Latest reviews

Lee Winter reviewed: A day of drawing with line and wire in Hampshire.

"Really enjoyed the day, learnt loads and feel like I can pick up a paint brush again. Good company too."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Lee, Thank you for your feedback. We are really pleased you enjoyed the day and learnt so much. We hope you continue with the drawing and painting and we hope the fish are much admired! Best wishes Liz and Alison"

Susan reviewed: Lino cutting for Beginners and Rusty Printmakers

"Instructive and very friendly. Lovely venue and very welcoming… definitely recommend this course."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Susan , Thank you for your feedback , it was lovely to meet you , so pleased you enjoyed the day. We look forward to seeing you again . Best wishes Liz and Alison"

Mandy Childs reviewed: Needle Felting course with FURZIE at Pirzwell Workshop, Cullompton, Devon

"I’ve just spent the day on a barge in Gloucester Dock learning felting. It was brilliant. Michelle is a fabulous teacher and really fun. We had a short practice and then got straight on to our projects. We all chose hares but Michelle is happy for people to choose anything they wish. It’s very therapeutic and the day flew by. For me a course is in large part made by the person running it and Michelle gets a 10 out of 10. Great value and highly recommend."

Kate Lewis reviewed: You Will be Able to Draw by the End of this Book: INK

"This is a fantastic book, which combined with the pen and ink set I have also bought, will inspire and move me to follow the steps. It is so well designed and very funky. I'll love it and certainly it's a lovely gift for any up and coming inksters. It also came with a beautiful postcard and a handwritten note of encouragement from the author and creator Jake Spicer which was a nice personal touch."

Abbey Hollands reviewed: A day of drawing with line and wire in Hampshire.

"What a lovely day, exceeded my expectations. Excellent teaching with a smile."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Hi Abbey, Thank so much for taking the time to review your day - it’s much appreciated. We’re really pleased that you enjoyed your day and it was good fun working with you. Happy drawing and hope to see you again. Best wishes Alison"

Karen Brown reviewed: Make your own leather dog collar and lead

"My best friend and I have just returned from a great trip to Hebden Bridge to make our dog collars and leads. We LOVED the course and Catherine was a fabulous, patient tutor. We have come away with very professional leads and collars and are thrilled. Don’t hesitate book the course today!"

Catherine Edwards Leather responded:

"Thank you so much! What a lovely review, you were lovely students!"

Jane Pooley reviewed: Introduction to Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"Attended my first course with Judith yesterday. I had received a starter kit for Christmas and needed some hands on support. Had a fab day, lovely light workroom, excellent instructions and equipment and she even washes our kit as we go along! I will be back for more x"

Chris reviewed: Textile landscape workshop in Dorset

"A thoroughly enjoyable day, thank you. Your teaching and encouragement could not have been better. You were so generous in sharing your ideas and instructions very clear. I had not touched a sewing machine for years and set out just to have a fun day, but it has been more than that. I have learned a completely new skill and now feel confident enough to continue to make textile art on my own. I have already raided local charity shops and started a second piece on my own!!"

Lisa reviewed: Glass fusing workshop - 1 day

"What a fabulous day, it started with a wonderful welcome and continued from there. Jill was an excellent teacher and I learnt so much, making two pieces. They had prepared delicious lunch and were incredible hosts. I had a great day, totally recommend it."

Fired Glass responded:

"Thank you Lisa, we are so pleased that you enjoyed your day with us and you felt looked after. Your pieces looked fabulous too. Regards John and Jill."

Elaine & William Portch reviewed: Beginners spoon carving

"We had a thoroughly enjoyable day carving our spoons. Nick began the course by talking 'trees'! We were given good tuition in how to use the tools safely and effectively and were guided through the stages of creating our own spoons. Fantastic hospitality copious tea and homemade cake and scones! Thank you to you both."

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

"What a great day - would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone. We had a lot of fun, learned some new skills and came away with a lovely reminder. Thanks Jo!"

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Esther ;-) It's rare that anyone has created a sculpture in the way I've developed, so it's great fun showing everyone what they can do with that sequence of processes. Well done on your lovely hare ;-) Jo x"

Marie and Tom reviewed: Spoon carving taster session

"We had such a fun time! Dave is very passionate and such a good teacher. We need more people like Dace in this world. Thanks for everything. :)"

Woodwyrm responded:

"Hi Marie, Many thanks for your review. It was great to meet you both and a pleasure to teach you. Happy carving!"

Bernard kelland reviewed: Blacksmithing Course (one to one) in a traditional forge on Dartmoor

"Thanks Greg on an enjoyable and instructive day."

Moreton Forge responded:

"Thanks Bernard, it was great working with you"

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

"Just had a Fantastic day at this Hare workshop. Jo is amazing. I never thought I would be able to make something so lovely. I went with friends and we had such a fun day and all came away very proud of our creations. The studio is in the most beautiful setting and Jo and her husband made us feel so welcome. I can’t recommend this workshop highly enough."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you Claire - we both really enjoy the workshops and love facilitating the day. Your hare was gorgeous - well done ;-) Jo x"

Sarah reviewed: Beginners 1-day pairs pottery / ceramics workshop

"What a fantastic day - great hosts, very knowledgeable - it completely exceeded our expectations. Would definitely recommend."

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

"Thanks for your lovely review Sarah! It was a pleasure to have you and Jo in the studio and I'm really pleased that you enjoyed your session :-)."

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

"What a fantastic day. Jo is an amazing teacher, we learnt so much and we are all delighted with our Hares. We laughed and giggled all the way through and Jo was so patient and kind with us. I can't wait to come on another course..."

Jo Garden Art responded:

"Thank you so much Gill! I so much enjoyed the day ;-) Well done on your Verdigris finished leaping hare! Jo xx"

Karen Harper reviewed: Fused glass workshop with Helen from The Butterfly Effect Studio in Halford.

"I really wasn't sure of how I would get on at the Fused Glass Workshop. I'd never done anything like it before and have never felt that I'm the 'creative' type. Well, of course I thoroughly enjoyed it! From the moment I walked in, Helen created a very relaxed atmosphere. We were given clear advice on how to begin and Helen had lots of examples of things that we might like to try. We were encouraged to just have a go. I found a number of things that I wanted to make. She is a very skilled tutor who really listens, and tailors her advice according to what you need. I had a very relaxing day, escaped normal life for a few hours, and came away with pieces that I am proud of. I highly recommend it."

Alia Allim reviewed: Make your own Sneakers

"Thoroughly enjoyed the day. The pace was gentle with time to undo misadventures. There was plenty of advice on hand throughout. The range of colours was brilliant and the step by step approach worked well. It was a refreshing way to immerse yourself in unfamiliar novel techniques. Loved it from beginning to end. To create so much in one day was thrilling. So much fun was had comparing the colours everyone had chosen. So many variations could be achieved. We all went astray at one point or another but that added to the excitement when you discovered it was not a catastrophe and could easily be remedied!!! Tracy unobtrusively helped with the process and shared our collective delight with the end result. She is a lovely, amiable, conversational teacher with endless patience. We were all able to relax and it was a fulfilling day. Tracy brought the best ever Welsh cakes too. All in all, truly splendid and I want to do another workshop soon."

Teresa Trangmar reviewed: Introduction to Ecoprinting

"What a fantastic day doing the 'Introduction to Eco Printing' with Fiona on Oct 2nd. Fiona taught us so much, about the different methods of eco printing, how different leaves and flowers worked with the different processes. I came home with a lovely wide range of prints on paper, wool and linen printed up in differing colours and styles. I am buzzing with ideas on how to use and develop what I learned and created on the day. Fiona's enthusiasm is infectious and she is a great teacher and covers a huge amount in one day. Also - The venue is lovely - the reading rooms are easy to get to and there is ample parking, lots of space inside as well. Fiona's cake and biscuits were great too! I thoroughly recommend this course with Fiona, you will have fun and learn an awful lot!"

Earthwise Ecoprints responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Teresa. It was really lovely to meet you and share the magical process of Ecoprint with you. So pleased you enjoyed it. xxx"

Cate reviewed: Introduction to Soap Making Workshop with Afternoon Tea, East Yorkshire.

"Highly recommend this course, interesting and informative with a small enough group that everyone could have hands on help if needed. I’ve held off reviewing because I brought ingredients away to try another batch of soap at home and wanted to see if I’d learnt enough to do it. I’m really happy with batch two too! Thanks Sharon, it was well worth the long (covid) wait!"

Beehive Wellbeing responded:

"?Thank you Cate for a wonderful review, I’m so pleased you enjoyed your workshop and the long covid wait was worth it. You have clearly mastered soap making doing another batch at home, I’m sure you will now have a nice supply. I try really hard to make all our workshops a fabulous learning experience in small groups as well as an enjoyable day out. It’s important to me that my workshops have that personal touch. I’m sure we will see you at another workshop soon. Kind regards Sharon ?"

Diana Mary De Lacey reviewed: Beginners Epoxy Resin Workshop

"Good course, very informative, would have been good to have a handout for all the tips that were given during the workshop esp when it came to understanding what resin is suitable for what project and calculating the amount of resin required. I am looking forward to seeing what my piece of art looks like."

Brian Culbert reviewed: Cleft ash gate making with Gedwood

"Thoroughly enjoyed the gate making course lead by a great teacher. Learning new skills and techniques in a fab setting with encouragement from fellow students. A very uplifting experience that I highly recommend."

Gedwood responded:

"Thanks Brian. A great weekend of creativity and lively banter!"

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

"First of all the information email received before arrival got me to exactly where I needed to be no trouble! Secondly Spike is a wicked guy! Welcoming, talkative and funny! Throughout the day we had demonstrations step by step on how to complete our work. While working he is not overbearing but will help show you correct any hiccups along the way! By the end of the day I walked away with a massive sense of accomplishment, an experience I’ll never forget and a potential new hobby! But always remember FIRE HOT!"

Mick and Jane Howey reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"With no previous experience of furniture making beyond simple DIY projects, we were amazed to complete the 2 day course each with a small table of which we are both very proud. The course guided us through each stage of the construction - every section clearly demonstrated by Peter with both he and his assistant, Toby, always there to provide help and advice. The course was a totally absorbing and an immersive experience with time flying by too fast! Would love to do another course. Thanks so much for a wonderful birthday present."

Gill reviewed: Metal jewellery and silversmithing, beginner to intermediate, 4 weeks.

"Excellent course for a complete beginner as well as more advanced, due to Tracey's knowledge, expertise and patience!! I would highly recommend!!!"