Latest reviews

Christian reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"I had such a great time in the course and came away with a Viking knife that I’m genuinely proud of. I particularly enjoyed working between the forge and hammering on the anvil. Spencer was a brilliant instructor, he gave us a lot of independence but was still accessible for opinions and guidance. He was quick to tell me what I was doing right and constructive when explaining an error. I absolutely recommend to anyone interested. "

Anvil Forge responded:

"Hi Christian thanks for your comments , I will pass on the review to Spencer. I know he enjoys working with you all and he told me at the end of the day that he enjoyed the session as well. What is also really good is the feedback that we are doing it right for you guys ( trainees) and achieving the right mix of giving you the freedom but still keeping a close eye on you when needed . best wishes John"

Eve Williams reviewed: Lampshade Making Workshop with Clare Cosens

"Thank you Clare for a lovely morning. Really enjoyable. Clear and understandable instructions given by Clare. Her studio is light and bright and my fellow " trainees" were very nice. We had fun chatting whilst producing our lampshades. Thank you again for your skill, hospitality, and patience. I'm so pleased with the result. My lamp shade looks perfect in my Moroccan inspired living room."

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"Thank you Eve, your Moroccan inspired lampshade looked amazing! I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the workshop and I hope you go onto to make many more lampshades."

Lesley reviewed: Hand Embroidery Workshop Friday 20th January 2023

"lovely workshop, very relaxed, clear instructions from Annie regarding how to complete embroidery stitches, would definitely attend another Annie Morris workshop"

Janice Wilson reviewed: Walking stick making - Friday mornings, come and make a stick with Bill at Dukeries Community Workshop, Ollerton

"Really enjoyed my first session and looking forward to my next."

Dukeries Community Workshop responded:

"I will pass your kind comments onto Bill your tutor. Regards Alan "

Sian & Stef reviewed: Forge Your Own Wedding Rings- Blacksmithing Experience Day

"Just finished making our wedding rings with Jon at Kerr Forge. We'd previously visited on a knife making course and both times Jon was an excellent host and a great teacher - knowledgeable and patient. We are both so happy with the rings we've made and can't wait for the wedding so we can start wearing them. Thanks Jon! "

Tina reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing Workshop by Clare Cosens

"What an amazing afternoon so FUN and I produce a print that I’m so proud of I’m getting a frame to put it on the wall. Mainly to remind me how important it is to find time to be Creative . Clare is a fab teacher so concise in her instructions and such an intuitive guide. Will be up for more courses for sure and will be taking friends ♥️"

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the workshop and had fun being creative. Your prints looked amazing! Thank you for the lovely review and I look forward to meeting you again on future workshops. "

Lucy Sayles reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing Workshop by Clare Cosens

"The Gelli plate workshop was wonderful. Clare is fantastic tutor - she is clearly very experienced, she is patient and clear plus her enthusiasm for her craft is contagious and inspiring. We had a wonderful time and are looking forward to booking on the experimental gelli plate printing and mixed media workshops soon! Highly recommended."

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"Many thanks for your kind words Lucy. I'm glad you had a wonderful time. Your prints were fantastic - such beautiful detail. I hope to see you again soon on my experimental Gelli plate printing or mixed media workshop and hope you will find these equally inspiring."

Elga reviewed: SAORI weaving taster session

"Really enjoyed the taster workshop. Amanda is a great tutor and all four of us produced something we were pleased with. Lovely to learn something new and to have so many wonderful threads and extras to choose from."

BEAUTIFULcloth SAORI Studio responded:

"Thank you very much Elga, it was a joy to share SAORI weaving with such a fun group of friends!!"

Vanessa Baylay reviewed: Art clay silver

"It was fantastic- we learnt lots and are hoping to Try at home. We were well supported. Such a fun day "

Goldwrightsjewelleryschool responded:

"It was such a lovely day, your jewellery was so lovely and hopefully you have found a new hobby, thank you lady’s Jade x"

Neus reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery making class at Sandra Kerns Jewellery studio, Little Sampford

"Sandra is lovely and her workshop is amazing! Hands on, you get to participate and choose what you will do and she is great guiding, teaching and supporting you along the way. We got amazing pieces to take back home, and had a wonderful time as well! Would definitely repeat and recommend."

Sandra Kerns Jewellery responded:

"Thank you - it was an absolute pleasure and I’d love to see you both again. X"

Colin Smith reviewed: French Polishing workshop full day with Rob Cain

"Excellent day course on French polishing made fun and enjoyable by Rob and his excellent sense of humour. Rob also shared many tips and trade secrets and was generous with his encouragement, energy and positivity. "

The Old Polishing Shop responded:

"Hi Colin, was an absolute pleasure to spend the time with you , and thanks so much for these encouraging words, and for picking up the skills with ease , all the very best Rob "

Libby Batacanin reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I was welcomed and within a few minutes had a hot drink and flapjack. The instructions were very clear and Jonny and Becky were very patient. A lovely hot lunch for a very reasonable price. The day was value for money, I felt proud of my basket though it wasn’t the best of the group. I went with two friends who also enjoyed it. I would certainly consider doing another one sometime in the future."

AJ reviewed: Welding For Beginners

"Friendly atmosphere, great environment. A cracking day getting to grips with arc and MIG welding. So good to benefit from Liam's practical experience ad patient tuition, something you won't get from watching videos online. Great value and thoroughly recommended. I'm now off to buy a welding machine..."

Sara Jones reviewed: Bespoke Workshop Day - Sara J

"Excellent experience! We were warmly welcomed and instantly knew that we'd have a great day, as we were listened with enthusiasm. The wealth of knowledge was incredible and we left feeling that we had gained many skills. Thank you so very much!"

Ali McGill reviewed: Needle felted Dogs & Cats in (Halifax)

"I booked this course for myself and my mum, it was a small studio which was very relaxed. My mum has early onset dementia and Josephine was patient and broke down the skills into manageable chunks. We were very successful in our doggie creations and came away very happy :-)"

Pauline Curtis reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"3 of us did this course the hosts John and Becky were very welcoming when we arrived. The day starts with a warm cuppa and cake. Then with lots of help and loads of patience from our hosts we all made a beautiful basket as did all the class. We had a great lunch made by a local supplier and of course followed by more cake. I would say a terrific fun day had well worth the cost. Would certainly recommend for people looking for something different to do."

Sharon warnes reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day for 2 students

"The course was brilliant and Les is a careful and excellent tutor. We would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn, improve or to professionals. Great"

Pren responded:

"Thank you Sharon, I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the day."

Kate Gilbert reviewed: A day on the tiles: one-day mosaic workshop

"I did this course yesterday and it was great. Fiona is very welcoming and it was a relaxing day. There are lots of tiles to chose from. You can make mosaics for indoors or outdoors. I would definitely recommend Fiona course. "

Claire Smith reviewed: Woodturning for beginners

"I have just finished my two day course with Stuart, and it was a great experience and very informative. I was a complete novice with a desire to learn this craft in order to gain enough of a feeling for it to know if I want to move forward with it and get my own workshop. Stuart was knowledgable, patient, with a passion he wants to pass on, I now know what the craft takes from preparation and design to hand tools, machinery and taking you to a final product. His workshop was organised, stocked, warm and fully equipped with PPE. I would highly recommended with course for any level, from someone who fancies and day or so out to try something new, to someone who want to pick this up as a hobby or a professional who just would like to improve or learn new skills. I’m confident from what I’ve learned that I will take this further and I know that when I’m set up on my own I will book again to keep learning more from Stuart."

The Scottish Woodturner responded:

"Thanks for that great review Clair. Hope to see you again when you are up and running."

Mark reviewed: Japanese style chopping boards workshop - Marlborough

"I really enjoy every aspect of the day. The course leaders are skilled and interesting people, other participants were great company and my Japanese chopping board was pretty good (if I say it myself)."

Explore The Great Outdoors. responded:

"Thank you for your kind words.. Yes you did a really good job., Well Done."

Catriona reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"We had a great experience with Judith, the three of us came as complete novices and left inspired to continue and build on the skills that we learnt with Judith. She is such a wonderful teacher, inspiring, encouraging and positive. We left the day with prints we were all proud and full of inspiration to develop our newly learned ability."

print paper stitch experiences responded:

"Thank you very much Catriona, it was a pleasure to meet and work with you all for the day. I'd love to see what you all create next!"

Liz reviewed: Beginner's Candle Making Private Workshop - Marlow, Buckinghamshire

"Very enjoyable workshop. Sarah is a very friendly teacher. Loved the end results. "

Candle by Events responded:

"Thank you Liz for your kind comments, glad you enjoyed the workshop :)"

Debbie Currie reviewed: Pick & Mix Glass Fusing Taster Sessions

"Lovely evening with Dawn. Treated my friend for Christmas and myself to the workshop and thoroughly enjoyed it. Have known Dawn a few years now and she has been to the care home where we both work to do a session with the residents, who really enjoyed if too. Very informative and lots of patience, well worth a go."

Dawn Turner Designs responded:

"Thank you for coming along to the studio, so glad that you and Kirsty had a good time, can't wait to open the kiln and see what you both made! x"

Irina reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"Enjoyed the day of lino printing with Judith, in relaxed and creative atmosphere. Would highly recommend. "

print paper stitch experiences responded:

"Thank you Irina, your castle prints were stunning! Looking forward to seeing you again sometime in the future for some colour reduction lino printing."

Chris Charles reviewed: Woodturning tuition in Wiltshire

"What a wonderful day, it just flashed by. So enjoyable indeed. Andy is the best of teachers, enthusiastic, encouraging and full of woodturning anecdotes, what is not to like, brilliant. On a technical level, all bases were covered. On a practical level, we were busy all day creating little piles of curly swarf. Woodturning naturally has it own ancient craft language adding interest to the day. It was a cold day, so there was nothing better than to adjourn for a cuppa by the Aga and enjoy a slice of Mary’s delicious fruit loaf…. under the watchful eye of Angus the dog. I thoroughly recommend Andy’s course."

Andys woodworking responded:

"Thanks so much Chris Andy mary and angus "