Latest reviews

Joanne Palmer-Hall reviewed: Chinese Brush Painting Holiday in the South Downs - 4 night residential

"My friend and I had a wonderful Chinese Brush painting course by the highly skilled and experienced Irene Sanderson. Accommodation was comfortable with excellent food and helpful staff."

Frank Ashbee reviewed: Watercolour 2 day Art & Spa full board retreat The Flackley Ash Hotel Rye Sussex

"Wow I had an unbelievable day!! Thoroughly enjoyable and great way to escape the hustle and bustle and focus on some art. Beth and Vicki are amazing they helped me soooo much and made me feel soooo welcome. I was only a day guest and was gutted to leave. I didn’t want to go!!! I am 100% returning to do a full weekend. Great set up, all the equipment was ready for us, all set out, the camera on a Vicki was a brilliant idea to follow the tips on your art work. When I got home my family and friends were amazed at the quality of the Art I produced. Thanks again and I want to do it every weekend xx"

Julie reviewed: Beginners guide to transforming raw fleece into finished yarn

"I had the best day ever learning the basics of this new skill (one which I will continue with too). Gina is an excellent teacher and explains the process very well indeed and gives out lots of handy hints and tips to take away. I enjoyed all the practical elements, from carding both by hand and on a drum, to drop spindle spinning and then using a variety of wheels. It was fabulous to try out the different types of spinning wheel too as it became clear to the group that not one type of wheel suited us all. I came away with my own carded and spun skein of wool which I am very proud of and I am now looking to purchase my own wheel. The venue was easy to find, very comfortable and fully accessible. To add to the full enjoyment of the session were all the refreshments made available throughout the day. All home cooked and absolutely delicious. Kate was very attentive making sure all our needs were met from the venue's point of view. All in all a great day out and definitely more than worth the money."

Vanessa Paisey reviewed: Pottery Wheel Throwing Workshop

"I really enjoyed the clay throwing course. The instruction was clear and helpful. Having done GCSE pottery 30 years ago, I had some very distant memories to go on, but felt like I progressed well through the morning and came away with 2 pots I was very pleased with. Others had had no experience and also progressed well. Thank you, it was a great experience!"

The Clay Studio responded:

"It's never too late to make a comeback! Thanks for your kind comments."

Russell Watkins reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"What a chilled and chiselled weekend! We spent two very invigorating days; mentally and physically, being softly guided through the introduction to an untried craft skill by the delightful Sebastian. He is not your conventional teacher, by his own admission, but he managed to develop nascent stonemason skills in seven novices - all of whom left on the Sunday afternoon feeling so happy and pleased with new found abilities clutching their own piece of art. Thank you Sebastian, thank you to my fellow chisellers and thank you to my long term friend, John, who gave me the gift of the weekend. Best regards Russell"

Catriona Dunhill reviewed: Pottery Wheel Throwing Workshop

"What a super way to spend a rainy Saturday morning! Being very out of practice with any throwing I used to do I found Susana a calm and very encouraging teacher with a very good way of imparting her knowledge. The morning flew past. I feel that I have learnt much more about different techniques and am inspired to keep going. Thanks Susana, I look forward to taking more courses."

The Clay Studio responded:

"Thanks Catriona. Susana and I really appreciate your comments."

Siaron Hughes reviewed: Pottery workshops - Six week course

"Absolutely loved the 6-week pottery course with Karen. Each week a new task to learn in pottery-making. Very much enjoyed it and would thoroughly recommend to anyone! Thanks Karen!"

Michael Gaadt reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"This course is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable courses that I have ever done. Ian puts you at ease throughout and takes you through everything in a very logical manner. Very rustic and gloriously natural, you are at one with yourself and the wood you are working with. I can still smell it now as I type this review. To think that with Ian's help I produced a gorgeous stool, totally practical and made by me...... Who would have thought it! A big thank you to Ian for his patience, and would I recommend this course? Most definitely yes, go on give it a go, you will not regret it!"

Karen Linton reviewed: Introduction to table loom weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury - Two day workshop

"I had a wonderful evening with Ellie and several other people in a lovely setting where we were served green teas and raw mint cake. It was gorgeous. The class itself was excellent. We all had a great time and produced work that were all so different from each others but all really artistic and lovely to see. I loved the introduction to the art of weaving. Ellie was really attentive to each of us and a great teacher. I am really proud of what I achieved and of course purchased the loom I was using so I could do more on my own. Maybe even do a further course to improve on the skills we learned. Thank you Ellie X"

Elka responded:

"Thank you Karen for the lovely review. It was great to meet you and i'm so glad you enjoyed the workshop. Your weaving was fantastic! Ellie X"

Gillian Twells reviewed: Lampshade making workshops

"My sister and I spent a lovely morning with Jane making drum lampshades in her garden studio. Jane is an excellent teacher, explaining the technique in an easy to follow and logical way. The conversation flowed whilst we worked, fuelled by delicious home-made cake and cups of tea. We came away with very professional looking lampshades and lots of hints and tips for making more at home. Highly recommended!"

Geraldine Hedgecock reviewed: One day beginners painting course with Sue O'Mara Art - all materials provided

"The warm welcome given to us by Sue set the tone of this creative but relaxing day. We learnt some very clever techniques and were encouraged to see the positive in every mark we made (even if we thought we had made a mistake). I was amazed to come away with a finished oil painting."

Austin Gibbons reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"Great day with Ian making a rustic bench. All things well explained and directed with lots of encouragement. I'd recommend this for anyone starting as a novice as I was."

B Timms reviewed: Pottery Wheel Throwing Workshop

"Susanna has a very special way of teaching how to throw on the wheel. She is very calm and instructive and somehow manages to always gets people to achieve great results. I would highly recommend her to anyone from beginners to more advanced potters."

The Clay Studio responded:

"Much appreciated B!"

Tracy reviewed: Family Morning Pottery Experience (suitable for beginners)

"Great course, great time, lovely people. Teaching was clear concise and very friendly. I've been a few times now to The Clay Studio and loved every minute. I'll be coming back for more."

The Clay Studio responded:

"Lovely to have you as one of our regular students, and for your positive feedback. Thanks!"

Identity Design reviewed: Customised pottery experience event

"I organised our company Christmas party at The Clay Studio and it went down a storm. The team there are warm, welcoming and really helpful. We all learnt a lot and had fun in the process. They also laid on the most delicious lunch for us. I would love to go back again, as would most of the team. Maybe next year..."

The Clay Studio responded:

"We would love to have you all back again one day Tracy. Thanks!"

Daniel reviewed: Blacksmithing course with Longdog Smithy

"Me and my father attended this course on a very chilly November. But wow what can I say, straight from the off Tom and his partner made us feel right at ease. The day was started by getting to know a bit about each other and what we hoped to gain from this experience. Once we had doodled our designs and Tom has given us our safety brief we were of. Being beginners he made sure he explained everything to us and helped us along our way in creating our knives. With it being a just me and my father Tom was able to give us lots of one on one instruction and made the whole feel of the course that little bit more personal. Lunch was provided and was exactly what we all needed, a delicious home made thick soup with crusty bread. A huge thank you to both Tom and his partner for looking after us and helping us to create two extremely sharp and usable kitchen knives."

Rhiannon Morgan reviewed: Boat making day using the technique of sgraffito on coloured glass

"I thoroughly recommend taking a course at North Wales creative glass studios. Brian is a very knowledgeable, generous and kind teacher. The course I took has really taken my glass making to a new level, particularly my mould making. I'd recommend either someone who works in glass or complete beginner's to take a course here, you'll learn loads and have a lot of fun."

Lauryn Porter reviewed: Knitting & Stitching Retreat

"I absolutely love Go Deer retreats! By far the best crafting retreat around, the service, accommodation, food, friendliness and fun to be had is just outstanding. Far superior to other craft retreats I’ve been on in the past by other companies. I’m attending my 3rd Go Deer retreat early next year and can’t wait! Thank you Saj (& Lauren for the amazing food!). Xx"

Kevin Flynn reviewed: Introduction to table loom weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury - Two day workshop

"A wonderful evening which was held in a very harmonious location. The workshop was excellent; clear, enthusiastic advice and guidance led a complete novice through the stages of preparing my loom frame and beginning to weave. The range of fabrics and threads were numerous enough to unlock the creative juices of the most uncrafty of people. The end result; a piece of original weaving the creation of which had totally absorbed me and enthralled me. I would thoroughly recommend this workshop and indeed would suggest that if weaving is something you would like to do then please contact Ellie; you will not be disappointed."

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much Kevin for the lovely review, your weaving was fantastic. I'm so happy that enjoyed the workshop and it was great to finally meet you. Thank you also for the happy humming :) Very best wishes, Ellie"

N Gibbs reviewed: Basic plumbing course

"This course was so informative, yet so simple! It gave me the big picture of how or from/to where water was coming into my house (or flat) and going out. I had so many questions about how the hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard works, radiator, toilet flashing, leakage from taps, changing taps, different types of pipes etc. I didn't even need to ask all of them, most of them were covered. David was very patient and knowledgeable, yet not using difficult terms or jargon. Highly recommended for people like me, who would like to get the idea of what to do with DIY level plumbing!"

Jane Vincent reviewed: Screen printing on glass

"Jim's courses are enjoyable, friendly and informative and run at the right pace so you get a lot done but don't feel rushed or under pressure. Lots crammed into 2 days and lots of fun too."

Lisa Jane Tryphena Tomlinson reviewed: Boat making day using the technique of sgraffito on coloured glass

"I would highly recommend a course here with Brian. Great day, learnt so much will be booking again shortly. It's great to be taught by someone so talented and passionate in what they do. Fantastic studio."

Arnold Lester reviewed: Introduction to Blacksmithing in North York Moors National Park

"Just had an amazing day with David. A very good teacher who explains and shows you everything you need to know. Very patient and to top it all off a few great things to take home! Cannot recommend him enough and looking forward to booking my next course."

Karen Hall reviewed: Mosaic experience workshop for two with award winning artist Julie Vernon Nottinghamshire

"This is a lovely course. Location was easy to find, lovely little studio, nice light lunch. There were plenty of examples and books for us to reference and lots of lovely materials. Julie led us through the process and gave us help and hints as the day unfolded. Brilliant course. Thank you Julie for you patience."

Julie Vernon Mosaics responded:

"Many thanks for your review Karen. Hope to see you again in the future for some more mosaic making. All the best Julie"

Peter Fox reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A great day out. Mort is very engaging and knowledgeable. He has loads of anecdotes. The day flew by and I wish it could have been longer . Brought home a lovely price of work. Hope the cold is better now Mort."