Latest reviews

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."

Alex Parker reviewed: Glass fusing workshop - 1 day

"Loved the whole day. Perfect workspace. Loved the open choice and able to make anything we wanted. My mum and I cannot wait to go back and collect our pieces to see the final result."

Fired Glass responded:

"Thank you Alex for your review. We're pleased that our workshop format and approach met your needs and you both enjoyed the day. Your items will soon be available for you to collect. Kind regards John"

zoe mcdonald reviewed: Private weaving tuition in Hampshire

"My 11 year old son had a private weaving workshop with Ellie and loved it. He was so inspired and happy afterwards, and I was amazed at the pieces he managed to create under Ellie’s expert tuition. He loved the conversations they had too and all her yarns and looms. The first thing he said when he got back in the car was: ‘when can I come back?’"

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for the lovely review Zoe. Fred is an inspiration and welcome back in my studio anytime!"

Shirley Griffin reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"What a great way to spend a day. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole time. Not being a very 'crafty creative person' I was a little apprehensive, however Denise was fantastic, teaching needle felting and encouraging this novice! I'm now hooked and looking forward to having a go at creating a little teddy ? ?. Home made treats throughout the day were fantastic too. I can't thank Denise enough and would recommend the course to anyone thinking about having a go. PS my proud hare has pride of place ?. Thank you Denise."

Crafty Gal responded:

"Ah thank you so much Shirley! I'm thrilled you enjoyed your day with me, and are now embarking on your own needle felting adventure! Don't forget to send me pics, would love to see how you get on. Have fun! Dx"

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

"Ellie's weaving workshop was a lovely way to spend an evening. She is a great teacher - informative, encouraging and generous with her time. There were lots of resources available and the handouts will be very useful. I came away feeling that I had learnt enough to be comfortable starting my own projects at home. Thank you Ellie!"

Elka responded:

"Thank you for the lovely review Fiona. It was great to meet you and i'm so glad you enjoyed the workshop, and that you feel confident to continue at home. Your weaving was wonderful! Very best wishes, Ellie"

Nikki Chesterman reviewed: Boat making day using the technique of sgraffito on coloured glass

"I really wanted to learn scraffito... I am also a lino cutter and doodler... and this fitted the bill exactly... everything was explained clearly and I even learnt how to make the little boat to stand the sail in... so I felt that I had learned a great deal... not only did I come away with a beautiful little boat... I also now have lots of new knowledge that I can apply to other bits of my glass making. Thank you Brian. I thoroughly recommend the course."

Nikki Chesterman reviewed: Learn how to make a stained glass panel

"This was my first time with stained glass... and I made a panel that even I was impressed with! Brian was patient and clear with his tutoring... and I felt there were endless possibilities to what I could do.. a lovely couple of days in his new studio and I came away with a treasure... thank you Brian... thoroughly recommend the course."

Sara Squire reviewed: Learn how to make a stained glass panel

"I attended this course with Brian over summer and it was fab! My stained glass and leading knowledge is limited so I wanted to refresh my skills and this course ticked all the boxes. Brian explained each process clearly and I thoroughly enjoyed making my panel. I would recommend this course."

Kate Garner reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"Lucy is a warm, supportive and encouraging teacher. I felt immediately at ease in her company and in her wonderful studio where she guided us all through our individual projects and imparted lots of honest and helpful advice. She was really encouraging and respectful of everyone's different tastes and ideas. The day flew by as it was so much fun and so engaging getting stuck into something creative with the help of a knowledgeable teacher. My project was quite ambitious, but Lucy made sure I knew what to do to finish it at home, and I know the offer to email her if I needed any help was a genuine one. I picked up so many different tips and ideas throughout the day from her and the other two students, who were also lovely. I went by myself as my friend wasn't able to make it in the end, but you can pretty much guarantee you'll be in great company! Thank you Lucy, hope to see you again! Kate X"

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

"What a challenging, unusual, stimulating and satisfying weekend this turned out to be! Excellent tutoring from Ambrose with great support from Richard and Pauline Quinnell (super lunches, general good cheer and really interesting professional insights ) and help from the skilled and knowledgeable Eamonn in a really memorable setting. I knew aspects of it would be tough (I'm not exactly a natural blacksmith) but I was supported all the way and came home with some lovely pieces that will always remind me of time well spent. A huge thank you to all involved! NB: the banging-nails-into-wood exercise that Richard recommends before you attend the course is well worthwhile."