Latest reviews

31 Jul 17'

Maureen Arkley reviewed: 2-Day Traditional Stained Glass Painting Course for Beginners

"Nathalie had prepared her teaching sessions well with photographs she had taken especially for us to work from during the first day and materials set out ready for us on our tables. She took care to explain the processes thoroughly and then helped us to put into practice what we had learned, tactfully suggesting ways we could enhance our work as we went. Nathalie was friendly and welcoming and took trouble to ensure that we enjoyed the course. An excellent two days!"

31 Jul 17'

Simon James reviewed: Timber framing courses

"I've just completed the advanced course and I can I honestly say it was excellent and is surpassed my expectations. It was so good I've booked to go back for a third week in September to learn more from Allen and Connor. Allen is an excellent instructor with a genuine desire to pass on his considerable knowledge. Allen, Connor and Sid go above and beyond, often still teaching until late in the evening - thanks for your patience and enthusiasm. See you all in September:-)"

31 Jul 17'

Jayne reviewed: Mosaic workshop at Jackie Nash Art

"An amazing day. The opportunity to be creative and get away from it all was so welcome. Great company, excellent support and guidance, lots of fun, fabulous food. My mosaic will be proudly installed in my garden. Thank you so much Jackie. JC x"

30 Jul 17'

Janet Millward reviewed: Mosaic workshop at Jackie Nash Art

"Spent a thoroughly enjoyable day at the workshop. Jackie gave excellent tuition but then stepped back to let you create your mosaic. She seemed to instinctively know when you needed a guiding hand. Fabulous choice of tiles to select from. delicious food as well especially the banana cake!"

30 Jul 17'

Sarah M reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"I arrived to a warm welcome from Bob Jane's husband. We all were introduced to each other & then sat down at our places & told about to do tapestry. Even when I got stuck Jane was there with encouragement when I made a mistake. I was amazed when I finished my seascape to be able to put it a frame & to take it home with me !"

30 Jul 17'

Rebecca reviewed: Wild pottery workshop - dig your own clay in the woods, bonfire/clamp kiln firings

"Just fabulous. Fun, creative, incredibly informative (thanks to you Ruby for your hugely inspiring teaching) and in a place of such simple beauty. Way beyond all hopes, this is a treat of an experience that I shall never forget - shared with lovely lovely people"

30 Jul 17'

Liz birchall reviewed: Coil Pottery | Short Course

"Loved every minute of the day"

30 Jul 17'

RebeccaW reviewed: Portmeirion crafts retreats

"A really well organised weekend. I loved that you could take things at your own pace, but that you got the chance to try new things too. This creative lark can become addictive very quickly! Already looking forward to booking the next one."

30 Jul 17'

Annabelle Swann reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"An absolutely fabulous day. Julie is a gifted teacher who inspires even the most inexperienced stitcher to produce a piece of work to be proud of."

30 Jul 17'

Janet Rowe reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Thank you for a lovely day. Lots of helpful advice and assistance, everything at an achievable pace. I do love my finished piece! ?"

30 Jul 17'

Gillian Widdowson reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"I have just had the most enjoyable day learning a new craft. Julie is kind, patient and most of all, knowledgeable. Who needs therapy when you can spend a day learning free motion embroidery ?! Thoroughly recommend."

30 Jul 17'

Nina Muir reviewed: Weekend upholstery courses - Oxfordshire & Berkshire Borders

"What an enjoyable weekend course of upholstery! Philip is a brilliant teacher with amazing patience and is very knowledgable and willing to answer all aspects of the subject. Great to meet other students with a wide range of furniture to also learn about. I will definitely be going back for another course and look forward to completing another project. Thank you"

30 Jul 17'

KeriNei reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Thank you for an enjoyable and fun day. You had great and informed teaching skills. Would love to be able to come again ( from Australia)."

30 Jul 17'

Lesley Issac Penny reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A really lovely enjoyable day. I had absolutely no experience of machine embroidery but felt quite confident by the end of the course. Really want to carry on and try other styles and techniques- lampshades, panels etc- can't wait!"

30 Jul 17'

Aidan and Felicity reviewed: One day welding course: an introduction

"Thank you Julian for a fantastic 2 days. The first day we spent learning how to weld and the second creating our own sculptures, which involved welding annealing and some blacksmithing. We certainly had plenty of hands on experience, which was fantastic"

30 Jul 17'

Crisiant reviewed: Artisan Printmaking Weekend Course

"I loved every minute of this weekend printing course. Nicola is an excellent teacher with lots of patience and I was able to complete several prints on cloth and paper even though I was an absolute beginner. I highly recommend this course."

30 Jul 17'

Adrian Lambert reviewed: Coil Pottery | Short Course

"A good day that gave me the basics of making and finishing coil pots. Deiniol is patient and relaxed but manages to sneak a fair bit of information into your head about the finer points of working with clay. He lets you get on with it as much as you can but is happy to step in if things are going awry, which they did for one of my two pots that I made over the course of the day. One is now functioning as a water jug at home, the other which was a vase - because I faffed around when choosing the surface finish, was only bisque fired. Deiniol has since helped me finish it (actually my kids did it!) and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished item. I absolutely exceeded my expectations, but as there's still plenty of room for improvement I'm hanging out to do more and see if I can't do better the second time. I started thinking afterwards that a hand made jug and vase would cost more than the course fee too, so it was well worth it."

30 Jul 17'

colm reviewed: Portmeirion crafts retreats

"Thanks to everybody for an excellent weekend. Was given it as a gift. Never done anything like this before. I would recommend it to anybody."

30 Jul 17'

Daniel Patton reviewed: Timber framing courses

"It’s quite hard to convey what an awesome experience the last two weeks have been. In terms of learning about green oak timber framing, Alan is a very gifted teacher. He has somehow managed to tailor the teachings perfectly to accommodate the varying levels of experience within the group. And he does this with such great patience and humour! Alan was also assisted by his equally talented son Connor who was very generous with his time, both during the daytime timber framing, and the evening axe throwing and archery shenanigans! I now know enough to get started on my own small projects and I have the bug to learn more about Green Oak Timber framing. The food was incredible, and I say this as a fussy eater. I was never felt wanting for anything else, although my wife is now subtly suggesting a diet is in order! Many thanks Mary! Finally, the fellow members of the group seemed to be the icing on the cake. I felt lucky to be joined by such a varied group of awesome people who all had a common interest in being creative with the idea of eventually building something from timber. In summary, an amazing couple of weeks which will never be forgotten! Thank you to all involved! Dan"

30 Jul 17'

J.N. reviewed: Portmeirion crafts retreats

"Loved it, this is perfect for people who think they don't have a creative bone in their body, turns out we all do, it's just a case of finding the right thing for you and your own area of creativity. I'm now hooked, a total creativity convert."

29 Jul 17'

Michael Fendrych reviewed: Ceramics/Pottery workshops in Edinburgh area

"Just started this course and I'm very impressed with the quality of teaching and very friendly environment.Highly recommended. Michael"

29 Jul 17'

Emma reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking - make a stool or small table

"Didn't know I'd be able to do it but it was great! Fresh air, great food and came home with my rustic stool which has pride of place in my kitchen. Highly recommend if you want to get away from the rat race for a couple of days."

29 Jul 17'

Nick Godley reviewed: Advanced Timber Framing Course

"Back to the woods for the advanced timber framing course and was again blown away by how hospitable Alan and the family are and enjoyed the week immensely! The main problem was that the week seemed to be over in a blink. Going back again before the year is out. If the courses keep running, ill keep going!"

29 Jul 17'

Roger Hoey reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I have just had, I think, my third visit here. Chris is endlessly patient & an extremely good teacher. Part of yesterday was devoted to setting up my bench grinder for sharpening, I might add that all this was at my request. After that I made a lovely bowl out of sweet chestnut. Anybody out there & thinking of giving woodturning a go, this is the chap you want. Needless to say I shall be back!!"

29 Jul 17'

Tamsin reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"My best weekend in years! I never thought I could do it but turns out I could - thanks to skilled and patient teaching from Pete and apprentice Joe, and the friendly support of a lovely bunch of fellow learners. Pete doesn't do it for you, and I admit to the occasional weak moment where I wished he would; instead he conveys calm confidence that you will 'get it' and so of course you do - and that makes you doubly proud of the finished product. I'm so chuffed with my stool - not without it's 'quirky' features but completely functional and gorgeous - and am seriously wondering what to make next. Thank you to everyone who made it such a great couple of days."