Latest reviews

Penny Fouracre reviewed: Blacksmithing one-to-one North West UK

"I had a fantastic day with Colin! He is friendly, patient and matter of fact. I was able to observe how to complete each stage of making my poker/ash scraper and hook and at the end of each stage/demo the reins were handed over to me to make it happen. It was great to see and take part in all manner of techniques and tool use. I felt absolutely involved in the process from design to completion. Couldn't be happier and very, very much recommend Colin's courses. Inspiring."

jack jennings reviewed: Intensive 2 day mosaic course with Claire Cotterill Mosaics @ Martineau Gardens, Birmingham city centre, West Midlands.

"On my many trips to Scotland I visited many interesting sites displaying mosaic art work and decided I would like to have a go and booked on a course with Claire Cotterill. As a beginner the two day course was a superb introduction to mosaic making and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The course was run in a relaxed manner by Claire who is a very talented artist/teacher and I highly recommend this course. Thank you Claire and for the excellent food."

Tam reviewed: Beginners Arm knitting workshop - make a chunky knit throw, Newbury

"Brilliant course with Sophie. Enjoyed every minute of it and she was very patient with us. What a lovely way to spend a Friday morning! Definitely recommend. Thanks Sophie"

Karen reviewed: Stained glass summer workshop in Hampshire by Stardust Stained Glass

"Lovely setting for a stained glass class. Sarah was very welcoming and friendly, with tea/coffee and biscuits on hand. Took us through the basics of scoring and cutting stained glass to begin with and then we got to create something for ourselves. She was always on hand when needed. I particularly enjoyed the part when we got to do some soldering! At the end of the morning we then got to take what we made home. A really good taster session and would recommend to others who just want to have a go at doing something different. :)"

Stardust Stained Glass responded:

"Thank you Karen! Lovely to meet you and I'm glad you enjoyed your morning."

Will Garton reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"The two days I spent in the Wood Workshop near Penrith, with Mark's guidance and three other like-minded students of the craft, were hugely rewarding and something I will definitely repeat. Some may be put off by the price, but I assure you that the course was worth every penny. The tips and advice you receive, as well as the access to a fully-equipped workshop and excellent quality hardwoods, are valuable and the price reflects the experience. By the end of the two days I am left with a beautiful hardwood box of oak and Ash, fully oiled and waxed, the likes of which I never thought I would be able to create. I intend to go on and practice at home, with the list of suppliers provided by Mark to help me produce the best quality boxes I can. This course is well worth it for the skills and experience you will gain, as well as the box. Excellent course."

Kate Burton reviewed: Stained glass beginners workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"I did a day long taster course with Glass by Design, making a stained glass panel and 2 fused coasters, and loved every minute of it! The instructors were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, and the pace of the course was just right to complete both projects without being rushed. I'll definitely come back for more courses in the future!"

Glass By Design responded:

"Thank you, the taster day is great to show the difference between the two techniques, and to take home two very different glass projects. Hope to see you again soon."

sue reviewed: Glass fusion workshop, Cardiff, Wales

"I've been to two sessions I loved it so much. You can fully immerse yourself in the process but get as much help as you want and need to. The range of glass is fab and picking up the finished piece is a real thrill"

Glass By Design responded:

"Thanks so much. Glad you have enjoyed your time with us and hope we shall see you again soon."

Katherine Isabel Roynon-Lambert reviewed: Beginners Soap Making Course

"Fantastic day and well worth the money. Paula was extremely helpful teaching me the calculation with the soap making, best suppliers, ingredients to use for particular requirements and expert tips! All of these have saved me hours of research time on the internet. Overall, great day and would 100% recommend this to anyone who just fancies making soap for home use or anyone who would like to take it further."

Old Bexley Soap & Candle Co. responded:

"Thank you Kate. It was great meeting you, let me know how you are getting on."

Julia Smith reviewed: Sew a padded wine bottle bag (with divider & personalised quote) in Derbyshire

"Lou is a fabulous, helpful, encouraging teacher. I have done a few courses now and have grown in confidence as Louise knows how to get the best from even the most nervous or rusty of sewers. Her projects are creative and use fabulous fabrics and of course there is the all important cake!!! Homemade of course!! I would highly recommend."

Sew Need a Drink responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review x See you again soon."

Sophie Botsford reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"My sister, Mum and myself took this course a few weeks ago. We were all beginners and we we absolutely loved the course. From the moment we arrived we felt at home, with the added bonus of lots of coffee and cake! Judith put us at ease straight away and we were down to business in no time. We all managed to create some great lino prints with the help of Judith, and the relaxed atmosphere made it such an enjoyable day. We would all highly recommend."

Tom jackson reviewed: Needle felted dogs workshop with Frankie and Sidney, South Yorkshire.

"I attended the felted dog workshop with Mandy, really enjoyed myself and the course. I’m visually impaired but that didn’t didn’t matter to Mandy she adapted for me and made it easy enough to understand. I left the course feeling confident and eager to do more. Would highly recommend and will be doing future courses with her !!"

Frankie and Sidney responded:

"Thank you for your feedback Tomas, I’m always happy to help and adapt my workshops when needed, you did a fantastic model and I will look forward to working with you in the future."

Carol reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"Really enjoyed the glass fusing course, and an excellent teacher, had time for everyone. Lovely lunch included too. Would definitely recommend."

Sarah Bradburn reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"A thoroughly enjoyable weekend. Hard work both physically & mentally (like a very taxing jigsaw puzzle!) however there is now a beautiful stretch of dry-stone wall above Stalybridge which I helped to construct. Thank you all for your patience, good humour & encouragement (Paul, you know who I'm referring to!)"

Alison Ivanec reviewed: Lampworking Workshop: Full Day Beginners Workshop

"I had a fantastic time, Suzanne was lovely, very skilled and very patient with me. I would not hesitate to recommend the course and I urge you to do the course particuarly if you have been thinking about it for a while. Waiting to see the beads I made which just adds to the excitement!"

Suzanne Jewellery responded:

"So pleased you enjoyed your workshop, thank you for taking the time to write a review. Suzanne"

Nicole Corbin reviewed: Week-day (Three Day) Bobbin Lace Making - Daytime Mixed Lace Workshops (Stoke d'Abernon, Surrey).

"I attended the Honiton lace making course earlier this week. I had never made Honiton lace before and was very pleased to be able to complete the piece in the two days. Tina was very patient and even lent me the bobbins and a pillow so that I could use the correct equipment. Without her help I would never have been able to finish."

Tina's Bobbin Lacemaking responded:

"Hello Nicole I am very pleased that you enjoyed the course, and that the pattern proved the correct one for a student to complete in two days. I look forward to seeing the finished piece, as well as hoping you may wish to try the next pattern at the Honiton workshop planned for later in the year. Thanks for coming on the course and your support, regards Tina"

Debbie Nelson reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"This was my first attempt at Lino Printing and I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Judith was a great teacher, providing support, instruction and a lot of inspiration for future projects. I was really happy with what I managed to produce during the session and went home confident to do more at home."

Rob Stephenson reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"I cannot recommend this course highly enough. I really enjoyed the beginners course and the intermediate builds on this. The coffee table we made looks very professional. It has 24 joints of 4 different types and required time and patience to build. Ciaran is an excellent tutor and takes you through each stage really well. He is always on hand to give help, and is a very amiable chap with a fund of stories. His workshop is very well equipped and the banter with other course participants good fun. The walk over the fields to the White Lion for lunch makes a refreshing break before getting back to the workbench. I have now got my own workshop equipped, and ordered my first batch of hardwood from Potters in Northwich. I am building a round kitchen table using the techniques Ciaran taught us. If you want to get the confidence to start your own projects then do this course."

Trish Hill reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"What a great way to spend a weekend. The team and instructors were great - informative, helpful, entertaining and skilled wallers with lots of patience and encouragement for us beginners. They were welcoming and friendly from the beginning and throughout. It was a great way to get an insight into an ancient craft, and satisying to take part. Beautiful setting at Gorse Hall"

Clare reviewed: Sew a padded wine bottle bag (with divider & personalised quote) in Derbyshire

"I made the bottle carrier. I was going to give it to a friend but I like it too much so I've kept it!"

Sew Need a Drink responded:

"Ha ha! Thank you for your lovely review!"

Susan Ritchie reviewed: Oil painting day - In the artist's studio with Laura Andrew - Lincoln

"My husband bought me a course for my birthday - I've been along this week and absolutely loved it! Laura's studio is a delight - open, airy, full of artist's 'stuff' which makes it a joy to wander around and explore, and provides plenty of inspiration. I was a complete beginner, and a little nervous, but Laura put me at ease and she paced the day nicely so that I was able to progress at my own speed and grow in confidence over the day. A small group meant she was around and able to provide plenty of attention and help. Refreshments and lunch are provided - beautiful home made sandwiches and cakes, and plenty of tea! I left the day with a painting that I am quite frankly astounded by - as a complete beginner, I never dreamed the end result would be so successful. I am now inspired to carry on at home and plan on getting myself some materials to experiment with. I'd heartedly recommend this course to anyone - it's a real treat :)"

Edna reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"On returning to Lucy after my epic pendant challenge, I decided with Lucy to do some stone setting. This is something where my experience is lacking. Before I knew it two pendants were planned cut and started to be set. I set one stone in a bezel setting on the day and the others to be done as homework. The second pendant will have a flush set of stones. More techniques with the embellishments to the pendants to be decided on. Never a dull moment. All this before my next ambitious project. There is so much I want to learn and Lucy is the perfect instructor as she is full of ideas. Her experience will shy me away from anything too complicated. I felt so confident with my stone setting due to my past sessions with Lucy the time just whizzed by."

Anon reviewed: One day introduction to blacksmithing

"Just a line to say what a great day I had on the blacksmith course last Sunday with Fraser, who made the day for me by being patient & informative."

Elaine reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"Hi Sebastian Thanks for yet another fun sculpting weekend. It does great things for my soul! You are very patient! I will send a picture when there is some sunlight! Thanks again. Elaine"

Jane C Evans reviewed: Sewing classes for beginners to advanced. All ages catered for.

"I’ve been on several Madeonanglesey courses over the past six months. Karen is an excellent teacher and a very skilled sewer. The sewing studio is bright and very well equipped. I’ve really enjoyed all the courses and have learnt a huge amount. I would really recommend Karen’s courses."

Henry reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"Really enjoyed the course, tuition was excellent in a great environment."