Latest reviews

Gemma reviewed: One day Wood Carving Experience

"My son is 14 and did the wood carving course by himself, he was really looked after, nurtured and helped throughout the day. He absolutely loved it and was so proud of what he created. Since bringing it home he has outlined it using pyrography, and then used some slightly coloured wax to create coloured areas. He was really pleased with the outcome and is hoping he can do another course at some point."

Rix & Co Rocking Horses Ltd responded:

"This is wonderful to hear Gemma - so glad he got so much out of it and would be welcome back at any time. Glad to hear the artwork has continued to develop too!"

Sophie reviewed: SAORI creative weaving day

"It was a great day , learnt so much with different techniques. Produced a lovely piece of art for my wall"

BEAUTIFULcloth SAORI Studio responded:

"Thank you so much for your kind words Sophie! You made a lovely hanging and it will look lovely on your wall."

Jill reviewed: Introduction to Epoxy Resin Block Casting

"I absolutely recommend this course to anyone. The small numbers on the course meant that Dave could give you his full attention, it didn't matter if you were a complete beginner, like me, or had some experience. Whether you had an end goal or just wanted to try, Dave was able to support all of us. His warm, friendly manner put everyone at ease straight away. It certainly gave me the appetite to try more resin casting and even think about making a knife (another Dave Brearey course) to be able to use the resin block I've just made as the handle. "

Hand forged Yorkshire responded:

"Many thanks indeed for your very kind review Jill, it is hugely appreciated. So pleased you enjoyed the day, it was fantastic to meet you and you did a brilliant job with your design. It would be an absolute pleasure to have you back in the workshop to make a knife."

Louise J reviewed: Three Little Birds - Fused Glass with Crafts in the Valley

"I made the fused glass little birds on Sunday morning, 3rd of March. Such a lovely friendly class, everything explained, lots of choices. And opportunities for creativity. I've been to several of Melanie's classes, always enjoyable. I go with my friend, and we complete the day by lunching and shopping in Hebden Bridge. "

Linda reviewed: Adventures in book binding with Ali Reeve

"A very relaxing and enjoyable day. Clear guidance and instructions. The class is not too big so individual help is given when needed. "

Gail Godfrey reviewed: Needle felted Dogs & Cats in (Halifax)

"I attended the cats and dogs course with friends and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. Josephine demonstrated each step and was there to help every step of the way. I was extremely pleased with the end result and look forward to doing more felting in the very near future. Thanks to Josephine for a most enjoyable day."

Phinefibre responded:

"Wonderful to meet you and your friends. Delighted you were happy with the workshop and your Doberman mini sculpture. Thank you for taking the time to write a review."

Amanda reviewed: Three Little Birds - Fused Glass with Crafts in the Valley

"I really enjoyed this course. My friend bought it as a birthday present. It was just a morning but was such a lovely experience. Melanie is great, so knowledgeable, patient and gave us a lot of advice and guidance during the whole morning. I can’t wait to see how our work turned out. I would love to go again for a different course. "

Rebecca reviewed: Silver Torque Bangle Workshop with Lindsay Forbes of Laconic - Sedgefield

"I really enjoyed this class. Lindsey is very knowledgeable and had plenty of tips ensuring I came away with a bangle I love."

Bench Box responded:

"Thanks for your lovely review Rebecca and for coming along. The bangle you made was gorgeous, so elegant! I'm glad you love it too. "

Sue Withey reviewed: Introduction to glass painting (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"Excellent course, Martin is a great teacher who gives you clear instructions, space to develop your work and great support. Highly recommended. "

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you for the review, I hope to see you on the workshop again."

Jodie reviewed: Private and Group Silver Jewellery Making Workshop for Beginners with IZABO Jewellery

"Really relaxing morning, had a great time learning new things and making two pieces of jewellery for the first time! So knowledgeable and has also given a lot of advice on how to get my self set up at home (best equipment etc.). Thank you so much! "

Christine B reviewed: Introduction to glass painting (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"This is the second time I've attended a class at Martin's workshop. It's a wonderful welcoming environment. Which is extremely well equipped and offers a spacious work bench for each participant. All materials and equipment needed for your season are readily available and Martin is a very patient teacher. He has many samples on display which offer inspiration and encouragement as to what can be achieved in a day. There's a constant supply of hot drinks to keep you going throughout the day and a lovely cafe upstairs where you can order lunch to eat in or take away. "

Martin McAssey Glass responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review."

Kate B from Manchester reviewed: Fused Glass Wave and Dichroic Glass Jewellery Workshop with Crafts in the Valley

"This course was brilliant! Melanie was a fantastic teacher and explained every step clearly. She had all the resources you could possibly want to make a beautiful glass wave, including loads of templates to help your design. The snacks were gorgeous too. I would definitely recommend this course."

Sarah Clarke reviewed: Lampshade making with Grace & Favour Home, Devon

"I really loved Rachel's lampshade making workshop and came home with a lampshade to be proud of! Rachel took us through the steps carefully and methodically, not only demonstrating each step in great detail but also explaining why you do something a certain way so we could understand the process. She was very happy to answer questions and helped people out if needed. Tea and biscuits were an unexpected surprise! Everyone made a gorgeous lampshade to take home and we also got to have a browse in Rachel's lovely shop at the end. This workshop is really good value and I would highly recommend!"

Grace & Favour Home responded:

"Hi Sarah, what a wonderful review, thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed yourself! You did a brilliant job with your lampshade, and I hope it looks fantastic in your home! Thank you so much for coming and I look forward to welcoming you back to the shop soon! "

Starter Crafter reviewed: Modern Punch Needle workshop

"Course was informative, well paced and great value. Thank you. Would be useful to do some prior research on sourcing/ costing tools and materials to make pieces at home following on from the course rather than buying at the course. "

RKJ Suffolk reviewed: Beginners spoon carving

"Excellent course-informative, relaxed and fun. Teaching was great with just the right amount of help offered-highly recommended."

Gosman Spoon Co. responded:

"Thank you so much, we’re glad you enjoyed it :)"

Ian D reviewed: Macrame keychain Workshop

"This was really enjoyable, I could never have figured it out on my own. Excellent tuition and great fun too. Highly recommended!"

Mya Designs responded:

"Ahh, so glad it's been demystified for you and you soon got into the rhythm of the weave. Thanks for the Battenberg tip, I will remember that one. Hope you have success in making another at home. Thanks for a great review too! "

Ian D reviewed: Copper Pierce Sawing workshop

"Another brilliant course, there was more involved than I realised and explored a lot about working with copper and what effects can be applied in addition to the saw work. Highly recommended!"

Mya Designs responded:

"Your chosen design was great as it gave you the opportunity to drill and saw in tight places and gentle curves, very neat! It was good that you had a chance to try some mark making before adding texture to your final piece. Thanks for a lovely review :)"

Nicky Bailey reviewed: Stained glass taster day in Worcestershire

"I had a lovely day, learnt loads and came home with a nice piece. A very relaxed and enjoyable experience."

Kingcot Gallery responded:

"Dear Nicky Thank you for your kind words, it is nice when an idea can be done in a slightly different way to the norm, it was a good mix of techniques to do. All the best, Vicky"

Ian D reviewed: Copper wire jewellery Workshop

"This was brilliant, I couldn’t believe the result and I learnt so much. Kami taught me so much about the materials and the process. Highly recommended!"

Mya Designs responded:

"Ian, you did so well at making the paddle ends of the ring, it's a tricky job! I'm glad you found the right textures you wanted to add to it and you shaped and polished really well. I do hope your wife loves it too. thanks for a great review :)"

Susan reviewed: Furniture making woodworking skills for beginners

"Thank you very much for an educational, informative and practical day. I have learnt about wood, I was particularly interested in hand tools, so learnt about planes, saws, chisels and how to care for them including sharpening. I have learnt what I need on my workbench. Some really good practical advice on how to use the tools and how I need to use each tool. Thank you for your patience 'A super day'. "

Lee Furniture responded:

"You're welcome Susan, glad you had a good day."

Jane Turner reviewed: Sew and Make a Notebook Cover for ages 8 - 13 years Bugthorpe

"Booking was easy. It was well organised. Beautiful fabrics. Holly was helpful and friendly. My daughter was thrilled with her gorgeous fabric notebook cover and proudly showed it off! She learnt a new skill, had great fun, and was inspired to use the notebook as a sketchbook and write a story when we got home. All the kids loved to show what they had made! Thank you. I was really impressed and will be booking again soon."

Ian Carter reviewed: Laser Craft - Beginner - 1 Day - One to One

"I attended the one day laser course having no previous knowledge and very limited computer skills. Rachel was fantastically easy going making me feel so welcome. Within no time I hade made a basic coaster, shortly after I had completed making my first wall clock. We then moved onto a number of little projects which interested me. Using the computer was explained very well, and I was very soon moving around the program tentatively by myself. I only wish I had a better memory as there was a lot of information to get my head around. I really enjoyed the day, Rachel you are a star, thank you so much. 5/5 XXXXX"

Gifted Crafts Company responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely comments Ian and for taking the time to review. It was an absolute pleasure to meet you and you picked the skills up so well. Your clock was especially brilliant! I've emailed the help sheets as promised but please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks again. All the very best. Rach "

Mike Canniffe reviewed: 'Bag in a Day' Practical Leather Course - Rucksack/ Backpack

"Did this course last week - what a fantastic experience!!! Other than some simple book sleeves, I had no experience of leather work and hadn't been near a sewing machine (my Mum's old hand cranked Singer) in nearly 50 years. That didn't matter as Georgie is a great tutor, who guided us through the complete process from start to completion of a really high quality finished backpack. I made this as a gift for my wife who, once she got over how good it was, absolutely loves it!!! Thank you Georgie - will definitely be back for another course in the near future!!! "

Hands of Tym responded:

"Thank you Mike, you did an excellent job! I look forward to welcoming you back to the workshop! Best wishes, Georgie"

Alison Lane reviewed: Stained glass garden panel workshop - Hampshire

"My husband, Michael, and I did this course together and are so thrilled with the panels we made which are now in our garden. Rachel is a lovely, welcoming, calm and extremely knowledgeable tutor. She is obviously very experienced and everything was prepared really well for her students so there was no time wasted and everybody completed their panel in good time. She made it all seem so easy. We were able to choose whatever colours of glass we liked and there was a good selection so everybody’s panel was different. She encouraged us to work independently but was right there if we ever got into difficulties. We both enjoyed our day very much and the location was great. We were able to sit outside in pleasant surroundings to have our lunch - the sun made a surprise and very welcome visit! Thank you Rachel."

Swanwick Studio responded:

"Arhhh Alison - thank you so much, what a lovely review to read. I'm glad you both enjoyed yourselves & great to hear you loved the new venue as much as I do :-)"

Rose Carlisle reviewed: 1hr Potter's Wheel Heskin, Chorley

"This was bought as a birthday present for my daughter. Neither of us have done it before but we really enjoyed it and had such a good laugh! Hannah is lovely, a very good instructor and really friendly. Great experience! Would definitely recommend having a go. "

The Crafty potter responded:

"Hi Rose Thank you for your lovely review. It was fab having you in the studio, You both did really well xx "