Latest reviews

10 Mar 15'

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

"Just attended the 2 day Introduction To Green Woodworking Course (March 2015) and it was brilliant. I've never done anything like this before and I couldn't believe what I achieved in the two days. Peter Lanyon enthuses you with his own passion for green woodworking and his teaching style is hands on with lots of support and coaching. I made a three legged stool from cherry and sycamore and I think it's truly beautiful, I can't believe I made it. I learned about different kinds of wood, used loads of tools I'd never seen before and feel quite inspired by the whole experience."

10 Mar 15'

Jan reviewed: Spinning, weaving and dyeing - Monthly on a Saturday

"As a novice in the crafts, my knowledge base has expanded enormously by attending Alison's class. I started as a weaver but Alison managed to get me spinning - first on a drop spindle and then on the wheel. I'm so glad she took me patiently through those early stages - I know I'm a better spinner now because of her help. She has also taught me new techniques in weaving. Book learning's all very well but to work towards the best, you need to be taught by the best. I have been on my Monday evenings."

10 Mar 15'

Garry Britton reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"What a fun day, hitting things with big hammers and playing with fire, it dosen't get much better. Expert tuition from Mort (he has the patience of a saint), and I made something useful that the wife loves. Thanks again for a great day"

9 Mar 15'

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

"Just spent two excellent days with Peter Lanyon, learning how to make a stool out of green wood. I would recommend this to anyone from complete beginners to those who have lots of experience. It was wonderful to be able to spend time making something me, under expert supervision. We all came away with a beautiful piece of furniture and you would not have believed it possible for all of us to create something so professional looking. I was jealous of everyone's work! Peter and Jav encouraged, corrected and guided us all into achieving great things. I will certainly be back and feel inspired to do more. Thank you very much."

9 Mar 15'

Elaine Hall reviewed: One day blacksmithing course

"Spent a very enjoyable day with Julian at the weekend - learning a range of basic blacksmithing skills to come away with a very impressive looking toasting fork - so good in fact, that some people doubt I made it! I'd never done anything like this before, but Julian is a very good and patient teacher. He's also good company, and makes plenty of cups of tea during the day to keep you going. I'd highly recommend this course to anyone thinking of giving blacksmithing a try. It's amazing what you can do in a day."

9 Mar 15'

Mark, the mad biker reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"I last did woodwork in 1976 when I was at school. I had a desire since then to pursue this further but life got in the way. So, last autumn I started to plan to do something about learning woodworking skills. I searched for reviews on various courses I found on the internet and discovered Richard's workshop and his courses. I was very impressed by the reviews and the descriptions given by former students so I decided to take the plunge and enrol. I started the week by turning up late and annoyed with myself for missing the beginning but Richard and Mark helped me to get started and they helped me to improve not only my skills but also my confidence in the workshop as the week progressed. I have learned a tremendous amount from both of them. The lunchtime lectures are a brilliant idea and I have gained so much from them. I was unsure what I would learn from the course and whether it would be of use to me, but, I need not have worried, this course has armed me with the knowledge I need to get the right tools, how to use them, and how to look after them. Brilliant. I would recommend to anyone wanting to step into woodworking to get enrolled and let Richard and Mark set you on the correct path."

9 Mar 15'

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

"I had a fantastic day at Magic Wool Studio with Raya Brown on 5th of March. She is a professional artist and an inspirational teacher! Totally enjoyed the workshop! I made some lovely flowers! Would recommend it to anyone!"

9 Mar 15'

Liz & Jess Hennessy reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"We spent a lovely chilled morning with Maddie in her lovely rural workshop. We both made mirror frames as part of the 'creative' workshop and were really happy with the results. Maddie has a very relaxed approach to running her workshops which was just perfect for us - she was very helpful when we needed her, but also just let us get on with it. Thanks Maddie, for a lovely morning - hope to see you again some time."

9 Mar 15'

Linda Atkinson reviewed: Timber framing courses

"Without a doubt this is the best course I have been on in my life! I was a bit intimidated by the idea of attending a course I knew nothing about, and a bit worried about being a female in a male dominated field of interest, but I had nothing to fear. Alan and his crew, and his adorable family, made me feel right at home. I would say to anyone thinking about doing this course - JUST DO IT - you will never regret it - and you will have memories to last a life time."

8 Mar 15'

Jan Ashford reviewed: Spinning, weaving and dyeing - Monthly on a Saturday

"There are a range of people attending classes doing spinning, weaving and knitting so providing an opportunity to learn about different aspects of all three crafts from both people attending and Alison's instruction."

8 Mar 15'

Jacqui Wright reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"A huge thank you to Elaine for sharing her knowledge with me. Today I completed my beginners spinning course and am absolutely hooked! I'm now looking to buy my own wheel and looking foward to making lots of new friends."

8 Mar 15'

Sue Fish reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"Just come back from another wire and mixed media weekend course with James, its always such fun. He is not only very encouraging, but has a wonderful eye for anatomy, and comes up with amazing ideas for building the details of the sculptures. I thoroughly recommend his courses!"

8 Mar 15'

Sara Howard reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"Excellent teacher, lovely studio with a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Will definitely go again!"

8 Mar 15'

Morgan Stace reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Mort's tuition was thoroughly enjoyable, made more so by the relaxed and flexible manner that he teaches. Being a fan of history and craftsmanship Mort provided interesting conversation throughout the day. However, the best part of the course was having the joy and satisfaction of coming home with objects that i had chosen to make and created with my own hands."

8 Mar 15'

Angela Arherton reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"I didn't know what to expect when I decided to go with a group of ladies as I'm useless at art, but this is so different. Maddie and Penny put you at ease straight away and before long I was in my own world. The studio is fantastic, full of equipment and a beautiful log burner . I made a mosaic mirror and am so pleased with it. Will definitely come back again."

7 Mar 15'

Angela reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Informative and productive. Gained a lot of knowledge."

6 Mar 15'

Yolanda reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"Thank you Dunja, I had a fantastic day last Saturday on your beginners spinning course. The course is very well organized and gives a good grounding in hand spinning techniques with an excellent introduction to different kind of fleeces and how to select and care for them. Dunja shared her knowledge in a warm and humble way addressing the group or making it individual as we needed it. You can really feel how much Dunja loves wool and everything related. Her teaching skills are excellent; very well balance the information and the practical. I’m looking forward to returning for the advance course in a few weeks."

5 Mar 15'

Sandra dale reviewed: Jewellery making - Beautiful stitched vintage cuffs

"I came on this workshop with 4 friends and we all had the most fabulous time. We were all so impressed at to what we were able to create within the 3 hours and have continued to make additional cuffs since with the understanding of the technique wonderfully taught and clearly presented. Loved the cakes, especially the chocolate cupcakes. We would all come back again to Amanda's beautiful workshop and recommend this course to anyone wanting to create fabulous accessories."

5 Mar 15'

Lynda Clark reviewed: Beginners Weaving with the Rigid Heddle Loom - at All in a Spin

"I absolutely fell in love with weaving. Spent the day on a 16" rigid heddle loom and ending up buying one from Dunja and going home with it. 2 weeks on and still in love with weaving. A great introduction to an amazing craft"

5 Mar 15'

Lynda Clark reviewed: Improvers Hand Spinning - Next Steps in Hand Spinning - at All in a Spin

"Had a fabulous day and loved what I created. The location, Dunja and the tuition were all amazing. Would highly recommend it."

4 Mar 15'

Liza reviewed: 121 - An Introduction to Cold Process Soap Making

"I had my first learning course about cold process soap making and it was a wonderful experienced with the help of Emma.I was a bit nervous to start with the course however, you've made it easier for me to understand. Thank you very much for the patience and support in providing me knowledge about soap making. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to do something different. Thank you again."

4 Mar 15'

Ali and Sorrel Russell reviewed: Moulded leather rucksack

"What a wonderful course! In three days we learnt how to mould wet leather into a clamp mould...very scary! .....and on to make the finished moulds into two finished bags. As always the tuition was excellent, clear, informative, and with each person going at their own pace. Gaynor and Enya were, as always, patient and happy to answer any questions giving us all lots of confidence in our ability. We left with lots of information and the skill to make another bag on our own. All this as well as a lovely gang of other students made for a fun three days Cant wait to return for the five day course in the Autumn With Fond Regards Ali and Sorrel....or Laurel !"

3 Mar 15'

Craig Parker reviewed: Candle making workshops

"I took my girlfriend on Angharad's candle making course at the end of February. Right from the very first interaction I had the whole thing was wonderful. Angharad was kind enough to send over lots of information on the course and the local area so that we could really make the most of our stay. This included hotel recommendations, other points of interest and even different craft courses nearby. The workshop is set in beautiful countryside that is honestly breath-taking, a really nice place to do something like candle making. We found Angharad to be very knowledgeable and she had what I can only imagine to be every different type of candle making implement or material there is. As it was St David's day Angharad was kind enough to invite us into her home for some traditional Welsh Cowl (which was delicious) and was a really memorable part of the day. We left having made 8 candles and despite me being the least arty person in the world, they actually looked good! (A sign of an excellent teacher) I couldn't recommend the workshop any more highly."

3 Mar 15'

Liz Baldwin reviewed: Improvers Hand Spinning - Next Steps in Hand Spinning - at All in a Spin

"I did this the day after a he beginners course and despite being a novice spinner I learnt a lot about how to choose fibres and prepare them in different ways and got to play with blending on a board and a drum carder which was both fun and very informative. I came away from the two days feeling that I really understood what I am trying to do so now I just need to practice. The farm is a lovely place to spend a couple of days and Dunja is an excellent teacher. Would recommend this to anyone who wants to start to explore fibres and how to prepare them and learn some new spinning techniques. I am sure I will be back for a weaving course at some point."

3 Mar 15'

Liz Baldwin reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"I am amazed at how much I learnt in a day! it was as enjoyable as it was educational. Dunja is a superb teacher, she is gentle and patient and paces the day to suit everyone. She obviously loves to spin as much as she loves to teach. I did the beginners and advanced courses on consecutive days which was quite tiring although it never felt like hard work. I would recommend this to anyone who is just starting to learn to spin. Fabulous cake as well."