Latest reviews

Chris Overs reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"Arian is a very likeable and good teacher; he communicated very well all aspects of the craft. It was a very enjoyable couple of days covering metalwork, woodwork and leather work as well as all other the aspects of creating and looking after the useful handmade personal tool of your own knife made by you from raw materials. If you have any basic DIY skills you will enjoy and be able to fly through this coursevand end up with a beautiful knife."

Cathryn Wood reviewed: Beginners Silver Jewellery Course

"Hi Mark We just wanted to email to say and huge hearfelt thankyou for the brilliant course today - we have genuinely loved it! You were so patient with us and we are beyond thrilled with our rings - thank you once again Mark you are a star! Kind regards Cathryn and Diane"

John Fox Richardson reviewed: Beginners Silver Jewellery Course

"We had such a marvelous day learning different processes and making several pieces of silver jewellery. Mark was so patient and so willing to help bring our idea's to life. Nothing was too much trouble. Both Mark and Terri are wonderful hosts and instantly made us feel welcome. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and as much tea/coffee as we wanted. We chose to do this class together as a couple as an opportunity to learn and create something new. We were both so impressed with the pieces we made and can't wait to show everyone. We have every intention of returning with a view to making Christmas gifts for our friends and family. If you want a day out with a difference then go and enjoy a day creating beautiful things at dandelion silver!"

Anne Boulger reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"I’ve just returned from Kate’s wonderful workshop. It really was a fabulous day. Kate is so knowledgeable about her craft and definitely has an eye for form. She is patient and helpful and so relaxed with it all so in turn your more relaxed and enjoy what your creating. I left with a very big heron and I’ve passed the pictures all round my friends and the response is amazing. Thank you so much Kate...... I definitely will be back."

Andrew Simpson reviewed: Tree Stump Planter Workshop - Sculpture Workshop Using Pal Tiya Premium

"Excellent day, I was a complete beginner, absolutely no experience in sculpting or crafts of any description! Left with great memories and a Pal Tiya tree planter! Highly recommended."

Karrin Simpson reviewed: Tree Stump Planter Workshop - Sculpture Workshop Using Pal Tiya Premium

"Such a lovely day with Joe and Bob. I had never made anything like this before but I need not have worried. The atmosphere was relaxed and the guidance was excellent! I would highly recommend The Shires Workshops!"

Terri Bardell reviewed: Full day mosaic workshop for beginners - Meriden, West Midlands

"My sister in law, Lin and I had a great day doing the mosaics course with Ann. She was a a great teacher friendly and enthusiastic. Her house and surrounding garden are so lovely and the lunch and hospitality was just as good. I managed to make a mosaic slate heart for outdoors, a lovely slate vintage button heart and even had time to make a coaster!!! Lin made a lovely fish mosaic for her garden. I would thoroughly recommend a day with Ann doing such an absorbing workshop. Thanks so much. Terri x"

Joanne reviewed: Needle Felting Workshop Owl Brooch

"Attended a workshop yesterday, I was very nervous as I am not crafty or arty, but I needn't have been. Milly was great, very patient & funny, I really feel that I can try Dot Art on my own at home now, plus I will be going back for the new Autumn makes that Lana Mutado was telling us about in the workshop. Don't be in doubt, book in, I'm glad I did."

Adèle Flinter reviewed: One day silver pendant and earring workshop

"What a lovely day! I booked this course as a present to myself after a particularly difficult time and it was one of the most enjoyable days I’ve spent in a long time! With Jolene’s excellent teaching skills, guidance & her lovely, interesting studio for inspiration, I made a silver & copper ‘family’ necklace & matching earrings! I highly recommend a workshop with Jolene, I certainly will be doing another one & I have already passed on the details to several friends & family members.... I think I’ll be buying gift vouchers for Christmas! Thank you again Jolene. Adèle x"

Mara Bell reviewed: Needle felt landscapes workshop on Orkney, including lunch

"We had a great day learning about needle felting pictures. It was a new experience for us both and we were very pleased with the results and what we learned and the enjoyable day we had together. Most of all I was very pleased to have been able to book this course at reasonable short notice and that we were able to have a one to one class! What a treat!!! Thank you and I recommend the needle felting course to anyone that has an interest in wool crafts and wants to spend a relaxed day in a creative atmosphere!"

Mel Brew reviewed: Bespoke Contemporary Fine Art Encaustic Wax Workshop.

"While visiting the UK from New Zealand in June, I enjoyed a two day encaustic workshop with Lyn and it was amazing. Lyn was fabulous at sharing her knowledge and techniques to create an encaustic artwork.  I am a mixed media artist, but had not worked with encaustic wax before. I am now a convert and can not wait to return to my studio and further develop these skills. Lyn made the experience so much fun and we had a lot of laughs along the way. I love her work and she was very happy to teach me many of the techniques she uses. Thanks so much Lyn, for a very special two days in your studio."

Contemporary Encaustic Wax Workshop responded:

"Hi Mel, we did have fun, and learnt a lot too. Can’t wait to see your Encaustic pieces. Take care Lyn"

Jane Gale reviewed: One day bangle/ring workshop

"What a brilliant day! Booked the one day pendant and Earring workshop for a special friend’s 50th birthday. We both wanted something that would occupy our heads as well as our hands. With no previous experience, to go home at the end of the day with a pendant and a set of earrings in both silver and copper, that I will feel proud to wear, was amazing. Jolene got the balance so right in terms of using her expertise to guide, support and encourage us to ‘have a go’. Her people skills are brilliant and this relaxed social atmosphere made the day both enjoyable and productive. Learning that she has had whole family's doing her bangle workshop and participants being as young as five; this will definitely be my Christmas present for my two grandchildren. I would like to do some of her afternoon course sessions to learn more. Thank you so much. Jane"

Ian reviewed: Carving & sculpture workshops

"Gareth is “as mad as a box of frogs”! Like a box of frogs, he is fascinating, pleasing, natural, constantly in motion and bright green (well not that last one..). He is a unique individual with a true passion for teasing art, emotion and life-like movement out of wood and stone and other inanimate things like you and I. I had the privilege of spending several days with Gareth and tackling a more complex project which I have brought home to complete. It strikes me I have probably packed months of experience in what we christened “co-carving” where Gareth would demonstrate, I would try to repeat, he would adjust/fix and so on until I found I was actually producing results that were very (very) pleasing. I can thoroughly recommend Gareth, his amazing house, his very tasty cooking and even his choice of biscuits to you. Bring a Sat-Nav and enjoy your journey to middle-earth, once you are there you’ll realise it was worth the effort."

Lesley Shedden reviewed: Landscape photography workshop Dumfries & Galloway

"As an absolute beginner, this course was a perfect introduction to landscape photography. Derek was incredibly patient, very clear in his explanations and instructions and made sure that I had the opportunity to use my camera in a range of locations and therefore using a range of settings which I now understand. It was a very relaxed course, very much at my pace and Derek made sure I understood why my camera settings needed adjusting or if I’d managed to get them correct. The locations we visited were perfect and the lovely weather helped - though I will need to get out earlier if I want the perfect shot! I now need to practice and then sign up for my next course! Many thanks for a great introductory session - highly recommended for anyone in this position who wants to learn more but not in a classroom."

Anna McAlinden reviewed: Enamelled jewellery for beginners and improvers - fired glass jewellery techniques

"We had heard great comments about the courses that Toni delivers and we were not disappointed with the outcome of the three and a half hours spent with her. Lucy - our daughter (and fifteen school friends) were guided through the entire process from initial design, colour selection, choice of gems and firing. At the end of the enamelling session all 16 eleven year olds had created a unique ‘memory’ to treasure when moving up to secondary school. I have to confess that myself and another adult could not resist joining in and are both delighted with our end results. Toni - we will definitely be coming back!"

Adrienne Rashford reviewed: Online textile surface pattern design workshop

"I did this course online, which was excellent. Doing a tutorial a week at a mutually agreed time meant I had time to practice techniques between lessons and produce a great body of work."

Cheese + Pickles Design Studio / Henry Hedgepodge Academy responded:

"Thank you so much! Please send me photos of the curtains when they're up. Stay in touch. Debs"

ANNETTE PURKIS reviewed: Modern calligraphy (full day workshop) - Hampshire

"Had a lovely time learning modern calligraphy using nib and ink, which was a first for me. Sunita explained each step carefully so no previous experience was needed. Now it's just practice, practice, practice....."

Sarah reviewed: Tree Stump Planter Workshop - Sculpture Workshop Using Pal Tiya Premium

"Bob and Joe are brilliant teachers and have designed a course that teaches you how to use this great medium, and come out of it with a pretty much completed piece. I would highly recommend this course, and in fact any of their courses"

Suzanne S reviewed: Bespoke Contemporary Fine Art Encaustic Wax Workshop.

"Hey Lyn, Had a fabulous time and loved working with you!!! Your enthusiasm for encaustic has rubbed off and I can’t wait to get my “studio” up and running. Thanks for sharing all your tips and tricks with me."

Contemporary Encaustic Wax Workshop responded:

"Great to meet you Suzanne, I hope you set up your Studio and get fusing soon!! Take care Lyn"

Tim Taylor reviewed: Wood turning courses

"I had a stimulating and creative day today with George Foweraker teaching me the essential theory and basic practice of woodturning. George is clearly a master craftsman and he instilled a lot of confidence in me as a complete rookie. His workshop is well equipped and safe and we had regular breaks for drinks and snacks and lunch at the halfway mark. Ending up with a bowl to bring home was a bonus and the offer of help with further advice and tuition most welcome. Highly recommended for anyone who is thinking about getting into the discipline of woodturning or who like me just wanted to try something new."

Kirsten reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"I attended a two day dog workshop and had a fantastic time. She was so welcoming, a great teacher and attentive with drinks and refreshments offered from start to finish. I would recommend her courses to anyone who is starting out or even if you want to improve on certain elements which I wanted to. I came away with new skills and a dog which I am very proud of. I would love to come back in the future!"

All Things Felt & Beautiful responded:

"Thanks SO much Kirsten. You made such a great replica of lovely Blake - keep up the good work :)"

Paula Williamson reviewed: Introduction to silk painting - workshop at The Mulberry Shed

"Just received my silk scarf and sample created at Sheila's course last week at her delighful home and studio. I am a complete novice but was able to create an attractive scarf from the wonderful tuition and encouragement given by Sheila at the course. I now have a lovely memento of the day. It has also inspired me to try more courses in the future. Thank you again for a lovely day."

Milla reviewed: One day introduction to glass fusing in Medway, Kent

"Had a brilliant day on the introduction to glass fusing course. Beverley is a patient and excellent tutor, generous with both sharing her knowledge and hospitality. If you are considering learning about working with glass, creating some beautiful artwork and having fun at the same time, give her course a go. You won’t be disappointed."

Beverley Bunn Glass Art responded:

"Thanks for the lovely review Milla! It was great to have you on the course and you made some beautiful glass - it's just on it's way to the couriers now!! Glad you had a great day :0)"

Anne Boyle reviewed: Raku pottery at Cowshed Creative in the Lake District National Park near Kendal and Windermere

"Received a friendly welcome to the beautiful and comfortable venue-great facilities. Hadn't done any pottery before and was a bit apprehensive but the course leader flexi-ed activities to allow more experienced participants to expand tasks as he supported the various ability levels. Glazing our pots on the second day then waiting to see how the firing affected the finished effect was exciting and absorbing. Lunch on both days was delicious (as was the range of cake!) Would highly recommend Cowshed Creative Raku pottery course."

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Many thanks for such positive comments and hope to see you again soon."

Nic and Rose reviewed: Relaxed introduction to soft pastels. Includes £55 worth of unison pastels to take home

"We are a mum and daughter (12 years old) and we went for the day to Heather as an early Christmas present. We had a fantastic time. Heather was an excellent teacher. She explained things clearly, showed us different methods and gave us time to develop our skills. She was patient and encouraging. We chatted and had lots of laughs as well as some quiet times of deep concentration! Both my daughter and I produced a picture we were happy to hang on the wall even though we had never worked with pastels before (and I am not artistic by nature at all!). I would recommend Heather to anyone. She was also really helpful in recommending pastels and paper etc which I would never have found on my own. Family bought us pastels etc as Christmas presents which have led to many more happy hours. Don't allow fear of not being good enough stop you from doing this as I nearly did. Whatever your ability, Heather will make your day enjoyable and leave you feeling proud of your work."