Latest reviews

Lynne Koker reviewed: Glass Fusing and enamel painting on glass

"I wanted a relaxing day making something to celebrate my birthday. I had no experience and about the same amount of ability. Jane came up with some ideas for a project which we developed together. Having shown me the basic techniques, she left me to practice, but was close at hand when I lost the knack. As I progressed she came up with other techniques to use. Supportive, but not taking over - a great balance. I got a generous lunch and drinks through the day. I very enjoyable experience. "

Moira reviewed: Introduction to glass painting (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"Excellent workshop! I had a great time learning a new skill which I am aiming to use to enhance my stained glass work. I am not an artist but Martin as always provides clear guidance on the techniques and then encouraged and supported me to develop and refine my skills. Brilliant day and would definitely recommend it."

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Glad you enjoyed the workshop & thank you for the lovely revieqw."

Lesley reviewed: Beginners spoon carving

"Absolutely brilliant day. Nick is a first-rate tutor. Completely engaged, encouraging and facilitative. And the sun shone on a beautiful Autumn day."

Gosman Spoon Co. responded:

"Thank you Lesley!"

Sara Brown reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"My husband booked this class as a surprise anniversary gift and we both had the most incredible day. I loved it SO much and would love to do more course with Mark and in this location. The class was just the right size to get to know everyone and to get plenty of help from Mark if we needed it. We went through the process step by step and had plenty of time to practice before chopping into the wood for our spoons. I loved that it was a whole day activity that included a home cooked delicious lunch ate around the table together and a lovely walk through the woodland. I left with an item I’ll treasure and new skills that I have continued with since. "

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Sara Thank you for your review of the class. Glad your both enjoyed your day here. All the best Mark"

Domenico reviewed: Pen making and wood turning introduction

"A great day. Not only did it remotivate me to get back into woodturning there was plenty of learning as well. The bonus was coming away with 2 pens! Thank Philip"

Sarah Gregory reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing Workshop by Clare Cosens

"A fabulous two hour course teaching me how to use my gel pad to make a lovely textured background with a botanical print aswell . Really enjoyed the morning . Clare has lots of tips to share , and she makes the course fun and informative "

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review Sarah. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the workshop."

Pauline Fortune reviewed: Wood carving one day tester

"This three day course was excellent, the location of the farm was 10 minutes away and the set up was not only perfect but welcoming. I was made to feel at home and nothing was to much trouble. The food was out standing and plentiful as was the conversation around the dinner table. Sebastian was patient and relaxed in his teaching which enabled me too asked questions, he was every knowledgeable and imparted a huge amount of information and demonstrated technical skills which allowed me to develop new techniques in carving. Brilliant course. "

SBCW responded:

"Thank you so much Pauline I'm glad you are enjoying class It was pleasure to have you there. Keep carving. Seb "

teresa clarke reviewed: Embossed Pewter Notebook and pen

"Superb course. Did one to one tonight, managed to finish the course in plenty of time. The item is so cute i finished im keeping it as a keep sake for me! Great advice and could check twice incase i made a mistake. Lovely lady, will be passing the word for the business and courses for sure."

Metallix responded:

"Thank you so much for the positive review, Teresa. Your notebook design turned out beautifully! I hope to see you on another workshop in the near fiuture. Mel x"

Leah phillips. reviewed: Full day private jewellery tuition for 1-4 people

"I had such a great day with friends. It was great value for money and Sam is a great teacher. He is patient, knowledgeable and fun. I made two beautiful silver rings that I couldn’t love more. Thank you Sam! I am definitely going to come again. "

Omar reviewed: Parent + Child Carving - Sloyd Workshop

"Max is an outstanding teacher. We really appreciated the balanced combination of theory and practical application in the course. Everything was explained clearly and thoroughly. Max also has a fantastic rapport with kids, making the learning experience enjoyable for all ages. I look forward to taking more courses with Max and would highly recommend this one to anyone"

Sarah Canavan reviewed: Jewellery making with silver clay - one day beginners workshop

"Absolutely fantastic. I attended with my 3 sisters and the only complaint is that the day went too quickly because it was so enjoyable. I am not in the least bit artistic but with Charlotte’s help I actually managed make jewellery that I want to wear. We all can’t recommend it enough"

Felix & Reuben Jewellery School responded:

"Hi Sarah, I'm so glad you all enjoyed the workshop. You were a pleasure to teach, and made such beautiful jewellery, well done! Thank you for your lovely review. Regards, Charlotte"

Irene reviewed: Gel plate printing workshop - introduction to monotype gel press

"I really enjoyed the gel printing course for beginners, Vicky was so knowledgeable and helpful, she encouraged us all to explore this medium and paced each section so well. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s interested in print making. You produce so many prints it’s satisfying .I will be booking on the next one as I’m hooked now ! "

Vicki Jordan Art responded:

"Thanks so much for your lovely review Irene. I’m really glad you enjoyed the session, you certainly produced lots of great prints! "

Jude Lenehan reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"We have just done a one day course with Nigel and it was everything we hoped for. Nigel was very welcoming and a hugely knowledgeable and helpful teacher. We stayed in the snug shepherds huts and it was great. I would love to go back and get more and more creative. I would recommend the course to anyone."

Fransham Forge responded:

"Thank you for your kind words. We are glad you felt inspired!"

Bob Wadey reviewed: Wooden Pendant Carving with Giles Newman

"As a carving newbie I cannot think of a better way to start my carving journey. Giles and Maddie were excellent instructors with techniques and advice that I really feel has jump started my ability. The class was relaxed and friendly and we had a good laugh while learning. Very happy with my oak leaf and have already started carving at home. Highly recommended and if in doubt - look at what Giles has created, its mind blowing."

Giles Newman responded:

"This is such a lovely review to receive. Thank you so much Bob. It was a joy to spend the day with you and your fellow carvers and I’m so happy to hear that you have already jumped into your next project. Happy carving Bob!"

Sally reviewed: Ecoprinting with Bookbinding with Earthwise Ecoprints

"My friend and I did this course yesterday. It was a wonderful introduction to ecoprinting. We came away feeling that tiredness that comes with lots of learning. Fiona is a great teacher with huge enthusiasm for this new craft. So many new skills were covered and we came away with plenty of prints to make into more books, greetings cards etc. Very pleased "

Debbie and Claire reviewed: Fused glass landscape workshop

"We thoroughly enjoyed our course, the workspace was ready for our arrival and felt very welcoming. We received instruction and support at the start of the session and as we required during the class. Everyone was friendly and we were kept supplied with hot drinks. The activity was enjoyable and relaxing and relatively easy to achieve a pleasing result, we are awaiting to see the end products which we left for firing Would recommend Crafty Diane and are likely to return"

Crafty Diane Gift Shop, Art Gallery and Craft workshops responded:

"Thanks Debbie and Claire for your review. I am really glad you enjoyed the workshop and your work is now ready for collection :) x"

Judith reviewed: 'Water and Waves in Pastels' with Roy Simmons - A 'Quirky Workshop' in Greystoke, Nr Lake District, Cumbria

"A very enjoyable day with Roy Learned a lot about oil pastels and tips on how to get the best results I had never used this medium before but as promised I came away with at least one picture that I was very pleased with. Lovely venue with good food, good company and good teaching What more could you ask for?"

Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns responded:

"Thank you Judith, that's very kind. We're so pleased you enjoyed your day so much and came away with something you're proud of; we couldn't ask for better feedback! "

Rachel S reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"Absolutely outstanding experience! We did the beginner bladesmithing day for my partner's birthday. Alex runs Hammer and Hound Forge, and is an excellent teacher, knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable. After explaining each step, he lets you get on with it without making you feel like he's hovering over your shoulder. He helps where required but encourages you to make the item your own and supports you in doing so. Loved being able to create something awesome to take home! Thank you so much, Alex!"

roy waddington reviewed: 1 Person Pen Making Experience. Make & take home the pen of your choice.

"Made a pen on 6/10/24 really enjoyable course and very happy with the pen I made as a gift for someone. Duncan was very easy to get on with and I would highly recommend this course. "

Duncs Wood Turning responded:

"Roy, I hope you grand daughter loves it & the photo story. Thanks for taking time to review then course and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Rgds, Duncs."

Hannah Lees reviewed: Bowl Carving (Round Bowl) in Walderchain Wood

"Mark is a patient, methodical teacher. This was my third class with him and each time I am left dreaming of when I can do another class! Highly recommend (especially for Christine's dreamy cake) :-)"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Hannah Thank you for your review. Great to see you here again. Glad you enjoyed it. All the best Mark and Cristina "

Josh reviewed: Premium experience package dry stone walling for beginners

"I completed a weekend beginners dry stone walling course with Carl, Sharon and a lovely group in October 2024. Everything about the weekend went above and beyond my expectations. It was clearly very throughly well thought out, Carl and Sharon had such a friendly and also professional approach. Plenty of cups of tea and snacks as well as a hearty lunch kept us going all day! I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn the craft! "

Kate L reviewed: Introduction to glass painting (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"This was a very absorbing and enjoyable day. My creative brain was buzzing by the end. We got stuck in straight away. Martin explained everything clearly and was on hand to advise as things came up. It was great to see what others on the course produced. I left feeling inspired to do more. I would heartily recommend it. "

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you Kate for the lovely review, I'm really glad you enjoyed your day."

Mike Harrison reviewed: Premium experience package dry stone walling for beginners

"If you enjoy the outdoors, getting your hands dirty and feeling the warm glow of satisfaction at the end of the day you get from having built something beautiful, do this course. Carl's instruction is first-rate - calm, patient, with plenty of good humour, he leads you through the process, engages everyone and builds a good team spirit where everyone feels they are contributing. You'll come away from the weekend thinking "I could fix that (almost)" every time you see a broken-down wall. Great experience, great mix of people from rank first-timers (me) to professional builders learning new skills - all ages, all levels of ability. I'm trying really hard to think of some recommendations to improve this course, but I can't think of any. "

Christine Kearns reviewed: Fused Glass Workshop - Tea Light / Votive Candle Holder

"I am not in the least bit artistic, so I was a little nervous when a friend suggested going on this course. I need not have worried. Beckie explained everything so clearly and had so many examples to look at that by the time it came to choosing what to make, I was really excited. There was a fantastic choice of materials and colours and we each had our own set of tools so there was no time wasted in getting down to work. Beckie was on hand at all times to offer advice and refreshments when needed. I was thrilled with the outcome of my labours as were the rest of the group. After the session we all signed straight up for a Christmas course!"

Kate Halfpenny reviewed: 2 Day beginner stone carving course with Ben Russell

"I can highly recommend Ben's course to anyone who wants to loose themselves in a wonderful creative and inspiring weekend. I had never done anything like Stone Carving before, but It was such a freeing and enjoyable process and I came away from the weekend with a beautiful abstract sculpture that has pride of place at home. Ben was a patient and great teacher, he lets you navigate your own ideas and gently nurtures you in a positive way showing you the skills to create fantastic details and stone work. I would love to do the course again, It was so very enjoyable, not to mention the great company and delicious lunch Ben made for us all. "