Latest reviews

Mike reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"A long delayed present - covid has so much to answer for.... Alex was very welcoming and helped me transpose my basic sketch into an achievable project for the day, incorporating a wide variety of elements of the blacksmith's trade., and then exposed me to them one by one with simple demonstrations and patient encouragement whilst I attempted to follow them. The final product was prominently displayed at home after the course, which reflects the value placed on the results ... a fantastic day"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thank you for the great review, Mike. I'm glad you're happy with what you've made. All the best Alex"

Annabel Price reviewed: Make a silver ring: one-to-one workshop

"This was a wonderful jewellery making session in a very inspiring garden studio. I learnt new techniques and made a shopping list of all the equipment I need to buy! We made a lovely bracelet which I will enjoy wearing. Angela is a very kind and patient teacher. Thoroughly recommend this workshop."

Ruth reviewed: Log to Stool with Gedwood

"The most relaxing day I've had in a while, tuning out from the world in a stunning setting, and with a cracking wee stool to take home at the end of it. Ged is knowledgeable and patient, the course is well paced and the workshop is a pleasure to work in. Highly recommend."

Gedwood responded:

"Thanks Ruth. Hope you enjoy your handcrafted stool?"

Margaret Green reviewed: Machine made lined curtains

"I have completed a 1:1 session with Janet to learn how to use my new sewing machine and then more recently I completed a 1:1 day making a full set of lined curtains for my bedroom. I have wanted to do this for many years and Janet was both professional and knowledgeable. I was quite nervous and doubtful of my abilities but she explained and demonstrated things very well and has increased my confidence and my passion to continue to develop my skills. She is also very easy to get along with; so the day was great. Not forgetting the lovely, lovely lunch. Thanks Janet- I will be in touch to complete the roman blind course once i make a few sets of curtains xx"

Sarah reviewed: Glass Bead Making Workshop - For Two People

"My daughter and I had a great day with Julia. The course was fun and Julia was lovely ? The setting was fantastic and Julia explained everything we needed to know and was very generous with the materials. We are really pleased with our beads and would definitely recommend the course!"

Maria Smith reviewed: Saori Weaving taster session at Freeweaver Studio 1-5pm

"An absolutely wonderful experience. I came away enthused and excited and it has really changed the way i approach my weaving . Now looking at purchasing a saori loom to continue"

Jo Carobene reviewed: 'Bag in a Day' Practical Leather Course - Tote Bag

"Had a fantastic day with Georgie in her studio. Her expert tuition helped me create a bag that I am delighted with. I learned a lot about the construction of bags and a now have a greater understanding of leather. I’m looking forward to making more with Georgie in the future."

Hands of Tym responded:

"Thanks Jo, it was great to make bags with you and looking forward to welcoming you back one day. Georgie"

Shirley M reviewed: Introduction to candle making workshop

"This was well worth the money. The teaching was fun and easy to follow. I left feeling very confident on how to make all of the examples of different candles made in class. I was also impressed with the handout pack we had to take away with all the info needed to continue with this little venture if desired. I will definitely attend all of the sessions, and recommend it to anyone interested in candle making or just acquiring a new skill. You wont regret it!!"

Bonita Candles responded:

"Thank you Shirley for your lovely feedback. It was a pleasure to have you there with us. I can really see your going to enjoy your candle making journey. Well done. xx"

Dave Bygrave reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Brilliant day out learning some basic blacksmith skills. Tea and homemade flapjack to get us in the mood then Adrian got us straight onto our first piece, showing us what to do (he makes it look so easy!) then letting us loose. You work two to a furnace and everyone gets their own anvil and tools, so there is no hanging around waiting for your turn. Adrian and Andy were really helpful and wandered amongst us making sure we knew what we were doing. Lunch was amazing - Debbie looked after us really well. By the end of the day I'd finished my keyring and coat rack and was knackered but really pleased with what I'd made. There was still time for more tea and home-made cakes. Its a great day out - just do it!"

Cindy reviewed: ‘Sunset in wool painting' interactive online course with live tuition

"Hi Raya, Thank you for a very informative and interesting workshop on Saturday. I very much enjoyed it and am very proud of my finished Sunset wool painting. Thank you for the newsletter link I hope to book onto another of your courses so will hopefully see you soon. Best Wishes Cindy"

Gill Beamish reviewed: Gemstone Stacking Rings: Silver Jewellery Making

"What can I say? I really enjoyed the Stacking Ring Course I came away with a new skill and two beautiful rings, all thanks to Ninas teaching skills. She is warm and welcoming from he minute you meet her and makes the whole experience fun. Just a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Thank you so much Nina, it was great to finally meet you!"

Julie reviewed: Raku - learn the exciting art of rapid Japanese glaze firing

"Had a smashing day with Richard! I went with my brother and sister to celebrate their birthdays and we had a lovely time learning a completely new craft. Richard was very informative, gave demonstrations for us to follow, and it was very hands on, with participation from all of us (6 on the course). We came away with 5 pots each! Thank you Richard!"

Potterydayz responded:

"Hi Julie Many thanks for taking the time to add a review. A pleasure to meet you all and I am delighted you enjoyed the experience. Hope to see you again soon."

Lisa reviewed: Raku - learn the exciting art of rapid Japanese glaze firing

"This is always a fantastic day. I’m a repeat pottery dayz workshopper! Richard is great and we always get amazing raku results with everyone enjoying each other’s creations as much as their own. For creativity, earth, air and fire plus unpredictability, raku is a very well spent Sunday indeed. ?"

Potterydayz responded:

"Huge thanks for the review Lisa- always a pleasure to have you along. See you for another one soon."

Kirsten reviewed: Jewellery making with silver clay - one day beginners workshop

"Fabulous course. Great fun to do, we learnt an amazing amount and came away with several lovely pieces of jewellery. Thanks for sharing your skills and for your patience. Edith and Kirsten"

Felix & Reuben Jewellery School responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Edith and Kirsten! It was a pleasure to teach you all about silver clay! Well done on making such gorgeous pieces of jewellery."

Ruby Gray reviewed: Beginners 1 Day Traditional Stained Glass Course

"Fab day learning about how to make a stained glass window! Lots of laughs! There are so many colours to choose from and inspirational things around Thanks again Ruby & Gareth"

Gill Rogers responded:

"Hi Ruby Thanks very much for your lovely review and kind comments, so thrilled you and Gareth enjoyed the course. It was so lovely to meet you both and hope to see again sometime in the near future. All my very best wishes Gill x"

Hannah reviewed: Felt picture making workshop in Rugby!

"Karen kindly allowed my 10-year-old daughter to join this small course and it was wonderful. She is a brilliant teacher, has just the right balance between teaching technique and encouraging artistic decision making, and she really inspired my daughter, who left the course very proud of her beautiful piece of art - her first wet felting and something genuinely to be very proud of. The venue is perfect - easy to find and of a very high quality, and a lovely cafe and nature walk around too. Re Covid it just felt perfect - safe, sensible with just a small number of participants and a lovely airy room. Couldn't have asked for more!"

Karen Wyeth Contemporary Felt Artist responded:

"Thank you Hannah for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. Your daughter was a delight to have in the class, I am so pleased she enjoyed it so much"

Nigel Green reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Another excellent course from Mark, with a great box to take home. I leant new skills and workshop practices, which were expertly demonstrated by Mark."

Joe Hartley reviewed: Weekend landscape painting in watercolours

"Georgina provided a positive learning environment for a group of students with very different levels of experience. She was very good at instilling confidence in every member of the group. I was particularly impressed by the way she shared her thought processes whilst demonstrating techniques. Having had some experience of watercolour painting Georgina provided me with an opportunity to develop new skills and a more structured way of working. This enabled me to reassess past work and gave me ideas for how I might apply some of these techniques to my ceramics in the future."

Georgina Rambton responded:

"Thank you for your review! Im glad you got so much out of the workshop, it was a pleasure to have you as part of the group Joe. Diolch."

Christine reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Excellent, learned a lot and as a beginner I was delighted to make such a beautiful box. Mark is a great teacher, very clear in explaining and showing what to do, and helping when needed."

Sharon reviewed: Micro Macrame - Beaded Bracelet

"The Little Craftery shop offers a quaint environment to do your craft session. Wendy was very welcoming and nurtured us through the steps to complete our beautiful bracelets. Definitely will be using her for xmas presents for family and will be doing other sessions."

Fiona reviewed: Painting Masterclass - Tenby South Beach - all welcome in lovely Lawrenny

"Thoroughly enjoyed this - it gave me the confidence to experiment with acrylics using a much larger paintbrush than I'd have imagined using before, learning how to build up layers of paint with different brush strokes to create an acceptable picture. Louise is a very competent and capable teacher, she explains the process clearly from start to finish and is so inspiring! I'm really looking forward to another workshop!!"

Louise Burdett Artist responded:

"Thank you so much Fiona - looking forward to seeing Thursday for our Human Face & Portraiture course. Always a pleasure x"

Jane Dodge reviewed: Introductory pottery wheel throwing taster sessions

"There were four of us on a two hour afternoon tasting session and we had a great time. Lorraine was very hands on and we all came away with at least 4 pots each! Very satisfying and would recommend if you just want to have a go at throwing a pot."

Jennie Jones reviewed: Weekend landscape painting in watercolours

"Thank you Georgina for sharing your time, expertise and enthusiasm and making the weekend course so enjoyable. As an absolute beginner who had no clue about where to start with water colour, I came away feeling confident to draw what I see and to apply paint to paper. I can't wait to start painting!"

Georgina Rambton responded:

"Thank you Jennie, it was great to have you in the group this weekend. Happy painting!"

Janice Murphy reviewed: The First Cut - lino cutting for beginners & rusty printmakers

"I thoroughly enjoyed the Lino cutting for beginners and rusty printers course. Liz is an inspiring teacher and I learnt some new techniques as well as having a very enjoyable day in a lovely creative environment."

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Hi Janice, Thank you for taking the time to review your day at The Slipper Studio; it was lovely working with you. You definitely fitted into the rusty printmaker category and just needed a little guidance and support to create your beautiful print. Happy printing. Best wishes Liz Wellby"

Sophie reviewed: Silver jewellery making class for beginners

"Fantastic day. Jonathan is very knowledgeable and flexible, to let you create whatever you want. His "let's give it a go" attitude really makes the day interesting and exciting, as well as informative!!"

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you Sophie and well done with your Silver Jewellery making. I enjoy making your ideas work and it does make the day very "interesting" at times - but also good fun! : ) Jonathan"