Latest reviews

6 Aug 15'

Margaret reviewed: ‘Winter dream ' wool painting face-to-face textile art course in Worcestershire

"A most enjoyable session . Inspirational use of wool tops which opens up a new world of texture and colour."

6 Aug 15'

Robert Cruickshank reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Great day, like being back at school doing metalwork, creating something. To be quite honest I wouldn't have dreamed of doing this day and it was chosen for me as a gift. I had a great time, there was great teaching and I was impressed that the teachers allowed us all to move at our different speeds, helping here and there and keeping the fires going, which must be tricky. I was glad of the leisurely progress, tea breaks, pleasant company and lunch break as it is quite hard work really. Highly recommended. "last mile" directions might have helped as our sat nav directed us to the village centre (about half a mile away) and then promptly lost signal."

6 Aug 15'

Moya and Sarah reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"Both my mother and I received vouchers for Christmas for a day in the studio and were really looking forward to spending the day there. It was everything we could have hoped for. Relaxed atmosphere, great tuition, lots of materials to choose from, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thank you to Maddie for a lovely day!"

5 Aug 15'

Rhiannon Davies reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"Fantastic day spent with Maddie and her friend Penny. My daughter and myself learnt a lot having no previous experience of mosaic before, we were taught how to cut tiles and glass, the difference between different surfaces, adhesives and grouting. As a result we both returned home with a lovely piece of work, pleased and relaxed after a great day. The workshop is in a beautiful rural retreat with a calming charm, just wish we lived a little closer to visit again. Don't forget to plug in the sat nav though ha ! Thank you for a lovely time you've inspired me ,I've been out to buy supplies already."

5 Aug 15'

Chris reviewed: Introduction to Spoon Carving

"I attended one of Chris's one day spoon carving courses and LOVED every second of it! The woodland setting is beautiful, the course is excellent, Chris is a genuinely lovely guy with a natural teaching ability and made the day informative, interesting and fun! At lunchtime there was a really lovely ploughman's lunch followed by cake later on. By the end of the day I left with a spoon that I had carved myself, my head was buzzing with hints and tips that Chris passed on and I was even able to buy the knife and spoon hook knife from Chris to start me off with my tool kit. Worth EVERY penny, don't hesitate just book! :)"

5 Aug 15'

Oscar Gray reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Absolutely FANTASTIC 2 days! Nigel is a brilliant teacher with really clear demonstration of techniques and leaves plenty of scope for you to put your own twist on things. Really looking forward to going back!"

5 Aug 15'

Joe Wright reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Great couple of days. Thanks to Tony's guidance started with ash tree section and came away with a long bow. Venue and food supplied by Annie also brilliant. Highly recommend."

5 Aug 15'

Josh Smith reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Highly recommend! I used to work in the wilkinson sword factory making knives and swords and I learnt loads with Mort, I found the forge well equiped and the day was brilliant fun, can't wait to go back."

4 Aug 15'

Tate reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A great blacksmith at work in this forge and a great teacher. I would do it again this course showed me how fun and interesting blacksmithing is even if there is a bit of waiting"

4 Aug 15'

annette pettman reviewed: Glass fusing with artist Patricia Lee - as seen on BBC1 Home Is Where The Art Is

"My partner bought me a gift voucher as a birthday present for glass fusing. It was a great prezzie because I had just bought a kiln. Patricia is a very likable, friendly & patient tutor. The facilities are excellent, plenty of equipment and a varied choice of materials for everyone's needs. The home cooked food just added that extra special touch to a very pleasant and thoughly enjoyable day. I'm really pleased with my fused glass plate. I would highly recommended Patricia and her course. Excellent teacher - talented artist."

4 Aug 15'

Paulette Lappin reviewed: Glass fusing with artist Patricia Lee - as seen on BBC1 Home Is Where The Art Is

"A brilliant experience I would recommend this course to anyone. Creative , imaginative a joy to experience."

4 Aug 15'

Paula Cain reviewed: Glass fusing with artist Patricia Lee - as seen on BBC1 Home Is Where The Art Is

"Had a great day, I am really thrilled with the result of my glass fused plaque. The facilities were great- intimate but well equipped and we had a lovely lunch provided by Patricia and her family. I will definitely do another course with her she was a wonderful patient and inspirational teacher"

4 Aug 15'

Moi reviewed: Soy Wax Candle Making Workshop

"In just a morning, I was taken through the art of making candles. A soy wax process that had me ‘candlefied’, and no questions deemed too trivial were clarified. I will definitely be on the look-out for more of your workshops. Sakeena, I thank you, for I have both learnt a lot about you art as well as appreciated your honest approach."

4 Aug 15'

Carly reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"An excellent course with a very friendly and helpful teacher! As a complete new comer to the world of spinning I had no idea if I would be able to do it or not. First we were taught on a drop spindle and for some reason, I just wasn't getting it, but Elaine was very patient with me and watched me and helped me to improve until it clicked. I was even able to improve and create my very first skein by the end of the day! Wonderful and would definitely recommend!"

4 Aug 15'

Joy Davies reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"Jane' s course was a great introduction to tapestry weaving, & a thoroughly enjoyable day. She provided all of the equipment , a beautiful selection of yarns, & a very useful workbook. She's a skilled & patient teacher ,able to pitch her instructions & advice at just the right level for each member of the group. It was very satisfying to look at our completed tapestries at the end of the day. They were all individual interpretations thanks to Jane's encouragement."

3 Aug 15'

Mandy Ankers reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"Jane travelled all the way down to Stoke-on-Trent to do a workshop with a small group of ladies. We booked a hall and Jane agreed to do the travelling. On the course was a lady who had never done any weaving to other people who had done different amounts. We all completed our very individual pieces even though we started from the same template. My sister in law was a little worried that she was going to be the class duffer as very new to weaving. This was never the case even though she didn't know some of the things been spoken about. The course was set at all levels and we all worked at our own speed. An excellent course and I would love to go up to Scotland to do further workshops with Jane. Lovely choice of materials a trully fab day."

3 Aug 15'

Dave Borthwick reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"We had a great day with Andy and Adrian with Debbie supply wonderful lunch and cakes. The day began with the safety brief then it was full on day of making our items boy was it hot . A thoroughly enjoyable day and it passed so quickly with great tuition by both of them . Thanks for a great day. Dave"

3 Aug 15'

Stephanie Foster reviewed: Rag Rug Half Day Workshop - Hertfordshire

"What a great morning I had learning the basics of rag rugging. Elspeth was friendly and helpful and an extremely good teacher. She explained and demonstrated clearly and carefully the different types of rag rugging. I left, after the morning's course, with a cushion cover started and the confidence to carry on at home. Elspeth is extremely talented and it was lovely to see some of her work displayed."

3 Aug 15'

Andrew Tomlinson reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Great food, great fun and great tuition. the staff were really helpful and friendly and the course was well structured, the projects involve enough difficulty to keep things interesting while also being achievable. A wonderful day all round which I would definitely recommend to others."

2 Aug 15'

Angela Woods reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Fantastic tuition and brilliant food and refreshments throughout the day. Both Adrian and Andy helped us through the projects step by step and at the end of a long day we all left with two items each. Help was offered when needed and for those with less muscle power, additional hammering meant that no one was left behind. The food and cake made by Debbie was outstanding. Dietary requests were no problem and we will definitely be recommending the course to others."

2 Aug 15'

Paul Rogers reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I was given this course as birthday present in March and had been waiting for it eagerly. I was not disappointed. One of the best birthday presents I have had, and one I will remember and talk about for a long time. I enjoyed finding out, and making something as simple as a snail key ring, and how much work has to go into its manufacture. Then the dragon style coat rack, and how to transform a flat piece of metal via a bit of good old wellying, into something cherished and useful. Adrian ably assisted by Andy were knowledgable and patient hosts helping out where required whilst the students got on with their smithying. I was very impressed by Debbie's home cooking using local ingredients. The snacks and lunch were delicious especially the waffleberry pudding, (had to ask for the recipe). So thanks again to Adrian, Debbie and assistant Andy for a great day."

1 Aug 15'

Hilary reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"An absolutely fantastic day. I really can't fault anything about this course. Sophie is a warm, generous and knowledgeable instructor and makes the whole day work really well. The venue is beautiful, the lunch was really delicious, but above all Sophie's teaching style was supportive, fun and enthusiastic. Her communication before the course was excellent and I knew exactly what to expect on the day. Just book... go on... do it. You really won't regret it."

1 Aug 15'

Jo Lally reviewed: Jewellery Summer School

"I've been to the summer school twice, and I'll definitely go again. It's amazing to spend a week making jewellery and enjoying the Dorset countryside. Jesa and Al are patient, friendly and helpful, always trying to think of a way that things can be done. This year I spent a couple of days designing, tried new techniques and made some pieces I'm very pleased with. Can't recommend this highly enough. I love it, and can't wait for the next one."

31 Jul 15'

Cerilan Bailey reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Learnt a wide variety of blacksmithing techniques during our day with Chris. We booked a day for 2 for my boyfriend's birthday and well worth the money. We drove up from Cardiff and found it easily thanks to Chris' directions to his workshop, which is located in a picturesque farm. It focused nicely on the 4 main techniques and progressed at a comfortable pace throughout the day as Chris guided us through the otherwise daunting art of blacksmithing. Highly recommended for anyone that is curious about blacksmithing, or metal work in general. Chris is a passionate teacher who was patient with me, and answered all the questions my boyfriend had about the subject with great enthusiasm. We finished our day with leaf keyrings that really surprised us with how much learnt in just one day, they were far better than we ever could of imagined at the start when we were just hitting a metal rod. With the spare time we had at the end, Chris showed us techniques of fire welding, and even let my boyfriend have a go himself! Chris also showed us his artwork, and talked us through the processes he went through for designing and making the pieces, wonderful to see such care and attention to detail using the tools around him and his own ingenuity. All in all a fabulous day out, and would definitely go again."

31 Jul 15'

Katherine Rogers reviewed: Jewellery Summer School

"This is the 4th year I have been to Summer School at Flux'n'Flame. and I highly recommend this course. My first year I was a complete beginner and I walked away with a bracelet using several different techniques. The course is suitable for both beginners and experienced silversmiths as Jesa and Al are available to teach, assist and discuss designs at all times. My confidence has grown with each visit to tackle something new and more complex each time. No design is ever viewed as too complicated and Jesa and Al will always look at the best way to achieve what you want. Their knowledge is immense and nothing is ever too much trouble. Aside from their teaching skill their workshop is fully kitted out with all the tools you could possibly need to make your piece of jewellery. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and everyone is made to feel extremely welcome. It is the highlight of my year, I'm devastated I can't attend next year due to my brothers wedding but I've already made the gifts at this years summer school! I will be sneaking in a weekend course to tide me over. Thank you Jesa an Al for another wonderful week."