Latest reviews

Hazel Stephens reviewed: Lampshade Making - Gathered & Pleated shades - Small Group - 2 day Workshop - Ebberston, North Yorkshire

"Just completed this course with Jacqueline in York and absolutely loved it! I will admit to feeling a little bit nervous before hand and not sure I would be able to do it! However Jacqueline put us completely at ease and talked us through the steps clearly and precisely so that I ended up with a beautiful handmade shade that I can’t wait to show off! The 2 days were broken down into easy stages and we all worked together having a giggle as we went along! I never thought I’d actually finish in time but I was wrong! Now can’t wait to do the tailored course - buzzing with ideas! Highly recommend."

JSInteriorsUK responded:

"I'm so glad you enjoyed the workshop Hazel and thanks for you lovely review. We have more residential workshops planned for this Autumn in the North of England. Do check our website, it would be a pleasure to work with you again."

Hazel Stephens reviewed: Lampshade making - Gathered & Pleated shades - 2 day Weekend Workshop Retreat, Rydal Lodge, Ambleside

"Just completed this course with Jacqueline in York and absolutely loved it! I will admit to feeling a little bit nervous before hand and not sure I would be able to do it! However Jacqueline put us completely at ease and talked us through the steps clearly and precisely so that I ended up with a beautiful handmade shade that I can’t wait to show off! The 2 days were broken down into easy stages and we all worked together having a giggle as we went along! I never thought I’d actually finish in time but I was wrong! Now can’t wait to do the tailored course - buzzing with ideas! Highly recommended."

JSInteriorsUK responded:

"I'm so glad you enjoyed the workshop Hazel and thanks for you lovely review. We have more residential workshops planned for this Autumn in the North of England. Do check our website, it would be a pleasure to work with you again."

Sarah reviewed: Introduction to Natural Dyeing, Mere, Wiltshire

"Had the most wonderful day on this course. A beautiful calming location. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the process of natural dyeing. I felt fully supported, informed and confident that I can start natural dyeing at home. Thank you!!"

Elka responded:

"Hi Sarah, thank you so much for coming along and for the lovely review! We're so glad you enjoyed the workshop :)"

Janice L reviewed: Amazing Raku - a pottery firing with flames half day workshop with Dave Norman at Quirky Workshops, Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns

"Hi Annie, Thanks for sending the photos through. We both thoroughly enjoyed the day, and lunch was lovely. My husband and son were very impressed with the pots we made, and we plan to do more courses with you in the future. Best wishes, Janice & Amy."

Ella C reviewed: Amazing Raku - a pottery firing with flames half day workshop with Dave Norman at Quirky Workshops, Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns

"Thanks Annie and Dave! Thanks for a brilliant day, course was excellent and you've created such a magical spot and so enjoyed sharing it for a day. Ella"

Joanna Brown reviewed: Introduction to Natural Dyeing, Mere, Wiltshire

"Fantastic day in a stunning location! Relaxed and friendly tuition and lots of hands on practice. I learnt everything I needed to begin my own natural dye journey!"

Elka responded:

"Hi Jo, thank you so much for coming. We're so glad you enjoyed the day :)"

Andrew Richardson reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"Top quality in all respects. My son and I thoroughly enjoyed the day with Andy. It confirmed my lifelong desire to turn. Many thanks!"

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

"This was a 60th birthday present it was a great day warm welcome from Debbie, Adrian and Andy after some lovely home cooked food and drink we got down to business heating and hitting steel. The day flowed well and with a break for lunch with some home cooked food from Debbie we was back to it. After completing our tasks it was nice to sit have a drink and some more cake and listen to the stories of dodgy vans and passed exploits. I enjoyed the day so much I have put a piggy bank to aside to save for some more days. Thanks for such a great day. Regards Steve"

Shirley B reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery - Textures in Nature' with Jo Dix: a 'Quirky Workshop'

"Hi Annie, Jo & Pam, We would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ for today. We all three enjoyed the workshop and are all amazed at producing wearable items!! Also, could pass on our thanks to whoever cooked and prepared the food, it was lovely. Many thanks once again, Shirley B"

Richard Wainwright reviewed: Pole-lathe turning taster days: spindle turning

"The pole-lathe turning taster day at Lower Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire, was a very interesting day. The pole-lathes are situated under cover in one of the old buildings in the courtyard of Lower Brockhampton House. Our tutor, Maurice, demonstrated splitting logs, roughly rounding off and finally explained the operation of the pole-lathe before demonstrating the turning process. Maurice makes it look so easy, as you would expect. I had a great time trying to get the rhythm of cutting on the forward turn and laying off on the reverse. When I did get it right and the angle of the tool correct it was very rewarding to see the shaving curl off and hear the tool cutting sweetly. I had no intention of making something useful but I returned home with a fairly intricately turned practice piece, thanks to Maurice’s help, which will make a handy sash window hook. If you have any affinity to working with wood, you will find this course a real pleasure. Maurice is a lovely chap and explains everything very well with plenty of demonstrations, cups of tea and biscuits."

Steven S reviewed: Traditional English Longbow making outdoor course - a 2-day 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Thank you for a great weekend, I was on the bow making course. You and your lady helpers did a magnificent job in catering to everyone's needs and the food was fantastic. Please pass on my thanks to your team."

Tracey Spencer reviewed: Conscious Interior Decor; For holistic living

"Thoroughly enjoyed the day . Gained an understanding of how colours, patterns and texture work with each other. Was really looking forward to learning about mood boards but unfortunately this was barely covered, possibly due to lack of time. Really enjoyed Lucy’s style of teaching and the company of the other ladies on the workshop . The food and the surroundings were excellent - left the workshop feeling truly inspired!"

Molly Hardwalter reviewed: Half Day Woodturning tuition from Registered Professional Turner Dorset, South West

"Very interesting day, me and my husband learned all about this wonderful craft. Looking forward to revisiting Joe in Dorset."

Jane reviewed: Glass painting with Sarah Lewis, Wolverhampton

"I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon yesterday with my mum and sister creating our bottle vases. Sarah is a fantastic workshop host. She is warm, welcoming and encouraging with gentle advice to help beginners find their feet. She put us all at ease and the hours flew by. We were all amazed how great our finished items turned out. Sarah, you're a star! Thank you ?"

Sarah Lewis Designs responded:

"Thank you so much for your lovely review. It was really kind of you. You were all brilliant. I am sure you had done it before! Your vases look amazing. You did a great job. You were all extremely good company too! Even my hubby commented on how much laughing was going on!!! I hope to see you all again soon. X"

Suzanne reviewed: Linocut printing workshop in Warwickshire at Bonds Lifestyle

"My second trip to Bonds for a Linocut day with Alix was just as much fun and success as my first! What could be better on a rubbish wet August day than be tucked up with like minded 'crafty' folk in the arm and dry enjoying their company, a laugh, good food (Bonds do wonderful catering) and excellent teaching. Alix is really good at urging you on to do bigger and better. Endlessly patient. I feel very inspired after a day with her!"

Alix Almond Art responded:

"Thank you Suzanne, it was great to be in the warm and dry printing on such a miserable (weather) day with you both - so much fun! I agree, it is such a good venue and I am so pleased you are happy with your print, and so you should be, it is great! Thank you again for your kind words. Alix"

Fiona Cotterill reviewed: Etching class

"I had a lovely one to one session with Evelyn. She was very supportive and patient with me, given it was my first time doing anything like this. I had a wonderful time and will be looking to book again in the not too distant future."

Sue B reviewed: Specialist furniture painting effects: a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"Hi Annie and Sonja Just a quick email to say how much I enjoyed my Furniture Painting day on Wednesday. The course was excellent as was the food. I look forward to attending another one soon. Kind Regards Sue"

Sue Brownlow reviewed: Fused Glass workshops at Bere Alston, near Tavistock, Devon

"Did a half day workshop with Wendy which was thoroughly enjoyable. She is a good teacher - gentle guidance while letting us do our own thing creatively. Highly recommended."

Alistair reviewed: Make a spindle-back chair

"This is simply a wonderful course. The old quarry at Broughtonknowe wood is an idyllic setting, and Peter has invested so much thought and attention into equipping the site for chair making. Peter is a thoughtful and patient teacher, and had a special capacity to connect with all of us as individuals. The group dynamic was therefore very special, which is important, because you spend a fair amount of time working in pairs at various stages of the making process. Peter also went out of his way to help us complete our chairs on time, so that we all were able to leave on Friday with something that looked really special. I felt I had learned a whole raft of new woodworking skills, which I'm now eager to try out at home. I'm still astounded that it possible to turn a log into piece of strong, elegant furniture in five days -- with essentially just hand tools, and without glue! Thank you, Peter, for sharing your time and your skills with us."

Liz Scott reviewed: Natural Dyeing & Eco-printing, Highlands, Scotland

"This course was well taught and great fun. Rosie was extremely generous with her knowledge and materials.Her family were welcoming and her home inspirational. Fresh air, beautiful surroundings and home baking! What more could one ask for? Thank you."

Wild Rose Escapes responded:

"Dear Liz, Lovely to have you on the course and i'm so glad you enjoyed all the aspects of the weekend. Yours Rosie"

Chris Moore reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Brilliant day, I was given a voucher for a one day course for my birthday. Really enjoyed it, Nigel was a great teacher and very interesting. I made a draw knife for spoon carving, plus a fire poker and shovel."

Maya reviewed: 'Bag in a Day' Practical Leather Course - Mini Bucket bag

"Georgie was amazingly helpful, kind and patient. The bag is lovely, and I'm so glad I took the course! I would love to again!"

Anne reviewed: Spoon carving taster session

"An interesting afternoon, totally absorbing. Dave was a good and patient teacher and we all had a spoon to take home!"

Samantha Tidball reviewed: Glass fusing taster sessions for beginners

"A great introduction and a brilliant teacher. I made a fabulous sea-side view coaster. I can't wait till I can do another course here."

Paul Ryalls reviewed: Sword making course

"My wife bought me the 3 day sword course for my 50th and it was great! Andy was very informative and even though I've been in metalworking for most of my life I still learned a lot. Haven't stopped admiring my sword since I got back but be warned, after the course you will want to get your own forge, anvil and belt grinder to practise your new skills! My wife wasn't too happy with that bit."