Latest reviews

Tony Mellerick reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Woodturning was something I had thought about trying for sometime, but never actually did anything about, until my wife finally got fed up with hearing it and bought me a day course for my birthday! As the day of the course approached, my doubts started to increase, with it being a one to one session there would be no hiding my complete lack of woodworking skills and what if I just made a complete mess of it? As it turned out I needn't have worried at all. From the moment I arrived and Mark made the tea, I felt that I was in safe hands. The course was very comprehensive, without causing information overload and got down to the practical work very quickly. Mark's style of teaching was very laid back and I felt that it was ok to make mistakes as part of the learning process. He was very patient and I felt comfortable that no question was too stupid, apart from maybe "Do you want another cup of tea yet?". Over all, a very interesting and fun day, with the added bonus of taking home a bowl, which now has pride of place on the sideboard. The course certainly sparked my interest in the craft and I am now looking at buying my own lathe to see what I can do myself."

Meriel Antoniou reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"This was an excellent course for anyone wanting to try their hand at spinning for the first time. Elaine is a wonderful teacher with a huge amount of patience. She shared her knowledge with enthusiasm and welcomed us into her home. We were able to experiment on several different types of wheel and were taught various different methods for each stage of the process. I have certainly got the bug as a result of this course and am already searching for the spinning wheel that will transform my own flock of Ryeland sheeps fleeces into yarn!"

Claire reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"I did the fanbird course in May and made two fanbirds which I am going to give as gifts. Everything was really well organised and it's a very fun activity. Steve also helped me organise my tools and gave lots of advice so I can carry on at home."

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

"This course is brilliant, can’t believe how much I learnt in 2 days. Elaine has a very encouraging and relaxed teaching method, thoroughly recommend this course."

Cartmel Handspun Spinning School responded:

"Thank you. It was a pleasure to work with you."

Pauline Johnston reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I've had a great time learning the process of spinning and this course has given me the confidence to start producing my own hand spun yarn in the future. Elaine is a fabulous tutor, her passion for what she does shines through and is inspiring. I also met two lovely, interesting ladies also on the course with me. Elaine brings you into her home, treats you to a tasty lunch and lots of tea,"it's thirsty work!" At the end of day two you leave with your very own yarn and lots of good advice to carry forward."

Ian wheeler reviewed: Willow piglet/ small pig workshop Burley New Forest

"First class tuition First class food Made very welcome A very good day."

Willow and Crafts responded:

"Hi Ian and Sheila thank you for your lovely review. it is much appreciated Best wishes Jacquie"

Sarah Knight reviewed: Green wood chair making in Suffolk

"Fantastic time learning new skills and producing a beautiful unique chair from scratch, at a pace that made the experience both relaxing and therapeutic. We were made very welcome and well provided for by Stewart, Belle, and Fin during our unforgettable week. As a birthday present from my partner Paul and with wonderful stay down the road at Yew Tree Cottage the week was perfect. Recommended to anyone, no matter what your limitations may be."

Valerie reviewed: Learn to Felt - An Introduction to Felt Making in Birmingham

"A wonderful workshop with the opportunity to create two pieces of felt. Emma gave a really useful introduction to felting and then demonstrated the processes really clearly. Not only did we have a lovely choice of wool tops to create the felt base but also lots of threads and bits to embellish the pieces. Great studio, brilliant tutor and a lovely creative way to spend a few hours."

Liz Pearl reviewed: Introducing Macrame Knots and Intricate Designs

"Mary is a wonderfully kind, experienced and patient teacher. She explained each of the key knots and guided us through each stage of the sample with marvellously clear instructions, and with tea and biscuits too! It was a lovely afternoon. As a complete beginner, it was a delight to see my sampler take shape so fast, and felt I had learned a new skill by the end of the afternoon. I'm now excited to experiment with Macramé designs and planning my next Macramé project!"

Jennifer Denning reviewed: Lampworking Workshop: Half Day Beginners Workshop

"I brought my daughter for her 14th birthday and we both had a really inspiring, enjoyable time. It was nice to find someone who was prepared to have someone of my daughter's age as many places stipulate 16. I've always had a fascination with glass work and my daughter had been keen to try some for a while too. She was particularly keen to work with hot glass so Suzanne's workshop was perfect for her. It's also nice that beads can be easily used afterwards to create a memento of the occasion. It was a nice environment to work in, Suzanne was very friendly and helpful and the biscuits were also very nice ?"

Suzanne Jewellery responded:

"So please you both enjoyed your workshop, I look forward to seeing what you made with your beads. Thank you for taking the time to write a review."

Leonie Buntin reviewed: Business candle making workshop - one to one

"Great to meet Kerry. We really enjoyed our workshop - just what we needed to answer a million questions about candle making! We left feeling more confident and knowledgeable about the whole process and Kerry provided us with ample notes to assist. We look forward to more courses with Kerry."

Paul Murray reviewed: Green wood chair making in Suffolk

"Had a fabulous five days last week with Stewart learning and making my very own chair. Went with the other half Sarah, and our dog Delilah and stayed nearby, the course was really friendly and we all enjoyed ourselves with the two other students. Fin made us very welcome and we got a lovely lunch each day courtesy of Belle. I honestly did not believe I was capable of producing a piece of functional furniture that I am very proud of. All four students produced their own wonderful chair. The course allows you to work with all the tools and materials that are needed to produce a chair that is unique and beautiful. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anybody interested in furniture making."

Jan walker reviewed: Watercolour painting day - Floral & botanical - with artist Laura Andrew

"Laura was totally inspiring and gave so much information and knowledge on the day. As she only has a very small group of four this enabled us all to have as much of her time with each of us as necessary. She also provided the most excellent afternoon tea to enhance the wonderful day of watercolour painting. Thank you so much Laura."

Lesley Doyle reviewed: 1-to-1 Mount cutting and effective presentation for painters and photographers

"As a photographer, there is the creative flow of taking, processing, cropping and printing a photograph, but attending Lynne's excellent course reinforced emphatically for me that mounting is another essential part of that creative flow, and one not to be neglected or handed over to a framing shop! Lynne is an excellent teacher, attentive and responsive to the needs of her students, and I was very pleased indeed to take home my mounted work at the end of the day to show off. The day was well structured, with good notes and demonstrations moving quickly on to preparing and cutting mounts ourselves, we were so engrossed and caught up in it we lost track of time! An excellent day, and very pleased indeed that I attended."

Marianne Browning reviewed: Weekend upholstery courses - Oxfordshire & Berkshire Borders

"I loved every minute of this 2 day weekend course. Philip is an excellent teacher with endless patience and enthusiasm and he helped me every step of the way. I managed to complete my project in the two days, and am so pleased with the result. I was looking for a course where I could work on my own project rather than everyone working on the same footstool or drop in chair seat, and this definitely fitted the bill. I thoroughly recommend this course - so much so that I have booked another one. I met some lovely new like-minded people working on completely different projects, with different levels of experience and I found that this added an extra dimension to the weekend. Tip: choose something very simple for a first project. I was amazed at how many steps were involved even for my simple chair seat."

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

"Jo is such a great instructor with an obvious super passion for the craft which comes across in her teaching. This was my second course and again I loved it. The atmosphere in the studio is just lovely, I always feel very welcome. I have learnt so much and look forward to my next course. I would recommend without hesitation to anyone looking to book a course with Jo. Kathryn"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thank you Katheryn! a lovely review: ) and a gorgeous basket you wove too!! Joe. xxx"

Gill Harrison reviewed: One day Mosaic workshop Moon Hare Studio, Devon

"Relaxed friendly atmosphere. Adela offered just the right balance of guidance and freedom to explore. The day flew by and the three of us in my group all loved the experience."

Louise James reviewed: Experimental Printmaking inspired by Mid Century Design in Derbyshire

"I spend such an enjoyable day with Liz learning about experimental printing techniques. I was a little worried at first that I might not be able to create design that I liked or execute the printing well enough but I needn't have worried as Liz soon put me at ease and her excellent preparation meant that there was plenty of inspiration to start me off. Liz took me gently through mark making and various printing techniques in logical and achievable steps interspersed with lovely coffee and biscuits in airy and inspirational surroundings...and Bert the cat is simply adorable! By the end of the day I left the Slipper Studio with an arm full of beautiful prints, a smile on my face and a mind full of ideas for future projects at home. Thank you Liz!"

Liz Wellby - Artist, Teacher & Maker responded:

"Thanks for taking the time to review your day. Really pleased that you enjoyed your workshop and felt supported throughout the day. I loved your choice of colours. Hope you have time to plan some new ideas. Best wishes Liz Wellby"

Rachael Fairbrother reviewed: A General Leatherwork Skill Day

"I really enjoyed my day brushing up on the techniques I already have and then moving onto learning new techniques. Nigel is very knowledgeable and teaches with great enthusiasm, I came away feeling I had achieved so much and am already booked for next date!"

Robin Felton reviewed: Spoon carving - a one day course in North Cornwall

"The most enjoyable and rewarding day I have had for a long time. The instruction was excellent from knowledgeable and skilled trainers who were patient and supportive throughout the day. I would recommend this day to anyone interested in learning this fantastic skill."

Maria reviewed: Felted handbag / handwarmers workshop at the Heron Corn Mill in Beetham

"Excellent course. Very pleased with my lampshade. Erika is an excellent teacher. I’d recommend this course, I hadn’t done any felting before, thoroughly enjoyed it."

Ian reviewed: Introduction to screen printing

"Great value for money and nice to come away with a cushion cover that was finished and ready to use in one day. Ria is lovely. Lots of help, lots of encouragement and lots of tea!"

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

"I really enjoyed my asymmetrical basket course with Joe at Creative with Nature. I'm thrilled with my basket. Joe is really friendly, helpful and enthusiastic. She's an excellent teacher and patient too. Thoroughly recommended."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"Lovely review! Thank you Helen. Joe. xxx"

EMMA COTTRILL reviewed: Learn to Felt - An Introduction to Felt Making in Birmingham

"A thoroughly enjoyable workshop. Emma was a fantastic, engaging teacher and her passion for the craft was infectious. I'm so glad I went and would highly recommend."

Nancy Archer reviewed: Painting with beeswax & dyes - Batik Pictures

"Enjoyed my first Batik course so much...I came back for a 2nd...enjoyed so much..I’m thinking of doing a 3rd ?"

Feltworld - Creative Arts responded:

"Thank you. It was lovely to teach you again Nancy. You have a natural talent and colour sense, I will look forward to teaching you in the future :-). Maybe try the crackle glaze!"