Latest reviews

Hannah reviewed: Recycled Silver Stacking Rings Making Class (p.m) with Sarah & Mat

"Such a great class and beautiful workshop. Sarah and Mat were great they guided us through each part of the process. I loved every minute of the class from learning how to measure my ring size to soldering, texturing and polishing. Highly recommend this workshop. Can’t believe I made 3 rings in 3 hours."

Hove Jewellery Works responded:

"Thank you for your review Hannah. We are thrilled to hear you had a great time. It was lovely to meet you and hope you enjoy your new stacking rings. Thank you, Sarah & Mat."

Judy reviewed: Textile still life workshop

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Imogen is an excellent and talented artist and teacher and I feel encouraged to continue working with textiles in this way."

Imogen Bittner Studio responded:

"I enjoyed working with you very much and was so impressed with your still life. Can't wait to see more!"

Paula reviewed: Fused glass items at Bonds with Helen from The Butterfly Effect Studio

"We had a very enjoyable day, Helen was very knowledgeable and helpful, put us all at ease and helped us make some lovely items. Would recommend to anyone who wants to have a go at making glass items.."

Butterfly Effect Studio responded:

"Hi Paula & Kyle, great to meet you both and so pleased you enjoyed the day. Some items are already out of the kiln and look fabulous ( your stunningly lush landscape panel is currently in the kiln as I’m typing this so fingers crossed) You both made some amazing pieces and I hope you’ll be delighted with the finished items. Thank you so much for taking the time to submit a lovely review, I appreciate it. I’ll send the info about kilns and suppliers etc as it sounds like you’re ‘hooked’ !"

Daniel Forster reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"Colin was friendly, patient and combined great teaching skills and his vast knowledge to provide an excellent 1 day introduction to woodturning course for me. I could not have hoped to learn more in a single day. Colin also sent reading material in advance which helped me to maximise what I was able to learn on the day, and sent me further useful information after the course responding to a question I had asked during the day and the web address of a local woodturning club I could attend. I really enjoyed the day and was absolutely delighted with the bowl I took home with me at the end of it. Would happily recommend."

Devon Wood Crafts responded:

"Thank you Dan. I am pleased you enjoyed your day with me."

Carol reviewed: Silver jewellery making class for beginners

"What an amazing day my daughter and I have had at this brilliant workshop. We have had to wait due to Covid, but sooo good to be here! Jonathan is a great tutor, he provides a supportive approach and helps us to achieve our ideas. Our first session showed us so many ideas and in the afternoon session I made the ring that I wanted. I fully recommend this to all of you. Try it! You will enjoy! Thank you Jonathan. Fantastic!"

Denise Pipe reviewed: Silver jewellery making class for beginners

"Thank you for such a wonderful day. We have thoroughly enjoyed it - great for beginners and the more crafty. Jonathan is very clear and precise with his instructions which makes for a really productive and inspiring day!"

Cath Holmes reviewed: Textile landscape workshop in Dorset

"Had a fantastic day at the textile landscape workshop. Excellent tuition & guidance from Imogen & soooo many fabrics to choose from! I managed to achieve so much - started with looking at the landscape to get ideas & ended with having made a great picture using different fabrics, textures etc. Added to all this, Imogen keeps you supplied with tea & cake throughout the day! Fab!"

Imogen Bittner Studio responded:

"It was a pleasure to work with you and see your landscape develop during the day. Very confident in every stage, I am sure you will continue to use this technique and I would love to see your future landscapes. So pleased you enjoyed the day!"

Kerry reviewed: Earrings Kit Blue Lace Agate Genuine Gemstones

"Hello Nicky Thank you for the earring kit, as you can see I’ve not used all the bits, but I’m really pleased, luckily I had the right tools. Kerry"

JEWELLERY KITS & SILVER BITS responded:

"Hya Kerry Thank you for the photo of your completed Blue Lace Agate Earrings you created with your Kit, they are gorgeous, I love your twist on it too, not using up all the components so they can be added to a new creation. Great to see, thank you! Kindest regards Nicky Gee"

Rikki reviewed: 2 Day forged chef's knife course.

"Made an absolutely stunning knife with Steve's support. Lovely manner, very patient and positive - considering he's an ex-grafter ;) Fab workshop in his gorgeous garden. Thanks so much :D"

White Tiger Knives responded:

"Hi Rikki Thank you very much for your kind review and for being such a capable student. You worked really hard to make and accomplish all of the required stages to complete your knife in the time that's available to us. I hope you love and are using your bespoke chef's lady blade in your kitchen. I will pass your comments about our garden onto my wife, she'll be very pleased. Kind regards Steve"

Claire Kerry reviewed: Pewter Casting - Beginner - 3 Hours - One to One

"What a fantastic workshop! We were able to get stuck in almost straight away. Clear simple instructions, from Rachel, allowed us the freedom to experience pewter casting to its fullest. I would highly recommend this course. Thank you Rach."

Gifted Crafts Company responded:

"Thank you so much Claire. Such lovely comments and I really appreciate you taking the time to write a review. It was lovely to meet you and you all did so well. I couldn’t believe the quality and quantity of what was produced! Take care. And thanks again. Rach"

pete reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"My wife bought me this course for a birthday present, and what a lovely day and great fun in a very nice easy to get to setting. Chris puts you quickly at ease and is exceptionally patient. When you mess something up, which as a complete newbie I inevitably did, Chris very calmly, patiently guides you back and somehow the part start to look as they should ish... Expect to be tired at the end of the day, it is quite physical - the process is also quite a mindful meditate experience with the level of concentration to "tap" the right spot. In summary, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the course or Chris, I already have to a colleague at work. fab day"

mark erwin reviewed: "2 Crafts in 1 Day!" 1-2-1 woodturning & pottery experience for 1 person

"Both SImon and Louise were patient thoughtful and caring teachers. Excellent tuition was given in each of their fields of expertise. They are very personable - any beginner's jitters are soon forgotten. Thanks to both for a truly enjoyable day!"

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

"Hi Mark, Thank you for your glowing review! Coming from a teacher it means a lot. We're glad you enjoyed your day and you're welcome back any time. -- Simon & Louise"

Carole reviewed: Paper Making - Hand Made Recycled Paper

"A great course to make handmade paper - my daughter and i came home with 7 sheets of paper each and lots of ideas to continue at home and make lots more pretty paper - many thanks"

B Elliman reviewed: Willow weaving for home and garden

"An excellent course hosted by Cathy, who is very knowledgeable and guided us quickly into making a Catalan tension tray. Cathy's enthusiasm is catching and I can't wait to attend some further courses to learn some of the other willow weaving techniques for producing garden furniture and other ornaments. Ten out of ten."

Richard Tingle reviewed: One day silver jewellery designing and making workshop

"We had a lovely day making silver rings with Bridget. Bridget was both knowledgeable and made the day fun. Bridget was able to find a way for us to make our designs (which before the day I worried were a bit unrealistic) which definitely speaks to her depth of experience. My partner made a wood effect ring (which I thought might be impossible but Bridget had just the right tool) and I made a rough textured ring with embossed hearts. All in all a great day."

sally reviewed: Landscape art 10-week interactive online course with live tuition

"Raya is a top-notch art teacher and her classes have a good blend of theory and practice. I am on my third online course with her and have made incredible progress, thanks to her teaching, encouragement and patience."

Marnie reviewed: Beginner's DIY Hand Sanitiser Natural Soap Course

"As a beginner I was really impressed by the amount of information in the course and I loved the demo videos. I am feeling confident and I can't wait to start making my own natural soaps. I fully recommend this course."

Steve Cooper reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"I attended Ben Willis’s ‘Welsh Stick Chair making course’ in July 2021. It was superb. The setting in Redwood Valley took you back hundreds of years and close to nature in an open sided wooden structure with an open fire continually burning providing both hot water for the continual coffee and tea ,Ben’s homemade soup for lunch and a gentle drift of smoke to give you the authentic smell of wood smoke! Eight of us were shown a pile of ash logs from which we were expected to produce a work of art. With Ben’s expert tuition over seven long days the results were remarkable with everybody finishing a chair (each slightly different) to be proud of. A big part of the overall enjoyment was getting to know the seven other participants and Ben. All from very different backgrounds but all with a passion for wood. I cannot recommend the experience highly enough with thanks to my wife for it as a birthday present."

Caroline Penn reviewed: Lino Printing Day with Oxford Linocut Workshops

"Really enjoyed Claire's well-paced, supportive workshop. Her advice and instruction gave me confidence and inspired me to try linocutting again. She is very friendly, and the day was most productive, without my feeling too pressured. We all produced amazing-looking cards even though half the class had never tried linocutting before! A lovely day in a beautiful setting - and with Covid-safe measures."

Bridget Thompson reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"What a fabulous week we had, all 8 of us finished our chairs under the excellent supervision of Ben. The setting is ideal, in the woods, the sound of birds along with our shaving and hammering. Ben's help when I wasn't quite strong enough was patient and kind, his knowledge and skill amazing. Having never worked with wood before, I learnt so much and every time I look at my wonderful chair I'll remember each shave, knock, hammer, saw stroke, sand and decision I made about how I wanted it to look. I would recommend this course to anyone, who loves the idea of working with wood and a chair that will last 100's of years. Go for it........"

Graham Harris reviewed: Traditional Leather Workshop (small leather goods)

"Great course, learnt a load & looking forward for the bag course. Kingsley is a great teacher & the group was small so always there to answer questions even for a novice. I made an awesome card/coin purse, which came out great. Well worth a go if you have any interest in leather work."

Louise reviewed: Glass Enamelling on Copper for Jewellery - kiln enamelling

"Really fun! It was great to be able to walk away with 3 finished pieces, I just wish I had time to try out even more techniques and styles as there were so many different possibilities :D A very well laid out day with good use of time and satisfying results"

Eleanor Designs responded:

"Thank you Louise, it was great to have you here for the day! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Do come back and we’ll work in more of your ideas and other techniques! the possibilities are endless! Hope to see you again soon! Eleanor"

Claire Bouwer reviewed: Pottery and decorating day for two

"This pottery day course was a birthday gift for my Mum and the two of us had a fantastic day together with Marina in her garden studio. We arrived and were walmly welcomed by Marina and given an intro to the day. Marina was an excellent teacher and we were amazed in one day that we were able to produce three lovely pieces each and decorate them too. It rained for most of the day so we helped dry the pots over lunch and chatted with Marina. I highly recommend this day course with Marina. Looking forward to collecting our pieces in a couple of weeks. Thank you to Marina for a memorable day!"

Marina Randall Ceramics responded:

"Thanks Claire for your lovely review. I'm so pleased you both enjoyed the day so much, and look forward to the moment I open the kiln to see those colourful slip swirls on you pieces. They are nearly dry and ready for the first firing this coming week. Have a lovely weekend, Marina"

Rhys Phillips reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Simply the most pleasurable and satisfying way to spend a week. The setting is second to none but it’s Ben’s knowledge, expertise and patience that make all the difference in this course. It is appreciable the effort that goes into organising the course prior to arriving to ensure it’s smooth running meaning everyone goes home with a wonderful and unique chair. Would not hesitate to recommend this course to anyone interested in having a magnificent hand made centrepiece for their room!"

Kitty reviewed: One day stained glass workshop London for beginners and enthusiasts

"Very interesting course and good tutor. Handy location and full of stained glass decor. Highly recommend to whoever want a taste of making stained glass piece."

GlassSeasons responded:

"Thanks Kitty, keep smiling, enjoyed teaching you."