Latest reviews

Richard Evans reviewed: Full Day Silversmithing 10-4pm

"A really enjoyable fantastic day! Learnt a lot and as a bonus was able to make a love piece of jewellery! Would highly recommend to anyone of any age! Thank you"

Larkswold responded:

"Thanks Richard, Hope you enjoyed the rest of your weekend seeing your family. Melinda"

Robert Lonsdale reviewed: 2 Day Axe Making Course

"What an extraordinary couple of days. Probably the most rewarding course I've ever done. You are guided through the entire process of making an axe - from start to finish. First watching your tutor, and then following their demonstration with your own piece of metal. This is so ordinary course, it's hard but really exhilarating work and I left feeling as though I completely understood the process. Elliott was a superb teacher and reckon. I now have a fantastic axe that I made myself - I've already put it to work and it's way better than my old B&Q axe - and best of all - I made it! "

IAStudios responded:

"Thanks You Rob, It was great to have you, Elliott and myself are so stocked that you enjoyed the course and got so much out of it. ps we have your hoodie and need an address to send it please. "

Jan F reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day (4hrs)

"Blacksmithing is fascinating and great fun to do. Dan is a brilliant teacher. He's really knowledgeable and patient, and explains each step well. With his help, I came away with things that I never thought that I could make myself......I'm now hooked and have booked on more blacksmithing days with Dan."

IAStudios responded:

"Hi Jan, It's a pleasure to have meet you and I really enjoyed our course together. It's a great boon to work with students that get the bug. I look forward to seeing you again soon. "

Steven F reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners Day

"Attended this course with my son. We both learned so much. Alex is a true craftsman whose passion shone throughout the day and really made the day for us. Huge thanks and highly recommend."

Gilly reviewed: Beginners Knife Forging Day

"An incredible experience with Hound and Hammer. The forging day with Hound and Hammer was absolutely fantastic. James was brilliant with my 13-year-old son—he struck the perfect balance between instruction and letting him get hands-on, explore, and be creative. The day was packed with new skills and techniques that you simply don’t come across every day, keeping him fully engaged from start to finish. It was a mixed-age group, which added a great dynamic. Since my son was too young to attend alone, I stayed to observe and really enjoyed watching the group share ideas and support each other. It made the experience even richer. I would highly recommend a forging course to anyone looking to try something unique and rewarding. It made for a fantastic Christmas present, and my son has already asked when he can go again!"

Suki reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"My partner and I had a wonderful day making a basket. Becky and Johnny were both very knowledgeable and are excellent teachers. They were very welcoming and friendly. My partner and I have never done a craft like this before and we came out with two beautiful, sturdy baskets. They answered any and all questons and somehow mananged to work directly with me and with the five other people in the workshop! The lunch was also very beautiful. Could not recommend this course any more. "

Hayley Hudson reviewed: Yorkshire Rose stone carving class

"What a lovely experience Helen is very welcoming and helpful (she needed to be). I really enjoyed making the Yorkshire Rose. The atmosphere in the workshop is lovely and friendly and Helen can’t do enough. Thank you very much."

Becky reviewed: Stained glass mosaic sun catchers in the Cotswolds

"Absolutely amazing course, really engaging and creative. I loved it!"

Baobab Tree Mosaics responded:

"Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it. "

Sophie reviewed: Full Day Silversmithing 10-4pm

"Thoroughly enjoyed the day. Lovely group. Relaxed day. Very helpful and knowledgeable instructor. Caroline was also particular patient with all my mishaps!! Emma was super friendly and cooked a lovely curry and we had plenty of cake and teas too. Very lovely setting inside and outside. Will definitely do more courses in Larkswold !"

Larkswold responded:

"Thanks Sophie, Glad you enjoyed the day and look forward to seeing you again in the future. 🥰"

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

"No idea what to expect? Absolutely grand! Gavin and Tom were experts in whom one could place complete trust; jokes, music, tea & biscuits were an essential bonus that kept us all focused yet relaxed. And yes, in the end, the longbow produced by each one of us (+ a lot of help from G&T) - a thing of beauty. It matters not whether you have one or not, or indeed whether you shoot at all, it is a craft weekend to be relished and remembered. Thank you to everyone involved."

Zara reviewed: Wax Carving for Jewellery Making - One Day Workshop - In Person, In London

"Left the course feeling confident to try out my newly learned skills, and excited to experiment more. Great day - thank you."

Penny Akester Jewellery responded:

"HI Zara, thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review! Great to meet you - hope you have fun experimenting some more at home...."

Abbie - Bought for Alan reviewed: (1 to 1) Beginner Woodwork - Automata Making

"I booked this course for my boyfriends 30th birthday. He told me all about it & even showed me the amazing boat he had make. He told me Phillip was very helped and patient with him and he learnt a lot. The course was very afford able and easy to get to. Highly recommended"

Quicksticks Workshop responded:

"It was great to meet Alan. I'm glad he enjoyed his present. Although he wasn't exactly a "beginner" at woodwork, we still managed plenty of upskilling and tips. Enjoy painting the boat!"

Garry Munro reviewed: Glass Experience Day

"Purchased for a birthday present for my wife who had a fantastic day and is now researching getting her own bead making equipment."

Kalypso Glass responded:

"Thank you Garry, glad to hear Kay enjoyed her day with us."

Kaya R reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"This was my first time glassblowing and it was such an incredible experience, thanks to Ricky and the Creative Vibe Glassblowing team! I reached out to produce a piece for a student art project and not only was Ricky's instruction super comprehensive, but his knowledge and experience as a glass artist helped me decide what artistic directions I could take my project in and allowed me to apply ideas organically. I booked two back to back sessions and had the opportunity to experiment and explore various techniques and tools before crafting my final vessels which I'm so pleased with. Will definitely be booking again in the future, and highly recommend them to anyone no matter your skill level! "

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 Ltd 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"