Latest reviews

Sarah Wilkinson-Wright reviewed: Upholstery skills - from basic to advanced, traditional and modern styles

"Attending Manor House School of Upholstery is a weekly highlight. Jan and Angela pitch their teaching at your level and are very patient. It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills and make friends in a welcoming and supportive environment."

Geraldine Harpur reviewed: Glass painting with Sarah Lewis, Wolverhampton

"Really enjoyable course ( I felt terrible as I got lost and arrived late), however Sarah, her husband and other ladies on the course made me feel very welcome. Lovely welcoming atmosphere and Sarah had thoughtfully provided some soya milk for me. Although I have not painted on glass before she helped me to learn the basics. Very friendly atmosphere, we all enjoyed a laugh and learned some skills in a pleasant, relaxed fashion. Good communication and teaching skills. very positive approach, which I appreciated. The dogs were very friendly yet unobtrusive. I have become keen on glass painting and plan to try more of it...I SO need more practice ! ...Spent a fun few hours , definitely recommend...Thanks Sarah, Geraldine."

Sarah Lewis Designs responded:

"Thanks so much for the lovely review. So glad you enjoyed it. It was really nice to meet you. You did a great job! You don't need THAT much practice! Lol! Hope to see you again! Sarah."

Susan Callcutt reviewed: Sea glass pendant making workshop at Crook Hall

"Another enjoyable course with lovely wearable jewellery to come away with. I felt honoured that you offered such large pieces of sea glass from your own collection. Thank you for sharing your lovely sea glass finds and your skills and experience."

Bench Box responded:

"You're welcome Sue, thanks for coming along, some more lovely jewellery you've created!"

Fiona Rust reviewed: Wet felting / needle felting workshop: Private session with Zenia from The Lady Moth

"I organised a private workshop for our team as part of a team building day. Zenia was really accomodating from the start and really knowledgeable so helped us to come to a decision on what workshop would be best for us. We ended up doing mushrooms. What a fab afternoon we had. Zenia was an excellent teacher and took us through step by step with really clear instructions. We were all complete beginners but all came away with a great mushroom. Would thoroughly recommend - am trying to find an excuse to book another one! Thank you Zenia!"

Malcolm Blackie reviewed: 'Make and Mend' Woodworking Course in North Norfolk

"Well equipped, fun and enjoyable. I am doing and making things I would never have thought possible. Good company and skilful patient tuition."

Katherine D reviewed: Two day leather bag making workshop

"Just spent a lovely couple of days at Rosanna's studio in Cranleigh. With Rosanna's help I made a bespoke outdoors backpack for my Husband's birthday, which he absolutely loved! I learnt a lot over the two days - enough to have a go at a few small projects at home now. My 10 year old daughter came with me on the second day and she absolutely loved it. Rosanna taught her how to make a few items which she was over the moon with and great activity for her during the school holidays. She has already said she would love to go back again another time. Thank you Rosanna, we both really enjoyed it!"

Phil Reuben reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"This is my second course with James. My first was the amazing animal clay course and this one was the wire mixed media course. Initially a frightening prospect but once James starts to explain and then to be at your side with advice and help it starts to come together. The final results were splendid and everybody enjoyed themselves and most of us will continue to use wire as a medium."

Irene Lockley reviewed: 3D needle felting with Fluffy Voodoo

"Fluffy Voodoo provided an exciting project that was challenging and also fun. Tutoring was superb. I certainly never expected to come away with a cute 3D hare from the day. This was my first attempt at 3D felting. I will definitely give it another go very soon."

Gina reviewed: Taster pottery throwing lesson (various dates)

"We got the taster session for a friend as a birthday present and we all enjoyed it very much and had such a nice afternoon. It was a really nice, relaxed atmosphere and Jack was so helpful and managed to correct even our wobbliest pots. He managed, don't ask me how, to have an eye on all of us and make us all feel like we can master the wheel. I would definitely recommend the taster course and I'm sure if you move on the the longer courses they will be just as great."

Adam Burch reviewed: 3 hour Silver jewellery course

"Cannot recommend Richard and his course highly enough. From the offset very professional, discussing over the phone a plan for the day, very tailored to your aims and what you want to get out of the day(s). Richard is very knowledgeable about his craft and eagerly explained the processes and approaches to jewellery making and common errors to avoid. I went away much more confident in the process and with a couple of very nice creations! Thanks Richard!"

Freya reviewed: Introduction to Natural Dyeing, Mere, Wiltshire

"Having done an Elka course (Beginners Weaving) earlier this year with Ellie, I was excited at trying out another workshop offering with Natural Dyeing taught by Ellie's mum Claudia. Having read a bit about dyeing processes before and found it a bit confusing, this workshop was wonderful and perfect for beginners. Claudia is a knowledgeable and friendly teacher, happy to answer any questions, and gives clear instruction. Having a small class size meant a relaxed and friendly atmosphere which allowed time for extra help when required. The location was also lovely at Turner & Thom, with a nice outdoor picnic spot for lunch amongst the trees, and teas and coffees throughout the day. I feel I have enough knowledge now to have a go at home with more confidence than before. Definitely recommended - a lovely way to spend a day!"

Elka responded:

"Hi Freya, It was such a pleasure to have you on another workshop and thank you so much for the lovely review! X"

Emma reviewed: Leather Crossbody/Messenger or Tote bag

"I really recommend this workshop and Richard's other courses to anyone who enjoys crafts, wants to learn new skills, and likes leather. It's a full day but you come out on the other side having had a great time and with a very good looking bag that you can personalise to just your taste. Richard is a great teacher who is happy to share his extensive knowledge of leather and leather-goods making, and it's fascinating! The techniques you learn in this workshop can be used to create such a variety of other things, you leave happy and inspired!"

Wendy reviewed: DELETE-Business Course in Traditional & Modern Upholstery (Taster Day)

"Sarah's upholstery tuition is first class. She is welcoming, exceptionally knowledgeable and a pleasure to work alongside. Sarah is generous with her time and skills giving her students a superb blend of practical skill, confidence in their craftsmanship and career guidance. Sarah's well equipped workshop is the perfect learning environment. She is a fantastic host providing lovely lunches and refreshments. All going to form a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere in which to learn, not just what is described in the course outline but so much more. I have enjoyed my diploma course with Sarah enormously and cannot recommend her highly enough."

Clive reviewed: Leather working craft course in France in a beautiful workshop

"I did both the beginner and advanced courses earlier this year. Jonathan, who runs the course, lives, eats and breathes traditional leather working. He has a great amount of experience and starts right at the very beginning for those with little or no experience and adds on the various methods and techniques as your abilities develop. He is a great teacher and is very patient. It’s a really lovely setting in the heart of the Dordogne, with Jason and Kasia providing an environment that truly feels like a home from home as soon as you arrive. After a full day concentrating hard and learning new skills, the cosy living room with its huge fireplace is a lovely place to retire to and chat with the other students. The course represents amazing value for money and I highly recommend that anyone who has an interest in leather working takes a serious look at this option. I know you won’t be disappointed. I enjoyed it so much that I’ll be going back to do the advanced course again and learn more about wet moulding and box stitching."

Jenny Allman reviewed: Furniture painting workshop near Welshpool, Powys

"Wonderful day, great fun, learnt loads, highly recommended. Kara is a lovely lady and is very patient!"

Abso-Crafting-Lutely responded:

"Thank you so much Jenny! I'm glad you enjoyed it, your stool turned out lovely!"

Rob Hill reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"Hi, I spent 2 says with Alex last week and thoroughly enjoyed my time and would recommend it to any one. Alex is a brilliant tutor who took time to explain all techniques and offered help when needed. The course was an excellent insight into the complex world of Blacksmithing."

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Thanks for the great review Rob, glad you enjoyed it. It's good to hear your feedback. Alex"

Hazel White reviewed: Private or private group silver jewellery making / silversmithing workshop day at Silver Designed Personally

"My one to one workshop with Sara, trying my hand at silversmithing was a totally satisfying and enjoyable day. The studio is well equipped, and organised and I tried several interesting techniques with Sara’s experienced guidance. She is an excellent teacher, relaxed yet purposeful and was very open to helping me achieve a piece of my own design. I was so pleased with the pendant I made, would love to go again and thoroughly recommend it."

Madeleine reviewed: Mosaics for the home and garden

"We enjoyed a one day course back in July. We were absolute beginners but Francis gave us all the information and guidance we needed to get started. It was a lot of fun and rewarding designing and putting together a bespoke product."

Bob Clayton reviewed: French Polishing & Woodcare - 2 Day Beginners/Intermediate Workshop

"I thoroughly enjoyed working with Ollie on the French Polishing Course. He makes the process so much easier that I thought possible! I focussed upon colour touching up of damaged veneer, as well as French Polishing and was well chuffed with the final outcome! Given that my previous experience had not resulted in a good finish, through Ollie’s instruction and help the outcome was far, far better. I cannot recommend the course highly enough, you will gain so much information and develop new skills that will leave you infinitely more equipped to carry out the art of French Polishing and related activities in the future."

Lindsay West reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"Matthew gave us an excellent overview of how to use the potters wheel with one to one instruction, and we totally enjoyed ourselves! It was a lovely creative day that flew by and we learned all kinds of new skills. Thanks Matthew for your careful instruction- we can’t wait to see the fired results!"

Rhianne Boag reviewed: Basic blacksmithing course

"If you could score more than 'Excellent' Gary would definitely get it..... Fantabulous, outstanding, wonderful and so much more. After contacting Gary to see if I could use a craft course voucher I also asked if I could extend the day to include my partner Scott. Gary was quick to reply, helpful and very much a pleasure to talk to. We turned up on the day a little bit nervous with a couple of ideas. Gary helped say what would be achievable and we set off, working together under Gary's expert guidance. Over the course of the day we made a hanging basket holder and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Gary was brilliant, never flustered when we made a few mistakes, even joining in a few times when more hands were required. All around the workshop are little projects he is working away on. You can see how passionate he is about the work from every detail. We had an absolute blast, and within an hour of being home with our project have told all our family and colleagues about our day. Its incredible to have come away with a beautiful piece of old school engineering and are already discussing what we could make next at the forge!!"

Jason Lock reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Jonathan provided us with a friendly and supportive place to learn the basics of jewellery making. Thank you for a great day."

Ruth Moulton reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Jason and I had a lovely day making rings with Jonathan. He was very friendly, helpful, and his boat was brilliant. Would highly recommend."

Andy Johnson reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This was a Christmas present from my wife who knew I always loved to watch artisans and craftsmen at work, especially Blacksmiths. The course was amazing, right from the start with the warm welcome, cup of coffee and a flapjack, then after the safety briefing it was straight in. Adrian and Andy were great at the demonstrations of the techniques and helped us along the way as we started hitting white hot bits of metal with a big hammer! Always encouraging and supportive. The midday meal was huge, you won't starve. Big thanks to Adrian, Andy and Debbie for making a wonderful day."

Linda reviewed: Paper craft and card making workshop

"I attended Debbie's card making workshop on 10th August 2019. I must say the workshop was both informative and lots of fun. Debbie's knowledge of her craft were second to none. I can't believe how fast the time went, but I still managed to produce 2 lovely cards. I will definitely be attending another workshop in the near future. Thank you Debbie."