Latest reviews

Gilly reviewed: Heritage Embroidery - Goldwork Embroidery 2 day workshop

"I had an excellent first day on the gold work course with Rosemary, who is very skilled, knowledgeable and patient. It was inspirational to see some of her own beautiful emroidery on display. I'm looking forward to day 2."

Heritage Embroidery responded:

"Hello Gillian Thank you so much for the lovely review you posted on the website. I really appreciate your feedback. I hope spending a peaceful day concentrating on your Goldwork helped to relieve some of the stress and sadness after losing your brother. I look forward to seeing you at the end of the month for day two. Take the best of care Rosemary x"

Tracey P reviewed: Drum lampshade workshop - Saturdays

"Had a thoroughly enjoyable morning - an excellent workshop. Sarah is a very knowledgeable, patient tutor who guides you through your project step by step. I’ve never done anything like this before but ended up with a professionally finished lampshade. Thank you."

Rebecca Overton reviewed: Drum lampshade workshop - Saturdays

"Such a good course! Sarah is an excellent teacher who explains everything very thoroughly, in a relaxed atmosphere, with very useful additional tips of her own. So happy with my lampshade!"

Elizabeth Wakefield reviewed: English Round Baskets, 2 days with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"A warm welcome from Rachel and Mike to a fabulous location. Excellent lunch and plenty of refreshments. Very Covid safe with measures taken in a very gentle way The course itself is excellent. Phil has a brilliant teaching style and its amazing howmuch you learn in two days. Definatly recommend the venue and Phil's courses"

Louise Hanley reviewed: English Round Baskets, 2 days with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"A fabulous course in a stunning location. I would definitely recommend giving it a go. Phil is an excellent tutor and Rachel and Mike are superb hosts. The on-site accommodation was perfect and by staying, I was able to fit in an evening walk around the Ribblehead viaduct too. I have nothing but praise for the whole experience."

Anne Bramley reviewed: Drum lampshade workshop - Saturdays

"Excellent and thoroughly enjoyable morning. Very informative with great attention to detail resulting in a very professionally finished and attractive lampshade. All tools were provided together with refreshments. Very pleasant venue. Many thanks. Anne"

Sophie reviewed: Drum lampshade workshop - Saturdays

"Excellent course. Sarah provides lots of information and clear instructions and is very thorough. Her brilliant tips ensure that you end up with a high quality finish."

KRISTINA WIGGETT reviewed: Private Tuition: 1 Day Traditional Stained Glass Workshop

"I did the private 1:1 traditional stained glass 1 day course. The whole experience was FANTASTIC - I had a wonderful, fun day. Prior to the course, Gill had emailed me some extra info and driving directions - which I really appreciated. On the day itself, from the moment I met Gill, I realised it would be great day. Gill is AMAZING: she has a great personality and she is a extremely good teacher: very knowledgeable and very patient. Gill had prepared a table for me with an information pack, tools and a bottle of water. (she also made me a few cups of tea as well) I was a complete novice, but I didn't need to worry: Gill explained every step of the process, showed how to do things and then let me do it. When things didn't go always as planned, Gill helped me again and again with a lot of patience. We also had a very nice, very relaxing lunch in the onside café - very yummy and all homemade. In the evening I went home with a beautiful suncatcher and a lot of knowledge. I couldn't have wished for a better teacher and I can recommend this course 100% !"

Gill Rogers responded:

"Hi Kristina Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to post your wonderful review and I had such a fabulous day with you too! Loved your enthusiasm and you were an absolute joy to be with and so thrilled to hear you enjoyed the course. Hope to see you again sometime in the near future! All my very best wishes Gill x"

June Kingsbury reviewed: Glass painting taster day

"" I first saw Derek's lovely work on Instagram, and then on YouTube. From cutting glass, to making your own light table, plus interviews with other glass artists, he demonstrates the endless possibilities of working with light and colour. Derek's studio and garden in Leicestershire was the perfect place to experiment with paint and to meet other students, all of us invested in one way or another with holding the light back and but also in letting it through.""

Derek Hunt Artist responded:

"Thank you June, really glad you enjoyed the course ??"

Mike reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"What a great day spent with Mort in his forge. I made a beautiful set of fire tongs which is exactly what I wanted, totally bespoke and unique to me. Mort knows exactly what he is doing and teaches in a fun, safe and exciting way. I had never been into a forge before let alone hit white hot metal with a hammer and chisel. Brilliant."

Firebird Forge responded:

"Cheers Mike. You did well; a set of tongs I’d have been proud to have myself. Thanks for coming and for the feedback, keep well, Mort."

Cicely reviewed: LIVING SPRING WREATH MAKING KIT with Spring Bulbs on a woven willow/birch base

"This was the most amazing craft experience, I would highly recommend. The kit came beautifully wrapped and labelled, clearly with such care and love. The instructions provided were detailed and the video tutorials were endearing; they were a joy to watch, I felt that Jenni was in the room with us having a chat! It was great that we could pause and repeat bits over again to make sure we were doing it right. The end result was a beautiful piece, which is proudly displayed on the front door, but the process was the best part! Thank you Jenni, I look forward to doing some more of your wreaths in the future!"

Jenni Wren Creative responded:

"Aaaah, thank you so much for the recommendation, it is so appreciated. I am so pleased that you got the sentiment and love behind it, as I do try and take special care to ensure that everything is labelled and wrapped. I am even more pleased that you enjoyed the process. To handmake an article from scratch through to the finished product, is a wonderful achievement. Even better, that you and your passers by, get to enjoy and admire the wreath on a daily basis. Well done! Hopefully you will be inspired to use the base for another seasonal wreath and of course the bulbs, which can be planted out and enjoyed for next Spring."

Dave Evans reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"A warm friendly greeting followed by an explanation of what I was going to be doing during the day. Ran through health & Safety procedures. Then it was down to work, the plan was that I would mirror the processes that Chris was doing explanations were clear and concise no pressure you worked at a pace that was comfortable with you. Many different skills were taught and explanations of many of the tools and their uses given. I came away with a greater understanding of how metal can change or be changed with fire a hammer and a good instructor. A most enjoyable day. Highly recommended."

Mark Oglesby reviewed: Large outdoor plaster hare sculpture kit

"Very impressed by the kit, the instructions and the value for money. No idea how Jo makes a profit out of this, but delighted to have been the beneficiary of her comprehensive online and written guidance."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Mark ?. Gosh that fine line between profit and affordability is a hard gambit! I just love knowing these hares are being made all over the country ?. I hope you have a great time making yours - please do not hesitate to make contact if you have any questions. Jo x"

Chris Roberts reviewed: Patchwork and quilting week with Dawn Cameron Dick

"Dawn is very knowledgeable and imparts this clearly. She went through some very basic information about needles and thread that de-mystified issues that had bugged me for over 40 years. Although I was unable to stay for the whole week I feel confident that I can continue due to the clarity of the instruction. Delicious food and cake throughout. I highly recommend this course."

Lilac Barn responded:

"Thank you , I am so pleased that you enjoyed the course and sorry that you had to leave early. I hope to see you again gin the future. Cherry"

Clair reviewed: Weave a patterned scarf in a day - Harrogate

"A great day learning to weave a scarf and Anne was a super tutor. Looking at getting a loom ?"

Steph Hughes reviewed: English Round Baskets, 2 days with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"I attended a two day basket making course at Broadrake with my 13 year old - we had a great time. Phil was an excellent tutor - clear explanations, patient, helpful if we needed extra guidance and with an obvious love of his craft and material. Broadrake is a fabulous venue in the most amazing surroundings. The barn is warm and comfy, with space to work and Rachel and Mike are excellent hosts - the food is delicious. A lovely relaxed atmosphere and a very enjoyable two days…and we cane home with two baskets and a bundle of willow to feed our new addiction!"

Belinda Strachan reviewed: English Round Baskets, 2 days with Phil Bradley in the Yorkshire Dales

"I've just had a very enjoyable two days at Broadrake, learning to make an English round basket. Phil Bradley's tuition was excellent and Rachel Benson made us most welcome and provided delicious homemade lunches."

Mark Cartwright reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"What a fantastic day! I'd certainly echo all the other reviews here - Mort is a great teacher, this is well suited to total beginners like me, there's a lot of value in watching someone who is clearly a master of their craft working (without at any time patronising us poor novices), he has a wealth of historical anecdotes to share, and his great patience (he was willing to run well over time without a hint of hurrying). The thing that really distinguishes this from other starter blacksmithing courses, though, is what you get to do. The ubiquitous Viking knife - the product of a whole day in most other places I've found - is just the morning's practice starter. Once you have learned a bit about how hot metal works, he will work with you on a personal project of course choice in the afternoon. I did a fancy leaf-blade spearhead, modelled on Iron Age exemplars, and even got to learn about (and try) fire welding hard and mild steels to extra authenticity. And when we'd finished personal projects, and Mort is polishing up the pieces, he let us play with forging other random bits of scrap, just to help consolidate technique. Many thanks, Mort. I won't forget this day in a hurry!"

Firebird Forge responded:

"Thanks Mark. It was great to have you in the forge for the day and well done on the brilliant spearhead. It’s not many students that fireweld that well on their first day! All the best, Mort."

James Castle reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"What a way to celebrate my 50th ! Mort is an excellent teacher. Kind, patient and hugely knowledgeable. I learned so much. not just about blacksmithing, of which he is an alchemist, but his historical knowledge is awe inspiring. He took a complete novice and guided me through the processes to make a small hand knife and a pizza oven scraper that I am so proud of. The forge is an exiting and safe place to be where students are gently guided through to make life lasting pieces. I am sure that the memories will last a lifetime too, but I hope that I will get the opportunity to come back to the forge soon. I couldn't give Mort more praise! Thank you."

Firebird Forge responded:

"Hi James, many thanks for your review and for your enthusiasm on the day. It’s hugely appreciated, Mort."

Christine Yates reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"Really enjoyed the course. Would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about working with resin."

Nicki Roberts reviewed: Art Yarns

"Cathy delivered an excellent course, she put me at ease and made the day fun and exciting. I learned many new skills from spinning art yarn and have taken the knowledge on board to practise at home. Highly recommended."

Beechwood Crafts responded:

"Thank you Nikki, It was great to share my enthusiasm for art yarns with you. Thanks for coming. best wishes Cath"

Gail reviewed: Free Motion Sewing/Applique - 1:1 course

"Brillian day with Caroline, she is a great teacher, very patient and gave clear instructions. We started with the basics and worked on more complex sewing by the afternoon. Cant wait to get started at home."

A girl in her shed responded:

"Hi Gail It was a great day. So pleased you enjoyed and learnt from it Caroline"

Betty reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"Had an absolutely fab time today on the one to one course. It was something I always wanted to try . Bob had a fabulous personality, he was very matter of fact if I made a mistake and was very patient with me. I must have driven him nuts but he was so mild mannered and explained what I did wrong and how I could improve in such a gentle way. He went at my pace and didn't rush anything. Bob is a great teacher with decades of black-smithing experience. What a fabulous and informative day. I would highly recommend this course."

Christine @ Coco Gifts reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"I found this course to be exactly what I was looking for, a very professional insight into the nitty gritty of candle making for anyone wanting to sell to the public. Jo was very friendly, and the groups are extremely small, so you get to ask questions and chat as much as you want. It was a really enjoyable day, but very informative...not at all intimidating for anyone with no knowledge of candle making. I would recommend for anyone. Jo is very honest, answers all your questions, and has a wealth of credible knowledge. I searched for ages online looking for a proper candle making course that was not just a hen party style play around for a couple of hours, and have not come across anyone else who offers such a professional course for serious business start ups. I could not recommend more! And the sandwiches and cakes were super too... what more could you ask for!"

Mrs Elaine Fox reviewed: Mindful Embroidery for Beginners Lincolnshire

"Terrible service. Emails not answered. No contact phone number. Tried to cancel due to illness but was told no cancellations after 4 weeks... I only booked 3 weeks before! I was allowed to carry my money to another course but this was wrong because the course i had originally booked onto was cancelled anyway! I tried contacting to get my money back but as usual no reply! This is no way to run an organisation. Disgusted, disgruntled never to be again customer. Bet I lose my £36.00"

Beehive Wellbeing responded:

"Good Evening Elaine, We are very sorry you are disappointed with the service you think we offer. We try very hard to provide a really personal touch, good quality teaching and experiences on all our workshops. You will see on Craft Courses we have a gold rating and are very close to receiving a platinum level for our courses and the amount of 5 star reviews we receive. We have many happy and returning customers that attend and book further workshops. We do have a cancellation policy like many other businesses that does not allow you to cancel close to the workshop date. If we did not have this in place we would have people cancel on the day and lose money. As a small business this is not viable and would impact our ability to run further workshops."