Latest reviews

Stephanie Wright reviewed: Screen printing on glass

"This course is excellent. Jim teaches and shares his knowledge and experience and I came away from the course feeling confident that I can use the skills I learned in my own practice. The course is well structured so as to use the time fully. The setting is really nice with the studio in Jim’s garden and it was nice to say hello to his family! I would really recommend this course if you are wanting to further your experience in glass, thoroughly enjoyed it"

Sheree reviewed: Learn to sew a reversible tote bag

"Lovely, clear guidance and support. I'm feeling proud of my reversible tote bag. Thank you"

Kate reviewed: Beginners Sewing - Day course - Get to know your sewing machine

"Excellent! Very helpful and very informative. Really enjoyable."

Fiona reviewed: Beginners Sewing - Day course - Get to know your sewing machine

"Really enjoyed the whole day. Constructive, clear and supportive instruction. Creative crafts achieved. Judi is helpful and with a sense of humour. Nice venue and warm! Thanks :)"

Judith reviewed: Beginners Sewing - Day course - Get to know your sewing machine

"I am really suprised at how much I learnt during the day - it far exceeded my expectations. The pace was just right, as was the size of the class, and it allowed for plenty of one to one guidance."

Jenny Martin reviewed: Beginner Pottery Classes at the Corner Workshop

"Fabulous way to spend a few hours. Calm and patient teacher - brought out my creative side!!"

Judith Anderson reviewed: Divine Dahlia - felt headpiece

"Superb venue and excellent tuition from the talented and generous Margaret. Please organise another workshop soon!"

Margaret Woodliff Wright Millinery responded:

"Thank you Judith - working on the next one now! Will see you very soon. Margaret"

Fenella Murray Willis reviewed: Family Morning Pottery Experience (suitable for beginners)

"I have been going to The Clay Studio for over two years and I absolutely love my Tuesday morning sessions there! Eunice and Helen are wonderful and very knowledgeable teachers and they make it such fun, as do my brilliant and very talented classmates! I would recommend a taster session or a term’s course to anyone!"

The Clay Studio responded:

"Thanks Fenella. So pleased you enjoy coming to our studio on an ongoing basis."

Rosie reviewed: Screen printing on glass

"This was an excellent course, from total beginners to more experienced glass artists, all abilities are catered for. You will be taught everything you need to know to produce some amazing prints on glass. We were taken through choosing images to how to make your own individual screen. Tea, coffee etc and lunch is included, yum yum! The studio is in the garden with views over a green. We booked as a couple and my partner (total novice) and I thoroughly enjoyed our 2 days. If you get a chance to do this course you won’t regret it. Highly recommended."

Oliver Ward reviewed: Leather Crossbody/Messenger or Tote bag

"After extensive searching online throughout the south-east I settled on Richard’s crossbody messenger bag course as the best value for money course and I wasn’t disappointed. After a cuppa and an initial introduction to leather making we went straight to work on our bags. I had brought my laptop in so we could match the dimensions as I had aspirations to create a smart satchel for client visits. By lunch we had both started to saddle stitch our bags together, all the while Richard had been dispensing extensive knowledge about the business of leather making as well as guiding each stage of the process. Having attended a number of craft courses I must say Richard does a good job of patiently guiding without interfering with your final product. By late afternoon, we were putting the finishing touches to our bags riveting the strap and buckles as well as polishing off the final bag. By evening I had the finished product, a full-grain pull-up handmade and bespoke leather bag which would probably cost £200-£300 in the shops (and would probably be made from cheaper top-grain or so-called “genuine” PVC bonded leather). I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Richard’s course to anyone interested in leatherwork, his patient tuition allowed me to gain confidence with each stage and I have received compliments about my bag from various friends and strangers about town."

Laura Pilgrim reviewed: Screen printing on glass

"A really enjoyable two days with Jim. Thorough and fun, I came away with both practical advice and some beautiful bits of work. Ideal for people who want to gain knowledge to take their practice further or just even as a treat to come away with a piece of work. Lovely studio and very hospitable. The main take away for me was Jim’s generosity of sharing his knowledge that otherwise would take many, many months of trial and error for the inexperienced. Absolute pleasure."

Jacquie Easton reviewed: Watercolour 2 day Art & Spa full board learn to paint @ The Flackley Ash Hotel Rye Sussex

"This is the 2nd time I have attended a weekend course and it definitely won’t be the last. I cannot recommend it enough. Vicki and Beth are brilliant, the hotel is excellent and the painting is so relaxing and great fun. The course is suitable for all ages and all abilities, including those who have never picked up a brush before. Go with your friends, family, partner or on your own - just book it you will not regret it!"

Gail Gray reviewed: Beginners silver clay jewellery class with Anna Campbell

"Hi Lynn I was on the silver clay course today. Firstly can I say what a beautiful house you live in and secondly the quality and quantity of food and refreshments served was amazing. Thank you so much I enjoyed everything. Can you please pass on my thanks to Anna. She was so knowledgeable, informative and her experience, passion and love of jewellery shone through. The course exceeded any expectations I had. I can’t wait to learn more and look forward to seeing you again. Thank you both for a fantastic day. Gail"

The Arienas Collective responded:

"Hello Gail Thank you so much for taking time to leave us this lovely review. You have summed up what we hope to achieve here: to provide a relaxing and welcoming space; to make you feel like you have taken 'time out' from every day life through fully engaging in a creative activity; and to inspire you to continue being creative at home. It sounds like we managed that for you which makes us very, very happy :-) Anna and I are so glad you enjoyed your day, and we look forward to welcoming you back to The Arienas Collective soon. And thank you for supporting local artists and makers. With best wishes, Lynn :-)"

Hilary Kidd reviewed: Mount cutting and effective presentation for painters and photographers

"The day of learning to cut mounts was very interesting and productive. It took some time to get used to using the cutter, as I am left handed and its design seemed to be biased towards right handed people! Lynne helped me to find out the best way to use it. I made mounts for a photo, a monoprint, and a drypoint etching, all completely different pieces of work. The day was very well structured, and although there was a lot to take in, we still had time to chat over coffee and lunch. Overall, Lynne was an excellent teacher, very knowledgable but also relaxed and approachable."

Helen Evans reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery Workshop at The Haberdashery, Hitchin

"Had a lovely time at Tuuli's silver clay workshop. It was great to be able to work through each step of the process and leave at the end wearing the silver pendant I'd made. Tuuli couldn't have been more helpful and patient and it was great to see how many different things different members of the group made. I've got lots of ideas for next time already!"

Tuuli Parker responded:

"Thank you for your lovely feedback Helen, it is very much appreciated. So great to see you wear your jewellery home too! Looking forward to seeing what you make next!"

Judith Varley-Evans reviewed: Fused glass workshops in Cumbria

"I had a really enjoyable day learning with like minded people. I'm experienced with copper foil glass work and it was a great refresher and I learnt quite a bit of new stuff with glass fusing so even if you have experience you will learn something new. Beautiful surroundings and great glass studio. Alison was very kind and generous with her time and materials. Well worth going on."

Lakes Glass-Cumbria responded:

"Thank you so much Judith for your kind review, it was an absolute pleasure to have you on the course. I can't wait to see your dish with the robin design on top once it had been fused and slumped. Hoping to get all the dishes in today for their first fuse! I really enjoyed the day with a lovely bunch of people. Thanks again Alison"

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 learn to paint @ 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"