Latest reviews

23 Nov 14'

Anne Baruch reviewed: Wood carving and Love Spoons

"Relief carving course at Higham Hall 27-31st November: This was my first carving course with Sharon and it quickly became evident that many others on the course were returners- very reassuring. She quickly put us new comers at our ease and lead an inspiring and supportive class encouraging self direction and individuality but offering generous help and instruction when needed. The opportunity to work 9 to 9:30, with generous breaks for meals and rest when needed, over 4 days was wonderful in the beautiful relaxed setting of the Lake District. I hope to return next year"

22 Nov 14'

Laura McNamee reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"I had a wonderful day at Jane's tapestry workshop! We started off getting to know the group over coffee and cake. Then throughout the day, Jane provided helpful and encouraging advice and we also got inspiration from looking at each others work in a relaxed atmosphere. Jane's husband Graham did a fantastic job providing us with lovely home cooked food! I would definitely recommend this course to anyone. It would make a fantastic present. I am already looking forward to my next course!"

22 Nov 14'

Alex Keane reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Tea, cookies, cake, no sword :( but a dragon instead. 5/5 would hammer metal with metal again."

21 Nov 14'

Fiona SMITH reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Sekeena Thank you for such a wonderful fun experience. I really enjoyed your workshop and keen to get on board with another. Sekeena - you have such a wonderful story on your journey to where you are today, thank you for sharing this with all in the class. Candle making is just so much fun and you were very patient with us all. I'd highly recommend this class."

20 Nov 14'

Sharon Frewin reviewed: Felt a landscape

"I thoroughly enjoyed this workshop. Sarah gave us a great introduction to the process of nuno felting. She gave us a demonstration of the technique and provided us with a wide and beautiful range of materials. We were then let loose with Sarah keeping a watchful and encouraging eye. I came away having had a great day, learnt a new skill, made new friends and a beautiful scarf. I would definitely sign up for another workshop and recommend to anyone."

20 Nov 14'

Jayne Gordon reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"Thank you Maddie for a lovely creative day. I have learned lots of new ideas and techniques and got my mosaic mojo back !!!!"

20 Nov 14'

Peter Preston reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"I'm 62,recently retired and was keen to learn more about working with wood. Have made some functional objects, such as a chicken-coop, using recipes from the net but have only ever worked with soft-wood and most of my constructions involve lots of 4x2, numerous screws,few right angles and no finesse. I was apprehensive as I drove 300 miles to the course that I would be out of my depth and would feel very stupid all week. However, as are all the best teachers, Richard and Mark were very understanding of our different capabilities and right from Day one, with their expert guidance I began using all the tools . I'd never used a sharp chisel in my life and it was a revelation how one could up one's game with decent tools. I was concerned with my inexperience that I would get less time on the big boy tools but we were soon all using the lathes, band saw , pillar drills, routers and sanders with careful guidance on safety. The lunch time lectures were fun and very informative , preceded by munching our sandwiches outside (weather permitting), with a beautiful view over the fells. My family were shocked by the quality and finishing of my spinning stool when I returned home ( I am usually considered a percentage player for my domestic projects) so they felt Richard and Mark had not only improved my skills but taught me that 'good enough' could be bettered. Thank-you very much Richard and Mark for a very enjoyable, stimulating but non threatening course in a beautiful situation. I stayed in Amber Nook which is a lovely log cabin and a great base for doing some fell walks before the course."

19 Nov 14'

Chris Brickell reviewed: Wood turning courses in Dorset

"Mark is not only a superb woodturner, as can be seen from the work shown on his website, but he is also an intuitive teacher. I went to him as complete novice and left able to turn a reasonable bowl on my own. After a bit of practice I intend to return to Mark for a little more advanced stuff. Thank you Mark.5"

17 Nov 14'

Matt Hobbs reviewed: Introduction to Spoon Carving

"Chris is a really friendly and very knowledgeable person when it comes to wood carving. He taught me so many new ways to improve my carving as well as how to handle an axe safely and with skill! The food was amazing! A winter home made soup which I could easily have eaten all of it! What I liked most any the workshop was how at every stage of the spoon carving he was able to provide great advise, tips and tricks. Chris - thank you so much for a wonderful day! Worth well more than the course cost! Will happily go again."

17 Nov 14'

Loraine & Chris Waites reviewed: Mosaic one day workshop for adults with Caroline Jariwala, Birmingham

"Travelled from Manchester to Birmingham for Caroline's brilliant workshop. It is great fun, very well organised, and there are lots of inspirational resources. Everything you need is provided, Caroline demonstrates the techniques and provides individual help. The day flew by, and lots of lovely work was produced. Well worth the journey, and highly recommended."

16 Nov 14'

Pernilla reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Really fun, informative and relaxed day course. Learnet the basics of candle making. Small class was a plus!"

16 Nov 14'

Amy reviewed: Mosaic one day workshop for adults with Caroline Jariwala, Birmingham

"I had an absolutely fantastic time at the mosiac course. Really inspiring and exciting. The time went too fast! I am already thinking about what I could make next time!"

16 Nov 14'

Barbara Seel reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"A fantastic course. I enjoyed every minute of it. James is a wonderful teacher making sure everyone grasps the basics and then being on hand to provide plenty of guidance (and patience) to keep you on track, whilst giving you the freedom to be creative and do your own thing..... and get hooked! Luckily you can keep going after the course as he lets you borrow the loom after the weekend to carry on and finish your scarf at home and without any pressure. I can only recommend it."

16 Nov 14'

Marilyn Burrill reviewed: Mosaic one day workshop for adults with Caroline Jariwala, Birmingham

"I had a great day at one of Caroline's workshops with my daughter. We were inspired by the amazing mosaics in her kitchen - and it carried on into her lovely workshop. She has just the right manner - very knowledgeable and informative about how to do it - loads of demonstrations and ideas to help you and enthusiastic encouragement if you are flagging. Lots of beautiful materials to use and all the equipment you need to get stuck in . She really makes sure that at the end of the day you have produced something that you are proud of ! I really recommend her if you want an enjoyable and productive day."

15 Nov 14'

Tony Watts reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"I'm in my fifties and last did any serious woodwork when I was at school so was apprehensive about doing this course, to say the least. I need not have worried as Richard and Mark are both good humoured, patient, and approachable as well as being superb craftsmen. I've just finished my third course at the Wood Workshop and each time left with a completed piece of furniture of a quality that you would struggle to buy in a shop. It is a huge thrill to see lumps of tree transformed into works of art under the tutorship of R+M Don't expect to lose weight as Angie calls daily with a van full of pies and sandwiches, well worth buying not just because they are delicious but also because Richard's dog, Ash, will be your very best friend while you have a single crumb left. Can't wait to return"

13 Nov 14'

Shirley Caldwell reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"I went on Course 1 - I've never been on a woodworking course before - and the standard of tuition on this one was beyond outstanding. Richard and Mark are really wonderful people in their own right - then add to that decades of woodworking and cabinet making experience between them and you may rest assured you are in very safe hands. It was only last week that I set off with a heavy cold and a few pieces of oak wood on a work bench in a Woodworking Building. Richard or Mark are there to teach you what to do - and ensure that what you do - you do correctly. They are both wonderful chaps each possessed of an amazing amount of patience; especially for those of us who'd never seen a band saw and weren't even too sure what a router was or did! As the week progressed I used various large woodworking tools - which I have never seen before - and indeed am unlikely to have access to....Sometimes my poor little brain cells thought they would explode but there was always Mark or Richard on hand, especially with the electrical tools to ensure no damage was done. It was amazing what I learnt [I have been thinking a lot about all that I learnt]. Richard gave us a talk about tools, tips and how to care for tools at Lunch-times....I picked up numerous really useful chunks of information - and I really loved those talks...Perhaps it was that there was time to concentrate purely on what he was saying - and a lot of it was pure gold. By the time Thursday came we had put my Step-Stool together - it was held in clamps overnight....and come Friday I was busy applying oil and wax to the finished project. I still can hardly believe it. The stool now stands in the hallway of my house - :-) just so no one can get in without seeing it - and saying `Did you make that?' Well somehow with a bit of help from my friends - so-to-speak I did. The course does more than what it says on the tin. The attitude of Richard and Mark is exemplary - they are there solely to help you achieve the best possible outcome - they are totally focused on helping you make something quite outstandingly good. You get taught really well - and there are no shortcuts to excellence. I learnt some things and some techniques that I will always remember... One final word.....and that is about Value, the course is extremely good value for money. I don't say that lightly. [I'm not wealthy]. Richard continues to give more and more value....especially on the Friday morning when he very kindly showed me the other machines - that I hadn't need to use; and it was pure joy to see how the woodworking shop is set out so well and is so organised. It was certainly a `different' type of course....but one I will never forget. It has encouraged me to do more with wood. I may even set up woodworking building of my own. I will certainly be doing some more courses with wood - as it has tapped into a new place of creativity within my brain. Somewhere along the line it was an honour to be around such skill and experience woodworkers. Richard and Mark? Unforgettable and thank you both for being you.:-)"

13 Nov 14'

Gillian reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Fantastic weaving course, I learned so much over the weekend. James was exceptionally enthusiastic, positive and keen to bestow his specialist and extensive knowledge of weaving onto others. He was very helpful and encouraging, which enabled the generation of so many ideas. I produced a piece of weaving which was way beyond what I thought I would manage. I would strongly recommend the course to anyone interested in weaving, not only do you learn so much about weaving but you also have a great time doing so."

12 Nov 14'

Denise Allen reviewed: Felt Making Workshops - Stratford upon Avon

"I attended the beginners workshop recently and was delighted with my two pieces of felt that I came away with. Lesley is very experienced and knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our varied questions. The morning was extremely friendly and relaxed and I would definately recommend it to anyone wishing to try this amazing craft. I have been inspired to try different techniques so will be booking myself onto more workshops."

11 Nov 14'

Graham Dumville reviewed: Introduction to Spoon Carving

"I spent most of the day with Chris going through sharpening skills after which we moved on to making a spoon. Chris has a wealth of knowledge which he is only too happy to share with others. The day was very relaxing yet at the same time, very focused. Chris gave me the opportunity to try out some of his own carving tools which enabled me to make a decision on which ones to buy. I came away having learnt a huge amount for a one-day course. Together with a hearty lunch, it was a fantastic day which I can highly recommend. Go for it!"

11 Nov 14'

Andrew Colleran reviewed: Leatherwork weekend taster course

"The course delivered exactly what I wanted and is a very good basis for starting out in leatherwork. Good content on tools, processes and practice."

11 Nov 14'

John Worthington and John Walker reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"We thoroughly enjoyed the day and were really pleased with the products we took home. The hospitality and tuition was very good in a relaxed atmosphere."

11 Nov 14'

Nigel Webber reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"If you've ever wanted to try your hand at blacksmithing, I can highly recommend this course. There was a warm welcome on arrival and the tuition throughout the day was second to none. Adrian has a great depth of knowledge and his passion for blacksmithing is infectious. It's also well worth signing up for the course just to sample the amazing homemade lunch and cakes. I only wish they ran a cafe too!"

11 Nov 14'

David Hundertmark reviewed: Carve a Rocking Horse Head Course

"I received this course as an early Christmas gift from my wife. I can quite honestly say this was the best Christmas ever!! I bought Tony's book several years ago, but could never gather the courage to take the project on. It seemed out of my skill level. Tony's step by step approach, guiding hand and one on one encouragement, not only made for an absolutely delightful weekend, but I also feel like I made a new friend in the process. I left completely confident and excited about this new skill. I would recommend this course to anyone, it was a weekend I will remember for the rest of my life."

10 Nov 14'

John Donavan reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thank you George for the very warm welcome from you and Sue. The day was full of helpful hints, tips and guidance on what to do and not to do. It was great to come away with a lovely bowl (which my wife has put on display for all to see). Many thanks to Sue for the lovely refreshments. I will be back for more tuition once I've had some practice. John Donovan"

10 Nov 14'

yellowtimer reviewed: Powertex figure sculpture

"Allison Turner is an incredibly talented mixed media artist tucked away in Stapleford. I really enjoyed my Powertex workshop with her and wouldnt hesitate to recommend that you attend one of her workshops. She explains things clearly, generous with both her ideas and her time - and you never feel afraid to ask the "stupid questions" which always seem to arise when you learn something new. She is a real "find" and I will certainly attend another workshop with her."