Latest reviews

Tim reviewed: Asymmetric Baskets with Windrush Willow

"A very good day. I had never made a basket before but do want to make more now. All conducted in a helpful and welcoming way. Thank you so much."

Windrush Willow responded:

"Hi Tim Glad you enjoyed the day and hope to see you again. Regards Richard"

Patricia Weir reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"Really good course. I am ( was) a complete beginner yet was able to make a lovely coffee table with Mark's supervision. I think he has the level of assistance just right. He shows you how to use tools and then you do it. Would highly recommend to either a beginner or someone with some experience who wants to gain a bit more confidence. "

Veronica Gilbert reviewed: Bookbinding - make a hardback journal and leather notebook - two session workshop

"Very enjoyable workshop. Suzy is an excellent teacher, breaking down processes into easy-to-follow steps and showing how to get the best results. She offered alternatives for the materials used so we could choose the colours and patterns that suited us best. The hardback and (in my case, faux) leather notebooks are lovely. Suzy also explained where to find specialist materials and how to adapt materials we have already to make further notebooks at home. Highly recommended."

The Leaf Press responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Veronica. Your books were great and yours was a lovely class ❤️. Thanks also for booking another workshop!"

Richard S reviewed: Mig Welding For Beginners Introductory Day Course.

"Wow!!! What a great day with Tony. He really knows his stuff and took me from a complete MIG welding novice to someone who was able to start hobby welding at home. The pace is great and it felt tailored to my progress, and his ability to explain both theory and practice was superb. I really recommend this course. "

Newport Wrought Ironwork responded:

"Thank you Richard for your feedback. You have the ability to keep progressing and developing your skills to suit the projects that you will be working on. Hope the car restoration goes smoothly and successfully and I am sure that you will learn lots of techniques along the way. Regards Tony "

Sonja reviewed: Rustic Stool Making Course, 2 days

"Great course, John was an excellent teacher and the small group of 4 meant we all got all the help needed. There was good choice with design and we learnt some new and interesting skills. Good facilities on site as well, would really recommend this is if you’re looking to try woodwork and haven’t done any before. "

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you for taking the time to leave us a lovely review. We are so happy you enjoyed the workshop and shall pass on your comments onto the course tutor. We hope to see you here again at Stanwick Lakes soon. Best wishes, The Stanwick Lakes team."

David Lacey reviewed: Build your own bird box or bug house from recycled materials for beginners

"Great day with my teenage son making a bird box and bug house. Sue made us feel welcome and did a great job teaching the basics. My son said it was lots of fun and appreciated learning useful skills. "

Black Paw upcycle project responded:

"Thank for a lovely review. I'm glad you both enjoyed it Sue "

Charlotte Chapman reviewed: Handmade socks ( yarn design Thelma)

"I recently bought this pair of socks. They are so wonderful and I am so pleased with them. They are made beautifully and were made and shipped so quickly. "

Circular Sock Machine school responded:

"Thanks Charlotte"

Charlotte Chapman reviewed: Handmade socks ( yarn design Kim)

"I absolutely love these socks. I bought 3 pairs of a different design. They were made to my chosen size and shipped within a few days. I'm so pleased with them."

Circular Sock Machine school responded:

"Thank you very much charlotte, I’m so pleased that you love them. "

Alan & Di reviewed: Introduction to Stained Glass Workshop

"My wife and I weren’t too confident that we’d be able to make anything with stained glass but have always admired the skill. Sarah was a patient and friendly teacher prepared to go the extra mile to make sure we were all comfortable and enjoyed the day. It was informative, relaxing, fun and we were really pleased with the sun catchers we brought home. We would certainly recommend this course."

Hobgoblin Stained Glass responded:

"Hi Alan, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Was great to meet you and Di, glad you had a good day. Well done, you both picked it up really well. Kind Regards, Sarah "

Paul Scott reviewed: Portrait Sculpture in Clay

"I have attended Luke’s sculpture courses about half a dozen times. He is a generous and insightful teacher, and these courses have not only improved my clay work, but they have also altered the way l look at people, and their faces, and l mean really look at people ! To encourage you to see more clearly, to look at the detail in the round, is a gift which carries on beyond the end of the course, and l remain indebted to Luke for that. He is a wonderful teacher, and his own beautiful sculptures speak for themselves. They ask questions of you, their viewer, long after you have stopped gazing at them. Superb!"

Luke Shepherd responded:

"Paul, thanks for your very kind review. Coming back again and again is the best review of all. "

Nicky reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"We had a fun day both listening to Nigel sharing his life experiences and learning basic blacksmithing forging skills from his wealth of knowledge. Making your own creative tools has a certain sense of achievement, and Nigel is so supportive guiding you through each process. You don't have to be creative or talented to enjoy the day, just up for trying something new that's a bit different. "

Martin Staniforth reviewed: Portrait Sculpture in Clay

"Not all sculptors can teach. Not all teachers can sculpt. Luke does both in a way that reassures while also stretching confidence and ability. This course was a really useful springboard for my own sculptural practice."

Luke Shepherd responded:

"Thanks Martin. I often use an image of you with the clay sculpture you made in my publicity because it shows the passion you have for the work. "

Lyn Harris reviewed: Batik - hot wax full day workshop

"Spent a very enjoyable day with Jane on a Batik hot wax course and came away with 2 cards and a picture. Jane is very knowledgeable, explained everything very clearly and is incredibly patient (makes a delicious cake too!) Thank you Jane"

Jane’s Celebration Services responded:

"Thank you Lyn for a lovely day. It was a joy to meet you both and so glad you enjoyed your day. Your Japanese tile design worked very well. As for the cake , well that’s Mary Berry, she never lets me down. Hopefully I’ll see you both again soon. "

Paul reviewed: Box making for beginners

"I had a very enjoyable day learning how to make a wooden box. Andrew was very informative and helpful and gave me a huge amount of confidence."

Lee Furniture responded:

"Thxs Paul, glad you had a good day, enjoy your box, have a great time with further woodworking endeavours. Andrew "

Jenny reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery Workshop in The Cotswolds - Gloucestershire/Wiltshire/Oxfordshire Border

"Have had a fantastic day making silver clay jewellery. Lovely venue, and Karen was a very friendly, excellent tutor. Have already booked another course "

Lechlade Craft Barn responded:

"So pleased you enjoyed your day and that you are inspired to do more. See you soon!"

Rhoda Allison reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"I would highly recommend this course- I’ve been twice. Matt is a great teacher- patient, knowledgeable but it’s also a great venue surrounded by Matt's work for inspiration. You have the opportunity to design your own project so you can be as creative as you like. "

Jan de klein reviewed: Willow Weaving – Laundry Basket

"It felt like doing a course together with a group of friends in a comfortable convenient space. We learned some pretty neat basking weaving ways. We had a wonderful time working away, patiently pushed in the right direction by our friend Jane and provided with tea and coffee by Denmark Farm . "

Denmark Farm Conservation Centre responded:

"Hello Jan, Thank you for coming to weave willow with us and for your kind review. Hope to see you and family again soon."

Jason reviewed: Willow Weaving – Laundry Basket

"I really enjoyed this course and would definitely recommend it! Jane is a brilliant teacher, very clear and easy to understand and wasn't fazed by my multiple questions! We were all able to also add our own extra to our baskets, making each one personal to us, so you're not stuck to a rigid template. I'm pretty proud of the final product and look forward to using it for years to come!"

Denmark Farm Conservation Centre responded:

"Many thanks Jason, You made a beautiful basket and you should be proud. Thank you also for all your support for our charity. "

Susan Smith reviewed: Fused glass 'create' workshop

"My daughters and I had a brilliant afternoon doing the Fused glass ‘create’ workshop with Kathryn. Kathryn and her team were all so helpful, we could make whatever we wanted and had everything we needed to use. Glad we had done a little research into what to do before we went, there’s so much choice . Would highly recommend this workshop, even for someone who has never done fused glass before (we had only ever done it once before). Loved the relaxed atmosphere and looking forward to receiving the things we made. Keeping my fingers crossed Kathryn will be able to do some workshops near to where I live in the future. Thanks for a great afternoon."

Kelly reviewed: Sew and Make a Mini Messenger Bag Ages 8-15 years Cottingham

"My 9 year old recently attended and thoroughly enjoyed learning new skills. She was so proud to show off her bag which she had created and tell us all about the new skills she had learnt. She can't wait to attend again would highly recommend "

Thread and Press responded:

"Ah thank you Kelly, it was lovely to meet you both, so glad she enjoyed it :)"

Zoë Rebecca reviewed: Whittling Workshop

"My husband and I came along to the wood whittling course and loved it. Taking place in the woodland, there was a calm and relaxing atmosphere and spaces on each course are limited to ensure intimacy which reflects this. This also enabled Matt and Emma to be able to attend to the group and help us when needed. You could make something from the examples on the table or bring your own idea which they were open to support with. We came to the course as complete novices and left having ordered our own whittling knives and gloves to try at home, thank you so much! "

Fiona reviewed: Sew and Make a Pencil Case 8 - 13 years Allerthorpe/Pocklington

"My 12 year old daughter loves Holly's sewing and craft classes. This week she has returned home with a fully lined pencil case with zip and she is very pleased with her achievements. Holly is a brilliant teacher! "

Thread and Press responded:

"Thank you Fiona, it was great to see her again, I loved her design :) "

Jo reviewed: Sew and Make a Pencil Case 8 - 13 years Allerthorpe/Pocklington

"Great session, my daughter really enjoyed this. Fun and educational. Looking forward to future sessions. "

Thread and Press responded:

"Thank you Jo :)"

Tricia Penny reviewed: Pottery wheel throwing & glass fusing 1-day course

"My daughter and I loved this course. We made pots in the morning with Chris and were very proud of our achievements. After a delicious lunch we spent the afternoon with Sarah in her glass workshop creating colourful glasswork. We are excited to see the final results when they have been fired and would highly recommend this course. Thanks to Sarah and Chris for a brilliant day!"

Sarah Greening Glass responded:

"It was great to meet you both! Your masterpieces are all successfully out of the kilns, many thanks, Sarah"

Michelle Frost reviewed: Beginners 2 sterling silver stacking rings jewellery course

"Thank you Sarah for an amazing day. You put Millie at ease and you have amazing teaching skills (Millie would love to see you become a teacher ☺️) it was just a brilliant way for her to clement her love for making jewellery and enrol in an arts and crafts course at college. I can’t recommend this course enough whether it’s for a treat or hobby. A truly wonderful and friendly lady, thank you 😊"