Latest reviews

Laura McCauley reviewed: Mosaic/chat/create! with award winning mosaicist Emma Abel

"Emma was a fantastic host and teacher which made the experience even better. It was by far one of the best courses I have ever been on in my professional career being an Art teacher. I learnt so much and have a new found respect for the skill involved in mosaic art. It was amazing! Will definitely be doing it again."

abelmosaics responded:

"Laura, it was a pleasure teaching you, I'm so glad you enjoyed learning the skills for mosaic making and would love to see you here again. Your giraffe was beautifully executed! "

Parimala reviewed: One day stained glass workshop London for beginners and enthusiasts

"This was a good one day introduction to stained glass. As it was just 2 of us we each had ample time to learn from this very enthusiastic teacher. If it is something you always wanted to try we would highly recommend spending a day with this very friendly and knowledgeable tutor."

GlassSeasons responded:

"Thanks for your kind feedback ?"

Gilly Cowan reviewed: Crafty Basketry's Willow Plant Support (Obelisk or Cloche) - Morning Course, Uckfield

"I did two half days and had made an Obelisk and Cloche by the end of them! It was a wonderful way to spend that time. Very calming with Marianne's gentle and clear instruction and very good knowledge and love of the materials we were using. I have completely fallen under the spell of Willow, so thank you Marianne. I can highly recommend these courses which work on a number of levels. As you are so focused on what you are doing, by the end of it you feel tired but energised at the same time. I don't think it was just the tea, cake and biscuits, which were delicious too! I slept really well both nights. Both the Obelisk and Cloche are in use in the garden. A big thank you for opening the door to this lovely craft. I will definitely keep going and I look forward to more courses and more understanding."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, Gilly! It's been such a delight, having you on my courses, as you've been picking up the techniques so easily and it was so pleasing to see how you were immersing yourself into the whole experience! I'm really looking forward to welcoming you to the basket-weaving course soon and hopefully your friend is then able to come along too. Even more fun! See you soon. With best wishes, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Carol Penn reviewed: Line and wash

"The line and wash workshop was all that I hoped for and more. Liz organised a well structured day with plenty of time for experimenting. There was a wealth of information, demonstration and every implement we could wish for to try out, including the cola pen. We also had good quality paper for a realistic outcome. This was all set in the beautiful surroundings of Micklems Farm. It couldn’t have been better. For 2 beginners we both felt we had learnt so much and in a welcoming atmosphere. I think you may guess that we had a great day!"

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Hi Carol, thank you so much for such a lovely review. I am delighted you learnt lots and I hope you have the foundation to go on and explore this fabulous combination of media. I do so love pen and wash!"

Christine Ellison reviewed: Mosaic stepping stone

"Had a lovely return visit with Jane to do a second steppingstone. Jane also is a glass fusion artist and passed on some very useful tips which has helped me complete a difficult glass Project. ????????"

Fiona reviewed: Raku pottery: an introduction

"Such a lovely afternoon...informative, fun and exciting...loads of wow moments and Tez was a great tutor...loving my new Raku dish too...inspired to make another!"

Humble by Nature responded:

"Hi Fiona, thanks for spending an afternoon with us on the farm. It's great to hear that you enjoyed your raku pottery course. We hope to see you back at Humble by Nature in the future. Best wishes, the farm team."

Oliver Waterhouse reviewed: Beginners half-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"This was a really superb gift for Father's Day. I've not done wood turning before and only fairly basic carpentry skills, though happy to have a go! Simon is a really good teacher, very good at explaining and demonstrating the process. As a first timer I felt in good hands. We talked through the lathe and the tools we would be using before having a go. The space is clean and tidy very pleasant to work in. I enjoyed the hospitable environment which helps my learning. I learn well by doing and so it was good to be able to have a go quickly. I'd definitely recommend this training whether as an experience or for someone starting or rekindling them self of a skill. Thanks Simon and Louise."

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

"Hi Oliver, Thank you for your lovely review and so glad you enjoyed session. Any questions or queries, please don't hesitate to get in touch. -- Simon & Louise"

Nicky Crummett reviewed: Crafty Basketry's basket weaving for beginners - Day course, Groombridge

"I did this course with my husband and we had a brilliant time. We both produced a lovely basket which we will treasure. The course was held in a beautiful and peaceful setting near Ashdown Forest. Marianne gave us lots of information on basketry throughout the day and sent us instructions should we wish to try another on our own. She has a methodical, relaxed teaching style and endless patience. Marianne supplied all the tea and coffee we could drink as well as biscuits and fruit. She also took some photos and videos of us which she shared with us. This is a really nice thing to do as a memento of our day. I thoroughly recommend this course and am sure you will be delighted with what you can achieve."

Crafty Basketry responded:

"Hello Nicky, Thank you so much for your thorough review and recommendation. It means the world to me, that you both had a memorable, relaxed time and you made such lovely baskets to show for it! Now you know the main techniques, I hope you will try and make a basket together, in your own garden. Let me know how you get on and do call if you feel you're stuck. Hope to see you and Martin again sometime soon. All the best, Marianne Crafty Basketry"

Tessa Berry reviewed: Two day painting workshop in West Pembrokeshire with Kate Freeman

"We had a super time with Kate and with the course. My mum and I came for the Two-Day Workshop. It was really great to get to try so many different techniques, tangents and mediums on the first day and then delve further in different directions on the second. Kate has a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, making us feel safe and encouraged to explore our creative sides. My mum and I have different styles and ideas and through Kate's instruction both gained so much from the experience. Since I've been home, everyone has been getting home-made cards - jelly prints, art pastels on black paper, even some with everything mixed together! Mum and I met up recently, and were so excited to show each other everything we'd been working on since Kate's workshop. Thank you! We were lucky enough to stay with Kate as well, so in the evenings, cosy in the private snug, we could take advantage of all her wonderful art books and chat about what we'd been doing."

Coach House Studio responded:

"Thank you so much Tessa - I'm really glad that you've carried on painting, and making art, since your two days here. It was an absolute pleasure to have you both as 'students' and you produced an amazing amount of great work! Stay in touch ?"

Sarah Hayes reviewed: Woodturning tuition in Wiltshire

"I recently attended the one day woodturning course with Andy and had a wonderful day. During the day Andy provided me with lots of information and insight on the different wood turning tools, sharpening the tools, and the opportunity to learn and practise woodturning skills such as coving and beading. We finished the day by turning a lovely small bowl. Andy is a really informative and patient teacher and as someone who is new to woodturning really helped me to learn some of the basics which I will take away and continue to practise. It was a fast-paced and really enjoyable day, but with time to take notes/ videos and tea and cake breaks (thank you Mary) Thank you Andy, Mary and Angus for a lovely day"

Suzanne reviewed: Ceramic Garden Seed Head and flower Ornaments - Emma Godden Ceramics

"What a fantastic day! Time flew by while Emma expertly took us through the process. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone and I will definitely be back for more. Thanks Emma!"

Emma Godden Ceramics responded:

"Suzanne, I am delighted you enjoyed the day and thank you for your lovely comment! I will be in touch soon to arrange collection of your pieces. And I look forward to welcoming you back for another workshop! Best wishes, Emma"

Alina T reviewed: Macrame Pot Hanger Workshop

"Such an enjoyable course. Time went so fast. Alice is patient and just a lovely teacher. Looking forward to further training."

Vicky Souter reviewed: Crochet mats for your summer garden table

"This place mat is a beautiful thing. Anne has put together the right stitch and design to create an excellent mat for the home. It is the right thickness, great cotton, practical, strong and it looks particularly elegant. I am thrilled with this new mat as well as being inspired to make more instead of trying to find just the right thing in the shops. Anne was so helpful too. Sweet company and I felt properly guided through the process with everything to suit my needs. She has created an ideal product and class which has left me very happy."

Auriol Crochet responded:

"Hi Vicky Thanks you for the lovely review. It gives me a real thrill to see you have made a beautiful mat and to know you'll go on to make other things using this crochet technique. Best wishes Ann"

Stephanie Maloney reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"Had a beautiful day in a beautiful setting, learning how to carve using axes and knives. Mike was so knowledgeable about his craft, and so patient, giving clear instructions, but also lots of 1 to 1 help whenever it was needed. There's something really magical, working a piece of wood with your own hands into something beautiful, and a great sense of achievement at having created it. Highly recommended."

Sarah Dalby reviewed: Creative Mosaic Making in-a-Day!

"Had a really great experience on Sunday making a Sunflower mosaic for my garden. There was so much choice with different materials - I could of made anything. The time went very fast disappointingly because I was enjoying myself so much. Highly recommend."

Creative Avenue York responded:

"You certainly utilised the variety of tiles in your sunflower and all of the colours and textures will look amazing in the sunshine! So glad you enjoyed the workshop."

Mehtab reviewed: Watercolour Painting Course - 7 x weeks - At Wanstead House E11

"I enjoyed the painting and learning about watercolours. My tutor, Brenda delivered the art class at a comfortable pace and was very encouraging too."

Andrea Blood reviewed: Creative Mosaic Making in-a-Day!

"I wish all courses were as good as this one! Sometimes my expectations of courses are way higher than the eventual reality....but I'm delighted to say that this time my expectations were met, and exceeded! Lisa-Marie is an excellent teacher, with a lovely personality that exudes warmth. Her range of materials and reference materials is absolutely excellent - she literally has everything and anything you might need. We were 4 people in a class, all with different tastes, and everyone found materials that suited their projects perfectly. I will def look out for further courses run by Lisa-Marie. 10/10."

Creative Avenue York responded:

"Thankyou so much for your kind words Andrea. I'm so glad you enjoyed the workshop. I look forward to creating with you again."

Carl Henderson reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia - taster course

"I found Les Symonds to very knowledgeable and helpful in this taster course. He, without a doubt, has excellent knowledge about wood turning. I will be returning for a further course in the future"

Pren responded:

"Thankyou Carl...I'm really pleased that you enjoyed your morning at the workshop."

Phil reviewed: Woodturning tuition in Wiltshire

"Andy’s communication skills before and during the course were very clear, positive and helpful. The workshop was well equipped and had multiple equipment and tools that the course required. He acted in a very professional manner and was insistent on both health and safety issues before the start of the course,. He made great efforts to ensure my understanding about the differing tools, equipment for beginners as well more experienced users, the procedures and skills required for woodturning. The course was done at a good pace and clearly he has the patience of a saint ensuring that if necessary there was plenty of practice time to gain the necessary basic skills. Thoroughly enjoyable and would attend again after a bit more practice. His good lady Mary provided multiple tea and cakes which were greatly appreciated!! Definitely a highly recommended course and tutor"

Justine melody reviewed: Coil pot workshop

"Lovely class of ladies with a brilliant teacher a great way to spend a morning I loved making my clay shell pot and will definitely be going to the next one"

Bob Makin reviewed: Weave a scarf in a day - handloom weaving

"Anne's course was both instructive as well as fun to be at. All the necessary equipment was at hand. It was an open time for questions about the weaving, as well as other related topics. The Craft House served us well also. Small size of class gave plenty of time for all the students to ask and receive help or instruction where needed. Anne's openness around her own history of weaving made the day not only enlightening, but also personable. You also ended up with a scarf at the end of it, along with further printed instructions for the correct finishing of the work. An excellent day of crafting and an excellent tutor."

Daniel reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking at Sallerton Wood

"Sallerton Wood is a truly magical place and Andy is it's wizard. I was gifted this course and I honestly could not have asked for a better gift. I had done a whittling course before and that doesn't even come close to how great this was. I truly left feeling connected to nature, educated and feeling reset by this wonderful place. Would love to return again and build upon what Andy taught so well. Thank you for a fantastic day and having me in your slice of the outdoors."

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Thank you very much indeed, Daniel, for that enthusiastic review. It's great that you enjoyed the course so much, and the woodland environment in which it took place. It would be really good to see you back at Sallerton Wood at any time in the future."

Jessica reviewed: Mosaic/chat/create! with award winning mosaicist Emma Abel

"Thank you for an excellent introduction to mosaic design and creation. The workshop both met and excelled my expectations of learning to put glass tiles together; your encouragement made this possible. I am delighted with my completed White Admiral. I found the pace and delivery of information and technical instruction to be timed sympathetically with my progress which gave me great confidence. You guided, directed and helped me to achieve a completed mosaic whilst feeling I had learned and created."

abelmosaics responded:

"Thank you so much for this Jessica, your White Admiral butterfly was created with much diligent cutting resuting in a lovely mosaic."

Paula Nichols reviewed: One day fused glass course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"Beautiful location. Easily understood instructions. Paul has an easy going manner that calms any nerves you may have about trying this craft. Unfortunately we didn't get to meet Natalie but her work is displayed in the studio & is inspirational. Under Paul's gentle guidance I was able to produce a piece of glasswork that reflected me and my art. Thank you."

David Morrall reviewed: Hand forged rustic knife course

"I had an excellent time making my very own knife, the instruction was excellent and the forge was brilliant. Really looking forward to visiting again."