Latest reviews

Jayne and Eddie reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"We had a great day learning to wood turn and came away with a rather lovely bowl. Mark was patient and kind and coped with our different abilities and ambition with humour. We laughed a lot and learnt a lot. I would recommend this course for anyone wanting to try a new craft."

Mark Stanton reviewed: Wood turning courses

"I signed up for the day's introduction as a way of getting to know about wood turning. I have shown an interest in this skill and was thinking of learning more before taking the plunge and buying any equipment. I found that the day was very informative with skill and knowledge being shared. There was extensive care and support given through out the day with openness to help with all procedures. I was also given the offer of after care and support if I needed it. I had a great time with and learnt lots to take away. Oh and I also made a bowl :) Great day, highly recommended if you want to learn or just go for the experience"

Mark hancock reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I had a great day with Mark , he gave us lots of information and we had a good laugh together and produced a bowl! He put up with us and all our questions throughout the day, and I don’t think he will forget us in a hurry!!! He also advised of local places to stay and we arrived at 9am and he stayed with us until 7.30pm! I would love to do another day with him soon!!"

Mark Hancock responded:

"Thank you Sue or Cheryl for your review but you signed it off in my name! :-) I know it wasn't Jayne or Eddie as they have one listed. It was a pleasure for me meeting you all and introducing you to turning. I'm so glad you all enjoyed it. All the best Mark"

Lisa Greenwood reviewed: Circular sock knitting machine 'Sock School'

"What a fantastic day! Loved every minute of it. Sock school was well organised and the day structured. Anne was an excellent teacher and help was on hand all day with Anne’s wonderful helpers. Delicious homemade lunch, biscuits and cakes provided too by Anne’s team! I’m sitting here the day after wishing I could do it all again!! I cannot recommend the sock knitting course highly enough!"

Annie B reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"I can't praise this workshop enough! Everything was perfect. The welcome was warm, the workspace comfortable, intimate, creative and inspiring, the views to die for, the lunch and refreshments delicious, the tutoring skilled, patient and hugely encouraging. Jane has an amazing workspace in the beautiful Midlothian countryside with the largest array of wools I've ever seen in every colour imaginable. Our workstations were set up ready with everything we might need close at hand. Refreshments flowed throughout the day and were served by Jane's husband, Graham. We had the most fabulous and memorable day there and looking forward to booking another in the near future."

Rachel Ware reviewed: Blacksmithing course with Longdog Smithy

"I bought a day at Longdog Smithy for my partner's birthday present, thinking I would go along for the ride, but with Tom's patient encouragement I got right into it and by the end of the day I'd made a beautiful cook's knife that I'm hugely proud of - and my other half is thrilled with the bowie knife he made too. I can't believe we accomplished so much in a day. A fantastic experience in every respect. Can't recommend highly enough."

Lisa reviewed: Lined Curtains - Soft Furnishings Workshop

"What a lovely lady with great patience and a very relaxing, fun atmosphere. She gave a very professional tutorial with fabulous quality fabrics which was included on the course."

Suzanne reviewed: Learn to sew - Lined Tote Bags

"Fun and informative, good value for money. Judi is a great teacher."

June reviewed: Learn to sew - zipped and lined bags - Worcestershire

"I have SO enjoyed today, thank you.I have learned many new skills and tips and now feel confident to make these projects at home!"

Anne and Bob reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I bought this as a present for my husband and decided to join him. What an excellent day. The instructions were clear and we were helped along the way to achieve good end results - I was amazed about what I achieved. Both of us proudly took home our efforts. It was informal, relaxed and friendly with the addition of a lovely lunch and snacks. Our friends will all be hearing about our great day. I would recommend this day to those wanting to understand the process and maybe start a new hobby. Thank you Adrian and Andy. Anne and Bob"

John Parrack reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"Excellent course, excellent tuition from Steve. Learned a lot which will come in handy for my work and hobby and came out with a spoon to top it all. Great to work along with like minded people too. Thank you."

Nichola reviewed: Chocolate Discovery Day - Workshop 1 - A Beginners Guide

"From start to finish this course was fantastic. My friends and I have never laughed so much as we melted chocolate, cast moulds, made ganache and finally packaged our endeavours. Margaret was a star through out the day, really gelling with me and my girlfriends (birthday bash/treat for one of us). Would recommend Margaret's course to anyone with an interest in crafting or just for someone to see just how much effort goes into making hand made chocolates - which there is more too it then you would think. Would like to thank Margaret for making our special day out even more special - THANK YOU."

Anne reviewed: Chocolate Discovery Day - Workshop 1 - A Beginners Guide

"Attended this course because I am a chocoholic! WOW - what a day. Margaret put a lot of effort in making sure that we all had enough information, both written, verbal and hands on for us to get the basics of working with chocolate. We were looked after (me and 2 other ladies) from the very start of the day to the finish, and we all went home with some fantastic tasting and looking chocolates which we were able to display in several types of packaging. I would recommend this course to anyone and everyone, not only from value for money, but also from the sheer joy that Margaret imbues when working with chocolate. Really looking forward to the development of her next course (which apparently has to be developed yet!)"

James simonds reviewed: Bladesmithing experience day

"I met Steve a while ago at a different forge and had been waiting to go down and learn some more about making chef's knives from a master. Steve is an artist in iron and you could live with him for a year and not run out of things to learn about bladesmithing. In two days I ruined his course plans, asked him to do all sorts of things he hadn't expected, forced him to use my own unsuitable materials, tried a technique neither of us had used before and generally was a pain in the backside. But Steve took it all in his stride, adapted his lessons, helped me work out how to get the best result with what we had and kept a smile on his face the whole time. An excellent teacher, a passionate bladesmith and won't just force you down a cookie cutter approach to knife making but give you the space to make your own decisions and own your mistakes and learn from them. I'll be down there to ruin his week again later this year, I have another crazy project in mind already."

White Tiger Knives responded:

"Hi James It was a blast and you've got to live on the edge, pardon the pun. Like we said you make mistakes and you learn, keep doing what you're doing, pushing the envelope and asking more from yourself with each build. That's the fun of the fare, making knives and enjoying it at the same time."

Jacqui Seddon reviewed: Porcelain Masterclass with Richard Heeley

"I took this course last week and I am so happy that I was fortunate enough to learn from Richard. He is extremely generous with his extensive knowledge, and I improved so much from the first goblet to the last large platter that friends don't believe I made them! ;-). Many thanks to Richard and everyone at Potclays for making it a great workshop."

Potclays Ltd. responded:

"Many thanks for your kind words Jacqui! Look forward to seeing you here again soon :-) Best wishes from the Potclays team."

Gethin ap Dafydd reviewed: Spoon carving course (1 day)

"Fantastic day. Very informative and knowledgeable tutor. Superb venue. Very tasty lunch too! I'd highly recommend this."

Heather Rose reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I bought the beginners taster day as a present for my partner and decided to go along too. It was a brilliant day from start to finish. The whole team were lovely, clear instructions and a fun environment. I was really pleased with what we all produced in the day and got to take home. Highly recommend this to anyone looking at giving blacksmithing a go."

Derek Robson reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Had a fantastic day, Adrian and Andy were friendly and informative. I was thinking 'I will never be able to make that', however the step by step approach and demonstration made it a lot clear and easier to follow and I was able to produce some thing that at least resembled the key ring and coat hanger. I would fully recommend this course."

Kev Senior reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I hadn't hammered hot metal for over thirty years since I was at secondary school and after Adrian's demonstrating what we were to do, I thought ' I can't do that'. However, I did and produced two very pleasing pieces of work of which I'm very proud. The whole day's experience was first class and a Christmas present to myself. I thoroughly recommend it, but the only caveat I'll apply is, if you're watching your waistline then Debbie's cooking won't help. Wish I'd done it years ago, but might do it again. Also, I'm planning on doing the Design & Make course in June 2020. Many thanks Adrian, Andy and of course, Debbie."

Heather Haydock reviewed: Taster Pottery Session

"I had always wanted to try pottery so was pleased to receive a voucher and booked in with Joan, which was very easy. I really enjoyed the workshop. Joan was friendly and very knowledgeable. She demonstrated using the potter's wheel and then I was able to have a go myself while Joan was always there to help. And then the same with hand cutting and shaping clay into various things using the numerous cutters, templates etc. The balance of demonstration, supervision and being left to it was just right and the atmosphere was very relaxing. I was pleased to create quite a few pieces which I can go back and decorate when they've been fired and I'll certainly book on to another of Joan's workshops or courses. Thanks Joan!"

Cheryl Greenwood reviewed: Carving & sculpture workshops

"I was initially attracted to this workshop after seeing Gareth’s work in a sculpture gallery in London, and then discovering he held carving workshops. I’ve always considered myself creative and I’ve painted in the past, whilst my husband on the other hand is a non-creative who fortunately, and somewhat reluctantly agreed to join me for a little moral support. Upon arrival we had a good look around the farm at some of Gareth’s work, which really inspired us to pick up mallet and chisel and have a go ourselves. Before long (after basic initial instruction) we were both carving away at a simple relief in cherry wood, and loving the creative process. By the end of the day I just managed to finish my relief, although my husband's wasn’t complete, and that might be something to do with the fact that he spent some of his time in the meadow watching a pair of hunting barn owls. This workshop is a must for anyone interested in sculpture and learning how to carve, with the added bonus of a beautiful location with plenty of wildlife. Gareth is very friendly, affable, accommodating and his work is quite beautiful. I will be back in the future for some stone sculpture tuition. Highly recommended."

Alexa Radcliffe-Hart reviewed: Christmas Pudding - needle felting workshop with The Lady Moth

"Loved my second retreat with Zenia and creating the duckling! As before, excellent tuition and lovely company."

Michelle Ackroyd reviewed: Copper foil stained glass workshop

"Absolutely fabulous workshop. Would definitely recommend this workshop to anyone. Would love a follow up session to make another piece. Thanks Sam we both had a brilliant time"

Helen Riley reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"What a fantastic day, the time just flew by so quickly! Theresa is such a great teacher. I arrived a complete beginner and rather nervous about what to expect. Theresa (and Ted) soon put me at ease and and then took us through the complete process of turning a fleece from a sheep into a skein of yarn ready to knit or weave. I quickly found myself carding fleece, making rolags and was then introduced to a spinning wheel and how to use it. Under Theresa's patient tuition I was able to spin my rolags into yarn and come home with a skein of yarn I had spun myself, (which I had not expected to do in one day). I can't wait to get a wheel of my own now and start practicing what I've learned. All in all a brilliant day - thank you Theresa and Ted!"

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much Helen for your review. Receiving it was a lovely end to my busy day. I am so pleased that you enjoyed your day and that you produced a fabulous skein of yarn. That always makes me so happy at the end of a workshop. I do hope that you get your own wheel soon and can't wait to see what you produce after shearing time!! Theresa and Ted!"

Celia reviewed: Silverclay beginners jewellery workshop in Newcastle upon Tyne

"I looked on the internet for a short introduction to making silver clay for my daughter and I. This was perfect, we were the only people there and had 100% attention, guidance and support. In 3 hours we made whatever we wanted, and I really like wearing my earrings. Thank you so much Claire for accommodating us at such short notice. A lovely lady, highly recommended by us!"

ToDot Handcrafted Goods responded:

"I’m glad I could fit you in at short notice and so pleased the earrings turned out so well. Lovely to meet you and your daughter"