Latest reviews

Ian [from Lancaster] reviewed: Kitchen Knife Course

"Attended early May 2022, had a fantastic day. Dave is very knowledgeable, patient, skilful and a great teacher. During the day I got to shape a kitchen knife blade, harden it in a forge and cool in oil, grind the bevel edge, choose the wooden handle scales, shape them and secure to the blade, polish the handle and sharpen the blade. I left having learnt so much about blade-smithing and how to look after and sharpen kitchen knives, plus I have a beautiful kitchen knife that is razor sharp and will be in my family for many generations to come. thank you Dave for a wonderful day and making me feel so welcome."

Hand forged Yorkshire responded:

"Many thanks for taking the time to write such a fantastic review Ian, massively appreciate it thank you very much. Brilliant to meet you and have you in the forge, you did a cracking job with your knife well done. Kindest regards Dave"

Ann P reviewed: Full day introduction to glass fusing course.

"Having done a couple of courses previously I both enjoyed and appreciated the time Amanda spent on going through some of the theory and techniques and the emphasis throughout on safety. Lots of very useful practical advice. Kiln carving was new to me and the finished results our group produced were I think excellent and don’t look like a first attempt by beginners, thanks to Amanda’s excellent support and guidance!"

Lee Dale reviewed: Glass blowing course - taster

"A massive thankyou to Chris for teaching and guiding me through a 3-hour glass blowing lesson. My wife had bought it for me for my 50th and it will certainly be remembered. The course was delivered with a calm, professional and fun tone. I was able to try my hand at pretty much everything and was amazed at how much was taught to me as well as how much I was able to take home with me, after cooling. 4 Vases, 2 bowls and 2 paperweights. I cannot praise Chris and Ang enough for all the help and guidance they gave me and the relaxed and comfortable way that the course was delivered. I highly recommend anyone with an interest in Glass blowing to give this course a go. Many thanks Lee"

Chew Valley HandMade Glass responded:

"Thank you for your kind review Lee, we are so glad you enjoyed your time at our studio. Regards The team at chew valley handmade glass "

Steven Jackson reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I have recently been on this course, Well what can I say, It was amazing, I enjoyed every moment of my experience, what a great gift! It’s so much better than getting a jumper for Christmas! The guys were brilliant, chilled and supportive. Even when my dragon coat hook looks more like a dinosaur! ? My little boy loves it! I will be booking again soon. I must add the food and company ( the other participants) were great too! Thank you so much! Adrian, Andy and Debbie"

Gavin reviewed: Introduction to woodturning: one to one

"I have book 1 day so far with Bill to learn about wood turning and thoroughly enjoyed it. He is a fabulous teacher and very patient and accommodating to your learning wishes. I wanted to get going on a specific project and Bill therefore shaped the coaching around what I needed to know to successfully achieve my goal. I'd recommend Bill and the course to anyone interested in wood turning and will definitely be going back again to learn a bit more! Thanks Bill."

Mark Ivens reviewed: Woodturning tuition in Wiltshire

"I'd always wanted to try woodturning but never attempted it. So my wife bought this for me as a birthday gift 'experience'. I'm familiar with turning metal but working with wood is both physical and creative. This day was so much more than an experience, with excellent tuition and guidance. Many aspects of woodturning may seem intuitive but to understand it and learn how to do it safely you need a proper introduction. I learned a lot as well as getting good down-to-earth advice. Recommended"

Jan Warren reviewed: Spring colours fused glass at home kit from Cheryl Steventon Glass

"Thoroughly enjoyed doing this kit. The instructions were easy to follow and the colours are vibrant."

Cheryl Steventon Glass responded:

"Thank you Jan! Your sun catcher design is beautiful!"

Marlene reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop - Cambridgeshire

"I had a wonderful day and made a fantastic selection of products to take home. Carole and Julie were so helpful in teaching us the process. Lunch was an added bonus. I would highly recommend this workshop"

Peter Middlemiss reviewed: Learn to turn in Snowdonia, North Wales - Full day

"What a fantastic teacher! I couldn’t fault the day even if I wanted to. Technical insights into many aspects of turning were superb I can’t wait to get home and put them into practice. Les was great so warm and friendly put me at my ease with the patience of a saint. I couldn’t recommend this course more for beginner or experienced turner. I will be back next year for another session once I have mastered the skills that Les has taught me."

Pren responded:

"Thank you so much for your review, Peter. I enjoyed working with you and look forward to meeting you again. Les"

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

"This is a much more fun workshop than I thought! First of all, Vicky has been so flexible with the date so that I actually enjoyed a whole course for just myself. Secondly, the course was very informative and interesting. Vicky demonstrated the skills perfectly and allowed a lot of my own creative ideas. She helped a lot to make my ideas come true via this amazing handcraft skill. Lastly, Vicky was super nice to even wait for me at the entrance in case I drove past (which I did). I enjoyed her chat and company. I actually found all sorts of people are trying this and it can be a real fun thing to do with friends and family! Definitely recommended!"

Kingcot Gallery responded:

"Thank you so much, I always say every day is a school day and I learnt some amazing guinea pig facts from you which I shall be sharing with my friend!"

Nicky - 28th April 2022 reviewed: Hare Sculpture workshop with Jo Garden Art in beautiful Norfolk/Suffolk

"A really enjoyable, fun day. Jo is an excellent teacher and the setting was beautiful, surrounded by her lovely garden and amazing sculptures. The resulting moongazing hare was so cleverly constructed and each one of us created a unique sculpture. I highly recommend this experience. Thank you Jo."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"My pleasure Nicky! So pleased you enjoyed the studio and surroundings as well as the day making your wonderful hare. Jo x"

John reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Having done a couple of courses at Ben's workshop in London, I couldn't wait to give this one a go. Redwood Valley is lovely, the workshop is really well equipped and the local town is good for a pizza and a few pints when you're done for the day. Ben is a natural teacher, an expert craftsman and above all a really nice bloke. He has designed the course brilliantly, with a mixture of teamwork (steam bending was great) and individual time on the shave horse. Our group ranged in ability from experienced woodworkers to total beginners and everyone came away with an impressive chair. I'll have fond memories of that week for years to come, not only because I have made a lovely piece of furniture for the home, but spending seven days with a group of lovely people, working and eating together."

Dawn Habany reviewed: Three Little Birds - Fused Glass with Crafts in the Valley

"Loved the three little birds course. We had a very enjoyable afternoon. Highly recommend! Thank you Melanie."

Ingrid reviewed: Guitar Strumstick Dulcimer 3 strings instrument

"We have had an excellent day making our Strumstick Dulcimers with Ted. I am a complete novice at woodworking, and my husband had some experience. We were patiently guided through the process, introduced to all sorts of tools and made our very own instruments with just a little helping hand every now and then! And were entertained with stories and anecdotes. All we need to do now is learn to play our Strumsticks."

Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses responded:

"Thank you Ingrid you and Peter were such great people and I had a good time too. So glad we managed to build both instruments to a good standard. If you do feel like another course just get in touch OK? Kind regards Ted "

Stuart reviewed: Make a shave horse at Sallerton Wood

"I don’t think I can add much to the reviews already on here. Unhurried instruction and a great environment to learn in. Stayed locally in a B&B but camping an option on site. As well as learning the skills to build your own shave horse, Andy was happy to share his knowledge about all woodland related things."

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Thanks very much, Stuart, for your positive review. We're delighted that you enjoyed the course and the environment at Sallerton Wood, and we hope that you have many hours of enjoyment using the Shave Horse that you made. Thanks for supporting us by joining us on this course, and indeed by writing your review. "

Linda reviewed: Upholstery for Beginners Workshop - in Cheadle

"What a fantastic day, I was lucky enough to be on the course with a lovely lady and our tutor Jo who made us both feel very at home and welcome. Having never attempted upholstery, I was soon put at my ease and encouraged throughout, I’ve got the bug now and would recommend this course to anyone. A really fun and relaxing experience and a fantastic and fun tutor (with lots of patience). I was thrilled with my footstool and will be back to try another skill. It was really nice to do something for myself, be spoilt with endless tea and home made cake and two great ladies for company, what’s not to like you must give it a try."

The Boho Shed responded:

"Linda, what a great day we had! Thank you for your lovely review. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the day and delighted you now have the bug. I look forward to seeing your future upholstery projects and to seeing you again for some furniture painting. ??"

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

"My husband and I attended this fantastic workshop on Sunday 1 May and we both had a fabulous time. Jo is an attentive, friendly and extremely well organised host. Her garden studio is wonderful, warm, cosy and well laid out. We both became totally immersed with our hare sculptures and creating something 3D with wonderfully tactile materials which was incredibly therapeutic. We would highly recommend this unique experience."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Alexese - so lovely to have you both here creating wonderful sculptures. I hope you enjoy making the kits you took away on the day. Jo x"

Mike reviewed: Beginners half-day pairs woodturning workshop

"I spent a wonderful afternoon in the workshop with my young son, who has special needs. We were able to attend the workshop in advance of our actual day to make sure he was going to be comfortable with the surroundings, the noise of the lathes, extractors and band saw and what we would be doing - which he was and every day from then on he was so excited about going and how long it would be until we went. On the day Simon was very attentive to his needs and we both had a great time and my son went away with a newly lathed Harry Potter wand which he very proudly took to school on the Monday to show everyone. Very much enjoyed by us both and would definitely recommend."

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

"Hi Mike, Thanks for such a lovely review and soooo glad that your son enjoyed the day - he was really fun to teach and so inquisitive and interested in it all! Also really glad that you enjoyed yourself too :) -- Simon"

Joanne Booth reviewed: Drawing Techniques Tuesday evenings - 4 week course live on Zoom

"Learning with Purnima is fun and very effective. She explains every step in detail and enables even absolute beginners like me to achieve a result to be proud of. Thank you Purnima"

Jonathan Moore reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking at Sallerton Wood

"I had a day on the introduction to green woodworking and was quite taken by how involved it is, from choosing a specific piece of wood to make a particular tool because of the grain or a knot. Andy is a very skilled passionate teacher for whom nothing was too much trouble. Very much enjoyed the day. Thanks to Andy and Jane."

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Thanks very much indeed, Jon, for your review. We're very pleased that you enjoyed the course, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Sallerton Wood one day if you choose to do a further course. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your summer. "

Des Barr-Davies reviewed: Landscape Photography Lessons for Beginners

"An excellent course for the photographer at any level. Although, the course notes state Intermediate/Advanced level, don't let that put you off as a beginner. Frank has an excellent teaching style, that is relaxed and tailored to the skill of the individual. I felt that the main importance of my time on the course was to have fun and take photographs, all the time learning through practice and example rather than being full of technical terms. Don't get me wrong, if you want techy terms he has techy terms. I learned more in the time spent on the course, than reading the various photography magazines. The weather didn't allow for night shooting, but the relevant techniques were taught using a 10 stop filter (see I learned something). I would recommend this course, and try and stay at the pub, you'll not regret it."

Frank Clarke responded:

"Thank you so much Des for your great review!! Very pleased you enjoyed the course and you felt you benefited from my teachings. Hope you stay in touch and fingers crossed we get a clear sky for some night shots."

Anna reviewed: 4h mosaic workshop for beginners

"A lovely afternoon spent being freely creative. Warm, welcoming and accommodating host with very friendly dogs. An abundance of materials, equipment and professional assistance to help create your desired mosaic. Will definitely be going back to create more mosaics."

David Cowling reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"Had a very enjoyable experience, found lots of things very useful. Would recommend it to anyone who is interested in woodcraft."

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

"Hi David, Thank you for your review - most kind! It was great to have you visit - do pop by if you fancy another go sometime. given how close you are to us (but do book first ;) ) -- Simon"

Melanie Homewood reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"I really enjoyed my day at the spinning barn. I had never spun before and was delighted to be lead through the whole process from fleece to useable yarn. Theresa is a very knowledgeable and careful teacher. I'm looking forward to really getting going with my spinning and revisiting the spinning barn when I'm ready for the next set of skills."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Melanie. It was such a pleasure to teach you and I am very excited to see how you progress in the future. Looking forward to seeing you again soon. Theresa"

Christine reviewed: Mosaic stepping stone workshop (PM)

"This was a fun course and I am delighted with my final mosaic paving stone. Chrissy provided all the materials and an amazing range of tiles and glass to choose from, along with books full of design ideas. This was my second workshop with Chrissy, and probabaly won't be my last."