Latest reviews

Beverley Sommerville reviewed: Lathe turning for beginners with Thompsons Wood

"Aint wood turning Fab!!!!!! I had a great time with Jake @thompsonswood A full day of learning and understanding Lathe turning, it was great to learn new skills…..loved it so much am looking to invest in a lathe of my own!!!! I can’t recommend Jake enough very patient, kind and generous with his knowledge and teachings….. and makes a fab cuppa, what’s not to like.……worth every penny. "

Kate S reviewed: One Day Stained Glass Foiling Method Course

"I had an amazing day with Cheryl in her lovely garden studio making a sun catcher. There were only three of us that day and we were made to feel welcome and had lots of relaxed chat and one on one help with our pieces. We were able to work through a foiled stained glass piece from start to finish so got to learn about the different stages and materials used. It’s a craft I am looking to take up and she was very helpful with any questions I had about being able to do it myself. Would thoroughly recommend and have already done so to friends!"

Cheryl Powling Glass responded:

"Fabtastic!! So glad you felt the glass magic !! Was lovely to have you here xx hope to see you again x "

Aliya reviewed: Copper foiled stained glass workshop: June

"Will is a patient, clear, and skilled instructor with a warm disposition. There is a wide range of glass to choose from of all colours and textures, and a selection of templates ranging from simple to more challenging. All equipment needed was provided and well maintained. Will allowed creative freedom with our designs whilst still providing direction and advice where needed. The pace throughout the 3 hour session was determined by participants to an appropriate degree, we were all complete beginners and left with lovely finished pieces and a strong desire to return. I’d highly recommend this course for a thoroughly enjoyable and pressure free introduction to medium. "

Jennie reviewed: Watercolour Art & Spa 2 day full board learn to paint @ The Flackley Ash Hotel Rye Sussex

"A great package deal enjoyed by three generations! Vicki covered all the basics brilliantly with lots of opportunities to have a go and ask lots of questions. Really liked the concept of eating together over the two day course giving it a really inclusive feel whether you were with someone else, or on your own."

Arty Party Breaks and lessons responded:

"Thank you Jennie, it was lovely to meet you all and I’m so glad you enjoyed the course. I loved the little flowers you painted, keep on painting!"

Annie Marlow reviewed: 2 day wood carving course

"I have loved this course and have learned so much with Pete' expert help. I was brand new to wood carving two days ago and already feeling proud of what I am achieving. There is a lovely informal and friendly atmosphere in the workshop and lots of individual help for people with more or less experience, and for people interested in different projects. It has been so helpful to try different tools and share ideas. I will definitely be back. Thankyou very much!"

Rix & Co Rocking Horses Ltd responded:

"Annie thank you so much for your wonderful review and for a fantastic couple of days carving! "

Laura P reviewed: Introduction to spooncarving at Hill End

"Fantastic day at Hill End with David and Caroline. David's tutoring is easy-going and very clear, which means everyone successfully produced a recognisable spoon at the end of the day."

David Knight Woodland Crafts responded:

"Thanks so much for your review Laura. I do hope your cherry spoon will get lots of use over the years!"

Anastasia Towers reviewed: Wooden mechanical toy (automata) making

"I found this course by chance and was intrigued by the idea, so booked it. What a marvellous day I had. I had trouble finding the place and was late, but Stef was very kind and understanding. We set about starting the day and Stef had everything organised with clear instructions ready to go. I wanted to make a toy for my granddaughter and chose 'The Fishing Cat'. I had let Stef know that I would like the toy to make some noise as my granddaughter is still a baby and likes noises. He came up with an idea to add a bell to the mechanism that rings when we turn the handle to move the fish. He is happy to adapt the toys to what a customer wants and that is really wonderful. I had a brilliant day, using the various machines, cutting, sanding and painting all the pieces. Stef was brilliant at instructing and guiding you through all the processes and the day passed quickly. We finished in good time and the toy looks fabulous and works really well with the bell ringing. I can't wait to give this to my granddaughter. Thank you Stef for a wonderful day and great experience."

Penlan Crafts responded:

"Dear Anastasia, thank you so much for the detailed and enthusiastic review! I'm so happy you love your Fishing Cat, and I'm sure that your granddaughter will love it too, a beautiful present that will stay with her for a long time :) Warm regards, Stef"

Lucy Phillips-Kassanis reviewed: Needle felt workshop

"My sisters and I booked this course as a 60th birthday gift for our Step-Mum and are so glad we did! We spent a few hours with Yvonne at her home in Stroud learning how to felt, creating designs inside teacups. Yvonne is a great teacher and was also very welcoming and accommodating, providing us with endless tea and even some delicious cake. It was such a lovely, relaxing and creative group activity which I would highly recommend!"

Needle Felt Art responded:

"Aw Lucy , it was such a pleasure to felt with you lovely ladies. I am so pleased you enjoyed your felting project, you all did so well, and beginners too, amazing results. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your day celebrating with your lovely step mum. Be great to felt with you all again, Yvonne. "

Alison Gordon reviewed: Furniture making and Cabinetry beginners course

"Hugely enjoyed this one day course. Jake is a fantastic teacher, very knowledgeable and positive, taking time to explain each element. He is also great fun! From someone with no experience of woodworking whatsoever, to have made a table within a day is 🤯. I could not recommend Jake or this course more highly. Thanks so much Jake x"

Jenny reviewed: Copper foiled stained glass workshop: June

"Excellent course. Materials all provided and Will was an excellent teacher. Came away from the 3-hour course with a stained glass creation. Fully recommend"

Julia T reviewed: Mosaic/chat/create! with award winning mosaicist Emma Abel

"Emma's instruction was very clear and set out what we should do, and how we should do it, explaining some of the background of mosaics at the same time. Emma was very helpful individually as well as a group tutor. The environment at Emma's workshop was delightful; a beautiful rural location and very relaxed and friendly setting. Emma is a brilliant mosaic artist and a fantastic teacher. Wow factor = spending a day relaxing with friends and ending it with a piece of artwork that I hadn't imagined I would be able to achieve."

abelmosaics responded:

"I'm so glad you enjoyed your workshop Julia and it was fun having the three of you here together. Great cutting with the Gecko! I look forward to seeing you soon."

Janet and Lynn reviewed: Making a Stained Glass Panel: Beaminster, Dorset

"A good introductory course. We had an enjoyable time, we were very pleased with our first attempt. "

Jackie Hunt Creative Glass Courses responded:

"Thank you Janet and Lynn for your kind review - I hope you are now enjoying your panels after all your hard work - they were lovely! Remember, if you want any details of suppliers or equipment to continue as a hobby, let me know and I can send. All the very best - Jackie "

Fred P reviewed: Mosaic/chat/create! with award winning mosaicist Emma Abel

"All correspondence re: booking the course, arrangements, etc, all very clearly communicated by Emma. Instructions also timely and easily understood. Questions dealt with patiently. I particularly liked getting the right colours in the right place, i.e. designing. Also the lemon drizzle cake was excellent. Emma was very welcoming and being a complete novice, I felt very supported. I will be back! "

abelmosaics responded:

"Thanks so much for your review Fred, your hummingbird has worked beautifully. I hope it has boosted your artistic confidence because you took to the medium very naturally. I look forward to seeing what you create next!"

Jeni Channer reviewed: Wood Carving Workshop - One Day

"A great experience. Learnt lots with lots of practical engagement. Could have carried on for another hour. Personalised questions answered. Nice small group. "

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We are very happy you enjoyed the workshop. Best wishes, The Stanwick Lakes team."

Kimberley Jones reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"We came as a group of three and we all really loved the experience, and each of us came away with a beautiful, unique knife. This isn't a course where you are given a kit and follow instructions to an end product, but instead one where you design and handcraft something tailored to you. I personally started the weekend with little to no experience working with metal, wood or leather, but at the end of the weekend had managed all three. And Arian was really great at not only explaining how to do something, but why we did each step of the process. Highly recommended!"

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Hi Kim, many thanks for your review. really happy that you appreciated the individual aspect of the course, i get a lot of satisfaction from seeing how participants bridge their own ideas and the limitations of craft. It was lovely to meet you three, and i hope you get lots of use from the great knives you made. Warm regards, Arian"

Charlotte Wood reviewed: Resin jewellery making

"What a wonderful evening as our tutor was so welcoming, clear on showing us techniques, had so many things to choose from, bubbly and approachable. Extremely helpful and will go again definitely. The venue was lovely too and lots of things to look at in the shop. "

Mrs Emma Fisher reviewed: Advanced Food Preservation Techniques Devon

"Hi there, I recently attended the advanced preserving course. It was excellent, and we did enjoy it. Just a few things, my mum is a bit hard of hearing and did not hear all of it, perhaps if you can ask if people need to be nearer to the front if they are hard of hearing that would be great. Also just felt that we spent a long time on the Miso, and would have loved to have spent more time on pickling and oil... other than that it was really good and we went to lark today and said hello... "

Ground Up Cookery School responded:

"Thank you for your review. We are so pleased that you enjoyed it. If only we had been made aware of your mother's hearing, when we emailed before the course, we could have made sure that you were positioned at the front. If there is anything that she would like to question further, please encourage her to drop us an email. It is a very diverse course and does dive deep into more adventurous preservation techniques, but we do take your feedback on board. "

Jayne reviewed: Wire bird sculpture workshop

"This Wire Bird Workshop was amazing. The Tutor was extremely patient with us, very helpful, and extremely inspiring. The venue was perfect with road side parking on a quiet road, lots of offers of drinks (it was very hot!) and even homemade cake too. Extremely pleased with my little Blue Tit, and will definitely have a go again at home. When dates match, we will be attending the Chicken Wire Hare Workshop next - Very impressed - Thank you."

Lynne Littler Sculpture responded:

"Hi Jayne - thank you for your kind words - your bluetit was amazing - I look forward to seeing you on the next one thanks Lynne"

Debbie Mcallister reviewed: Glass Fusing Workshop, half day

"Attending Pennys glass fusing course was great, what a fantastic way to spend a Saturday morning. Having only a small group allowed Penny time to give us extra help/guidance when needed. The resources were plentiful and we didn’t feel rushed. I can’t wait to see the finished product. I would definitely like to attend again, maybe a full day course next time! "

Through the Arch - Fused Glass responded:

"Thank you Debbie for your kind words. You all produced such lovely glass art! I look forward to seeing you again in the future."

Sally reviewed: Introduction to blacksmithing: extra date!

"Jo was very patient, friendly and understanding. Has gone above and beyond to help me and my grandson!"

Green Aspirations Scotland CIC responded:

"Thanks so much, Sally. It was great to meet you and your grandson - and I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon. "

Wendy reviewed: Textile landscape workshop in Dorset

"Lovely day course with Imogen. A well organised and supplied amount of necessary materials. A process new to me explained well. Examples shown, to inspire ideas. Lots of encouragement. I would recommend this as a really useful method to any people interested in textiles. The haff and ammenities were perfect. Thank you Imogen. Brilliant!!"

Imogen Bittner Studio responded:

"Thank you very muchWendy. It was an extremely pleasant and productive day for me too! I am so pleased you enjoyed it and made such good progress and wish you well in your future creations. Best wishes, Imogen "

Andrew lynn reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"This was my first experience blacksmithing. Found this local course and it peaked my interest. Thought to myself, sure I can swing a hammer all day at some metal how hard can it be. Turns out I’m stupid and it is incredibly difficult. Difficult and rewarding. Alex shared techniques he’s acquired through years of hard work, learning and dedication. I was really impressed with how patient he was with me, as surprise surprise… I wasn’t an instant savant like I thought I may have been. In all serious though this class was thoroughly enjoyable and interesting, and it’s made me consider furthering my blacksmithing career with other courses Alex offers. "

Anna Durran reviewed: Natural dyeing course in Pembrokeshire

"An amazing course lots of hands on gathering and dyeing. Tutor had wonderful knowledge. Idyllic location. Highly recommend the tutor and her courses."

Susan Martin responded:

"So glad you enjoyed the course and setting. Thank you for your company over the weekend."

Caro reviewed: Enamelling day with Kate Janssens at Cambridge Art Makers

"Great course with Kate. She couldn’t be more helpful. Made two pairs of earrings. Lovely facilities. Very friendly place. "

Cambridge Art Makers responded:

"We're so glad you enjoyed your course, thanks for coming! "

Jo Heslop reviewed: Upholstery for Beginners Workshop - in Warrington, Cheshire

"What a fantastic day we had at Jo’s workshop. Jo guided us every step of the way and we all left having produced an amazing footstool. Such a pleasant way to spend a day. A fabulous venue and wonderful cakes. Thank you Jo. "

The Boho Shed responded:

"Thanks so much for your lovely review Jo. You made such a gorgeous stool and I'm over the moon you enjoyed the day. So pleased you enjoyed the cakes too. :-) x"