Latest reviews

Jane Low reviewed: "Sparkle & Shine": beginner mosaic workshops with Joss Hughes, Peacock Mosaics

"As I already have some experience of mosaicing, I was keen to learn something new, in the form of a 3D mosaic sphere for the garden. Joss patiently showed me how to transfer a pattern on to the 2 halves of the sphere, and then how to apply the tesserae. She has an excellent range of tesserae to choose from in her studio, and guided me on how to choose complementary colours. A slight problem with lining up the pattern at the end came when joining the 2 halves of the sphere together, but she guided me on how to rectify this. She also demonstrated how to grout the sphere, a different method of grouting to what I have done before. I finished sticking the tesserae at home, successfully grouted the sphere, and am very pleased with the result. I'm now waiting for fine weather next summer to display it in the garden!"

Peacock Mosaics responded:

"Thank you Jane!"

Adam Clarke reviewed: Spoon Carving the Scandinavian Way - Beginners

"Fantastic day, lovely people, really knowledgeable and friendly instruction and simply perfect location. This was more than you could write to describe the course and how enjoyable the whole experience was. Much more practice needed to produce a great spoon but the instruction and what we took away from the day was such that we'll keep trying and have confidence that we will achieve something we're proud of! Thanks so much to Jacqui and Pete :)"

Kate Hardesty reviewed: Textured Jewellery Making

"What a lovely afternoon! I attended a Lonely Ape Textured Bangle workshop this afternoon with a friend and cannot recommend Katherine highly enough. She was extremely patient and is obviously very talented. I can't believe that I managed to make a beautiful bangle with her help and I will be proud to wear it. The workshop was really lovely, set in a beautiful garden and we were even given homemade cake to have with our cup of tea. I thought it was excellent value and a great way to spend an afternoon plus you come away with a gorgeous bracelet! Thank you so much! I look forward to doing another workshop :-)"

Joan reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"Spent a wonderful weekend in one of the most beautiful places in the Country; reconnecting with art of spinning. Thoroughly enjoyed every minute - the atmosphere was relaxed & friendly & gosh we certainly learnt a lot about wool & spinning. Really enjoyed the lunches of delicious soup and about learning the art of keeping slugs off runner beans! Thank you I would highly recommend the course what ever your ability."

Sharon reviewed: Oil Painting Portraiture Skills with artist Cat MacDiarmid at Cowshed Creative, Lake District

"Kat is a wonderful teacher and the course was brilliant from start to finish. I even have a new found love of charcoal after working with pencil for so long, thanks to techniques and methods that Kat has taught me. George and her husband were great hosts at cowshed providing a homely atmosphere alongside delicious food and friendly conversation. Thank you to all for a wonderful day."

Karen Flynn reviewed: Treatment free beekeeping in horizontal hives - Leo Sharashkin

"I attended Dr Leo Sharashkin's 2day natural beekeeping course in Monmouth and am so happy I did. It was amazing, he really knows how to convey the importance of a natural approach to beekeeping. He is a very good speaker, interactive with the class and has a lot of scientific evidence to back up his own observations. I am certainly keen to try using a horizontal hive next year and this course gave me the confidence to go ahead and change my approach to beekeeping."

susan landon reviewed: Willow garden structures at Cowshed Creative, the Lake District near Windermere

"A brilliant course. Hazel is a great teacher, she explains things clearly and thoroughly and has wonderful examples. She could interest and cope with all abilities, knows so much about felt, gave lots of inspiration and had amazing books about felt. The Cowshed is a lovely space, the fire was lit, lots of homemade delicious food including gluten free yummies. In all I felt very looked after and thoroughly enjoyed the day, just ace, totally recommend."

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Thanks Sue. I've passed all your lovely comments on to Hazel. So impressed by the stunning work everyone made. Hope to see you again."

Rosa reviewed: Felt Landscapes and Textured Panels at Cowshed Creative in the Lake District National Park

"Wonderful, gentle & kind teacher who dedicated every moment to our enjoyment & learning. Complete creative freedom & support. Absolutely loved it & would do it over and over again! Amaaaazing food & beautiful setting & nice warm fire & cups of tea ! Very peaceful and lovely and just fab, thank you!"

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Thanks for such lovely comments Rosa. Hope your enjoying wearing the amazing 3d sunflower you created! Look forward to seeing you again."

Hazel Adair reviewed: Two-day soap-making and skincare business course with The Scottish Soapworks at The Arienas Collective in Edinburgh

"Lynn and Jenny could not have been more accommodating. They tailored the course to suit my business needs and more than fulfilled the brief. In addition the accommodation and breakfast were both excellent ( high praise from a well seasoned traveller) and the welcome warm. Thank you to all - I will be back - and have no hesitation in recommending you!"

The Arienas Collective responded:

"Hello Hazel. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, and for your very kind feedback. I'm glad the course met your business needs, and we were both super impressed with your soap-making ideas, plans and creative ideas! We look forward to hearing how your business progresses. It was also a pleasure having you stay with us, and we look forward to welcoming you back. With very best wishes, Lynn, John & Jenny"

Sue White reviewed: Block printed Lampshades

"The most enjoyable day with Alison, covering the basics of printing on paper and fabric with our own hand made prints. Alison made it so easy and was very encouraging at all stages. She gave us such a warm welcome and was attentive and informative. I wouldn't hesitate to attend another session at this beautiful venue. Thankyou."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Sue, Thank you for your feedback, I am glad that you enjoyed the day. It was lovely to meet you both, you produced some great designs ! Best wishes Alison"

Katherine Miell reviewed: Saturday Silver Ring Making Workshop - Ransom's Pavilion, Hitchin

"Had such a lovely time, making my creations. It was only a small class and Tuuli was able to give everyone plenty of time to talk through all the processes. Really enjoyed the class and can't wait to get started."

Tuuli Parker responded:

"Thank you so much for your feedback Katherine. It is greatly appreciated. Welcome to the addictive world of silversmithing!"

Jess P reviewed: Textured Jewellery Making

"My sister in law and I recently did the textured jewellery workshop with Lonely Ape, and it was so much fun! Very authentic workshop, great tuition - it was only us two so it meant Katherine could really spend time showing us all the different techniques and tools. We both made rings, I made a hammered pinky ring and Lauren made a ring for her thumb. Tea and homemade cake was provided which was a nice touch!"

Gillian reviewed: 10- week Introduction to Soft Pastels online zoom art course with live tuition. Suitable for complete beginners and people with some experience in Art.

"Great course! I thoroughly enjoyed it! I am a complete beginner in art but I always wanted to learn how to draw. Raya has given me the confidence and strong knowledge of the basics of art, which I needed to realise my dream. Thank you so much Raya. I would recommend this course to absolute beginners!"

Wendy Clarke reviewed: Lino-printing onto fabric

"I found this lino printing workshop via the Craft Courses site. I thoroughly enjoyed it, delivered in the lovely surroundings of Lynn's home and with a wonderful lunch. Suzanne was a great teacher, leading us through each step and providing reassurance and guidance when needed. Although I was a bit nervous at the start of the day as I've never been particularly artistic, I finished the day with my own completed design printed on to a canvas tote bag! So I came away feeling pretty pleased. I would highly recommend."

The Arienas Collective responded:

"Hello Wendy. Thank you so much for taking the time to send us a review. I'm glad you enjoyed your workshop and were pleased with your final printed design. I thought your bag looked fabulous! It's tricky learning to create and cut a design for the first time, and hopefully you can use the lino design you took home with you to print onto many more products. We love it when beginners surprise themselves with their own creativity. Hope to welcome you back to The Arienas Collective one day. With best wishes, Lynn :-)"

Emma Norris reviewed: Paint a Lamp and make a Lamp Shade

"Loved the lamp and lampshade course - delighted with the result and had a real giggle of a day too. Highly recommended x"

Liz Southwell reviewed: Paint a Lamp and make a Lamp Shade

"Had a fantastic time at the lamp making course. New skills and lots of giggles. Highly recommended!"

Lesley Ali reviewed: Mosaic day workshop with Professional Artist Coralie Turpin- Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

"This was a most fulfilling course that I would recommend to anyone who wants to show themselves a little love. Coralie is friendly and supportive, the space and tools provided are impeccable and just one session is enough to get you hooked. I’ve already booked myself on another day course. I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to discover their inner creativity. The only danger is that you can get seriously hooked! Thank you Coralie for sharing your expertise, patience and creative wisdom. This was the best thing I’ve done for myself in a very long time."

Bev Bacon reviewed: "Sparkle & Shine": beginner mosaic workshops with Joss Hughes, Peacock Mosaics

"Amazing ...such a patient teacher for absolute beginners ! Joss was full of ideas and inspiration. I have been keen to learn mosiac art for a while and Joss certianly provided everything. Set in an beautiful garden the studio was cosy, warm and comfortable and I will certainly be returning ! A great experience day out with The Barn near by serving fabulous lunches !"

Peacock Mosaics responded:

"Glad you had a great time Bev and good luck with your own mosaic ambitions!"

Roger Stiles reviewed: Introduction to Glass Fusing with Enamels - Full Day Workshop

"Had a great day with Steve and ended up leaving with a lot of ideas about how to use, and adapt, the techniques I learnt."

Judith Stevens reviewed: Felt Landscapes and Textured Panels at Cowshed Creative in the Lake District National Park

"Excellent course, really good selection of materials and plenty of examples to help us to design our own pictures. Our tutor was lovely, really encouraging, helpful and patient. I was very impressed with the pictures I managed to produce. The setting is lovely with the most amazing log burner to keep us warm and cosy. The food was all home made and delicious. A truly wonderful experience, I will certainly keep my eye open for future courses here."

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Lovely to meet you Judith and thanks for your lovely comments. Hope to see you again."

nicola daniel reviewed: Architectural homage freehand machine embroidery or drawing with thread workshop

"I have participated in 2 of Stacey's course at the Sands hotel the first "expressive eye " wasn't sure what to expect and never having done a day workshop I was a bit hesitant. Stacy is such a lovely lady, warm and welcoming, explaining about herself and how she came to where she is. Then onto the free motion! Bit worried never having done before. But Stacy was on hand all the time and had all materials to hand, after some expressive music and a bit of drawing we we were off! I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process from letting go and being creative to reigning in the design! My "expressive eye" is framed on my sewing room wall all framed. The second experience the "fireworks " was just as enjoyable using different media, to make super art works which are now hooped in my sewing room! Above all Stacy created a trusting and creative environment and there was lots of laughter too ! I really enjoyed both workshops ! And I am doing my first free motion quilt so I gained confidence too."

Ian Williamson reviewed: Weekend introductory blacksmithing course 'B' at Quinnell School of Blacksmithing

"A great introduction to forging with brilliant instructors made for a really fun weekend. This was a gift from my family and I really enjoyed it, can't wait to do it again!"

Sarah reviewed: Architectural homage freehand machine embroidery or drawing with thread workshop

"I had the pleasure of attending Stacey’s “Expressive Eye” workshop last year. Stacey has a such a warm and friendly personality and was brilliant at helping me come up with different ideas and techniques to achieve my design. I would definitely recommend attending one of her workshops and hope to book another one soon!."

Lawrence Jones reviewed: Fused glass workshops in Cornwall

"Thanks for a good day; course is very good. Good content for beginners. Facilities in a good location."

E Garcia reviewed: Fused glass workshops in Cornwall

"I've really enjoyed the session today. Wendy was very welcoming and it was really nice being in a small group. The techniques were explained really well and we were able to practice before doing our own piece. Great range of materials available and help if you got stuck. Thanks for a great day, we really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing our pieces once they have been fired."