Latest reviews

Elizabeth reviewed: Knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"I booked a one to one session with Ann to learn how to knit. As a complete beginner, Ann was very patient, knowledgeable and extremely easy to get along with. Not only did I learn the basics over a lovely cup of tea but we had a lot in common to chat about. I was given instructions to take home with me and would definitely recommend her to all my friends and family. I really enjoyed the session."

Leeds Central Faith and Light responded:

"Thank you Elizabeth for taking the time to write this review and for your kind words - we did chat a lot!!!! I am glad you enjoyed our session together and hope that you are able to carry on from this. Kind regards Ann"

Lena Russell reviewed: Daytime glass fusing workshop with Paula Andrews

"I took my friend for a birthday treat and it was exactly that… a treat indeed! We created three individual pieces each and we can’t wait to see the finished products. Paula is very experienced working with glass and her passion for the craft was evident. I would highly recommend and definitely wish to attend again."

Sam Bloxam reviewed: Beginners/improvers glass fusing workshops in Hemingford Grey, Cambridgeshire

"As someone who has never done glass fusing before having Carole as our tutor was amazing. She explained clearly what we needed to do and the best way to achieve what we wanted to do. I totally enjoyed the day with lots of chatter and laughter to be had by all and lots of tea/coffee and biscuits. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in glass fusing and hope to enjoy another course myself soon. Thank you Carole for a truly wonderful day."

Gore Tree Studio responded:

"Thank you Sam, so glad you enjoyed the day :) Your arywork will look fabulous when they come out of the kiln too."

Ming Tang reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"The two day course with Jason and Louise was awesome, they have a wonderful workshop, and created a lovely atmosphere to learn and absorb the craft of leather work. I will be back to make a bigger piece, Jason and Louise were so generous with their knowledge and support. Jason's Fish goujon sandwich was delicious! I love my bag, I would definately recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn more about leather tooling, tying, stitching - the time flew by and we all made something personal and were very proud of our bags."

Diamond Awl Leather Workshop responded:

"Thank You Ming xx It was so nice to meet you and please keep in touch. kind regards Jason and Louise xx"

Helen Tomes reviewed: Green Man stone carving in Yorkshire

"Helen taught us (4 complete beginners) from start to finish, to make our own, unique, Green Man - in just 2 days! This course appealed to my interest in being able to make with my own hands and just a few simple tools. Although I went with my sisters in law, I would have been completely happy going on my own. Helen and the other regulars in the workshop were really friendly and encouraging. Lots of potential for further learning too. Brilliant."

The West Riding Stonecarving Association responded:

"Thank you Helen for your great review .I'm glad everyone enjoyed it ?"

Bill Warrilow reviewed: Creating a Viking knife an introduction to forging and knife making at Bearded Pig Forge

"I was gifted the 2 day bladesmithing course as a retirement gift by my colleagues- how well they know me! Spike proved to be an excellent teacher - his gentle and encouraging manner, with plenty of humour, made for a brilliant learning experience. I now have a beautiful traditional Seax belt knife to use and treasure! I came to the class with all sorts of ideas and Spike patiently helped me to craft something that is astonishingly close to what I dreamed of - I will certainly join him for another workshop in the future. His setup here at birchington is delightful and I can only thank him for a “5 star experience “!"

Joanna reviewed: Drum lampshade workshop - Saturdays

"An excellent workshop. Very detailed and professional. Sarah is a very good tutor and made it a very enjoyable experience."

Karen Booth reviewed: Inspired by Bloomsbury: exploring mixed media in Derbyshire.

"This workshop is a delightful introduction to the art of the Bloomsbury group, an exploration of their decorated home. I thoroughly enjoyed Liz’s excellent tuition and enthusiasm for her subject. Starting with simple designs on template plates, I moved on to making picture compositions which were fun, and full of vibrant colours, all with Liz’s guidance and inspiration from her lovely samples, and vases of flowers to study. At the end of the session I was thrilled with my joyful picture and was very keen to carry on making more pictures and consider possibilities for decorating my own home with this inspirational art. Thank you again Liz for your encouragement and kindness, skilful instruction, and a wonderful welcome into your studio, which must be one of the most beautiful places to soak up art in Derbyshire! One day wasn’t long enough!"

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Karen, Lovely to work with you again and thank you for telling me about your day at The Slipper Studio - I have a big smile on my face. It’s a lovely workshop, with some much potential to explore colour and pattern, so I’m really pleased that it hit the mark with you. I hope you have time to continue your investigation into the art of Bloomsbury. Very best wishes Liz Wellby"

Mo Perkins reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop

"We always have so many fabulous candles and melts to take away with us. It's amazing what you can do with a bit of help from a great teacher. Pauline definitely makes the course great value for money."

Bonita Candles responded:

"Thank you Mo for your lovely feedback. We really appreciate it. Enjoy the beautiful candles that you made. x"

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

"What a fabulous course. I am definitely not a crafty or creative person but completely loved this and cannot believe that I have made an amazing stained glass panel from scratch! Paul’s teaching style is really great and gave me the confidence to do things. Highly recommended"

Julie reviewed: Create a contemporary landscape in acrylic.

"A very enjoyable day. Equally supportive as well as relaxed."

SulikoSoul responded:

"Many thanks for coming, I enjoyed it too and hope you got some inspiration for further artworks :) J"

Joy Kilpatrick reviewed: Blacksmithing day courses: making garden flowers

"An amazing experience from start to finish. A warmbwelcome by Diane and delicious flapjack. Great tuition from Adrian and Andy, especially as I had never done this before they were encouraging and made it fool proof. The lunch was delicious and a great time to get to know the group. I would definately recommend booking on and having ago. It was well worth the journey, I came away feeling inspired and and thatbi had achieved something. Thank you all, I would love to return."

AskewPottery reviewed: Animal clay sculpture workshops with Jill Collier

"Jill is an amazing person and a great teacher! She went an extra mile to help me reschedule my class when I couldn’t get to the original lesson due my personal problems. I am soooo happy I got to this course as I really needed a kickoff to figurative ceramics. She shared quite a few tips which one can get only over years of experience and that really helped me (I’ve been in pottery for 6 yrs, mainly making functional tableware). I highly recommend her courses because they are so much fun! I am already thinking about the next time."

Steve reviewed: Two day wood carving course at Middleton Hall

"Very good two day course; value for money. Learnt a great deal and feel confident to continue wood carving. Garaint, our instructor, was very helpful and provided excellent direction on the use of the different tools to create a carving. It is held in the open air so there's a need to be prepared for the weather; cold wind or sun. It would be helpful if a fact sheet could be provided for those wishing to take up carving. 10/10. Would recommend anyone give this a go."

Vicky reviewed: Glass Suncatcher Copper Foiling Workshop

"Would definitely recommend this course. Jo was a great teacher, very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Great choice of things to create and ranges of designs to choose from. Came home with a lovely piece created on the day. Great course even for a complete novice who knows nothing about stained glass."

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"Thank you so much for your positive review. We are really glad to hear you enjoyed your day at Stanwick Lakes."

Steve Lloyd reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day Smithing, a surprise birthday gift. Chris is welcoming and has an easy, unhurried teaching style. To spend the day being taught by a craftsman and to produce something hand made at the end makes a great day."

Sian and Sue reviewed: Potter's wheel pottery - half day course Siramik

"Thoroughly enjoyed our half day course with Yoka. We were complete beginners but left feeling hooked and wanting to do more courses in future. Yoka is a lovely, welcoming person and an excellent constructive teacher! We will definitely be back! Thanks again!"

Siramik responded:

"Thank you for your kind words, we had fun, didn't we! And learning a great skill in the meantime. See you soon."

Kat reviewed: Glass Suncatcher Copper Foiling Workshop

"Brilliant course. Jo was friendly and very knowledgeable and encouraging. We all went from knowing nothing about stained glass to making a lovely piece. The choice of designs, colours and the equipment were great. Would definitely recommend any creative to try this!"

Stanwick Lakes Art and Craft Courses responded:

"We are so pleased you enjoyed the course and were able to make a lovely piece of work. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review."

Sara Willis reviewed: Upcycling furniture & sustainability workshops

"A special and fantastic day spending quality time with my teenage daughter, learning how to upcycle furniture. Kirsty was amazing providing a well structured day, learning techniques, plenty of choice of colours materials; every detail thought of, including endless drinks, biscuits and homemade cake and of course expert support throughout the day! Plus an addition to our house of a beautiful upcycled piece of furniture fashioned by my daughter. Can't recommend Kirsty and the course highly enough, both my daughter and I really enjoyed ourselves and our initiation into furniture upcycling - thank you, thank you Kirsty!"

Upcycle Arcade responded:

"Sara, it was such a joy meeting both you and Flinty. Didn't her bedside look great? Duck Egg and Old White is one of my favourite colour combinations and Flinty certainly used them beautifully with the stencils and dragonfly. Thank you once again for joining me for the day, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am so glad that you and Flinty did too. Kirsty"

Sarah reviewed: Basket making for beginners using traditional willow basketry techniques

"A really enjoyable course, delivered by knowledgeable basket makers Jonny and Becky. Both were encouraging, helpful and well prepared. I came away with a lovely round basket, which I can't believe I made myself! Highly recommeded."

Sarah Massie reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"What a great course such a lovely craft to learn so many techniques Judith is such a good teacher thoroughly recommend"

print paper stitch experiences responded:

"Thank you Sarah! Great to spend the day with you and I'm excited to see your future prints!"

Helen, Tina & Sally reviewed: Craft Workshop: Learn to make silver art clay jewellery in a day (beginner)

"We all Really enjoyed the day, Sally was an excellent teacher and broke the stages of silver clay down to make it achievable for complete beginners. She gave us confidence in our own abilities and was generous with her knowledge and time . We were really pleased with what we produced . Very happy and would definitely recommend and would love to do it again."

Jennie reviewed: Diploma in Natural Soap Making

"I always wanted to learn how to make Castile soap after trying it on one of my trips to France. I took this course and learned how to make my own, and scent it with French lavender essential oil. I love it. I also learned to make other types of soap. Take this course, you won't regret it!"

Vaughan Latter reviewed: Pole lathe turning taster day: bowl turning

"I really enjoyed the one day pole lathe course and under Maurice’s relaxed guidance, I managed to produce something that actually looked like a bowl! After a short summary of the history of the pole lathe turning craft, Maurice took us through the ancient process, providing enthusiastic help when needed. The group jelled well together and the breaks for tea and treats (my thanks to B) gave ample time for exploring the wider context of sustainable living. From the hand crafted benches to the tools we used ( which Maurice had fashioned from a host of recycled materials) I was intrigued by their simplicity and effectiveness. I’d definitely sign up for another experience soon. Vaughan"

Touch Wood responded:

"Thanks for the review Vaughan, hope to see you in future in the woodland workshop!"

Jack reviewed: Making a stained glass leaded panel

"Fantastic course, could not recommend enough, great day, nice small class so got to work at our own pace and not rush. Great range of designs and glasses to choose from. Really nice finished product as well, would happily come back and make another one"

Caryl Hallett Stained Glass responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Jack. So glad you had a great day.,Your panel is so tasteful and I hope it got hone safely! Caryl"