Latest reviews

Cecilia reviewed: Make your very own Tote bag

"An absolutely fantastic course!! I am so pleased with my bag!! I will come back for more courses. This is my 2nd course with Richard and he is a brilliant teacher. I would highly recommend this tote bag class!"

Liam bartlett reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Had a fantastic half day with Matthew, excellent teacher, really friendly, helpful and most of all patient. Neither me nor my mum had been near a potters wheel before yet we managed to throw and shape 8 devent bowls/jugs each !! All thanks to Matthews's amazing guidance. Highly reccommend this to anyone, such a great day, challenging but really fun. I definitely plan on trying the next course. Thanks for a cracking day Matthew."

Debbie Laing reviewed: Tambour beading: a haute couture technique

"Really enjoyable and Audrey was a lovely, well prepared tutor, inspirational and talented. Lovely day and an appreciation of basic techniques to build on. Thank you."

Sharon Bushby reviewed: Fairy house workshop - fabric sculpting by Curiously Contrary

"What a great day, totally enjoyed it. Great teacher made everything easy to understand. Was really impressed with learning how to use powertex its really inspired me. I purchased a pack and have already started on my next project. Brilliant for anyone looking into a new hobby. Thanks again for a fantastic experience."

junia harker reviewed: Fairy house workshop - fabric sculpting by Curiously Contrary

"enjoyed a lovely day very good tutor and venue and came home with a lovely fairy house------just the job"

Nic Crotch reviewed: Glass blowing for beginners

"Very good tutor and pace fast enough to achieve good results. Will be looking at attending other courses."

Kitten Von Mew reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"I was lucky enough to score a 1-1 tutorial at Bonds near Stratford upon Avon. Immediately I felt at ease and was shown the tools, had an explanation of the different wools and had chosen my animal (a hare). I was amazed at how much work goes into these little characters, but although the body took quite a while to felt down, we chatted, had s cup of tea and the time flew by. I managed to get sooo much character into Walter (my hare) and he suddenly had a personality and style to boot. Lunch was from Bonds' cafe, with s choice of sandwiches and drinks. Later we had cake too! I cannot recommend the Crafty Gal workshop enough. Informative, relaxed, fun and addictive!"

Crafty Gal responded:

"Thank you so much for such a fantastic review Kitten, it was a fun day and your hare is So stylish - I'm looking forward to seeing you later this week to make the brooch. Denise x"

Kathy McGowan reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"I booked this course as willow weaving is something I've always wanted to try. Unfortunately after booking the course I had a sudden bereavement so had to change the date. Kate was so wonderful and understanding about the whole situation. I attended the course in June 2018 and couldn't have received a better welcome. What a wonderful lady. The 'companions' for the day were fabulous too - Bertie and Fluffy the cats plus Boris the dog and not forgetting the lovely hens too! Kate has a beautiful cottage and the setting in the garden is wonderful. I made a much larger sculpture than anticipated (a hare) and was very pleased with the finished result! Kate was most patient with all of us and added on an extra 2 hours at the end of the day to ensure we all completed our projects at no extra cost! Kate and her husband Dave supplied a lovely light lunch and chocolate cake too! Yum! She also supplied numerous cups of tea as required throughout the day. I highly recommend this course and this wonderful lady. Don't hesitate to book!"

Margaret Price reviewed: One-to-One Private workshop

"Brilliant day! Pleasant company, excellent tuition and as an absolute beginner I came away with 2 pieces that look really good. We had a lovely lunch and plenty of tea! The choice of items to make suited everyone and the results were fantastic. It was well worth the trip from Kent to Devon. I shall definitely be attending further workshops."

Margaret Lock reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"just come back from a 2 day courses with Nigel, found him to be a really good teacher. I enjoyed every bit of it, made some great bulrushes ,and other things. I stopped in one of the shepherds huts, very clean and comfy. I would not hesitate in recommending this courses"

Matt reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 1 (beginner)

"I can’t rate this course highly enough for anyone, like me, who is looking to get into woodworking but needs to get to grips with the basics first. Aidan is very knowledgable, patient and also exacting - I wouldn’t have thought I’d be working to within 0.1mm after a few hours - and has an obvious passion for his craft. I’ll be back for the next course as soon as I have the time."

Michele reviewed: One-to-One Private workshop

"Brilliant relaxed and informative day, very well organised with lots of equipment designs and materials to utilise, (and lovely lunch provided) made some beautiful original pieces, can't wait to do my next workshop, should be 1st choice for the novice or more experienced with lots of tips an touches to enhance your work, I found it really enjoyable and inspiring - Thank you Gigha you are a great teacher! x"

Susan Price reviewed: Weekly pottery/ceramics classes

"This class is brilliant. Great atmosphere and great teaching. I would recommend it to anyone of any level of ability."

Zoe reviewed: Indigo & Arashi Shibori workshop

"A fantastic afternoon - Lisa is a great teacher, covering the background and attentively supporting us to make some fantastic creations. Highly recommend!"

Gay Steer reviewed: One-to-One Private workshop

"What a fantastic day. Gigha is so lovely and relaxed as a teacher. Her knowledge and patience are off the scale. I have a fantastic day, picked up all skills needed very will with Gigha's help. Lots of materials available to use which was all very exciting for crafters. Was very happy with what I produced. Lunch was lovely. I won't hesitate to book again! Gay"

Lene Ryden reviewed: A 2 day throwing and handbuilding weekend at an established pottery in the New Forest.

"I had a wonderful time developing my throwing, turning and handle pulling skills here at Angels Farm. Jo is an experienced potter who is able to guide anyone in the different ceramics techniques through gentle and patient support and at different levels. The whole weekend was one of relaxation and peace in this most idyllic farm garden surrounded by an abundance of scented flowers. The bed and breakfast is clean, comfortable and offers rest and calm. The delicious breakfast and the scrumptious lunch was punctuated by freshly brewed tea and coffee and home baked cakes and biscuits throughout the day. Jo and her team made everyone feel relaxed and welcome. A real slow down from the outside world but an energising pottery experience. I have already booked myself in on another weekend treat in near future. Thank you. Lene"

Isabel Morgan reviewed: 2 day blacksmithing courses

"Had such a lovely and amazing weekend learning the craftsmanship of blacksmithing. I've been wanted to do it for awhile now and had the chance to, was the best thing i've done this year. Aaron was great he's friendly and an excellent teacher. I learned the basics and techniques of blacksmithing and made a range of wonderful pieces from hooks to the rams head poker and more was just amazing to see how metal can become such beautiful objects that are decorative or useful. I really recommend doing this course if you have wanted to give it a go its such a good experience or if you know someone that would love to do it give it to them as a gift. Great hospitality too can get lots of tea and coffee. Again just wanna say how amazing of a weekend it was should definitely try this course out."

susan royce reviewed: Wire wrap ring making workshop at Sheila Kerr Jewellery, Irvine, Ayrshire

"A small interactive, engaging and fun workshop. The attention to detail and the individualsed interventions where well done. I would recommend this course"

Sheila Kerr Jewellery responded:

"Hi Thank you for your review and for attending the wire wrap pearl ring workshop. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and I also enjoyed delivering the workshop to a lovely group of people. Regards Sheila"

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

"Had the most fantastic day learning the basics of wood turning from Graham. Everything about the day was friendly and welcoming and Graham's teaching style was practical, friendly and very informative. I came away with a small vase and bowl at the end of the day and was genuinely shocked with what I was able to achieve in a day, which was entirely down to Graham's tuition! I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn or just experience wood turning."

Nicole Haegeman reviewed: Zarzo Baskets in the Surrey Hills

"I really enjoyed this course, and was amazed by what we were able to achieve in one day. I went home with two beautiful baskets (or one basket and one platter). Nicki was a great teacher, and her husband Brian too. I never felt lost and there was always support on hand if I got stuck. Nice relaxed atmosphere, and amazing cake!!"

Elizabeth Dell reviewed: Weekend introductory blacksmithing course 'B' at Quinnell School of Blacksmithing

"The course was well structured for beginners. The pace was just right and so were the challenges. The tutor, Ambrose Burne was excellent (and I say that as an experienced tutor). Having another highly skilled blacksmith on hand to provide extra help was more than one would normally expect on a course with 8 participants. Hard work, but thoroughly enjoyable in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Adding another couple of vices would be a good idea. Liz Dell. HND(Fine Art) TDipIT."

joanna Foreman reviewed: One-to-One Private workshop

"A brilliant day, as a complete beginner I made a suncatcher and bunting. The workshop is extremely well equipped and Gigha an excellent teacher."

Darcy Cherry reviewed: Alchemy of Pigment and Pattern at SAOG Studios

"This course has been amazing in the depth and breadth of knowledge and practice. The pace, mood and tone was perfect and so enjoyable.I came primarily out of an interest in creating my own paints and exploring pattern, but was blown away by how all this has been rooted in the cosmos and philosophy of a much deeper spiritual exploration (which, as serendipity would have it, is also exactly what I had been looking for in my own art practice) ... I'm interested in all the SAOG courses. I want to do them all!"

Ian Wilson reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This course was a gift from my daughter and son-in-law for a milestone birthday and was a complete surprise. From the outset it was obvious that this was going to be a relaxed (maybe not the right description come 4 o'clock) and enjoyable day with great knowledge, guidance and direction, as well as some stories and 'jokes', from the guys and lovely home cooking from Debbie. Everything was explained and demonstrated well and apart from the odd blister for those wielding hammers for possibly the first time there were no problems!! Was it worth going? - Yes Did I meet some interesting people? - Yes Would I attend another course here? - Yes Would I recommend it to others? - Most definitely Thank you very much."

Dawn Hsmmond reviewed: Small needle felted animals or pictures

"Nuno Scarf wet felting....Barbara offers clear instruction and works at a comfortable pace to complete the project. I have thoroughly enjoyed creating my scarf using the Wool / groomed fur from my Huskies....so impressed with how it turned out....I decided to do another workshop with Barbara....this time mixing Husky Wool with Merino....wow so pleased.....Barbara is an inspiration and an Excellent teacher/instructor ....Thank You!!"