Latest reviews

30 Sep 24'

Jo reviewed: 2 day blacksmithing courses

"Fantastic weekend, would recommend this course to anyone wanting to try out some blacksmithing! Aaron is a great teacher and we came away with things that I never thought a clumsy beginner could make. Lovely people as well. I'm sure I'll be back. Thank you!"

A and T Petersen Ltd responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review, we are really pleased that you enjoyed the weekend."

30 Sep 24'

Nicky Reynolds reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"Judith ran a really relaxed and informative class. We all came with our designs and she helped each of us create something beautiful. A really great class which I would gladly repeat to enhance my new skills. Thank you so much Judith"

print paper stitch experiences responded:

"Thank you Nicky, it really was lovely to have you in the workshop and your bird print was beautiful. I’d love to see some images if you have them printed onto cards!"

30 Sep 24'

Hilary reviewed: From the garden- still life with a mixed media approach

"I spent a lovely day with Alison learning new techniques and ways with colour. Relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the Long Barn and delicious flapjacks!!"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Hilary, Thank you for taking the time to review the day. I am so pleased you enjoyed the day, and the flapjack ! Hopefully the day has inspired you to continue painting at home with some of the new techniques you have learnt . Best wishes Alison"

29 Sep 24'

Clare reviewed: Confidence with tools for DIY beginners

"I had a great day with Matt and came away feeling much more confident about which tools to use and when. The course is set in a beautiful location and Matt is so helpful, patient and calm. Would definitely recommend!"

matt boysons responded:

"Hi Clare Thank you for the review. I'm glad you had such a good time on the course and especially so that it had such a positive effect. I'm now thinking seriously about a follow up course and will let you know when it comes on line. In the meantime if you're thinking about taking your DIY forwards there are plenty of other options in the area, so go for it and embrace the world of DIY. Cheers/ Matt"

29 Sep 24'

Ben Waterman reviewed: Natural Ink Making

"We had a fun and very informative day with Bec exploring the world of natural ink making. Highly reccomended!! Thank you"

29 Sep 24'

Bev Carruthers reviewed: Improvers' pastel painting workshop at fabulous Glasfryn Hall, North Wales

"Another great workshop with Dave. A follow up to the beginners workshop ( I booked the Improvers the next day, that’s how impressed I was ). Thoroughly enjoyed the day, would highly recommend!"

Oriel Glasfryn Gallery Limited responded:

"Thanks so much Bev - for coming along to another workshop and for leaving this kind review. I'm glad you enjoyed it and hope to see you again!"

29 Sep 24'

Steve Coates reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Very informative day learning how to use my router safely. Easy going day learning what a hand and table router will do"

29 Sep 24'

Amy reviewed: Beginner’s Soapmaking Workshop in Trowbridge

"We had a fabulous time with Cat yesterday, learning all about the science of making soap. We produced two beautiful blocks of soap, which we look forward to using once it's cured. Would highly recommend anyone trying this course."

29 Sep 24'

Stephen Nelson reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Exactly as course description I left feeling more confident in choosing and using a Router for a novice who had never use a router the mix of advice and practical experience was perfect. Mark was also able to cater for my Ltd mobility "

29 Sep 24'

Cindy Lloyd-Evans reviewed: Group Creative workshops (4, 5, or 6 people) - discovering or recovering creativity for work, home and life. Art in Suffolk

"This was a really lovely day. We did lots of free experimental work which was fun and liberating. Jane manages to strike the balance between having a no rules approach to then improving and extending ideas to create final successful pieces. She has an encouraging and gentle manner. Our group included people with a wide range of skills and experience but everyone came away with a good feeling and some lovely work. Lastly this woman can bake!! "

Jane Beaumont Art responded:

"Thanks Cindy....it was a such an enjoyable day for me too and your wealth of art teaching experience was great to have in the room with the group. And I loved what you created. All the best. "

29 Sep 24'

Barbara Jones reviewed: Expressive Flower Painting Workshop - using acrylics

"A brilliant day full of insight and inspiration in a relaxed group with plenty of one to one support. We had varying degrees of experience from people with art degrees to lapsed hobbyists like me and Lynn had something to offer everyone. Lynn is a great teacher as well as a talented professional artist. Highly recommended."

Paint What You Feel with Lynn Keddie responded:

"Thank you Barbara, It was lovely to have you in the group, the work you did was really exciting. I look forward to seeing your second painting when you have finished it."

29 Sep 24'

Graham reviewed: One day Wood Carving Experience

"A wonderful day. Approached with some trepidation as I have minimal experience working with wood. From the outset, Pete was welcoming and gave everyone the level of help they asked for. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, the food was very tasty and the feeling of accomplishment was rewarding. Concentrating solely on the work made the time fly by in a most enjoyable way. I would certainly recommend the course for anyone who wanted a sound introduction to wood carving."

Rix & Co Rocking Horses Ltd responded:

"We are so happy to hear this Graham! The finished pieces were astonishing! Glad you had a fun and successful day. Kind Regards, Maggie"

29 Sep 24'

Angela Beveridge reviewed: Felt Making Pictures (Halifax)

"The wet felting course was great fun and great value. It was very relaxed. None of us had any prior experience and everyone came away with a really nice picture that we were proud of. There's loads of materials and guidance on how they could be used, so lots of flexibility in what you make."

Phinefibre responded:

"Thank you Angela, lovely to hear you had fun at the felting course and enjoyed the abundance of materials on offer. It’s wonderful to teach student’s new to wet felting and see how their confidence develops over the day. You all made wonderful and diverse pictures."

29 Sep 24'

Geoff Brown reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"An excellent introduction to the basic skills and techniques of Blacksmithing. After our first “project” which we were all allowed to go down our own paths under Alex’s watchful eye, and guidance. His knowledge and enthusiasm are boundless in equal measure, I can not recommend Hammer & Hound Forge highly enough."

29 Sep 24'

Paul reviewed: One day welding course: an introduction

"5 star one-on-one course. I’d highly recommend doing it before starting welding. You won’t regret it. "

Julian Wadsworth - Artist Blacksmith responded:

"Hi Paul,thanks for your review.You really got to grips with it all,well done. Julian"

29 Sep 24'

Anne Shaw reviewed: Adult Abstract Painting full day workshop

"i did the course yesterday and it was a great day. Jack who led the course was a great artist and teacher. He explained about abstract Art and then we had warm up exercises to get us thinking about abstraction. He then went on to show us the basics and helped us develop our abstract paintings. He was very laid back and easy going. We were able to use various colours of acrylics, plenty of paper to practice on and then even 2 canvases to use if we got carried away. Well worth the money and it was great to learn a different aspect of Art. "

29 Sep 24'

John Oswald reviewed: Router day, how to safely use and maintain a router

"Had a really good time on this course. Mark Farrelly (who was the course tutor) was really good. He explained things excellently and I came away knowing that I had learned quite a bit. Highly recommended to all."

29 Sep 24'

Gillian Hedger reviewed: Expressive Flower Painting Workshop - using acrylics

"As ever Lynn was a superb tutor, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and would recommend doing a course with Lynn"

Paint What You Feel with Lynn Keddie responded:

"It's a pleasure to have you in the group, your lively spirit and enthusiasm is wonderful. Keep experimenting and developing your style Gillian!"

29 Sep 24'

Laura reviewed: One day blacksmithing course in West Wales

"A and T Petersen Ltd blacksmithing course was excellent. We had a really great time learning how to make a set of coat hooks and a poker and rake for bbq or fire. There were just the two of us, and groups tend to only go to four, so everyone gets the attention they need. Aaron was a really friendly teacher, who was patient and stepped into help when needed. Tea and biscuits were readily available, and lots of chat throughout the day meant that time flew by. I would definitely recommend, and would like to book again at some point!"

A and T Petersen Ltd responded:

"Thank you for your review and recommendation. We would love to have you back. Very pleased that you enjoyed the day.- Trudi and Aaron "

29 Sep 24'

Chris Forsey reviewed: Half-day Blacksmith Experience

"Absolutely brilliant morning. A really hands on experience. Great teaching, and demonstrating of techniques as well as guidance throughout the morning. Thoroughly enjoyable, slightly hot in front of the forge and tiring experience, but in a positive manner... after all you are working metal with hammers etc. Would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to either have a go or thinking about doing blacksmithing as a good taster session of things to come. "

29 Sep 24'

Ben reviewed: Axe & Knife Skills - Sloyd Workshop

"An excellent experience that left me with the basic skills to start wood carving with knife, axe, saw and mallet."

Max Sconyers III responded:

"Thanls so much, Ben! It was a pleasure to spend the day together. "

29 Sep 24'

Sarah reviewed: Beginners half-day 1-2-1 pottery throwing workshop for 1 person

"Louise is a fantastic teacher, demonstrating clearly with easy to understand steps, offering support and advice when needed while allowing for exploration and experimentation. The facilities at Blended Monkey are ideal for one to one tuition, in a quiet and well-equipped studio. I had a wonderful half day and look forward to booking more classes! "

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

"Ah, I'm blushing now :-) Really pleased you enjoyed the throwing session. You took to it very quickly and I'm keen to see your pieces emerge from the kiln. Thank you for leaving a lovely review."