix of advice and practical experience was perfect. Mark was also able to cater for my Ltd mobility "

Cindy Lloyd-Evans reviewed: Awaken Creativity - discovering or recovering your artist self. Art in Suffolk

"This was a really lovely day. We did lots of free experimental work which was fun and liberating. Jane manages to strike the balance between having a no rules approach to then improving and extending ideas to create final successful pieces. She has an encouraging and gentle manner. Our group included people with a wide range of skills and experience but everyone came away with a good feeling and some lovely work. Lastly this woman can bake!! "

Jane Beaumont Art responded:

"Thanks Cindy....it was a such an enjoyable day for me too and your wealth of art teaching experience was great to have in the room with the group. And I loved what you created. All the best. "

Barbara Jones reviewed: Expressive Flower Painting Workshop - using acrylics

"A brilliant day full of insight and inspiration in a relaxed group with plenty of one to one support. We had varying degrees of experience from people with art degrees to lapsed hobbyists like me and Lynn had something to offer everyone. Lynn is a great teacher as well as a talented professional artist. Highly recommended."

Paint What You Feel with Lynn Keddie responded:

"Thank you Barbara, It was lovely to have you in the group, the work you did was really exciting. I look forward to seeing your second painting when you have finished it."

Graham reviewed: One day Wood Carving Experience

"A wonderful day. Approached with some trepidation as I have minimal experience working with wood. From the outset, Pete was welcoming and gave everyone the level of help they asked for. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, the food was very tasty and the feeling of accomplishment was rewarding. Concentrating solely on the work made the time fly by in a most enjoyable way. I would certainly recommend the course for anyone who wanted a sound introduction to wood carving."

Rix & Co Rocking Horses Ltd responded:

"We are so happy to hear this Graham! The finished pieces were astonishing! Glad you had a fun and successful day. Kind Regards, Maggie"

Angela Beveridge reviewed: Felt Making Pictures (Halifax)

"The wet felting course was great fun and great value. It was very relaxed. None of us had any prior experience and everyone came away with a really nice picture that we were proud of. There's loads of materials and guidance on how they could be used, so lots of flexibility in what you make."

Phinefibre responded:

"Thank you Angela, lovely to hear you had fun at the felting course and enjoyed the abundance of materials on offer. It’s wonderful to teach student’s new to wet felting and see how their confidence develops over the day. You all made wonderful and diverse pictures."

Geoff Brown reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"An excellent introduction to the basic skills and techniques of Blacksmithing. After our first “project” which we were all allowed to go down our own paths under Alex’s watchful eye, and guidance. His knowledge and enthusiasm are boundless in equal measure, I can not recommend Hammer & Hound Forge highly enough."