Latest reviews

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

"As a newcomer to practical art, in my 7th decade, this day was a delight, informative and confidence builder from start to finish. Loosening up was the phrase of the day and it helped me to do that and build confidence to try new things, develop and hone my skills and create art that made me feel happy (if no one else!) Alison is an accomplished artist and teacher in her own right and passes her knowledge on in an easy and supportive manner, Time well spent."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Roger, Thank you for your kind feedback .It was lovely to meet you and work with you. You approached the day with a really positive attitude and were not afraid to explore new techniques and processes with great results ! You should be really pleased with the work that you produced and I hope it has inspired you to keep experimenting . Good luck ! Best wishes Alison"

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

"I had a fabulous creative day imersing myself in colour and floral design! Thank you Alison, I’ll be back again for more! Alison"

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Alison, Thank you for taking the time to review your day. So pleased that you enjoyed the day, it was great to see how your work evolve and developed as the day progressed, you should be pleased with the outcomes ! I hope that it inspires you to carry on painting at home . See you again . Best wishes Alison"

Sarah reviewed: Mosaic day workshop with Professional Artist Coralie Turpin- Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

"Just spent a brilliant day at Coralie's Mosaic Workshop. The studio was equipped with all the materials you could possibly want and there are lots of books for inspiration. The day was well organised and Coralie was very helpful and supportive throughout together with plenty of refreshments. I have never done anything like this before and it was absolutely amazing and absorbing so I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone wanting to have a go."

Coralie Turpin Artist responded:

"Hi Sarah, Thank you, it was such a lovely day. Best wishes Coralie "

MrsMcK reviewed: Three Day Indian Miniature Painting Workshop Birds with Samantha Buckley

"I didn’t know what to expect as I’m not an arty person and I’ve not painted before. As a beginner, I found the instruction clear, enabling me to try out the basics for myself. The techniques are amazing and I couldn’t believe how much there was to it…I’m not surprised our fantastic teacher Sam has spent decades developing her skills, as her painting samples are breathtaking. All materials were provided and we were looked after as valued guests by Bridget, of Moor and Sea Holidays. The hospitality was exceptional and I would recommend the accommodation on site. Lunch, prepared from scratch in-house, was wholesome and healthy…and the homemade baking, served at ‘cake-breaks’ are legendary."

Moor and Sea Holidays responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review We really enjoy hosting these courses and it was lovely meeting you We hope to see you again"

Claire Cawthray reviewed: Make your own Silver Ring

"My mother in law, alison really enjoyed her experience ☺️ she loves her ring that you helped her make for her birthday. Thankyou x"

Tori Foster Jewellery responded:

"Hi Claire, it was lovely to meet Alison and I'm so glad she enjoyed herself. Excellent birthday gift!"

Ozlem Hazar reviewed: Rag Rug Full Day Workshop - Hertfordshire

"I’ve had an excellent day and learn’t a lot during the workshop. The teacher was brilliant and showed us different techniques. I would highly recommend the workshop to everyone! I feel proud of myself making a tote bag. "

Ragged Life responded:

"Thank you so much Ozlem for the lovely review. We are glad you had a great time, you were a pleasure to teach :-)"

Nicole Andrews reviewed: Jewellery design workshop - silver pendant or silver earrings

"Fantastic teacher ♥️ I have done 2 workshops with Shelia at her studio. First workshop I made a silver ear cuff and second I made silver hoop earrings. Such a reasonable price for the length of workshop. The piece of jewellery you make is excellent quality, I have had so many compliments. Would absolutely recommend to anyone interested in jewellery making. Shelia is so friendly and knowledgeable! "

Anne reviewed: Taster Pottery Session

"A really enjoyable and creative session. I was particularly lucky to have sole tuition with no others on the course"

jccermaics responded:

"Thanks Anne for your kind review 😊"

Rebecca reviewed: Weave a Scarf in a Day - Rochdale

"Thoroughly enjoyable day in a lovely venue. Anne was very welcoming and an excellent teacher. If you are interested in loom weaving I would recommend this course; it gives you very hands-on experience of the whole process and at the end of the day you have a lovely scarf to take home!"

Lilla reviewed: Willow Trug Workshop in the Woods

"A lovely day in the Bluebell woods. Suz was really supportive and knowledgeable as well as providing tea and biscuits. I love my basket - a first effort at weaving for me."

Peter Folwell reviewed: Guitar Strumstick Dulcimer 3 strings instrument

"A really brilliant course by Ted, a skilled and knowledgeable craftsman. Before doing the course I found it hard to believe that I could make the strum stick dulcimer in just one day. But I did! Ted showed me every stage of the construction on a piece of scrap wood and then kept an eye on me when I completed the part on my dulcimer. "

Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses responded:

"Kind words indeed Peter thank you , I hope your 3 string music stick brings you much pleasure . Remember I do the Woodwork Day course too so hope to see u again my friend Merci :-) Kind regards Ted"

Richard reviewed: English longbow making weekend in the heart of Nailsworth Gloucestershire

"This course was everything I had hoped for and more. The tutors, Gav and Tom, were excellent instructors with a deep understanding of the craft, the various tools and getting the best out of all the students. The whole weekend was conducted in a relaxed, friendly and patient manner. Whether you are a seasoned woodworker or an absolute novice, you will love this course and be unbelievably proud of the English longbow you make. I cannot recommend this course, or the organisation, highly enough. Thanks guys."

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Amazing thank you so much and glad you enjoyed the weekend. Let us know if you ever need any follow up Pam "

Clare Johnson reviewed: Silver clay 2 day course for beginners - Lori Ridgway

"What an incredible two days! Lori was absolutely amazing—so patient and supportive, letting me work at my own pace. I was amazed at how many new skills I picked up during the course—I ended up making five different pieces! I learned how to set stones, roll a ‘worm’, polish metal, and even use a kiln and blowtorch. The two days flew by far too quickly, and since then, I’ve definitely caught the jewellery-making bug! I can’t wait to dive in with my own kit. Huge thanks to Lori (and to Bluey the budgie for keeping us company!)."

LR Silver Jewellery responded:

"Thank you for such a lovely review. I’m glad you’ve caught the bug and can’t wait to see what you make. "

Deborah reviewed: Solitaire Ring Bezel Setting Class

"Have recently attended the solitaire ring course. I really enjoyed the course and now have a lovely ring.The tutor was lovely and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend the course and would love to go back for another ."

Andi reviewed: Full day Learn How To Upcycle Furniture Painting Workshop

"Thoroughly enjoyed the course and learned a lot during the day. I even came away with a finished up-cycled coffee table! So pleased they keep groups to a maximum of 5 making it a really relaxed and pleasant environment to learn and create. Mel and Paul were very engaging and supportive throughout the day. And there's a fabulous cafe next door."

Redeemed Decor responded:

"Hi Andi, Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We're so pleased to hear how much you enjoyed the day. We always aim to keep the workshops relaxed and personal, so it’s great to know the small group size made a difference. It was an absolute pleasure having you with us and we're so proud of what you achieved. 👏🏻 Hope to see you again soon, for another creative workshop — and yes, the café next door is a real treat! 😊 Many thanks Mel & Paul "

Yasser reviewed: Spoon Carving with Touchwood Glasgow

" We booked this for a 7 person stag do and had an excellent time doing a one day workshop with Robert. Most of us were new to woodcarving and it was a great introduction to the craft as well as how to use the axes and knives safely and usefully. There's lots of freedom in what you can make, as long as it's doable in the time given, we each made either a large spoon, butter knife, or hammer. Robert is very helpful and supportive and made the entire experience very enjoyable. Highly recommend working in the outdoor space in Govan if the weather permits. "

Frances Ross reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"I spent 3 days with Ed in his studio learning how to make a plaster model and mould. To make the model, we used the lathe, the whirler and sledging - including making the template to sledge on and the sledging tool. All of this was new to me and Ed explained and demonstrated everything in detail. I came away with a fantastic model and mould, and head full of knowledge and ideas. Ed is a patient, generous and thorough teacher and I highly recommend him - if you want to learn any aspect of working with moulds, he's the best! "

Christine Henderson reviewed: Rag Rug Workshop - Full Day - York

"Having absolutely no experience of rag rugging, I absolutely loved this course. It was easy to grasp and I really enjoyed picking out the coloured bags in all the different textures. You had a choice of making a small rug, tote bag, flowers, a garland or cushion cover. I am completely "hooked"."

Ragged Life responded:

"Thank you Christine, we're so glad it 'hooked' you :-) You were a pleasure to teach."

Jane Green reviewed: Experimental Weaving

"The Craft Course in Experimental Weaving was a lovely memorable experience. Under Sarah's gentle guidance the class straight away became absorbed in building up, row by row, their own piece of weaving from an enormous array of different yarns, many of them made from natural fibres and dyes. I really enjoyed learning a new skill and also experiencing the colours and textures I chose for my piece - which is now hanging prominently on the kitchen wall! "

Starflower Arts responded:

"I'm so glad you enjoyed the Experimental Weaving day Jane. It was great to have you there. Thank you for your lovely review and its wonderful that your weaving is now hanging up in your kitchen!"

Michelle reviewed: Ceramic Workshop: Make a Japanese Kurinuki Yunomi Cup

"We thoroughly enjoyed this course making kurinuki yunomi cups. Lucy was an excellent teacher and very patient. Great cakes too! We are feeling very inspired by this course."

Gayle reviewed: Beginners Woodturning

"Never previously tried woodturning but this Christmas present was an excellent excuse to try something new. Roger is a super teacher and in five hours I’d carved, sanded and polished myself a lovely wooden bowl out of a square block of ash. Great fun learning a new craft with expert guidance all the way. "

Abi reviewed: Mosaic/chat/create! with award winning mosaicist Emma Abel

"I had such a wonderful day of mosaic making with Emma. She gave clear instructions and was happy to answer my (many!) questions. She had every colour tile imaginable and I can't wait to do more mosaic making in the future!"

abelmosaics responded:

"Thank you Abi, your name sign was very neat with great colours!"

Kirsty reviewed: Willow Weaving for beginners

"Throughly enjoyed thus course. It was a little cold as it was outside and I did not realise so wear layers just in case for the weather. I was surprised to make a dragon fly in the morning and a sweet pea obelisk in the afternoon. I would recommend the teacher we had. Thanks Gina "

Kim reviewed: Needle felt workshop

"Really enjoyed learning the art of needle felting. Yvonne was so helpful and motivating. Very talented lady to help me felt a piglet - he is so cute. Lovely cakes too."

Needle Felt Art responded:

"It was a pleasure Kim, you did an amazing job as a complete beginner, such a cute felt piggy. I hope you are inspired to keep felting. Yvonne. "

Tanya reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"An extremely well taught course, totally immersive in an idyllic setting a perfect way of getting away from stresses of work. Never thought I would be able to create a wooden spoon in 1/2 a day."

Manor Wood responded:

"Hi Tanya, thanks for the lovely review! Hope to see you at Manor Wood again. Matt"