Latest reviews

Carol reviewed: One Day Pottery Throwing Course, including lunch - Hampshire

"Thank you Jack for an enjoyable and memorable day on Sunday. Our family of 4 booked a One-Day throwing course with Jack in his spacious, light and airy studio. We were well-instructed with demonstrations and patient guidance, and were so proud of our finished pieces. It was a great introduction to throwing on the wheel and immensely satisfying to create a form that looked like a pot! Our appetite has been whetted to do more! Many thanks for a wonderful day Jack; we are so glad to have found your course on this website."

Chris Matthews reviewed: Silver Jewellery Classes (mornings)

"A very good interesting course, exactly what I wanted. Kate is extremely patient and clear in her teaching including the safety aspect of all the equipment. I am very pleased with the pendant and ring necklace I made having had no previous experience. I shall enrol in a further course."

Simon reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Another amazing day with Adrian, Andy and Debbie making garden flowers. This is my second time blacksmithing and each time I learn another skill and leave with a lovely creation (even if I do say so myself). Adrian and Andy are so skilled they are able to assist you with each project and I would highly recommend any of the courses to anyone of any ability. Needless to say I have booked on another course and wil most doubtlessly booked on many more to come. Thank you Adrian, Andy and Debbie."

Tim reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day) (2 people)

"Well one day in i would not hesitate in recommending this course to anyone! What a great day we had. Graham is knowledgeable, charming and a great teacher. I came away with a beautiful bowl on my first day, however my partner has something more resembling a frisbee! We have also agreed to adopt a hedgehog.... who would have thought that was part of the bargin. T"

Kevin Bartlett reviewed: Stained glass introduction at Blue Kite Stained Glass

"Iain was brilliant, a great day and with no knowledge at the start went away with something worth showing people. Really enjoyable and the day was laid perfectly with the right amount of instruction. Would (and have) recommend it to anyone."

Blue Kite Stained Glass responded:

"Thanks Kevin, glad you enjoyed it!"

K Sharp reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"I attended the introduction to green wood furniture making course in March 2019 and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Peter has a talent not only for the creative design and manufacture of his furniture pieces, but also for inspiring and encouraging others to “have a go” and successfully teaching the techniques needed to achieve a finished article in 2 days. Peter, ably assisted by Lulu, fostered a friendly and inclusive working and learning atmosphere, frequently providing advice on an individual basis, always encouraging us on. His knowledge and passion for the topic is obvious and infectious, for just two days after the course finished, I am planning for the acquisition of the necessary equipment and tools to set about this from home and looking to book a follow up course once I have some experience. I can thoroughly recommend this weekend course no matter what your level of experience is, a great two days, you won’t be disappointed."

Steve Amos reviewed: Chair Making Courses with Sussex Green Woodworking

"Danny, thank you and your team for a wonderful weekend, throughly enjoyable, I learnt an awful amount and with your instruction and help produced a beautiful stool. I hope to see you sometime in the near future. Best regards Steve"

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

"A brilliant art class! I went as a complete beginner in watercolour, learnt about materials and techniques in a relaxed environment with just a few others, meaning everyone got a good level of attention. Laura gave me the confidence to have a go, achieving very pleasing results. Lunch was great and the day passed so quickly. The follow up email with a list of materials and information is very useful, I can’t wait to have a go myself at home."

Pamela Ann Jackson reviewed: Stained glass introduction at Blue Kite Stained Glass

"My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our day with Iain . He is an excellent teacher and guided us through each stage of making a little stained glass 'window' . We are delighted with the end results and we are very eager to learn more about this craft from Iain, if he decides to run other courses."

Blue Kite Stained Glass responded:

"Thanks Pam, glad you enjoyed it, and yes, the cogs are turning for some sort of follow-up course before too long. If one of you wants to join my mailing list at www.iain-g.info (eNews button top right) - that way I can make sure you hear the news first!"

Ruth chandler reviewed: Stained Glass Workshop

"Very informative and enjoyable. The day flew by and we fitted a lot in. Jamie is an excellent teacher and I will certainly be interested in future courses."

Ruth chandler reviewed: Stained Glass Workshop

"Very informative and enjoyable. The day flew by and we fitted a lot in. Jamie is an excellent teacher and I will certainly be interested in future courses."

Vikki Pyatt reviewed: One day slab-building clay workshop

"Went along slightly reluctantly as would not call myself creative by any means, how wrong was I, I had a lovely day with Louise who is very patient! I enjoyed a very therapeutic, chilled and fun session making a house sign and a plate. For those of you have not tried it give it a go! Thank you Lou."

Matt Mewett reviewed: Forged in flames (Forged in fire experience)

"I attended the full day knife forging course a couple of weeks ago and couldn't recommend it enough. Andy is a great teacher and all round nice chap, he gives clear and insightful instruction without loading you with technical detail and guides you through all elements from start to finish. At the end of the day I walked away with a knife I was incredibly proud of. Would definitely recommend to others."

Emma Nock reviewed: Discover the vibrancy & versatility of watercolours in a 2 hour workshop in Skipton

"I really enjoyed this short introduction to watercolours. I learnt several important techniques and have gained the confidence to get started with watercolours at home."

Kate West responded:

"The main aim of the workshop was developing the skills to work confidently with watercolours, something that you did really well - your mix of gray from tertiary colours was amazing! Good to know you had a successful 'launch' into this wonderful medium and thank you for taking the time to provide this review. Kate"

Daniel Wilson reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"A really great 2 days; a fun, reasonably simple technique shown in demos, with plenty of one-to-one support as required. The setting is lovely with an enviable studio, perfect for losing yourself into the process. I feel the course would be beneficial whether you're an experienced artist or a relative newbie, with little or no pressure and plenty of encouragement from excellent tutors James & Alison. The other 10 people on the course were also lovely and helped set the friendly, warm tone of the weekend. Many thanks, keep up the inspiring work!"

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"Ahhh thanks for the lovely review Dan. A big thanks and I am so glad that you enjoyed the course. Looking forward to seeing Kendrick Lemur glazed and finished!"

Lisa reviewed: Mosaic Springtime Wreath in the Forest of Dean/Welsh Border

"Fantastic afternoon. Lovely clear instructions on what to do. Thoughtful comments and help from Rachel throughout the afternoon and finished with a wonderful afternoon tea?"

Russell Sterry reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"A comprehensive day spent with Mark introducing me to the wonders of turning wood from A-X (unfortunately had to shoot off at 7pm and missed Y and Z). Very good at glossing over the bits that I knew and dwelling on the difficult areas. By lunchtime I was worried I would forget what I had been shown in the morning but the prompts and hints were there in the afternoon along with clear notes to take home and refer to when the head scratching inevitably arose at home."

Janice Tranter reviewed: Weekend upholstery courses - Oxfordshire & Berkshire Borders

"I did an upholstery course with Philip last weekend. He is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The chair and material I was working on was very challenging but Philip helped me to meet the challenge. I was really pleased with the results and will definitely be attending a further course. Thanks Philip."

Julia Black reviewed: Turn a wooden bowl on a traditional pole lathe

"Although I am not at all ‘crafty’, I managed, with Steve’s wonderful guidance and help, to make a presentable fanbird, and only 4 plasters required. It was great fun and I felt I learned a lot."

joanne Clarke reviewed: Pottery throwing course, Aylesbury

"An excellent course, perfect for a novice. Charlie was an excellent teacher and once he had demonstrated we had loads of hands on time with great supervision. If I didn’t live so far away I’d go back and do more."

Charlie's Pots responded:

"Hello Joanne Thank you for your lovely response. It was a pleasure to meet you and I hope that you can make it back sometime. I am organising a two day workshop to make teapots on 29th/30th June if you are interested. Many thanks Charlie"

Karen reviewed: Mosaic Springtime Wreath in the Forest of Dean/Welsh Border

"Really enjoyed the mosaic making - absolute absorbing and a satisfying result. And a scrumptious afternoon Testo complete the experience!"

Charlotte reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Such a lovely day! The candle making day was a Christmas present... And we booked just for fun. Jo was very knowledgable and happy to share her expertise and experiences for those wanting to learn the business. I would thoroughly recommend the day to anyone who likes crafts. We made so many candles in all shapes and sizes, which will make good presents, although I'm keeping the 3 wick candle, it's so lovely! Lots of lovely scents to chose from. We were a small group, and I thoroughly enjoyed the day learning a new skill and chatting. We also had lunch, homemade soup which was delicious with bread and some great honey and almond cake, in the cafe downstairs. We were made to feel extremely welcome by Jo in the workshop and Rachel in the cafe. Thank you for a very enjoyable experience."

Nat Alberto reviewed: Textile still life workshop

"Imogen is so very patient, supportive and creative on our recent workshop. What an amazing artist! She helped me to create my ‘masterpiece’ with my limited sewing and artistic skills - truly amazing! Imogen is so giving, a wonderful inspiring artist and she also provided the most scrummiest lunch which added to our day. The day went by in a flash, yet we accomplished some fabulous pictures, thank you!"

Richard Wilmot reviewed: Fused glass workshops in Cornwall

"I found the day very enjoyable. The explanations on what to do were excellent. Wendy was very helpful with advice and hints. End product looked pretty good for a beginner. Would recommend to anybody to have a go."

Peter Cotterill reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I enjoyed an excellent day with Adrian and Andy making 2 unique and beautiful (to me) garden flowers. Debbie provided tasty home-cooked snacks and lunch which added to the whole experience. I strongly recommend this Garden Flowers Day to anyone who doesn't mind a bit of hard work to achieve something special!"