Latest reviews

Deb Wright (on behalf of Mick Wright) reviewed: Introduction to woodturning: one to one

"Absolutely brilliant according to my husband who attended. I've never seen him come home so excited and he couldn't wait to show me the things he'd made. I honestly think he'd go there every day if he could. My husband is a complete beginner, and he got so much informative out is this day. DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED "

Abby reviewed: Premium linocut & print kit with Artist Quality Ink

"Perfect set for beginners — beautifully packaged, and full of helpful ideas and instructions. Will buy from this seller again."

Mary reviewed: Fused glass introduction 1/2 day at Kingcot, Worcestershire

"Thank you Vicki, we had a fabulous morning, you were so helpful and gave us great guidance whilst encouraging us to make the decisions of what to make! So many choices, can’t wait to see the end results after firing. - Mary & Annette"

Kingcot Gallery responded:

"Hi Mary and Annette, thank you for your kind words, they are appreciated. It was good to see how you both worked thru' the process and have ended up with personal items! They look good after the first firing, just got to shape them now....... Vicky"

Sue reviewed: Stained glass leading for beginners

"This was a great experience, Jamal is a true craftsman and shared his journey and experience, explaining the steps to make stained glass. Each stage was broken down with a demo and then we did that step on our own piece. I'm really pleased with the result and I learnt a lot. Recommend this experience "

Gill reviewed: Fused glass workshop - Plymouth

"This was such a great workshop. Sheena is a really good teacher - we were all beginners, and she gave us all the instruction and explanation that we needed of how to properly and safely use the tools & glass. She was always ready with suggestions and help if we needed, & she created a friendly & fun atmosphere. Our fused glass pieces will be ready to collect this week, & it's quite exciting to find out how they've turned out. I'd recommend Sheena's workshops to anyone, & I hope to go to another one sometime soon."

Geraldine Robinson reviewed: Sew and Make Baggy Pyjama Bottoms Ages 10-16 years BEVERLEY

"My daughter is very pleased with her pyjamas - they look great and she has been able to keep the pattern so she can make more. She really enjoyed the morning and is gaining more confidence with using a sewing machine. "

Juliet Wareham reviewed: Lino Print, Multi Layer Colour Print making

"What a great way to spend a Sunday! The studio itself was amazing; masses of room, lots of equipment, but best of all, floor to ceiling windows looking over the glorious Dorset countryside! Josie was a wonderful tutor; very friendly and laid back - almost like a friend chatting away to us ( and providing us with lunch!). It wasn’t until I got home that I realised how much Josie had taught me. I loved every minute of the course."

Class Creative Studios responded:

"It was a pleasure to welcome you Juliet, thank you kindly for the lovely review and we hope to see you again in the near future for another creative session!"

Nicola Wellband reviewed: Painting Restoration

"Thank you Rachale for a fascinating day learning the methods and skills of art restoration in your garden studio, everything was so interesting and I was extremely pleased with the restoration of my oil painting. Your knowledge and teaching was wonderful, it was one of the best courses I’ve attended."

W Hale reviewed: Tree ID in Summer

"We appreciated the opportunity to reschedule this course due to the extreme heat. Tracey was very understanding, and we look forward to doing this course on a future date."

Coppicewood College responded:

"Thanks Wendy! We always want our courses to be the best possible situation for everyone and have now re-scheduled the workshop. "

Rich Byatt reviewed: Mixed Media Sculpture Workshop

"I had a great time exploring wire frameworks with resin fabric augmentation, and polystyrene form coated in plaster. All new to me - having taken an idea of what I'd like to produce Melanie was very helpful in suggesting materials and approaches. Melanie was working on her own project (I was the only attendee on this workshop) but still very attentive to check progress, make suggestions, provide helpful assistance/demonstration, encourage and hold interesting conversation. It was a warm day, the studio was very light and not too hot, and the time flew by - Melanie was very generous to allow me to complete both pieces to a satisfactory level. Very enjoyable day; thoroughly recommend."

Janet reviewed: Full day fused glass course with breakfast, lunch and all materials included

"An amazingly enjoyable, instructive introductory day to a craft I'd never tried before. Kim and Sharon were so patient and helpful. There was such a variety of glass to choose from. I learnt so much and managed to produce small Christmas tree decorations, pendant, coaster and picture. It was great to be so well looked after too with breakfast pancakes, a delicious lunch and even cake to finish. The course was a great Birthday present from my nieces and nephew and I'd fully recommend it."

Hot Fusion Glass responded:

"Thank you Janet, we had a wonderful day with you and can’t wait to see your creations fired."

Stephanie Wilkinson reviewed: Painting Restoration

"Absolutely loved this course led by Rachael! I took an old 1880’s oil painting along and she explained the methods needed to carefully remove dirt, old varnish and wax which then brightened the painting and revealed details previously hidden. I am now continuing with it at home, removing some old filler and will revarnish, retouch where needed and put it in a frame. She also demonstrated other techniques eg how to repair a tear, fill tiny holes, etc. Rachael is a fabulous tutor, highly recommend. "

Chris reviewed: Monthly Watercolour Classes

"I attended the watercolour class at Stanwick Lakes hoping for a welcoming, structured introduction to painting. What I got instead was a disorganised and frankly demoralising experience that felt more like accidentally walking in on a private art group than a beginner-friendly class. From the start, the location information was wrong, so I spent time wandering around trying to find the session. Once inside, there was no welcome, no clear structure, and absolutely no teaching. As a complete beginner, I was given zero guidance on what to expect, how to approach the activity, or even which materials to use — I wasn’t even given a pencil at first. The tutor gave no actual instruction beyond “sketch this” and “put a wash on the background.” Everyone was working from different images, so there was no way for consistent teaching to happen. I received about two minutes of vague advice in nearly two hours, while the tutor mostly painted her own work or refilled water jars. This was advertised as a structured, skills-based session focused on learning techniques — washes, layering, texture, tools — none of which were covered. Instead, I felt like I’d trespassed into a space I didn’t belong in, with no effort made to include or support beginners. Another attendee I saw looked just as upset and said they just wanted to leave (and for the same reasons). As someone who teaches professionally in other fields, I found this class shockingly lacking in preparation or care. I left feeling disheartened and completely unsupported. If you're looking to actually learn how to paint, I’d suggest starting with YouTube — you'll get more guidance in five minutes than this class offered in two hours. I did receive a refund this morning, but zero apology or feedback. "

Lindy Ruston reviewed: Monthly Watercolour Classes

"This week we did Still Life with Lou. Despite not being my favourite subject, I’m very glad I did it as it taught me shadows, tone and observation and I was very pleased with the result. As always the group is friendly and fun and I’ve just booked all of next terms watercolour, acrylic, and mixed media classes in one go. Roll on next term. Well done Lou - you can now have a restful summer break. 👏👏👏"

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you for taking the time to leave us a lovely review. We are so pleased you are enjoying our art classes and look forward to seeing you here at Stanwick Lakes again next term! Best wishes, The Stanwick Lakes team."

Val reviewed: Macrame Plant Hangers Workshop at Kirkstall Forge

"What a great way to spend a couple of hours, learning how to do macrame. Kim is an excellent teacher, knows her stuff and lives to pass that knowledge on"

Darn It! Workshops responded:

"Thank you Val! That's so incredibly kind of you. So lovely to see you again!"

Lynne Badger reviewed: Crochet Worshop - All levels at Tandem Crafts, Stourbridge

"Throughly enjoyable crotchet lesson. Learnt loads plus Tunician crotchet. Very friendly, fabulous time. Would highly recommend."

Neil Cowles reviewed: Introduction to Traditional Leaded Stained-Glass Course, 2 days

"I really enjoyed the course, Jo is a patient and talented tutor and I was very pleased with what I was able to make."

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We are very pleased you enjoyed the course and do hope to see you here at Stanwick Lakes again soon. Best wishes, The Stanwick Lakes team."

Margaret reviewed: Learn to make a fabric basket using selvedges

"My second event here. A warm welcome, a relaxed environment, perfectly paced. Such a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Who'd imagine selvedge edges could be turned into such a desirable object? Do not throw away this wonderful resource! The amount of thought and preparation put into this activity was superb - all guaranteed to make sure everyone achieved. I am looking forward to my next visit in September with my granddaughter. Thank you, Tanya for all the above."

Nigel reviewed: Learn traditional upholstery

"Peter has been an excellent tutor, very supportive giving lots of very useful guidance. His workshop is really well set up and he is very organised and helpful when purchasing fabrics and tools. A memorable experience and met some really nice people."

Bernie and Carol reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course at Rhyd y Creuau Field Studies Centre near Betws y Coed in North WalesTaster

"At FSC Rhyd-y-creuau near Betws-y-Coed, repairing a drystone wall and learning how to take down it down and build it up again from the foundations. Big thanks to the tutors from the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain, Paul Smyth and Colin Brown. Two days of moving stones in high temperatures and we're exhausted and really happy with what we achieved as part of this small team. Hopefully the basic skills we've learnt will come in handy should we need wall repairs in the future."

Dry Stone Walling Association North Wales Branch responded:

"Thanks Carol and Bernie. It was a great weekend and thanks for your company. So glad Colin chose that shaded spot in all that heat."

Susan reviewed: Sculpture in a Day - Stone carving in Oxfordshire

"I had a great day, David was very supportive but did not take over. I was very pleased with my final piece, especially as I am not naturally creative. I can highly recommend this course"

Sculpted in Stone responded:

"Thank you Susan - you're more creative than you think! Your piece was excellent; inventive and beautifully finished. "

Linda & Becky reviewed: Wire Seed Head Stems

"Fabulous workshop! Judith is a wonderful instructor with a wealth of knowledge & patience in equal measure. Thoroughly enjoyed the day from start to finish."

Judith Brown Jewellery responded:

"What a lovely review, thanks so much and I'm so pleased that you enjoyed it. I hope to see you on a future workshop. Judith"

Arthur Carson reviewed: Beginners Woodturning

"Very enjoyable day spent learning the basics of Woodturning with Roger with some new techniques I had not come across before. A very friendly and patient instructor."

Lisa reviewed: Nettle Fibre Workshop

"Exploring the use of nettles, the facts and the folklore, to make fibres and fabric was fascinating. Brigitte explained everything clearly and we were able to produce our own cording and fibres. Brigitte was always available to assist individually, ably assisted by her equally knowledgable husband who entertained us with poetry and a folksong, all nettle related. Thank you both for a very enjoyable and educational day."

Janet Jones reviewed: Two leather long stitch journals in a day

"A really enjoyable workshop. Lynne was very patient, with clear step by step guidance. Coming home with 2 completed books, I was delighted with the results. I hope to continue onto the intermediate course when available."

Lynne Friel responded:

"Hello Janet It was a good workshop and your books looked worked out really well. Thank you for coming. Best wishes Lynne"