Latest reviews

Hannah reviewed: Festive Willow Reindeer (1 day) in the Peak District

"We really enjoyed the willow weaving session. The hospitality was lovely - food was amazing and well beyond our expectations. The instructor Anthony was so patient with my mum with can struggle a little due to arthritic hands. He was personable and made the whole day a pleasure. Great day, would highly recommend and will definately be back for other sessions at the studio!"

Zantium Studios Ltd responded:

"Thankyou very much for joining us yesterday and for your wonderful message. I am so glad you both enjoyed your day here in the studio and will pass on your positive feedback to Anthony. May your fabulous reindeer take centre stage this Christmas! Have a happy time 🦌❤🦌"

Johanna Sturges reviewed: Beginners half-day 1-2-1 pottery / ceramics workshop for 1 person

"What an amazing weekend! I purchased a wood-turning day for my husband for his birthday and decided to make a weekend of it with a pottery session for me and a stay in the beautiful ‘Crafter’s Retreat’. Louise was a wonderful pottery teacher, encouraging me to try new things and have confidence in what I was doing with kindness and patience. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for some relaxation and proper time out. "

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Jo. It was a pleasure having you in the studio and we're so pleased you enjoyed your experience in the pottery studio and in Crafter's Retreat :-)."

Craig Brown reviewed: Wood joints class using reclaimed materials

"Just done a course with Tyler, all I can say is that it was excellent, was exactly what I wanted from the course, he was very patient & knowledgeable & had no issues answering my many questions I would definitely recommend if you're wanting to improve your woodworking skills"

Liz reviewed: Weaving workshop with Naturally Textile

"Thoroughly enjoyed this course. Equipment and instruction excellent."

Tresillian House responded:

"Thank you very much for your kind review. I am delighted you enjoyed your day. Best wishes, Alison at Tresillian House"

Mike Parkinson reviewed: Watercolour and drawing courses

"Highly recommended - well paced and instructive with great pieces of practical work and very helpful gentle guidance. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. I will definitely be rebooking for more ! "

Paul Sturges reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Wow! What a brilliant course. Really informative and well delivered. I learnt so much and will definitely be booking the next session very soon. "

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi Paul, So glad you enjoyed your day. If you need any assistance with your woodturning journey do get in touch. Look forward to seeing you again soon. -- Simon"

Annika reviewed: Collage workshop with Helen Norman

"Lovely setting for the course. I enjoyed the opportunity to try something new and come away with a finished piece at the end of the morning. Lovely home made cake too!"

Hen House Studio responded:

"Thanks Annika for your kind comments and pleased you enjoyed the workshop, we were really impressed with your collage"

LornaF reviewed: Festive Watercolour Retreat Staffordshire

"This was a lovely day in a very nice setting. Joan was a great teacher and enabled this complete novice to produce a very passable picture of a robin. Really enjoyable and I will look to do another day with Joan in the future."

Joan Kennedy Artist responded:

"Thank you soooo much. It was an absolute pleasure and I’m thrilled to help you on your artist journey. Most of next years dates are now on my website but I think I will be adding a few more soon! Thanks so much again xx"

Stacey Lewis reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"Absolutely wonderful course and can’t wait to do the next one in the new year"

Treasureworks responded:

"Thank you Stacey! Lovely to meet you. See you soon! Regards James : )"

Lee Abraham reviewed: Mixed Media Painting Workshop in Brighton Seaside Home

"A very enjoyable day. I have never done mixed Media before and I found it a very interesting process. Laura is very friendly and helpful and enthusiastic and was on hand to help with anything I was unsure about. Her available materials was huge. I will not hesitate to attend another class as they arise. Many thanks Laura. "

Judith reviewed: Festive Willow Reindeer (1 day) in the Peak District

"Excellent course. Lovely friendly helpful tutor. A busy day but the result was so worth it Would recommend "

Zantium Studios Ltd responded:

"Thankyou Judith for this great review. It is always a steep learning curve on this course - but as you say, well worth the effort to go home with an impressive willow reindeer of your own. Top marks to all!"

Mary Luke reviewed: Papercut / paper cutting collage - make a greenhouse filled with paper plants

"This course was excellent. Suzy explained everything really well, provided a lovely variety of papers and other materials and left me feeling full of enthusiasm to try more paper cutting. She also gave us delicious cake and tea and coffee! Thank you Suzy "

The Leaf Press responded:

"Thank you so much for coming to another workshop Mary and being part of such an enjoyable morning. Your greenhouse was beautiful and I hope you'll enjoy looking at it in your craft room."

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

"I read reviews before I booked and travelled for 2 hours for the all day beginner’s course. The reviews were spot on. It was a super day, Jude was attentive, great teacher and for me I was challenged but successful!! I am left wanting more. Jude is patient and kind and passionate about sewing and that has rubbed off on me. "

Julia reviewed: Half day mosaic workshops with Laura Barnes.

"We had a lovely afternoon on Laura’s half day mosaic course. It was a perfect mix of freedom to choose our design and colours but with support, encouragement and guidance from Laura. The whole vibe is calm and we left feeling relaxed and very accomplished with our efforts! "

Laura Barnes Crafty Fox Studios responded:

"Hi Julia, I was just showing off your mosaics to a friend and your review came through! I hope you continue your new craft and I'm always here for advice. Well done!"

Michelle Wray reviewed: Two day Leaded Stained Glass panel making.

"A good course that takes you through the whole process of creating stained glass. Laura explained every step and was helpful in giving advice. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of using the required tools and learning the different techniques involved. Looking forward to hanging the piece I made. "

Laura Barnes Crafty Fox Studios responded:

"Hello Michelle, thank you for your review! You were a joy to work with. I was impressed with everyone bringing a design to translate and all the work was so different. A great weekend all round. "

Vanessa Hogston reviewed: Candle making workshops for beginners - St Albans, Hertfordshire

"Attended the Christmas workshop today and had a lovely morning making Christmas Candles and Wax melts with Anne. A lovely selection of scents, colours and shapes of candles and containers. This was my second workshop I’ve attended (my first one was in the summer) and no doubt we shall return again. Highly recommend. Thank you 😊 "

Sally Cotterill reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"A marvellous day making a basket. Johnny and Becky were both excellent teachers and welcomed me into their lovely workshop just outside Malvern. I had an enjoyable day learning how to build a round basket using multiple weaving techniques. Thoroughly recommended!"

Andy Roper (ex Miner) reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Bought as a birthday gift .Brilliant day..highly recommend 3 great people Debbie Adrian and Andy..fantastic home made food by Debbie...tuition and supervision from Adrian and Andy...and a few laughs along the way 👍👍"

Chrissy Cole reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"The hare sculpture course yesterday was excellent. Each stage was explained clearly and we were directed and helped through each process. The final outcome was an original and splendid hare sculpture which will be pride of place in our homes and gardens for many years to come. Thank you so much for such a great day."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"My absolute pleasure Chrissy 🤗. Enjoy finding a special place for your hare. Jo xx"

Lauren reviewed: Modern Calligraphy (1 day) in the Peak District

"Had such an enjoyable day on Allie’s modern calligraphy course. A smaller group meant everyone got valuable tips and had a great time practising whatever their ability. We were in a lovely studio with plenty of refreshments, lunch and tea & cake in the afternoon. Would definitely recommend! I’m very glad I booked it. Thank you all for a lovely day."

Zantium Studios Ltd responded:

"Thankyou Lauren, So glad you enjoyed your Calligraphy day at Zantium Studios. There is always such a calm, creative atmosphere in Allie's classes. Delighted to hear you felt the same way."

Su reviewed: SAORI Weaving Discovery Session

"A brilliant introduction to weaving. Highly recommended."

Wayward Weaves responded:

"Thanks so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed it :)"

Christine S reviewed: One Day Stained Glass Workshop - 121 OR for 2 (with a friend)

"I absolutely loved my day making stained glass. I did a 1-2-1 day course bought as a birthday gift from my family. Ruth was very knowledgeable and friendly. It was a relaxed atmosphere and she was happy to go along with the design I wanted to do (and even had the template ready for me when I got there). I loved all the processes involved and I am so pleased with my end result. Thank you Ruth I will hang it in pride of place xx"

Blue Skies Glass Studio responded:

"Ah that’s wonderful Christine, thank you. It was so lovely to have you here and to see your brilliant creation come to life! x"

IanL reviewed: Willow chicken Sculpture at Walford Mill Wimbourne

"Another terrific day willow sculpting at Walford Mill. Jo is a fantastic and engaging tutor, and made the day all the more enjoyable. Although a pig sculpting day, is arranged to sculpt a second unicorn for my granddaughters, to join the first in their garden from a previous deer/unicorn sculpting class. This class enabled me to explore some new ideas, and to learn and practice more willow working under Jo's lovely guidance."

Jo Sadler Willow responded:

"Thank you Ian, beautiful unicorn sculpture made. "

Debbie reviewed: Private Session for Debbie as agreed with tutor - Stacking Rings

"An excellent ring making session. Would highly recommend it to everyone 😊"

Beccy Gillatt Jewellery responded:

"Thank you so much."

Hillary Bower reviewed: A day on the tiles: one-day mosaic workshop

"A relaxing and informative Mosaic course held with Fiona in her beautiful Studio with excellent facilities and equipment. I can thoroughly recommend this course ."

Valley Craft Studio responded:

"Thanks so much for your lovely review Hillary. It was great to meet you both and I’m looking forward to having you back again soon x"