Latest reviews

Penny reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"I REALLY enjoyed this class, which takes place in Dawn's spacious and airy studio, full of materials and threads. Just being in the studio makes you feel creative! Dawn gave a demonstration of free hand machine embroidery, which was clear and easy to follow and then we worked on our own pieces, with Dawn always at hand to advise and encourage. I came away feeling so inspired that I have already booked another workshop. Dawn is very skillful, knowledgeable and generous. Brilliant value for money and an excellent way to spend a Sunday."

Dawn Ireland Textile Artist responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review Penny."

Jill Bailey reviewed: Learn to make Roman Blinds - Worcestershire

"Terrified at first to make blinds but the course went at an easy pace and gradually I started to see the picture of how to make them. The tutor was very patient and happy to answer any questions. I left there feeling very happy that now I could make a roman blind."

Sew Make it responded:

"So pleased Jill that you were able to relax and enjoy making your sample blind. It's not too scary after all is it? I'm sure the notes and easy calculation methods will help you when you make your own blind at home too. Would love to see any photos. Thanks so much for the feedback. Judi"

Victoria Smith reviewed: Painting portraits in watercolour

"Always a thoroughly enjoyable day painting with Liz Chaderton. She is extremely knowledgeable, accomplished in her field and teaches very well with much explanation of the process involved. There are plenty of examples of her work that help clarify the topic and there is an overhead camera that helps everyone see clearly the demonstrations. It is always a lovely group of like-minded people and Liz puts everyone at ease. The venue is excellent too ... light, airy with beautiful gardens to relax and take a break. All materials and provided and plenty of material to inspire!"

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"What a lovely review Vicky! Thank you so much and I will make sure to pass on your comments to Micklems too. It was a pleasure to have you on the workshop."

Sharry reviewed: Mosaics workshop

"Perfect day from start to finish We were made to feel welcome from the moment we arrived The studio was well stocked and an inspiration and Yolanda was constantly forth coming with ideas and support Lunch was delicious and afternoon tea, well… simply scrumptious So pleased with everything we made We will definitely be coming back to make and learn more!"

Anne Baruch reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"A brilliant day with clear instruction in beautiful surroundings - and a spoon to go home with!"

Walderchain Wood responded:

"Anne thank you for joining us, glad you enjoyed the day. I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with the rest of the cherry All the best Mark and Cristina"

Rita Garner reviewed: Macrame - Plant Hangers

"This was my first try at macrame. Wendy was really welcoming and helped us all as needed. Her instructions are really clear so it was hugely enjoyable and a place we could learn and have fun together. The plant hanger looks very professional. I will definitely be back for another course and with friends too."

Lizzie Martin reviewed: Glass Artist's Studio Experience Day - Fusing (Open)

"Excellent day - such great fun and very good value -Dawn's work was inspiring- great instruction, would highly recommend"

Dawn Turner Designs responded:

"Thanks very much Lizzie, I thoroughly enjoyed welcoming you all to the studio, I had a lovely day. So glad you felt inspired x"

Catriona Havard reviewed: Ecoprinting - beyond the basics. Ecoprint with natural dyes.

"I loved the course. Fiona gets the right mixture between teaching the theory different chemical elements of eco printing and being able to actually get hands on experience. Its the second course of Fiona's I have been on and I would go to more of her workshops so I totally recommend if you are interested in eco printing."

Joel Gazzaniga reviewed: Electric guitar (6 String) Building day course

"Great fun and really interesting. Ted has a great knowledge of guitars and is full of tips and advice for newbies like me and lots of stories from when he was in bands. Also, if he suggests getting a pie from the local pie shop, you say yes! Yum All in all well worth the two and a half hour drive. Might go back for a strumstick! Thanks Ted"

Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses responded:

"Thanks Joel I look forward to seeing you and well done on the build my friend. Ps The wammy bar is in the post and thank the wife too! kind regards Ted"

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

"One of the best days out! I thought I wasn’t creative. How wrong was I! I have the most beautiful leaping hare as a result of the most wonderful day. Under Jo’s watchful eye, her easy manner and expert knowledge guided us through the process of creating what I can only describe as a masterpiece! I met lovely people and came away fulfilled and dare I say rather smug with my fantastic hare sculpture. Will definitely be doing another course. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Thank you Jo and my fellow course mates."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Sue ;-) We all have masterpieces buried inside us! Well done on your amazing leaping hare and I'm so happy you enjoyed the day. Jo xx"

Heather reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"Kate provided the perfect amount of support and encouragement to make me feel a huge sense of achievement in making my sculpture. We all had a fabulous day, chatting and learning, eating a lovely lunch and meeting Dave and Teddy too. I would definitely recommend this course for a beginner or an artsy type, and am thoroughly chuffed with my pheasant!"

Bill Payne reviewed: Beginners 1-day 1-2-1 woodturning workshop for 1 person

"I traveled 120 miles to attend my one to one day with Simon and every mile was worth the effort. From the minute I arrived I was greeted and made to feel comfortable and drank coffee while the day was explained to me. The instructions were clear and I had an extremely informative day that went all too quickly. An excellent lunch was provided. Simon’s instruction technique is excellent and soon gets you hands on the lathe. I left with an amazing bowl and real enthusiasm to get myself started on my new hobby in retirement. I will return for a refresher lesson and definitely recommend Simon to anyone that wants an introduction to safe wood turning. Thank you Simon"

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

"Hi Bill, Thank you for a great review! Always nice to hear that a student has had a great experience. Once I get a lesson plan together, I'll let you know and we'd be happy to welcome you back for another day. All the best in your turning journey. Simon"

jackie wynne reviewed: Create your dream business from candle making - One to one session

"An absolutely Brilliant one to one day course, The day was excellently structured in a beautiful room, Jane delivered/shared her knowledge and experience of her craft in a professional. caring and kind supportive way. The course was hands on with great information not only about candle making but how to move forward in starting up and running a business. I love also that Jane offers support after the course being able to check out any queries or question that as arisen on moving forward with my business and to know that Jane is there for support when I need it is a great added bonus to the one to one course. A lovely well delivered course with great information and knowledge would highly recommend it."

The Candle Coach responded:

"Thank you Jackie for your kind words, it was such a pleasure to spend the day with you and I look forward to watching your business grow."

Jo-anne reviewed: An Introduction to Pyrography Wood Art with Ruth Wheeler

"Great day spent in a beautiful countryside setting. Ruth's artwork inspired us to create uor own impressive pieces. The use of paint with pyrography is so striking. Thank you Ruth."

Donna Chamberlain reviewed: Painting portraits in watercolour

"Lovely balance of demonstration and practice. Informative and fun. Great setting"

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Thank you so much for the review Donna. I am glad you enjoyed the day and hope it gave you lots of things to work on. Looking forward to seeing your home work too!!!"

Jodie reviewed: 'Willow deer' sculpture - two day course with Willowtwisters

"Just finished my 2 day deer sculpture course. Would thoroughly recommend it to anyone, the techniques and methods you learn on this course are brilliant, the deer looks so life like. Sarah is a great teacher and supported us well, and kept us well topped up with tea and lovely home cooked lunches."

Willowtwisters responded:

"It was a pleasure to teach you for the last two days Jodie. You worked so hard on your deer and the result speaks for itself, a truly beautiful deer."

Yvonne Gillespie reviewed: Painting portraits in watercolour

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day with Liz Painting Portraits. Liz is an excellent tutor, demonstrating in easy stages with very helpful advice and tips. I found the class well paced, with excellent content and very stimulating. I came away motivated to paint more and with a better understanding of portrait painting. For me Liz is one of the best art tutors and I would definitely recommend her classes."

Liz Chaderton Artist responded:

"Thank you so much for the lovely review. So good to finally do the class after the cancellations of covid!! I am glad you enjoyed the day and hope it's given you lots to have a go at. Enjoy your homework with Mr Bun!!"

Jawad Bokhari reviewed: Leather carving course

"Slim is a great teacher, he was very generous with his time, tools and materials and allowed me a choice of projects to work on. This work shop has given me a lot practice and skills to go away and work on my own projects. Very pleased with the overall visit."

Ross Leather and Wood responded:

"Hi Jawad thanks very much for your great review. It was lovely meeting you and you were a pleasure to work with. Hope to see you again in Scotland. All the best Slim."

Nadia reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop

"Loved every second of this course and the 3 hours flew by! I went alone but the group & the teacher were so friendly I really enjoyed myself. I feel it’s well worth the money as you learn all the basics and make a variety of candles which you get to take home. The pack Pauline puts together for you to take away is really thoughtful and helpful. If I could go every week I would! Thank you Bonita Candles for a lovely day (& great homemade cake!)"

Bonita Candles responded:

"Bless you for your lovely feedback. I could see you were really enjoying yourself and I loved how you bonded so well with the lovely lady sitting next to you. You were like life-long friends.! It was a pleasure to teach you."

Michael Berry reviewed: Damascus knife making in Grassington

"Outstanding day out, with a beautiful knife to show for it and some great memories of forging it! Richard was a great teacher and very knowledgeable, as well as entertaining. I really enjoyed the balance of instruction and letting us learn by doing, making the knives our own."

sue hennessey reviewed: High heel shoe with Powertex

"A fantastic morning indulging my passion for shoes, crafts, adventure (trying something new), coffee and biscuits! The perfect way to relax and be creative - would highly recommend ?"

Feline Fixins Powertex Fun responded:

"Hi Sue ,thank you for the review I enjoyed introducing you to the joy of Powertex Thank you for choosing to attend one of my workshops."

Ros Kelson reviewed: Free-machine embroidery classes with Dawn Ireland

"I so look forward to my weekly free machine embroidery class, having never done this type of sewing before. Dawn is an excellent teacher, patient, gentle, encouraging and very creative. She shows us different techniques every week - including painting on fabric. I have learned so much already. Her studio is in an old building, airy and full of light and an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of all things sewing related plus lots of interesting plants, pictures and objects to inspire us. I take my own sewing machine but Dawn can provide sewing machines for those who maybe don’t have one or don’t want to carry it there. All materials etc are provided. There is plenty of space so we can socially distance but still chat to each other. Oh, and there is tea and chocolate biscuits too ?"

Dawn Ireland Textile Artist responded:

"Thanks for your lovely review Ros"

Catherine reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"This was a lovely day. Judith is super knowledgeable and full of ideas to help you create some great prints. Everything was provided, including plentiful warm drinks!"

Pat Wolstenholme reviewed: Stained Glass Kingfisher Bird with Cherries

"Lovely product and excellent customer service."

GlassSeasons responded:

"thanks, appreciate it"

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

"Had a fantastic day with a group of friends at one of Jo's workshops this week. Jo and her husband welcomed us into their home and the beautiful surroundings of Jo's workshop. The course was great fun and Jo led us patiently through each step so that we all came away with a hare sculpture that we had slowly fallen in love with during the day - each had it's own name by the time we left. Would thoroughly recommend this workshop to anyone, no previous experience needed at all. Our group will definitely be back for another day of fun with Jo in the near future."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Karen! The hares created seem to take on their own life as the day progresses - such a lovely process. Would love to see you back again in 2022! Jo x"