Latest reviews

ANN reviewed: Glass blowing experience, blow your own Christmas bauble

"Did this class yesterday and the only word I can use is "awesome". Charlotte is very enthusiastic and is great at explaining what to do, and why. I would definitely recommend this class."

Holly Tofield reviewed: Wreath Making with Amanda Thirlby

"Fantastic course - really well explained and lovely quality foliage to create our beautiful wreathes. Amanda was a very friendly and the studio was a perfect space to create our wreaths - I'll definitely be re-boking next year!"

Gavin reviewed: Make a Windsor chair

"I absolutely loved this course, Ben is a great teacher, if you’re thinking about making something with your own hands (completely hand-made) then you’ll be choosing the right place. Ben is on hand at all times to show you how to do each part of the piece of furniture, you don’t need any previous experience as every detail is explained beautifully. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this course and furthermore will be going back to make something else! Good luck and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Gavin - (chair making course autumn 2018)"

Pam Sangster reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"Just spent a Fab couple of days at the Phoenix studio which is a lovely purpose built facility in peaceful surroundings. Karin is an excellent tutor, very patient and knowledgeable with a good eye for detail. Highly recommended."

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"Thanks for the lovely review and for coming for yet another course with us Pam, sorry to have missed you this time. Hope you have a lovely Christmas! James x"

Michele Etherton reviewed: Silver clay jewellery making

"Really good day spent learning a new skill, excellent lunch included as well as all materials. Leave the day with a nice unique silver piece you have made yourself what could be nicer."

Barb P reviewed: Monday Stained Glass (Daytime)

"Love Yolanda's enthusiasm and energy! She creates a relaxed and friendly but highly creative atmosphere in her workshops."

Mike Dustan reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I was given vouchers for a 2 day course, Mark was brilliant, I had not touched wood since school (45 yrs) he was so patient, and explained everything in a way that I could understand. Mark is a passionate bloke regarding wood turning and a bit of the passion rubs off. I would highly recommend any one of any experience level to have Mark as an instructor. Thanks Mark"

Deb Mills reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I wanted to make something special for my late husband’s ashes. It was a rollercoaster of emotions for me doing this and to be honest my head was like treacle but with a lot of help and encouragement from Mark & Richard I’ve made the most beautiful box and I think he’d be proud of me. It was a lovely weekend and they give me a lot of support, the other 3 people doing the course were great too! I’d really recommend anyone to have a go, if I can do it anybody can. I wish I could post a picture of my fabulous box!"

Pammy reviewed: Cyanotype workshop (half day)

"Absolutely loved this course ? learnt a lot. Fun & friendly atmosphere. Have taken this up now as a hobby"

Alison Ryland reviewed: Surface Techniques in Glass with the Cheshire School of Glass

"Two days of excellent teaching pushed all of us beyond expectations: individual advice was very helpful and thorough. I have never learnt to do something to such a professional level before. Jenny taught us all some brilliant tricks to create incredible work. Our results were phenomenal."

Caroline Fleming reviewed: Clay life modelling weekend with Karin Ort

"What a lovely weekend we have all had!! Karen's teaching was excellent, the studio was cheery and well organised and there were even home made flapjacks. It's a great opportunity to focus on something for several ours and feel great about the outcome whatever its like. Time whizzes by and the other students are always lovely. It's surprisingly relaxing. I would think that everyone who attended wanted to come back again. I would thoroughly recommend it."

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"Ahhh thanks for your lovely words Caroline and your continued loyalty to the studio! Have a great Christmas xx"

Judith ross reviewed: Weekend upholstery class in Tarland, Aberdeenshire

"A custom made space with excellent tuition for all levels. Regardless of where you are on your upholstery journey Michelle will teach you new skills in a fun friendly environment. Highly recommended"

Kenyon-Roberts Upholstery responded:

"Thank you Judith, it's made so much easier by having such lovely students to teach."

Steve Ashman reviewed: One day salt or pepper mill woodturning course one to one.

"I have had several wood turning sessions with Bill and have enjoyed every minute in his company. He has skills a plenty and doesn't flap under a barrage of questions. He is patient, a calming influence when a particular technique is proving difficult to master and will work with you at your pace. The workshop is well equipped and the kettle is permanently on!! I do enjoy the fact the tutorship is with small numbers and feel that I am getting good value for my money. Happy wood turning!!"

Andrea reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Hello Jo Thank you so much for a very fun, relaxing and informative day. Your knowledge of candle making is inspiring and taught in a clear and easy to understand way. Making candles in different sizes, also wax melts and Christmas tree hangings was great and choosing our own fragrances for them was fun. Going home with a bag of boxed candles was an added bonus. Many thanks"

The White Candle Company responded:

"Thank you Andrea, it was great to meet you and I hope you stay in touch. I'd love to see any pictures of candles you make. Best wishes. xx"

Tracey Element reviewed: Copper foiling at the Cheshire School of Glass

"Steph is a lovely teacher. I really enjoyed being taught by her. She is really skilled and great at explaining the process . I came away with a beautiful copperfoiled panel that I am really pleased with. This course was fantastic. I will come back and do another in the New year!"

sara lewis jones reviewed: Introduction to glass fusing at the Cheshire School of Glass

"The best creative course I have ever been on. It was well structured , inspiring and totally absorbing. I have never learned so much in such a short space of time. Jenny is an excellent teacher with a well deserved reputation for being the best glass fusing teacher in North England."

Meg Elstob reviewed: 💜 The Suffolk Silk Scarf Painting Workshops 💜 For FOUR People at The Arty Silkworm, Green Farm, Suffolk ~ Fabulously Creative

"A wonderful creative experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Ruth was very welcoming and a good teacher. She was enthusiastic and encouraging about all our work. I will recommend the day to any arty friends and hope to go again myself next year. Meg"

Shaun reviewed: Leather Crossbody/Messenger or Tote bag

"Richard was a fantastic teacher and explained all the basics of leather crafting with ease. I felt very comfortable asking questions, and the small class size meant we got plenty of attention throughout the day. I was able to make something genuinely amazing on my first try because of how well I was guided through the process, and really feel I have learnt the skills rather than just going through them without a full understanding. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn to construct with leather!"

Liz Morris reviewed: Introduction to glass fusing at the Cheshire School of Glass

"This course is brilliant. I had the most incredible day. I thought we were going to make pretty coasters and little wall hangings! How wrong could I be! Jenny is an excellent teacher. She taught all of us so much in one day and we made big works of art! Three in total. When we finished , myself and the other delegates were a bit dazed and amazed at what we had achieved and learnt in one day. We all loved every minute. I would recommend this course to everyone who likes to immerse themselves in creativity and absorb all the exciting things Jenny has to offer in her beautiful studio."

Selina reviewed: Wreath Making with Amanda Thirlby

"I had the pleasure of attending the wreath making workshop run by Amanda. She was generous with her time, knowledge and materials. I was so happy with my wreath and tied display. The workshop was held at Cate Wetheralls Pure Artwork studio - a wonderful space to be creative and really enjoy yourself. I can't recommend highly enough, I am already booked on another workshop. Thanks again!"

ROGER reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"A huge 'Thank You' to Mark! I have not turned anything since at school over 50 years ago and felt it time to enjoy my retirement. Having bought a lathe and some tools, I needed someone to put me on the right road to safely use these and produce some 'pieces'. I now feel confident to move on. I will then have another course with Mark in 3 or 4 months time to further quality of my skills. Mark is knowledgeable, patient and has the ability to explain things well. Keep up the good work Mark. Roger."

Alice Baker reviewed: Handmade cards in Hampshire

"As total novices, we were amazed at what we managed to produce. As a group of 4, we always had tasks to be getting on with while June managed her time with the others. She has an Aladdin's cave of supplies and materials. We did both baubles and cards and were very impressed with how they turned out. June is a patient teacher and we would highly recommend her friendly classes"

Cardinal Cards responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review. I enjoy showing what can be achieved with a few instructions and techniques and you all made beautiful baubles and cards. Hope to see you again soon x"

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

"Fab course, excellent teaching! Kind and professional tutor :-)"

Janice and Mel reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"Mel and I had an excellent day learning to make a four part mould in Ed’s studio. Ed coped admirably with our many demanding questions - as we have been making very unpretty moulds and book-learning as we go. He was enthusiastic and fun and ignored my bag full of shapes to settle on the most challenging one. So we learnt all the hard stuff, lots of professional tips, took many photographs and made notes and laughed a lot. Now we must quickly make another complex piece to ensure we remember as much as possible. We certainly recommend Ed for an enjoyable time learning a new skill, from someone who knows everything there is to know about casting difficult shapes."

David fairclough reviewed: Hand forged rustic knife course

"My wife got me this course as a birthday present. What a treat, Andy and Dave made the day. You are taken through the full forging process with excellent guidance all the way. Great technical knowledge and they are both easy going. You are able to adapt your design and come away with a great piece of hand forged steel. I can't speak highly enough of the staff or the experience. Already planning our next trip to the forge."