Latest reviews

Beritt Watts reviewed: Watercolour techniques for all - 4 week online course Tuesday evenings via Zoom

"A most enjoying and relaxing break during the day with excellent tutoring in a friendly and social atmosphere. Beritt Watts Watercolour classes onboard Queen Mary 2"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Thanks Beritt for joining the watercolour course what fun we had, keep at it now you have started don't let it beat you, remember watercolour it has a mind of its own! Purnima"

Colin Robinson reviewed: Watercolour techniques for all - 4 week online course Tuesday evenings via Zoom

"Feel I have learned so much about watercolour techniques in a few lessons how nice to meet a real teacher, I've learnt so much! Colin Robinson"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Thanks Colin well done , keep up the work. Purnima"

Susan Cornwell reviewed: Watercolour techniques for all - 4 week online course Tuesday evenings via Zoom

"What a wonderful experience,I have really enjoyed the lessons, well presented and very knowledgeable. I learnt a lot about watercolours, I also enjoyed everyone's company. Susan Cornwell Kelowna , BC Canada Watercolour classes onbord Cunard Queen Mary 2"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Thank you for your lovely feedback, it was a pleasure to teach you all what fun we had. Keep painting. Purnima ?"

Lydia Harkin reviewed: Drum Lampshade making at ShedLight

"My mum and I spent a lovely morning in Vanessa’s lampshade making workshop. Vanessa is a fantastic teacher, it is paced perfectly, and we have both already received compliments for the lampshades we made! Thank you Vanessa!"

ShedLight responded:

"Thank you Lydia for your lovely review - I also really enjoyed teaching you both to produce top quality lampshades! ?"

Kate Armstrong reviewed: Watercolour techniques for all - 4 week online course Tuesday evenings via Zoom

"At Last I have learned about some watercolour applications. Thank you for a fun learning experience and the knowledge to continue at home! A real Pleasure!! Kate Armstrong Cape Cod USA Watercolour classes onboard Cunard Queen Mary 2"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Brilliant thanks for joining the watercolour sessions, just keep it up now.?? Purnima"

Kate Armstrong reviewed: Watercolour techniques for all - 4 week online course Tuesday evenings via Zoom

"At Last I have learned about some watercolour applications. Thank you for a fun learning experience and the knowledge to continue at home! A real Pleasure!! Kate Armstrong Cape Cod USA Watercolour classes onboard Cunard Queen Mary 2"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Well Done Kate you have made a fantastic start. Keep it up Purnima"

Justine reviewed: Saddlebag workshop

"It was such a fun & creative experience making a sadlebag. Eli is a great teacher & it was a wonderful opportunity to learn to use specialist leatherwork equipment. The finished bag looks lovely & has been much admired by my friends and colleagues! I will definitely be returning to do another course with Eli soon, as I do fancy making a pair of bespoke leather trainers!"

Love and Salvage responded:

"Thanks Justine! You made a fabulous bag too - I'm looking forward to seeing what you do with the sneakers. XX see you soon."

Carmela reviewed: Pottery and decorating day for two

"My partner and I did the Pottery day for Two with Marina and had a fantastic time. My partner had never done anything like it before and thoroughly enjoyed it. Marina is a great teacher and just generally a real pleasure to spend time with. I thought it might feel a little awkward with just the 3 of us but Marina has a lovely way of making one feel relaxed. With Marina's help we managed to make and paint a couple of bowls each (on the wheel) and are really looking forward to seeing the end results. It was a really fun day and would highly recommend it. We had a lovely lunch in The Watermill which is just 5 mins walk up the road."

Chloe Skidmore reviewed: Beginner's Candle Making Private Workshop - Marlow, Buckinghamshire

"Had such a wonderful time! So relaxed and informative. Sarah is so kind and helpful. I’ve never made candles before and was on the course with someone with far more experience but I still felt so comfortable. Have been on a high ever since!"

Candle by Events responded:

"Hi Chloe, thank you for your lovely review. Keep in touch and let me know how you get on with you candle making."

Sandra Laine reviewed: Watercolour techniques for all - 4 week online course Tuesday evenings via Zoom

"I came to watercolour classes to sample a new hobby, little did I know it would be life changing event. Purnima's an amazing teacher and is patient, kind and inspirational, her enthusiasm is infectious. I knew was absolutely hopeless with patient understanding Purnima gave me confidence and reassurance. This has changed my life, I see everyday scenes as a child - beauty in motion I can't wait for tuition to start, with renewed confidence and a new love of art I will look forward to becoming an artist full- time. Many Thanks to brilliant instructions and suggestions regarding style and technique."

Art By Purnima responded:

"Thank you Sandra what a lovely review , you have worked so hard with this challenging medium and well done for buying the books on our visit to New York. You just need to practice drawing and keep painting. Hope to see you again. Purnima?"

Colin Robinson reviewed: Watercolour techniques for all - 4 week online course Tuesday evenings via Zoom

"I have attended watercolour Classes on several cruise ships but never met a teacher of Purnima's high standards. I have learnt so much. Watercolour Classes onboard Cunard Cruise Ship - Queen Mary 2"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Brilliant Colin you have worked so hard, so glad that you have enjoyed the watercolour sessions, keep up the good work."

Peter Chapman reviewed: Watercolour techniques for all - 4 week online course Tuesday evenings via Zoom

"I found Purnima to be a unique and highly skilled instructor of watercolour. The first thing that caught my attention was that she used an amplifier so we can hear her, this was much appreciated, the second was she took time to show us what had to be done, the third she paid attention to each one of us as individuals. Her knowledge of watercolour techniques and how to show us was outstanding. I highly recommend her. Watercolour Class Onboard Queen Mary 2 March 2022"

Art By Purnima responded:

"Wow thank you for your lovely comments, you have been creating some beautiful watercolours and thanks for sharing the tips especially the string to create the grid, I will use that technique in future. Keep up the beautiful work. Purnima"

John P. reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"A really interesting and instructive day run by a "guru" of the blacksmithing arts. You learnt practical skills and finished with several of your own handmade items at the end of the day. The numbers on the course are small, 3 in my case, and you get individual instruction and all equipment and materials provided. A great day out, highly recommended, so much so I'm going back for the welding course!"

Alexa reviewed: Introduction to traditional stained glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"I loved this, had a fantastic day. Kate was encouraging and kept us moving on to make sure we'd all finish and take our pieces home. I've wanted to work with glass for a long time, and I'll be trying to find time for the term long workshops. Really really enjoyed it."

Barbara reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"We had a wonderful time on this workshop with Dawn. Dawn gave us demonstrations for each stage of our work and provided lots of inspiration plus all materials, threads etc. that we needed. She spent time giving each of us help and encouragement and helping with our sewing machines when needed. In fact my sewing machine refused to work and Dawn had a spare ready for me to be able to use! I would highly recommend Dawn's workshops, they are friendly and relaxed , with lots of tea and coffee provided, plus a rather delicious cake!"

Dawn Ireland Textile Artist responded:

"Thanks for your lovely review, it was great to see you both again!"

Caroline Smith reviewed: Upholstery classes in Norwich

"I had a wonderful day. I spent it stripping down an old chair, removing ancient horse hair and the dust of ages that had collected below the springs on the seat. Lee has told me what I need to do to repair the very fragile wood before the next workshop. I can’t wait to get on with the next stage."

Debs reviewed: Introduction to English Willow Basket Making- Weekend Course

"Hi, the course was relaxing, challenging, fun, friendly and so so rewarding. I cant wait to do another one. Thank you everyone|"

Ella Pugh reviewed: One day bangle/ring workshop

"What a fabulous day. Would highly recommend to ANYONE! Jo is an amazing woman, host and teacher. She made us feeling so welcome and made some cakes to die for. Will definitely be returning for many more sessions and laughter ❤️"

Jo Broome reviewed: Mosaic workshop at Jackie Nash Art

"This was my first go at mosaics and I can thorougly recommend this workshop. Jackie was very friendly and immediately put us all at ease. She explained everything very clearly and had a vast array of materials to choose from. The day went by so fast as we worked on our mosaics, with advice from Jackie when needed and aided by copious quantities of tea and delicious cake. My daughter and I were very pleased with what we managed to produce on our first attempt and would love to do more."

Jackie Nash Art responded:

"Hi Jo Thank you for your lovely review. Looking forward to seeing your finished mosaic trees once they are in situ. You did really well for your first time although I knew you would. Lovely to meet you both and just get in touch if you need any further support with future project. Jackie"

Nicola Eills reviewed: Pottery throwing in Huddersfield

"My husband had a wonderful couple of hours with Geoff and managed to throw a few pots in that time. He loved the experience and is looking forward to going back to collect his pots once they’ve been fired. I also spent an enjoyable couple of hours in the art exhibition room downstairs where the lovely lady offered a warm, peaceful welcome. Hot drinks and comfy chairs were available, as well as excellent disabled access. Many thanks to you both."

Earth Pig Pottery responded:

"Thank you for your review. Im glad both you and your husband enjoyed your visit."

Lydia reviewed: Seaglass jewellery workshop at Sea & Solder, Dorset.

"Jules is a brilliant teacher. Absolutely loved the stacking ring jewellery class. Jules made us feel very relaxed and the 3 hours went so quickly. Taking our rings away on the day was ace. I will definitely be coming back for more classes. Thank you :)"

Sea & Solder responded:

"Thank you Lydia. Jules"

Jan reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"A really great course, I learnt so much and will never look at a bag in the same way again! Bill is a brilliant tutor; knowledgeable, enthusiastic and endlessly patient as well as being a purveyor of very superior biscuits."

Bespoke Leather responded:

"Thanks for a very enjoyable weekend Jan."

Rachel England reviewed: Woodcarving for beginners - two day course in Suffolk

"We had an amazing time learning to wood carve with Gerry! We were complete beginners and were so pleased with what we were able to achieve by the the end of the weekend - So sad we couldn't have stayed longer and learnt more (Although I'm not too sure my hands would agree)! Highly recommended to ANYONE who wants to have a go at wood carving, no matter your skill level. Also a special thanks to Gerry's wife Barbara for her excellent hospitality, we couldn't have made it through without a delicious lunch, tea and chocolate biscuits! We would absolutely love to attend one of Gerry's courses again in the future but until then we are confident to carry on practicing on our own, with the help of his YouTube videos :-)"

Paul Brewerton reviewed: Pottery taster course one-to-one in the South Downs

"Absolutely loved my 2 hour taster session with Rowena, I managed to throw 4 pots from being a complete beginner. I’m still a complete beginner but now I feel inspired to do more and Rowena’s the reason! She’s a great teacher and really fun to be around. Highly recommended."

Andy Morley reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"If you have an interest in learning to weld this is the course for you. I had no prior experience with welding but this did not matter at all. David is an excellent instructor, and even though he provided a lot of information in a fairly short amount of time he did it in a way where it was clear and made a lot of sense. I felt very comfortable with everything when we got hands on and started welding (which there is a lot of). Overall a great day, a lot of fun in a relaxed but safe environment. Anyone travelling via public transport - a taxi cost me around £9 from Rayleigh train station and took roughly 10 - 15 minutes."