Latest reviews

Teresa Barrass reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"Have attended many classes with both Ali and May at venues and their well stocked workshop in Ratby.The courses are always well explained and demonstrated, including health and safety.There is plenty to look at to gain inspiration in sample forms or booklets full of previous work.Both May and Ali provide assistance and advise should you wish it, but also allow you to develope at your own pace.It is always totally absorbing in a creative warm friendly atmoshere and I always look forward to my next session as I've never been dissapointed with my results.Can wholeheartedly recommend and have done to many friends."

Cathy Dickson reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"Course was great, Jason is knowledgable, enthusiastic, talented and patient, his studio is amazing !"

Sarah Evans reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"I’ve enjoyed several courses with Ali and her daughter May. I’ve attended different venues but my favourite is visiting their cosy workshop which is full of inspiration and is stocked with lots of beautiful glass! They always take time to introduce and demonstrate at the start of each session and are always on hand with gentle advice, assistance and words of encouragement throughout. I’ve introduced several friends to their courses and even organised our works Christmas party with them. The very best part of the classes is that you really do switch off from everything that is going on in your life and become completely absorbed in what you are creating. Highly recommended!"

Steve Connolly reviewed: Stone carving in mid Cornwall

"Peter Graham is a very skilled stone carver, but even more importantly ( for me), he's a great tutor. I did a stone letter carving intro course for just 1 day. I did not find it as easy as expected but with Peter's patience I learnt a great deal and was very happy with the results. The facilities were ideal and Peter was very enthusiastic and friendly. Overall: 10 out of 10."

Sue reviewed: Table Loom Weaving Workshop - Dobby & Rose

"A wonderful course with a relaxed yet productive atmosphere. Rebecca explained everything really well and answered our questions fully. We were able to explore many different weaving patterns to produce our take home sample. Rebecca's wealth of experience in terms of weaving and teaching shone through to help us iron out minor hiccups we had made and thus enable us to spot our own errors later. Her own work is stunning!"

Carol Wenham reviewed: Introduction to Glass Fusing with Enamels - 'Inspiration' Full Day Workshop

"A lovely day, learning and practicing a fascinating technique. And a fabulous lunch with a refreshing G & T. Steve has a large and well organised studio - our group all thoroughly enjoyed our day."

Helen Salisbury reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"Was disappointed with both the standard of tuition and general approach towards adults and cannot recommend. Session comprised 4 adults in a small conservatory. We arrived 20 minutes before the session and had to wait to be let in by the locked side gate 10 minutes before the start of the session, despite ringing the doorbell by the sign, leaving a phone message and observing that someone was in the front room of the house near the cake baking sign. Overall, whilst the sessions are promoted as being led by a qualified teacher, ours was led by her daughter who was knowledgeable about glass and its features but who remained distant throughout towards the participants. We were not even asked to introduce ourselves to each other. Tea was available if you made it yourself. I was a complete novice and felt that May did not clearly introduce the session with aims or that we could make one or several items, and did not proceed to present the techniques in a logical sequence with examples of each method of decorating the glass. Whilst she was helpful throughout the session and gave praise, she also spent time tidying up the centre table while we were working."

smARTsy responded:

"The workshop seats 8. There were 4 in your session. May cleared some materials to give you more room to make your small bird. Gates open 10 min before the start time to keep things fair for customers, as some, like you, arrive too early. You rang my phone & got annoyed because the baker didn’t answer you banging on the door of my home 15 mins before your start time. Would you expect a shop to open early because you arrived early? If you read the details properly, I am a qualified PRIMARY school teacher. May is 33 and has worked with me for 2 years. I get many emails praising her. There are lists on the table for you to choose what to make. Your friend made 2 items so I don’t know how you missed that information. A selection of hot drinks are available and you paid £5 an hour to attend. This does not cover waitress service! If May or I explained how to apply every single material you would just sit for 2 hours. I presume you won’t be returning."

Emma Nightingale reviewed: Upholstery classes at Sandra Fryer's Workshops

"I attended a 1 day workshop with Sandra at the weekend to learn how to make a pad for a stool, to be covered by a piece of needlepoint I have made. It was an amazing day. I learnt so much. Sandra is an excellent teacher and very patient. There were just two of us so we both received lots of undivided attention. absolutely love Sandra’s courses! I would recommend Sandra’s workshops to anyone! It will open your eyes to a whole new world........"

Joyce Clayton reviewed: Introduction to summer millinery - 1 day - Newcastle NE1

"Margaret's course enabled me to produce a headpiece I was proud to wear and completely coordinated with my outfit. Not only was I very happy with the result but I thoroughly enjoyed the learning process as I am by no means a natural, Margaret was so patient. Thoroughly excellent all round."

Catherine reviewed: Table Loom Weaving Workshop - Dobby & Rose

"I’ve always been fascinated to find out how fabric is woven and this course was an excellent introduction. Rebecca explains things brilliantly in her lovely workshop and is very skilled, knowledgeable and professional. There was lots of hands on time to experiment with different patterns and understand how the loom works. I’ve come home with a lovely sample which I will use to make a purse."

Kate reviewed: Beginners Sewing - Day course - Get to know your sewing machine

"Great day. Lovely atmosphere. Very supportive and patient. Loved that I made something I could take home. Feel able to go ahead now and make more. Thank you so much."

Sarah reviewed: Watercolour painting day - Floral & botanical - with artist Laura Andrew

"An excellent course. The group was just the right size - individual attention and time to chat. We started with colours, we learned and practised techniques and by the afternoon we were ready to create our own watercolour paintings. Laura is very encouraging and a good teacher, lovely studio and lunch - perfect."

Matt reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"An absolutely brilliant day the guys packed so much in to the day and we enjoyed every minute. I'm so pleased with my knife for cutting the wedding cake and I couldn't have made it without the help of John, Mark and Steven. I would highly recommend this course and would be happy to come back and do another course in the future."

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Matt really pleased you all had a great time and loved the idea of cutting your wedding cake with the knife you made. Its really rewarding for us to share our knowledge with a group of guys that were to interested in all the techniques and intricacies of 'bladesmithing'. Please send pictures of you and your bride cutting the cake. I hope to see you both in six years time for the 'iron' wedding anniversary. many thanks John and Team"

Lucy reviewed: Lino cutting course - Laura Andrew Art Studio, Lincoln - Linocut lino printing

"I did a lino printing one day workshop with Laura at her studio in Lincoln. Laura makes you feel very welcome and it was a very relaxed day. She was very informative, interesting and encouraging. Together with the information that she emailed as a follow-up I had everything I needed to carry on printing at home which was exactly what I wanted. She provides an excellent lunch and plenty of tea and coffee too!"

Sam reviewed: Watercolour painting day - Floral & botanical - with artist Laura Andrew

"What a fantastic day had an amazing time and learnt so much. Laura is a brilliant teacher guiding you to improve and try new skills. I would highly recommend this course. Cannot wait to book the next course with her."

Victoria Cox reviewed: Blacksmith experience day in Sheffield

"Great introduction 1 day course to the craft of Blacksmithing at Forge Four, in Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet Museum. David is friendly, very knowledgeable and an engaging host! His Forge is amazing and unique. What a privilege to be able to work in such a wonderful historic museum. We got to use lots of tools to experiment with different ways of forging steel. I made a hook, to play around with different techniques in the morning. Then a plant stake with a twisted leaf eye, in the afternoon. A great memento in my garden from a fantastic and inspiring day! Would definitely recommend this unique and interesting craft experience to all. Thanks to David and the museum!"

Ting reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"I'm really glad I chose this workshop over others that were closer to me. Set on the seafront in a great little studio, I really enjoyed the experience and process of handlooming. Alice was a great teacher and throughout gave us creative suggestions towards our handloom. I definitely recommend it and hope to be back for future workshops!"

Chris reviewed: One to one pottery throwing class in Worksop

"We’ve always wanted to try pottery and this course offered an excellent ‘taster’ as it was just the two of us with Harriet. She was very welcoming, patient and encouraging, demonstrating techniques well and explaining the process. We both enjoyed ‘having a go’ and, with Harriet’s guidance, encouragement and her ‘can do attitude’, we made a plant pot and bowls. We really enjoyed the course and would recommend to anyone else wanting to have a go. Thanks very much, Harriet!"

Lucy reviewed: Two person 'Have a Bash' at Blacksmithing course in Shropshire

"My friend bought me this experience as a fabulous birthday treat. We both love to learn new skills & truly this couldn't have been better. Jake was a brilliant teacher, enthusing about his craft & clearly enjoying passing his skills on to others. Nick & I produced some pieces of work we were thoroughly proud of & enjoyed the process from start to finish. This was an experience that will never be forgotten!! Thanks Jake & keep up the fantastic work!"

Andrea moseley reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing Workshop by Clare Cosens

"A comprehensive guide to this technique of printing. A most enjoyable morning."

Francina Whelan reviewed: Conscious Interior Decor; For holistic living

"A fantastic day with Lucy teaching me the basics of design concepts and the use of colours and textures. I have learned so much thank you Lucy and for your wonderful hospitality."

Mary Clare A reviewed: Fascinator making millinery workshop Burton-on-Trent

"Thank you Rachel, for great tuition , inspiration and a happy and creative day. What a super group! It was immense fun to try so many techniques and produce a FAB fascinator."

Liz reviewed: Silver Clay Beginners Workshop

"Silver Clay Jewellery - what can I say? What a dream day. Marianne’s studio feels like a craft haven. She taught us how to make silver clay jewellery and tips and techniques. She has a vast knowledge and nothing was too much effort. She showed us how to fix things when they didn’t go to our design plans and ways of achieving what we wanted to make. Went away with 3 pieces of super jewellery and an excitement for doing more. Couldn't have asked for more. Would definitely recommend."

Annie reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"My husband bought me this experience as i enjoyed watching 'Forged in fire', I was not sure I would enjoy trying blacksmithing myself. I was so wrong. The team mark, spencer, john and co (so sorry memory block on the fantastic welder) were so helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgable it made the day memorable. Lunch at the Farriers was really good and a wealth of information was shared over it. At the end of the day i had been helped to complete a fire poker and two beautiful lilly garden ornaments that i still cannot believe i helped make. They are already adorning my garden. I cannot recommend this experience enough, you end the day tired and dusty, but so exhilarated and with a great sense of achievement."

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Annie thanks for your review , Aidan was our young welder/blacksmith . I must say considering your wrist problems and operations you had that you were swinging that hammer like a teenager ! well done. Now to comment on the lily's what a great piece of art , the photos are going on our website but can you send pictures of when they are 'planted' as well. I look forward to another session with you in the forge. John and Team"

Clare Harrower reviewed: Fascinator making millinery workshop Burton-on-Trent

"Had a lovely day on the facinator making workshop with Rachel . This was something I had never done before but Rachel was very patient and a great teacher and previous experience isn’t required. I will certainly be making some more facinators I've now got the bug!"