Latest reviews

Justin reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"This was a great way to pass a Saturday, Jo was fun and a great host and teacher. I'm not remotely 'crafty' and I found the course really informative and interesting plus you get to take your creations home! I would recommend this to anyone."

The White Candle Company responded:

"Thank you! Was lovely to meet you both and will be a workshop I always remember for lots of laughter, which makes my job a breeze. Kind regards Jo x"

Dean reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"A great day with Jo learning all the aspects of candle making. Jo is so knowledgeable, a great teacher and fun to spend the day with, she even shared some trade secrets with us. You get to take home all the items you make nicely packaged up for you along with information of stockists. The lunch provided was delicious and filling and I would highly recommended this course to anyone."

The White Candle Company responded:

"Thank you so much! Am very much looking forward to what comes out of Cob Cottage in the next few years. Best wishes Jo x"

Eamonn Jundi reviewed: Stained glass for all at the Cheshire School of Glass

"I just have just completed the two day ‘stained glass’ course at Cheshire school of glass. What an amazing, thoroughly enjoyable experience. Steph the course tutor was simply awesome, she give us all the confidence to attempt and succeed at challenging stain glass projects. She has extensive knowledge, skill and expertise, but the patient way she demonstrates and helps you is her greatest asset. Definitely the very best training course I’ve ever attended..... Can’t wait to try some glass projects at home:-)"

Linda Price reviewed: Christmas Pudding - needle felting workshop with The Lady Moth

"Fantastic course ! I had no previous experience but after a couple of hours I left with a lovely little owl ?"

David Webber reviewed: Pottery Throwing (Group Discounts Available) Lessons in Worcester

"Fantastic day, 6 hours, 7 pieces made and decorated. All with patience and good humour. And after firing you get to take the work home. Just hope the pots are as good as my imagination has been telling me! Top job Chris."

diane mailer reviewed: Lampshade making workshop Edinburgh Scotland

"My mum and I had a lovely morning with Ginny who was a very patient teacher! We came away with two lovely lampshades and inspired to make more."

Little Lamptastic responded:

"Thank you! Lovely to meet both of you and hope you had a nice morning!"

Jean D reviewed: 5 Day Professional Furniture Refinishing Workshop - Traditional & Contemporary

"I was a total novice to re-finishing furniture (except for painting); I had many pieces that needed attention and I was too frightened to just 'have a go'. I decided it was time to acquire some skills...so booked up with Ollie for 5 days. For me, it was definitely worth it. I'd brought 6 pieces with me (including a pine breakfast bar and an Ercol chair) and we managed to work on four of them. I feel much more confident about oiling/waxing pieces; painting (including masking-up furniture for painting patterns) and even french polishing. Ollie is friendly, approachable and patient and has a nice, big, bright workshop to work in. Ollie provides plenty of information about products to use and since there were only a few in the class, I got lots of attention, which is what I think I needed to really embed what I was learning....and now I have 3 more Ercol chairs to strip and re-finish...."

Mary Pearson reviewed: French Polishing & Woodcare - 2 Day Beginners/Intermediate Workshop

"This was a fantastic course which I enjoyed enormously. I learned so much in just 2 days and was thrilled by the results I achieved on my pieces of furniture. Ollie was extremely helpful and informative and showed a great deal of patience! It was fascinating to learn not only the technique of French Polishing but also about the wood and construction of my pieces. Seeing furniture through Ollie’s eyes has brought me another level of respect for even our most utilitarian pieces. I now feel ready to tackle French polishing at home and with Ollie’s notes and advice package I feel confident I can achieve great results. I cannot recommend this course highly enough."

Karen reviewed: Needle felt landscapes workshop on Orkney, including lunch

"I had no previous experience of needle felting and I’m absolutely delighted with the picture I made with Catherine’s excellent tuition and support. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was completely absorbed in what I was doing. It was a wonderful way to spend a day and to come home with a unique hand made picture which I love. Catherine was knowledgable and patient and I learnt enough to continue felting at home."

Rachel reviewed: Upholstery for Beginners Workshop - in Cheadle, Gr Manchester

"The upholstery workshop was my second workshop with Joanne and it was great. Its amazing to think that the piece of fabric you take with you on the day, can be transformed into a little footstool! Thank you again for another great workshop :)."

The Boho Shed responded:

"What a lovely group you all were. Such an enjoyable day for me too. So satisfying to see you all leave happy with your gorgeous footstools."

Nic Hayward reviewed: Creating ceramic animals courses - with James Ort & Alison Pink

"What can I say? Yet another amazing course at the Phoenix. Adding to the outstanding ceramic animals and wirework courses, and the Drawing Circus, the Jake Spicer drawing weekend was yet another winner. Jake is a master, and has a very gentle but effective way of getting the best out of people, making a fine double act with James Ort. Learned lots, really enjoyed the company of like minded folk, as well as spending time with Jake, lovely model Bella, and James. Thank you."

Frederick Hitchen reviewed: Introduction to traditional stained glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"The course was quite outside my zone of experience, it was tough day concentration needed through the day and was exactly what I was looking for. The other attendees were good mixers and produced various pieces of work. I think the course could have worked better over 2 days for my standard of work, but other did finish well within time.Kate Billington ran the course kept us on our toes would like to go back on another, well done everyone."

Carole reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"Just attended a fabulous one to one day course with Ruth Blackford - Textiles/Machine Embroidery. Ruth made the day fun and gave me lots of ideas and helped me to develop my ideas. She made me very welcome. Would thoroughly recommend Ruth as a Textile teacher."

Andrew reviewed: Candle making class & bubbly in Brighton & Hove

"Fun and educational experience lead by a friendly teacher. Very enjoyable"

Annette Orsborne reviewed: Christmas Pudding - needle felting workshop with The Lady Moth

"Needle felting was something I have always wanted to learn. The course was perfect, exactly the right number of people and the tuition easy to follow. ‘The Moth Lady’ was patient and informative and I was delighted to take my owl home at the end and feel such a sense of achievement. It was like friends getting together to craft. I highly recommend doing a course with her."

LouiseWood reviewed: Half-day pottery with Marina -for two

"My teenage daughter had been doing pottery classes for a couple years, but wanted to try throwing a pot. When I googled throwing a pot in Surrey we were lucky enough to find Marina. A very experienced Potter based close to us in Dorking with a studio dedicated to all things pot like! We have had a few classes now and my daughter has the bug, she has bought home many pieces already and is gaining useful practical tips/hints from Marina who is a joy to learn with. I can recommend her highly whether you are experienced or not Marina will have you throwing successful pots on your first session!"

Wai-Lian Scannell reviewed: Alien spoon carving

"For a novice spoon whittler like myself I loved this course and highly recommend it! It was thoroughly enjoyable and informative, set in a welcoming atmosphere at Alan’s home. My greatest fear was to start with a log and return home with a twig or only one chopstick but under Alan's skilful tuition I left with something that resembled a spoon but more importantly the ‘confidence’, knowledge and tools to finish whittling at home. To sum up this course… Spoon whittling, scrumptious soup and scones makes for a super Saturday day out. Thank You!"

Lucy Chivers reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I had such a good day. The venue was perfect. Plenty of space, comfortable, inspiring! Dave is a great teacher, very experienced and patient with deep knowledge of the craft which he gives freely and with enthusiasm. I explained my teaching style which he responded to perfectly, always the sign of a great teacher. He involved everyone in every stage and tailored the content accordingly. We started off with introductions (a bit like spooners anonymous!) and went into safety and axe and knife grips and how to use them on a piece of practise wood. Then we went straight into making a butter spreader and onto a spoon in the afternoon. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed, ample tea and coffee breaks and the most divine flapjack I have tasted. Dave followed up with a comprehensive email with links and information covering all the points discussed the day before. Well worth the price and you will learn skills that will last you a lifetime."

Ian callaghan reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"I definitely think anyone who’s interested in metalwork should try this cause it opened my eyes to how much work and craftsmanship goes into making knives The staff there are so friendly and helpful and I had a thoroughly good day and Would definitely do it again"

Ian callaghan reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I definitely think anyone who’s interested in metalwork should try this cause it opened my eyes to how much work and craftsmanship goes into making knives The staff there are so friendly and helpful and I had a thoroughly good day and Would definitely do it again"

Simone reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Jeffrey's workshop is a brilliant introduction to spoon carving. By the end of the workshop I had made two beautiful spoons, one from a spoon blank and the other by using an axe to chop down a log into my own spoon blank. I left the class hooked on whittling and axe work and enthused to make more spoons. Jeffrey is a great teacher: personable, patient and able to give clear concise explanations and instruction to beginners. I can't recommend his course highly enough."

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

"Me and my wife a had a great day with Jake at his forge! I would certainly recomend it to anyone. The joy you get from creating something with your own hands (with a little expert help from time to time) is immense. Jake was very easy to get along with and a very good instructor. He even was able to help me create a Mjolnir (Thors Hammer) pendant. As a side note the cafe was very nice for lunch also providing a tasty selection. The parking at the forge is a little tight so if you have a large car or arent very confident in squeezing through tight spaces i would recomend parking on car park around the corner. An excellent day all round!!- will definatley look at more blacksmithing in future"

Lesley reviewed: Needle felting course with Furzie at Farrington's Farmshop, Bristol

"This course is fantastic,we thoroughly enjoyed it, easy to understand, Michelle is an excellent teacher. Good food. Even catered for my gluten free diet,would recommend to anyone."

Chris White reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"Judith was welcoming and gave first class instruction and support. The equipment and materials provided were great. I thoroughly recommend this workshop."

Holly reviewed: Taster Pottery Session

"Joan was a lovely and extremely knowledgeable teacher. She talked and showed us the basics and then let us free to use our own creativity. We managed to fit so much in the time and I'm made up with how much I made! Such an amazing afternoon can't wait to come and finish off my pieces! Highly recommended!"