Latest reviews

Anne reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"I attended the beginners workshop in fused glass last month. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, so much that I have signed up for the advanced workshop this month"

Justine Stroud reviewed: Beginners’ Stained Glass, One Day Course, Llandeilo, Wales - archive

"Simon was very welcoming when I arrived for the course, he has a workshop with all the tools, equipment, books and a very wide range of glass to choose from. He helped when I needed help but also let me experiment with the glass creatively as much as I could as a beginner. I enjoyed the day experiencing a new craft with lots of tea and biscuits. I live a fair distance away so Simon kindly delivered my stained glass to me when he was in the area. I learnt a lot during the day about the process of making a piece of stained glass, had lots of tea and chats with the group and got to meet his lovely family. Thank you so much for this lovely experience, I look forward to the next one."

Donna Gaba reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"I attended Matt's 1 day course in stained glass; the venue was great, relaxed, lots of working space, all the equipment you needed. Matt was great, informative, helped you with ideas, he was supportive and enthusiastic about everyone’s work! Everyone left happy! Great day! Would definitely recommend Matt's workshop!"

Peter Dunn reviewed: Screen printing on glass

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course and thought it was good value. I learned a lot, and I particularly appreciated being able to produce more than one finished, fired piece of glass. The opportunity to make several enabled us to practice the skills we were learning, and refine them. The atmosphere was friendly and positive and the food was good as well. I will be doing further courses with HALT Glass and can wholeheartedly recommend them."

Dan Sweeney reviewed: Bronze casting weekend

"I don't usually leave reviews as I'm a Luddite but I have just had one of the best weekends I've had for years. I have not spent a weekend with the sole purpose of trying to create something that was not measured in numbers, or money made for clients, but in how it made me feel. The course is the perfect introduction into bronze casting and is structured so that by the end of the weekend you just about finish a large cast that you are pretty happy with. Mark is a great teacher and in the 2 days showed me the basics in a relaxed manner that inspired confidence with the ideas the group had come up with, and he always had a way to make something work. Whilst an introductory course, Mark also managed to pass on inspiring information about the art form in general and the historical context throughout the day and during the great lunches prepared by Caroline. Caroline passed on some words of wisdom that helped my bear casts and made everyone feel amazingly welcome and full the whole weekend. Jo, Nick and Tony were great company and helped to make the course a brilliant weekend, even if Nick stole all the bronze with his chair."

John reviewed: Creating a Viking knife an introduction to forging and knife making at Bearded Pig Forge

"I received this present as a gift after geeking out on forged in fire and I wanted to try and see how hard it was. The answer is that it was harder and easier! It takes a lot longer than you think to work the metal and it's quite technical in places. What I found though was that Spike was infinitely patient, allowing you to work after he demonstrated the techniques and then making suggestions to improve your own technique. I felt like the work I produced was mine even though Spike gave me as much or as little guidance as I needed. He is a good teacher and it is obviously something he is passionate and skilled at. He was keen to pass on these skills. I highly recommended this course to anyone."

Kate Barnett reviewed: Spoon carving at Walderchain Wood, Canterbury

"I booked the course as an anniversary present for my husband and I. We had an absolutely fabulous day out in the woods spending some quality time together! Mark and Jill are brilliant teachers, sharing their skill and knowledge. We had a great time picking up a new craft surprisingly quickly! We both headed home with spoons to be proud of and all of our fingers still in place! The food was lovely, the setting authentic and the company friendly! Brilliant day! Would recommend to anyone!!"

Sue Parrott reviewed: Mosaic and Glass Art 2 day Course

"What a great way to spend a weekend. Maggie's organisation and preparation together with her enthusiasm and knowledge of her subject is inspiring. The warmth of the welcome puts you at ease immediately and the small class size is great as it allows you all to learn from each other and interact from the onset. Maggie has such patience and determination that everyone should get exactly what they want from the experience that you actually get so much more. I will definitely be back for more....can't wait! Thankyou"

Pretty Rubbish Mosaics responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review Sue. We shared a fantastic workshop and everyone was so clever and motivated, it was a treat to work with you all.Please come back.. you must continue with this hobby."

Tatiana reviewed: Modern calligraphy (full day workshop) - Hampshire

"Fantastic course, Sunita is lovely and extremely talented, I came away feeling very accomplished and inspired!"

Sam Henson reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian is a very personable, friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgable teacher. He provides depth and history behind the skill and teaches some of the basic and more in depth skills to create your own home's furniture. I couldn't recommend this course enough whether you're a beginner or have reasonable experience working with tools, you're sure to learn something! Sam"

jane robinson reviewed: Asymmetrical basket making courses - two days with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden Yorkshire

"Great course, great materials, lovely people!"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thanks jane for taking the time to leave me a review. xxx"

Michelle Butler reviewed: Ceramic slip casting workshop

"Alison is an excellent teacher. The course was informative and a lot of fun. There was a huge selection of moulds to choose from. I chose to make some hedgehogs that were ever so cute. I look forward to seeing the finished products. Would recommend this workshop."

Amanda O'Halloran reviewed: Jewellery making with silver clay - one day beginners workshop

"I had a really fantastic day on this course. The instructor was very friendly and knowledgeable and explained everything very well. I made some amazing pieces that I am really proud of thanks to expert tuition. Well done Charlotte and thank you for giving me a new skill, I will think of you every time I make a new piece of jewellery."

Felix & Reuben Jewellery School responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review Amanda."

Chao reviewed: Two day (consecutive) stained glass starter course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"I would highly recommend this course for anyone who is interested in learning more about stained glass. Paul is a wonderful, patient tutor who explains concepts really well - we had a relaxed 2 days making the panel and enjoyed every bit of it! Additionally, the environment was lovely and the coffee/tea flowed in abundance. Paul and Natalie also were really attentive of dietary requirements (e.g. gluten free) and made sure we were well looked after. If you are a beginner who is hesitating whether or not to book this course, I would recommend you to go for it! You will not regret it!"

Paul Carabini reviewed: Taster pottery throwing lesson (various dates)

"My wife and I attended the afternoon beginners course. It was a really enjoyable afternoon. Jack the instructor was very personable and helpful. He gave us all the training and support we needed and made it a fun experience. I would definitely recommend!"

Diane reviewed: Mosaic workshop in Hornsea coastal town

"Excellent day, very enjoyable. Learned lots & came home with a fabulous mosaic!"

Mosaic Mosaic responded:

"Many thanks Diane, Glad you enjoyed it. I think I enjoy myself as must as everyone else. It is fun meeting everyone. Thanks for coming."

Rebecca reviewed: Fused glass workshops for all

"I had a fantastic time on this course. Karen was friendly and informative and really helped me let my creative juices flow! We got great instruction, plenty of materials to pick from and beautiful ideas to get you started. I love the pieces I created and had such fun doing it!"

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

"I thoroughly enjoyed the oil painting day course with Sue. She is warm, welcoming and knowledgeable not to mention full of great tips. I surprised myself with the winter scene that I was able to create with Sue’s support and guidance. The day was well paced and I enjoyed every minute. Highly recommended."

Nina Sergison reviewed: Fused glass Christmas decorations (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"As a complete beginner to working with glass I thought the course was relaxed (deceptively so, as we made lots of Xmas decs ), interesting and very informative ! Lots of encouragement and help from Martin ! The hamlet looks interesting and on a nice day I’m sure would be worth a wander round with a nice cafe and toilets. Seriously considering enrolling for the 10 wk course."

Wendy May reviewed: Modern calligraphy (full day workshop) - Hampshire

"Long an admirer of modern calligraphy, I decided I'd learn it myself. Sunita is the perfect teacher. She has a warm and friendly style which puts everyone at their ease. She explains the various steps to learn different letter shapes in a simple way, encouraging questions, and then lets students practise before explaining more. In between demonstrations, she walked from table to table helping students. She moved on to showing different types of writing - including how to "bounce" words (letters joined up but each at different heights, which is typical of modern calligraphy). She then encouraged everyone to complete their own projects - cards, bookmarks, gift tags, etc - using materials she supplied. All in all, I loved the workshop and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking to learn or impove their modern calligraphy skills."

Pauline Manners reviewed: Christmas Pudding - needle felting workshop with The Lady Moth

"What a nice person and what an excellent teacher, thank you Zenia. I have done a number of sessions and really enjoyed them all. Even as a total beginner kind and patient help meant I was able to be really pleased with my first attempt at a little fox."

Jonathan Newell reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"What a superb day! Two friendly, helpful and enthusiastic leaders. Home made flapjack and biscuits with tea and coffee when I arrived. Home made cake at the end of the day . Two projects demonstrated and made successfully . Great companions all working hard and cheerfully . What a splendid day! I'm looking on the website to see if I can go again. Thank you all so much ."

Katrina reviewed: Textile landscape workshop in Dorset

"Imogen was warmly welcoming, calm, organised, clear and patient in delivering this workshop. She encouraged free use of imagination and experimenting with colours, textures and effects based on initial ideas - of which she provided many. It inspired me to just take the plunge, as did the support and encouragement between all participants - what a great atmosphere and also an opportunity to meet people of like mind. The lunch was delicious (how did Imogen manage all this?) and gave the added bonus of relaxed conversation - plenty of coffee/tea/biscuits throughout the day too. Ditching my problematic electric machine, the timely loan of a vintage hand-cranked Singer helped to avoid disappointment. I've now cleaned up and learned how to navigate the intricacies of a vintage Singer previously languishing in the shed at home."

Imogen Bittner Studio responded:

"I'm very pleased that you have renovated your old Singer as I personally find them easier to use, as I think you did mine, on the day. I'm even more pleased that you enjoyed the day and want to continue to work in this way. I thought your use of fabric was innovative and your subtle use of colour produced a really delicate and well thought out piece of work. Your presence on the course added to the very enjoyable atmosphere and I would welcome you back, should you wish to try another."

Maria Sheridan reviewed: Willow Ethical Trophy Stag Head sculpture course with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden, West Yorkshire

"The ethical trophy stag head sculpture workshop was a lot of fun with excellent tuition from Joe. We learnt so much about willow and how it was grown and treated before we worked with it. I knew so little about it before and now I'd like to craft with it again. I'll definitely be booking another workshop in the very near future."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"really happy you enjoyed the course maria. xxx"

Tracey reviewed: Metal jewellery and silversmithing, beginner to intermediate, 4 weeks.

"Tracey is an excellent teacher with a great sense of humour. I attended one of her workshops with my daughters and niece and I was amazed at how much we made in such a short amount of time. Tracey somehow managed to balance all the health and safety stuff with a fun and relaxed approach. We learnt a lot in a few hours and came away with lots of silver treasures. My daughters and niece are really proud of their rings and earrings. I have previously attended silver making night classes where I achieved very little over weeks and weeks. Tracey's courses are quite different. I would recommend this course without hesitation."