Latest reviews

Jan Thurman reviewed: Mosaic/chat/create! with award winning mosaicist Emma Abel

"I decided to choose a robin for my mosaic as they are my favourite birds. As a complete novice the tuition was excellent and I really appreciated the individual time you spent with me. You were never intrusive and there was a lovely, friendly atmosphere. I felt a huge sense of achievement as I finished my mosaic. It exceeded my expectations as I am not particularly artistic/creative! I would love to return and do another mosaic so please keep me informed of other courses… I am definitely interested."

abelmosaics responded:

"Jan, thank you! I look forward to seeing you here for a weekend workshop to make your next creation - a Blackbird. I have lots of luscious ceramic/glass black tiles to choose from!"

Sue reviewed: Mosaic/chat/create! with award winning mosaicist Emma Abel

"Had a wonderful day making my lotus flower. Totally absorbing. I was amazed how we all created very different pieces and Emma was on hand to teach us the techniques and be supportive, guiding us with tips that somehow made us all produce masterpieces!! Helpful to have some ideas before you go and no time for slacking as surprising how the day just flew by. Would thoroughly recommend, you can go on your own or with a group as a fun activity to create and chat. Will go again when have the chance!"

abelmosaics responded:

"Hello Sue, I am delighted to have your workshop Review. Your Lotus flower had gorgeous colour combinations and it was fun teaching you. I look forward to seeing the next mosaic flower emerge, perhaps it should be Frangipani from Singapore!"

Jan.T reviewed: Needle felting workshops taught live online by Heartfelt by Heidi

"I was at the Smiley Snowman workshop yesterday and had a lovely day. I have not done any needle felting before. Heidi explains each step clearly and is there to assist if needed. It was a very friendly, relaxed workshop and I was very pleased with my Smiley Snowman. He shall be taking pride of place this Christmas. Thank you Heidi, hope to see you at one of your workshops in the New Year."

Heartfelt by Heidi responded:

"Hi Jan, Thank you so much for your kind review. I am really pleased you enjoyed the workshop and felt happy and relaxed. You did so well, your snowman was wonderful, I am not surprised you are pleased :) I love teaching Needle Felting it is such a rewarding craft. I very much hope to see you again in the near future. Heartfelt thanks Heidi x"

Anoli reviewed: Introduction to container candle making half day in Henstridge near Stalbridge Dorset Somerset

"Very nice tutor, informative and fun class. The perfect first step to candle making"

Steve Wills reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"Fantastic course. Dave is such a good teacher. I'm hooked and will be carving from now on"

Catherine Archer reviewed: Weave a scarf in a day - handloom weaving

"Had such a good day with Anne. She’s a brilliant teacher, imparting her knowledge with warmth and humour. I’d brought my own yarn but the others were able to select wools from those she had brought along and we all produced lovely scarves to take home. April was the perfect host, keeping us supplied with refreshments and encouragement. Couldn’t recommend too highly."

Fiona reviewed: Arm knitted throw workshop in Kent

"Had a fab time. Faye had a challenge with 3 ‘lefties’ in the group but adapted her teaching seamlessly. Brilliant time, cake and hot drinks on hand."

Unravel & Unwind C.I.C. responded:

"Thank you all for coming. I'm so glad you had a brilliant time."

Jane Kilford reviewed: Introduction to Natural Dyeing, Mere, Wiltshire

"This was a very instructive course and Claudia made us all welcome and had everything very well organised. The handouts were excellent with lots of information and well presented content. We covered a lot of ground giving us plenty of hands on experience and good opportunities to ask questions and all of our sample sheets to go home with. I feel confident enough to continue experimenting at home. The venue and atmosphere was lovely with delicious food provided by Margaret and so nice to meet and get to know others. Thank you and will definitely look in to attending another workshop."

Elka responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review Jane, i'm delighted that you enjoyed the workshop and the venue. Very best wishes, Claudia"

Judy Westerby reviewed: Cancelled

"Thank you Shirley for a fantastic, inspirational acrylic course. I loved it and learned so much about applying paint and achieved so much in a day! This was just what I had hoped for. You gave great demonstrations to start us off followed by lots of time to put what we had learned into practice. Thank you so much Shirley."

Shirley Davis Dew. Art 4 All responded:

"Hi Judy It was a pleasure to show everyone what they /you could achieve. I enjoy teaching people who are as enthusiastic and keen to learn as this group were. Thanks for your lovely comments. I hope to see you again Judy in the future. Shirley"

Jason Latham reviewed: One Day Pottery Throwing Course, including lunch - Hampshire

"Great first experience of pottery throwing. Easy to find location, great workshop and equipment. I was able to follow Jack's instruction well and he had the ability to keep an eye on everyone's work in progress as the class is limited to 6 people. Intensive day but very enjoyable!! Good lunch too! Hoping to sign up for the evening course next year."

Paul Welsh reviewed: Beginners woodturning course

"Just attended the two day course in woodturning with Ciaran at Cheshire Woodworking. It was an absolute treat - enjoyable, informative and friendly. Quite amazing how quickly skills can be transferred by a good tutor. I now have the confidence to start turning on my own...… just need to get a lathe and kick-start what I hope will be an enjoyable and rewarding pastime! Would thoroughly recommend this course."

Jenny reviewed: Arm knitted throw workshop in Kent

"This was a really fun workshop, Faye was very patient and supportive and I was really proud of my very cosy arm-knitted throw which really was made in just over an hour!"

Unravel & Unwind C.I.C. responded:

"Thank you for coming Jenny. You did look super cosy in your blanket."

Jane Edwards reviewed: Landscape Painting Workshop - Venue Workshop

"Pippa is well organised and an experienced and enthusiastic teacher. She used lots of different media and explained how to use them really well. Helped by members of her family she produced tasty food and created a warm and friendly atmosphere. I thoroughly recommend her course for beginners and experienced painters who want to try something different."

Ben reviewed: Basic blacksmithing course

"Gary was incredibly understanding with autism in the forge. After I told him, he told me that he also had Asperger's syndrome, so he's able to relate to people who struggle with loud noises/sensory issues, both of which are large things in a forgery. Before we started, he explained a ton of stuff on what to/not to do, which kept me from getting burned multiple times. He even let us take a small block of metal of the same material as the axe we built home, so we could show what the axe came from. On top of that, we finished with a couple hours to spare, so he let us make a marshmallow-toasting fork, free of charge. The person I went with burnt her hand, because she grabbed the wrong end of a bar, and he immediately got the burns kit and made sure it was fine. Overall, a great experience, and highly recommended."

Ann reviewed: Stained glass introduction at Blue Kite Stained Glass

"Treated myself to Ian's stained glass course and I am so pleased that I did. Had never cut glass or had any experience in soldiering before but Ian was always there to help. Was a fun day with good company. I took home my creation of the day.. a sun catcher to show my skills. Learnt the names of the traditional tools and would love to build on this experience. The only problem is the day went so fast. I would 100% recommend this course."

Linda Lucas reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"My daughter and I had a very enjoyable and relaxing day on the Silver Jewellery Boat. The boat is moored in a picturesque location near Droitwich and is equipped with everything needed to create your very own silver jewellery masterpiece. Jonathan is a patient and skilled teacher and guided us through each stage of making our jewellery. We came home feeling that we had experienced a great day out and we had the satisfaction of returning with a handmade bangle to remind us of the day."

Naomi Fox reviewed: Private or private group silver jewellery making / silversmithing workshop half-day at Silver Designed Personally

"Absolutely brilliant course booked for me by my daughter as a birthday treat. From the moment we arrived Sara made us feel at ease and very welcome. She was supportive and encouraging of our efforts and encouraged us to work independently whilst being on hand to guide and step in if needed."

Silver Designed Personally responded:

"Thank you so much for your review Naomi ...... you were both great students too .... looking forward to maybe seeing you again to try something different :-) Sara"

Susan Edwards reviewed: Introduction to copper foiling workshop

"I booked this course for myself and friends as a suprise birthday present for one of us. Sharon was great, made us feel at home in her lovely studio. Supplied plenty of tea and biscuits and great relaxed tuition to help us make our stained glass creations. We loved it and will be going back. Thanks again Sharon we all had a great day."

Manchester Stained Glass responded:

"Thank you Susan for your lovely review, it was really fun to have you all in the studio, especially as it was a surprise birthday present. You all would be most welcome back. Thank you Sharon :)"

Alison Roberts reviewed: Cancelled

"Having thoroughly enjoyed a previous workshop with Shirley I was looking forward to this one, and I was not disappointed. It was an excellent combination of learning and fun. Clear demonstrations of techniques, sharing of ideas and information, individualistic responses encouraged, and tea/coffee/biscuits thrown in for good measure! By the end of the day I felt physically tired but creatively energised. Thanks, Shirley."

Shirley Davis Dew. Art 4 All responded:

"Thanks Alison Its a pleasure seeing you have a go at anything i show you how to do. I loved the gold painting you did. Shirley"

Sally Ann Wiles reviewed: Glass Fusing and Slumping for Beginners and Improvers

"I had such a lovely day with the small group of people and two friendly and approachable tutors, nothing was too much trouble for them and they listened to my ideas and told me how to achieve them. I'd highly recommend this course, I'd never worked with glass before so was a bit apprehensive but was soon put at ease by everyone. The homemade lunch was delicious too."

JJ Fused Glass responded:

"Thank you Sally. Your review is much appreciated. We’re so glad you enjoyed the day and the company. We hope you are able to come to collect your art work and see the things other people created over the weekend."

Rhona reviewed: Needle felt landscapes workshop on Orkney, including lunch

"A really great way to spend a day and try out a new craft. Catherine is a superb teacher, giving just the right amount of guidance and demonstration to get us up and running to produce our own design. She kept us all moving along with gentle nudges when we were starting to get lost. Her knowledge of materials and techniques is wonderful and she was able to communicate these effortlessly to complete beginners. We all left with a felt picture, each very unique and personal, which we were delighted with. Great teacher, great day, great fun. Thanks Catherine!"

Arts a Flutter responded:

"Thankyou for that review Rhona. I thought you all did extremely well and I will be using the work you all produced to highlight my courses. Cheers"

Katie Cunnah (nee Oxtoby) reviewed: Cancelled

"I loved the course. Acrylics were a new medium for me and it was interesting to learn new skills and techniques. I had a go at the techniques taught in the class and really enjoyed it. I got home and did a brilliant painting using those techniques but with my oil paints, and I'm absolutely thrilled with the result, so I've learnt skills that also translate into my oil paintings."

Shirley Davis Dew. Art 4 All responded:

"Thanks for your kind words Katie, You were a very capable student. I liked your willingness to try new techniques and to experiment. Keep on pushing the boundaries and getting out of the box."

Jo atkins reviewed: Linocut printmaking at Bull Mill Arts Wiltshire

"Olivia is a brilliant and inspirational tutor. I came to the lino printing course a complete beginner and was amazed at the results. Olivia is so enthusiastic and supportive and generous in sharing her skills. The whole group came away with amazing prints. It was a great day and would thoroughly recommend to anyone."

Donna & Andrew Howstan reviewed: Introduction to yarn dyeing at Peak District Yarns

"A wonderful afternoon in a beautiful workspace and local yarn shop. A fantastic and extremely informative introduction to yarn dyeing. Carrie and Lisa are extremely knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, kind and pass on their passion for yarn and yarn dyeing. Even before the yarn dyeing began Carrie got our creative juices flowing but guiding us on how to read skeins. Would highly recommend to anyone thinking about this workshop. We have booked onto the next workshop in 2020. Thank you to Carrie & Lisa for a memorable day."

Elizabeth Talbot reviewed: Pottery Tuition ~ Learn how to Throw on the Potter's Wheel, Slab-build and Coil in 1 Full Day's Attentive Teaching

"Sonya is amazing! Not only is she very knowledgeable about ceramics, but also a fantastic teacher and lovely person. My teenage daughter has had weekly lessons which she has used as her skill for her DofE Bronze Award. Sonya has demonstrated and given guidance on a variety of methods and allowed my daughter (who is left handed) to find techniques that she is comfortable with, making the sessions fun and productive without any pressure. She has produced numerous pieces, including a set of mugs, bowls & coasters and is keen to learn more. Thanks Sonya."

Sonya Ceramic Art responded:

"Dear Elizabeth and Emilia, Thank you for your review. I am so pleased to have spent the time with Emilia over the past 12 weeks. She has been a pleasure to teach and it's been rewarding to see her relax in to the sessions and benefit from the therapeutic aspects of working with clay as well as picking up the techniques so well. I wish her every success in completing her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award. I'm sure she will pass with flying colours! Best Wishes, Sonya."