Latest reviews

William Catchpole reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"What a cracking day with Simon - the time just flew and it was so well structured from arrival through to lunch and then the afternoon project. I had come quite a long way and was hugely excited by this highly original birthday present from my wife. To say I loved it would be an understatement - the workshop is immaculate and has so many clever subtle features. Simon is so so patient in explaining the various chisels and their cuts and the problems that wood orientation presents. Its hard to imagine somebody having anything other than a great experience. I certainly would give the course 5 stars - Simon 5 stars - lunch 5 stars ! and oooh the elm bowl is my pride and joy. "

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Hi William, Thank you so much for a lovely review! 15 stars! Who'da thought it? :D It was great to meet you - do stay in touch and if you need any advice, don't hesitate to shout. P.S. I've already made a small goblet with some of the elm you left me. -- Simon"

G Williams reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 1 (beginner)

"I recently completed the 'Fundamentals Part 1' course with Aidan as the instructor. It's a 2-day course and has really given me new confidence to try new projects. Aidan is a true master of his craft and his portfolio speaks for itself. You'll learn so much under his tutelage. The atmosphere is relaxed but well structured and you'll learn so much in such a short space of time and have a giggle too. You leave the course with an increased knowledge in so many areas. I can't recommend this course enough for anyone wishing to get involved with work. "

Farnham School of Furniture Making Ltd responded:

"Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback! I am very glad you had a good time during the course and learnt a lot - I also very much enjoyed teaching it. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me."

Barbara reviewed: Sword Making Class 3 Day

"My two teenage sons and I loved this sword making class. Will's easy going teaching style and professionalism make it a pleasure and a challenge that is worthwhile and enjoyable. "

Nicola reviewed: Copper wire jewellery Workshop

"Thank you so much for the wonderful course. You made it so special with a little gift and even some party rings - what a great way to celebrate our big birthdays togther. Patient, informative, encouraging - this workshop is ideal for anyone looking to reinvigorate themselves, relax and learn a new skill"

Mya Designs responded:

"Hello Nicola, It was lovely to meet you and your friend who came to celebrate your birthdays and friendship together. I'm so glad you appreciated the sixpence with your year of birth on it. For beginners you really worked hard at getting the hang of working with different thicknesses of wires and beads, hammering and texturing your pieces and I love your finished bangles. Thanks so much for a lovely feedback too. Take care, Kami :)"

Anne reviewed: Nettle Fibre Workshop

"A fascinating, inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable day. We packed a lot in and the teaching and guidance was excellent. I have started foraging for nettles for my own projects, and would highly recommend this course."

BeeKayMakes responded:

"Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate that you took the time to let me know you enjoyed the course. Best of luck for your nettle projects! "

Erin reviewed: Work of Iron | Blacksmith Forge on the Firth of Forth | Edinburgh | 1-Day Blacksmiths Knife Making

"Bought this course as a 60th Birthday present for my Dad and he had a great day! Jack took him through a number of different techniques that resulted in some lovely items to take home at the end, and he’d definitely be interested in doing more sessions in future. "

Andrew Mitchard reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Really good day well organised by nice people. As an aside the food was excellent at lunch all home made. Worth going just for the food and cakes! "

Rebecca reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"What a wonderful experience! It was such a lovely setting to chip away at stone for two days with no distractions but the occasional moo and baa of nearby cows and sheep. A nice small group of like minded people to chat to at break times as well. It was interesting to learn about Sebastian and his skills and his knowledge and positivety was so appreciated. My mum and I really enjoyed watching our sculptures come to life and are so pleased with the results. We are definitely going to try and come back next summer. Thank you so much. PS. Please can you send us the group photo?"

Anne Malin reviewed: Glass fusing workshop - 1 day

"Absolutely brilliant !!!! Very interesting, very enjoyable, would recommend to anyone . "

Fired Glass responded:

"Thank you Anne, glad you loved your time with us. Kind regards John and Jill"

Claire reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"What a lovely day we had! Five friends meeting up for a day of being creative together. The setting of the studio is just perfect. From making an initial enquiry to the workshop day, all communication was clear and timely. Jo’s teaching style is friendly and relaxed, working at the pace of the group. She explained and demonstrated each stage of the process as we created our hares. I love my leaping hare!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Claire ? It's lovely to have a group of friends at a workshop - and you all made such gorgeous hares! I hope you went onto enjoy your evening together and had smooth journeys back to all the different parts of the UK you came from ?. Jo x"

Kathy reviewed: Signet Ring Wax Carving for Casting in Sterling Silver: Silver Jewellery Making

"Such an excellent workshop. Nina is a great tutor, incredibly patient and thorough with her teaching as well as being funny and so welcoming. Will definitely be booking on another class! "

Iasthai Original responded:

"Thank you so much Kathy ⭐️ It was great to have you and I’m so looking forward to seeing you again!"

Jane Johnson reviewed: Seascape textile art kit

"Love this little kit. Lots of different fabrics and textures, etc. Am collecting a few of these for my next big holiday. Great idea."

Helen Moyes Designs responded:

"Thanks for the feedback Jane, happy creating!"

Pauline Hull reviewed: Two day (consecutive) stained glass starter course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"I thoroughly enjoyed this two day course. Paul was an excellent tutor, very thorough at explaining the techniques involved and patient too! I was on the course with two other lovely people and the atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly. It is something I have wanted to try for a long time and was so pleased to have finally done so. Very pleased with my final panel of stained glass too!"

Vicky and Jess reviewed: One day fused glass course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"A really great day. Excellent instruction, good quality tools and materials to work with. We really enjoyed it, felt like we'd learned a lot and achieved a lot, and we're very pleased with the fused glass art that we made. We were both complete beginners but left with the confidence, knowledge and skills to continue on our own. Lots of practice, lots of tea and lots of laughs too."

Ellen Russell reviewed: Lino printing landscapes

"We had a brilliant day with Lee in July. We booked as a group of 5 friends and he was very generous about finding a date we could all manage. His teaching was really clear and encouraging and he managed the different levels of experience and skill without difficulty. Lee maintained a good pace so that we all had a chance to complete/nearly our prints. The studio was lovely and we each had plenty of room to work in. I would recommend Lee's course to anyone. I hope to repeat it. Long live Lee!!"

HappyHammerer reviewed: Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day

"My sons bought me the “Forge a Knife- Blacksmithing and Knifemaking Experience Day” for my birthday. It’s a really brilliant experience day largely due to the skills of Jon not only in blacksmithing but in his skills as a teacher. Not only does he explain what to do and how, if asked, he will also explain the science behind the process he takes you through. I think the best praise I can give is that I was working with Jon for 9 hours and it felt more like 30mins I was so absorbed in what I was doing. Be warned, there’s currently a 6 month lead time on these experience days as they are understandably so popular. "

Mrs Maureen Stanley reviewed: Learn drawing skills - Passion for graphite!

"Hazel is a very friendly , knowledgeable and talented lady who made this workshop very interesting . This was a great experience which I would certainly recommend to all age groups."

Field Breaks Art responded:

"Hello Maureen, Many thanks for your kind words and review, thanks very much appreciated, I'm so glad you enjoyed the workshop! Here's to lots of days spent with graphite and paper (and hedgerow grasses!) Best wishes Hazel"

Lottie Lewis reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"My sister and I had such a great day with Alex learning how to create bird baths from sheet metal, using the dishing technique. We shared a one-to-one day experience, taking it in turns to work on our projects. It worked really well. Alex was a great teacher and generally excellent company for the day too. The historic Chalk Pit Forge is in such a gorgeous setting, very peaceful and rural. I can't recommend highly enough spending time at Chalk Pit Forge with Alex, I came away with an awesome bird bath, wanting to return to have a go at something else. (Alex also provided some awesome snacks, which are very welcome as it is a very physical day) If you are considering this course - do it, you won't be disappointed! "

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Lottie, Thanks so much for the great review. It's much appreciated. I'm glad you're happy with what you made and learnt and am very happy you found me excellent company. You and Liz were too! All the best Alex Smith "

Anne reviewed: Willow Pig Sculpture at Haymoor Studio

"Had booked a willow weaving day with my daughter on Saturday, and we had such a great time with Jo. Her teaching style was relaxed, she kept an eye on us all throughout the day to make sure nobody was struggling. Quite a long day, and we were both tired by the end, but we really enjoyed our day and are now the proud owners of willow pigs Pringle and Small Pig. The course was held in a lovely location, we are definitely planning on booking ourselves onto another course. "

Linda Vincent reviewed: Mosaic workshop at Jackie Nash Art

"Had an absolutely fantastic day with Jackie. She encouraged us to make whatever mosaic we wanted and let us loose on all her different colours and textures of tiles. She only has small groups so was always available to answer questions, help us out with anything. She is very passionate about mosaics and made the day a lot of fun. "

Jackie Nash Art responded:

"Thank you Linda for your lovely review. Your Hare will be grouted ready for collection early next week. See you soon. ?"

David Harrington reviewed: Pole lathe turning taster day: bowl turning

"Great day in a beautiful setting in the woods. An ancient art rediscovered. It is moderately physical. Initially a bit tricky but you soon get the knack and then it is good fun. Maurice is a nice bloke and a good teacher. Would highly recommend. "

Ross reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Fantastic day. Thoroughly enjoyable and learnt a great deal. The course had a good structure to it but flowed so naturally that you didn't really notice. Simon was a great tutor and very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommended."

Blended Monkey - pottery - woodturning - green woodworking - pole lathe - throwing responded:

"Thanks, Ross. So glad you enjoyed the day and learned so much. Do get in touch if you need further help or advice. —Simon"

Rob Radmore reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 1 (beginner)

"Absolutely fantastic. I haven’t picked up a manual plane for some 25 years. I just wanted a refresher. Others had NEVER picked up a plane. Aiden is an excellent tutor, carefully explaining what to do with a practical demonstration and then following up with visits to each workbench. I cannot recommend this course highly enough whether like me it’s been a while and you’ve forgotten sooo much or if you’re a complete novice who just wants to have a go at woodworking. The end result - described as a chopping board - isn’t just ANY chopping board (to misquote M&S) this is an Aiden chopping board. I kind of run out of superlatives at this point. The fact that the course numbers are small means he can - and does - devote attention to each pupil’s needs. The workshop is excellently equipped as well. Aiden is a VERY skilled woodworker with that rare ability to communicate and teach as well. All in all 10/10. I’m about to book my next one."

Farnham School of Furniture Making Ltd responded:

"Wow, thank you for your positive feedback Rob! I am very happy you had a good time on the course and learnt a lot. Looking forward to welcoming you back at the workshop! All the best, Aidan "

Kevin Goodwin reviewed: Mosaics for Beginners - West Sussex

"I did this course with my partner last Friday in Wendy's workshop. We had not tried mosaics before. It was very instructive and good that she was working on a small piece in parallel with us. Wendy had a wide range of tiles to choose from, ranging from small squares to larger ones, offcuts of tiles, circular ones, shiny ones, pebble shaped ones, etc, in a diverse range of colours and hues. The 4 hours went surprisingly quickly and we opted to take the pieces home to grout after she demonstrated how to do this, although you can leave them with Wendy to do if you wish. The location is close to parking and the background music in the workshop great as you disappear into relaxing mosaic making. Definitely worthwhile doing and we are already thinking about mosaic projects to do at home having taken the course."

Lauren reviewed: NEW!! - 3 piece Russian style interlock ring at Simply Amazing Jewellery School

"Had a wonderful afternoon at this workshop. Viv was friendly and patient, and I came away with a piece of jewellery I really love. Would highly recommend."

Simply Amazing Jewellery School responded:

"Hi Lauren, thank you so much, this is a lovely review, but you worked really hard, listened well and followed instructions - your ring is beautiful, you made it!"