Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns reviews

Helen reviewed: 'Make a framed, needle-felted Wren' with Helen Hammond a 'Quirky Workshop' nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"I attended the workshop this week and have nothing but praise for it. The venue - Swallow barn at Quirky Crafts - was delightful and in spite of the freezing weather was kept warm. Helped also by the delicious refreshments, we were fuelled inside and out. Having only dabbled with needle felting before, this was an ambitious make in a day, BUT teacher Helen Hammond had all the stages worked out and gave us all the instruction and confidence that we needed to complete it - and we did. Each wren a masterpiece and delightfully different. A superb course."

Quirky Workshops at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns responded:

"Thank you so much for this lovely review Helen and am so glad you enjoyed the day. I agree it was an excellent course! Everyone's piece was brilliant, with the gorgeous wrens enjoying such attention to detail thanks to Helen, who was very organised with her teaching stages and materials. A lot of work had been put into the prep for the course and it evidently paid off! Hopefully see you here another time in Greystoke! x"

Sally Adams reviewed: Hand rolled drum lampshade making am or pm - a Quirky Workshop @ Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith & Ullswater

"Very easy to follow the instructions . Great welcome, would recommend this work shop"

Sandra D reviewed: Intro to Glass fusing : a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the Fused Glass workshop with Marilyn, I am really looking forward to collecting my pieces and seeing how they turned out. Please pass my thanks to Marilyn for her patience, knowledge and exceptional skill. Also thanks to you for all your hard work not just for setting up the course but for making sure that the venue is 'Covid' safe, it can't have been easy. The barn is a special place to work with a lovely relaxed atmosphere. The food and drinks you provided were most welcome, the scones were particularly delicious"

Richard E reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Hi Annie and Tony I Just wanted to say thanks again for an excellent 2 days making the longbows, I really enjoyed it and thought the tutoring and organisation of the event was first class, as was the food... complements to the chef. Fantastic job, especially coping with the weather and the last minute move indoors, and what a great group of students ... everyone seemed to greatly enjoy the whole experience. Meant to say the camping facilities at Gillhead Farm were great, so thanks for the contact info."

Ian Horn reviewed: Needle Felt a Herdwick doorstop with Annis McGowan: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"A thoroughly good day where I learnt loads and gained the confidence to progress on my own. Gill is a very good teacher and made the whole experience interesting as well as informative. We had a great mix of people on the course, who all got on well. I would highly recommend the experience for anyone."

Karen Sienkiewicz reviewed: Needle Felt a Herdwick doorstop with Annis McGowan: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns nr Ullswater & the Lake District

"Great day with Gill (and Annie) making artisan bread and scones. We had such a fun day but very productive at the same time! The time just flew by helped by our fellow students being good fun too. Gill is a great teacher and definitely knows her soda bread from her scones! Would highly recommend the course, especially if the thought of making bread scares you a little as Gill makes it all look so easy!"

Robert reviewed: Blacksmith for a day with Adrian Woods: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"What a fantastic day! Poker much admired and has a perfect home. Thank you all, will be back! Annie, a special thank you for a delicious and sustaining lunch….. couldn't think of a nicer way to cheer up an unpromising November day. All the best Robert"

Jill Flatt reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"Pip provided a wonderful introduction to the world of letter sculpting which nicely complemented my previous experiences doing 3D sculpting in stone. I was fascinated to hear about her own work and to see examples of what letter carving should look like! Pip provided a broad range of stone types to choose from to ensure we were suitably challenged, or protected, depending on our individual projects. It is rare that someone who is a skilled practitioner, can also teach effectively, but Pip has that rare capability. Many thanks for a new experience"

Val Rosbrook reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"Thank you Pip for a wonderful 3 days. As well as the lettering techniques I really enjoyed the design element and it was great that you brought so many resources with you for us to take inspiration from. I thought, before I arrived, that I had an idea of what I might have worked on - an autumnal theme maybe, but it turns out that it can be the stone itself which helps decide. I loved working on the river stone and the challenges it gave. I've continued working on it at home and will send photos to Annie once complete. I've also been able to pick up 2 of the books from your list and have been working on my lettering on paper as well as practising serifs on the reverse of a piece of limestone. Tuition was great and it seemed that everyone took home something to be proud of. It's always nice to get to know the others on a course as it progresses and as usual Annie's hospitality and that of her helpers made us all feel welcome (and well fed). Thank you"

Chris B reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"A brilliant introduction to what will become a new hobby! The wide variety of stones brought along by Pip allowed an equally broad range of ideas to be realised. Pip's skill ensured that while the designs remained 'ours' the ideas both matched the style of lettering and the shape of the stone. Three days were gone in a blink of an eyelid. Many many thanks"

Gillian Bromley reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"A very fullfilling, enjoyable course. Annis is a great tutor, very supportive and enthusiastic. Anne at Quirky Workshops is inspiring, arranging these courses, providing the venue and great lunches. 5 plus stars all round"

Edwin Haddon reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"You can teach an old dog new tricks!! Thank you Pip for an excellent 3 days in which I learned an enormous lot of new skills. When I've acquired my new stone chisels etc. I will be finishing the lettering on my house sign and displaying it for the whole world to admire. Pip is a splendid tutor, always with positive comments and encouragment. Three days passed too quickly, though my hammer wielding shoulder knew it had been exercised. It was great to be working in a group where we were all doing our own thing but subtly gaining from seeing what each of the group were doing on their own pieces. And last, but not least, many thanks to Annie for the organisation and also her participation in the course. Next time I pass through Greystoke I will look for her new Poplin Dub stone on the gate. And where would we have been without the coffee, tea, biscuits, scones with cream and jam and the excellent lunches every day. The kitchen staff must not be forgotten! A wonderful course!!! Edwin"

Janet Arnison reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"It was my first time attending a course and I found everything first rate. The whole place has a wonderful atmosphere and everything is organised to enable participants get as much as possible from the course. I got a lot out of attempting to carve letters on a piece of sandstone from the garden. Thank you Annie and Pip."

Lynn Whiteley reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"Yet another great day out at Quirky workshops! Annie is a wonderful and welcoming host, nothing is too much trouble for her. The home cooked lunch was delicious, this time served in the very welcoming kitchen. What a patient lady and tutor Annis is. I broke so many needles! My Herdwick doorstop is fabulous and now has pride of place. I would not hesitate to recommend this course."

Alison Hudson reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"Fabulous course. Very patient and clear instructions. All easy steps leading to a beautiful doorstop to take home. Delicious home cooking in a beautiful relaxed setting. Couldn’t be better"

caroline reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"Annie's courses are always brilliant in this wonderful venue, and this is no exception. Annis is patient and helpful, providing all the materials for a very reasonable price, and her precise instructions and use of 'stage' examples in the process of building the sheep are excellent for novices and more experienced needle-felters alike. I would recommend this course and venue without hesitation, and plan to be doing more to build up my menagerie of needlefelt animals!"

Caroline Verden reviewed: Make a needle-felt Herdwick doorstop - a Quirky Workshop nr Ullswater & The Lake District

"Thoroughly enjoyable day in a lovely venue with great company, and food. Annis was an excellent tutor, and we all went home happy with our herdy doorstop under our arm, I look forward to returning!"

Sally P reviewed: Relief Carving in Stone with Pip Hall ...a 3 day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Dear Pip, We both wanted to say a big thank you for the wonderful weekend we spent with you, beginning to learn how to letter carve. We had a really great time despite the achy muscles and heads crammed to bursting with new knowledge. Neither of us realised just how physically tiring it would be and I certainly hadn’t banked on brain overload by day three! You’ve definitely turned us into fledgling carvers, keen to do more, so internet purchases will be made in the next few days, if not this evening. It was certainly a very different journey home, with lettering and stone leaping out at us from every angle. Thank you so much."

Sally p reviewed: Letter and Relief Carving in stone with Pip Hall ~ a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns north Lakes & Cumbria

"Dear Pip, We both wanted to say a big thank you for the wonderful weekend we spent with you, beginning to learn how to letter carve. We had a really great time despite the achy muscles and heads crammed to bursting with new knowledge. Neither of us realised just how physically tiring it would be and I certainly hadn’t banked on brain overload by day three! You’ve definitely turned us into fledgling carvers, keen to do more, so internet purchases will be made in the next few days, if not this evening. It was certainly a very different journey home, with lettering and stone leaping out at us from every angle. Thank you so much."

C Green reviewed: Relief carving & sculpture in hardwood with Alister Neville: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Fantastic course not only for beginners in wood carving, but also for those with more experience. Alister talks you through all the basics, and is on hand to provide guidance, advice and assistance whenever needed. All the required tools were provided, and we even got a lesson on tool sharpening techniques thrown in. I was delighted with what I produced on the day. Catering at the venue was also excellent with tea, coffee, water and homemade lemonade available throughout the day, a tasty, filling 2 course lunch, plus afternoon scones! Highly recommend both this course and the Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns."

Bob Hornby reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Had a fabulous two days and came away with a proven working longbow! Tony is an excellent tutor, very knowledgeable and offering practical skills where required. The venue is just perfect and even the second days rain didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm. The group were great and gelled really well, so if you're looking for something different this workshop comes highly recommended. Many thanks to all concerned"

Janice L reviewed: Amazing Raku - a pottery firing with flames half day workshop with Dave Norman at Quirky Workshops, Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns

"Hi Annie, Thanks for sending the photos through. We both thoroughly enjoyed the day, and lunch was lovely. My husband and son were very impressed with the pots we made, and we plan to do more courses with you in the future. Best wishes, Janice & Amy."

Ella C reviewed: Amazing Raku - a pottery firing with flames half day workshop with Dave Norman at Quirky Workshops, Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns

"Thanks Annie and Dave! Thanks for a brilliant day, course was excellent and you've created such a magical spot and so enjoyed sharing it for a day. Ella"

Shirley B reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery - Textures in Nature' with Jo Dix: a 'Quirky Workshop'

"Hi Annie, Jo & Pam, We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ for today. We all three enjoyed the workshop and are all amazed at producing wearable items!! Also, could pass on our thanks to whoever cooked and prepared the food, it was lovely. Many thanks once again, Shirley B"

Steven S reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Thank you for a great weekend, I was on the bow making course. You and your lady helpers did a magnificent job in catering to everyone's needs and the food was fantastic. Please pass on my thanks to your team."