Latest reviews

Barry Jensen reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Brilliant weekend. Attentive instructors and a professional outcome. Can't wait to return and try other boxes or items.."

Kim Archer reviewed: Beautiful Batik

"Another terrific course at Art in the Barn! Beautiful surroundings and great space to work. Alison is very experienced in many specialist design and craft areas. Batik on paper was a whole new process for me. Really enjoyed experimenting and learning how to use this technique and new tools in several different parts of the session. Incredible colours and effects! Thoroughly enjoyed the day and would highly recommend this course and many others run at Art in the Barn."

Blooming Designs - Art in the Barn responded:

"Dear Kim, Thank you so much for your feedback , it was great to have you on the course, really pleased you enjoyed the day. Best wishes Alison Butler"

Michele Bennett reviewed: Learn how to create classical and contemporary sculpture in clay

"If you are interested in art and enjoy the challenge of learning new skills, I highly recommend this course. Dean is a skilled professional artist and accomplished tutor. He is generous with his time, and the classes are relaxed and informal in a lovely rural setting."

Vaska T. reviewed: Wild pottery workshop - dig your own clay in the woods, bonfire/clamp kiln firings

"It was so lovely to be able to work together communally and use our physical bodies to dig, knead, mould, sweep, build, blow, and wait! I really loved it and felt my body just relax and actually take up more space, sit more sturdily and feel more solid! It was an effect I wasn’t expecting! Thank you so much again - for providing such a beautiful space with your energy, and for sharing these valuable crafts and techniques with us. What you do is so important."

Eilidh reviewed: Pineapple pimping & Bubbly in Brighton

"Something totally different and unique. Charlie the host is great and makes you feel more than welcome in her very cool space. Totally recommend any of her experiences especially pineapple pimping."

Diane C reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"I would thoroughly recommend this course. Jason is passionate about leather and is an excellent teacher. He is very patient and with his guidance and help I went home with a very special bespoke leather bag. Everything is to hand in the quirky workshop in an old mill overlooking the canal."

Rachel reviewed: Pineapple pimping & Bubbly in Brighton

"A perfect hen do activity! We all really enjoyed getting creative in Charlie's lovely studio (with the help of some pina coladas!) and it was a great way to start the weekend. Charlie was so welcoming and friendly!"

Becca reviewed: Headdress course at the Maker Station

"Had a lush time making a floral headdress for festivals, parties etc. Really lovely venue, friendly and welcoming and well worth an hour trip to get there. Thanks Kal for being so lovely."

Lucy.gilder@hotmail.com reviewed: Lino printing landscapes

"A brilliant day! Lee is friendly, knowledgable and was a fab teacher. Learnt so much and on the look out for the next one!"

Bea Downs reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"I recently did the two day course, what an amazing experience. I wanted to do something completely different to my day job, i wanted to do something creative and challenging, this course gave me everything I wanted and so much more. On the first day we were introduced to all the tools we were going to use and the beautiful leather, I remember thinking "can I really do this?". With the guidance and support of the very patient and encouraging Jason and Louise I made the most gorgeous bag that I will treasure always. Thank you both so so much for a fantastic weekend."

Brenda Stafford reviewed: ColourWheel art classes for adults - Maidenhead - Thursday

"What an excellent class!! Top notch teaching, very organised with everything supplied. Just show up & everything is at your station. I have attended for 3 years now & wish I found this class years ago..... No where else compares to this class. Everyone is friendly & we have lots of laughs & banter. I highly recommend this class, give Rene a call & she will set up a free taster session. Come & see for yourself. Why not? Brenda S"

Hayley Reed reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"I attended the two day workshop, with no prior experience of leather work and it was truly amazing. Jason is completely passionate about leather and has a relaxed, comfortable approach to imparting his knowledge and skills. I made a wonderful bespoke bag which I will treasure for years. I would recommend this course for anyone who wants to experience working with leather - it’s a totally enjoyable and rewarding experience - thanks Jason."

Linda Stone reviewed: Contemporary Furniture Refinishing & Upcycling with Woodcare - 1 Day Beginners

"I finished my first workshop course at OP Woodcraft on 2nd July. My teacher Ollie has a wealth of knowledge and tailored the course to fit my specific needs. I wanted a hands-on class that would teach me the best ways to strip, prime, paint and finish my MCM furniture. I drove away that afternoon knowing how to work with the recommended products and what equipment I should be using to get the best results. I now have more confidence to start working on my collection. Thank you, Ollie, for sharing your knowledge with me."

Katherine reviewed: Candle making course (introductory) - in the heart of the Ashdown Forest, Sussex

"I had a lovely morning on this course and learnt a lot. Simon was great!"

Perry Touzel reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed this Box Making Course. Very experienced course instructors were a fountain of knowledge that will no doubt be invaluable for moving forward with other woodworking projects. Not only did I come away with an exceptional box, I had a great weekend in the beautiful Lake District."

Victoria Dias reviewed: Spoon carving taster session

"Interesting & enjoyable afternoon learning new skills. Well worth doing, fully recommended."

Robert B. reviewed: Being Nature: mindfulness & re-wilding days in the woods

"I enjoyed the workshop hugely. It was great fun, and there was a nice bunch of people. So thanks very much for making it a really interesting and enjoyable two days. I learnt a lot and had fun doing so."

Robert B. reviewed: Wild pottery workshop - dig your own clay in the woods, bonfire/clamp kiln firings

"I enjoyed the workshop hugely. It was great fun, and there was a nice bunch of people. So thanks very much for making it a really interesting and enjoyable two days. I learnt a lot and had fun doing so."

Robert B. reviewed: Wild basketry- workshop in the woods, forage your materials

"I enjoyed the workshop hugely. It was great fun, and there was a nice bunch of people. So thanks very much for making it a really interesting and enjoyable two days. I learnt a lot and had fun doing so."

Charlotte Y reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Batik textile workshop in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"l was lucky enough to do one of Melanie's batik workshops recently in the wonderful Hebden Bridge - so far it is my most favourite creative thing l have done this year! l was hoping to bring a nice creative image with me for inspiration but really didn't have the time - it didn't matter though as Melanie had a really good selection of images available, that l was easily able to find something to inspire me for my batiks. Melanie really lnew her stuff and was not only an excellent teacher but a warm and welcoming host! With it being in such a fantastic part of the country l was able to make a weekend of it and hang around Hebden Bridge the following day, which I would highly recommend tagging onto your time if you are able to. I left with a really beautiful piece of artwork, l never thought it was possible for me to produce something so good. Looking forward to putting it on my wall so thanks Melanie! l would love to come and do another course (or two) with you again."

Judith wride reviewed: Copper Foil Technique Stained Glass

"Lovely day spent with Amanda and made very welcome in her home, she is a brilliant talented teacher explaining every step of the way. As a beginner she was very patient and assisted me whilst being very encouraging. I managed to come away with a beautiful kingfisher and robin that I am so proud of."

Andrew reviewed: Creative writing with Lorraine Ambers at Make it in Wales

"This was an excellent course for those who are thinking about writing a story. Lorraine takes you through the concepts of bringing a character to life and placing them with the plot. The exercises and feedback really brought to life the experience of being a writer and gave me more confidence to write more."

Creative writing workshops at Make it in Wales responded:

"Thank you, Andy. It was a wonderful afternoon, thank you for joining me."

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

"This is the second course I’ve taken part in at Cowshed Creative & once again it was excellent. The first Saturday was spent making pots after a great introduction to the Raku process & some examples of Raku tea bowls etc. Various techniques for hand building were shown to us & we in turn each made a few different pots to be fired. The second Saturday we were given more of the history of Raku before then glazing & Raku firing our pots made the previous week in an outdoor kiln & dustbin of sawdust & wood chips. It was so exciting to see the results! And the effects were really quite magical. I can’t fault the excellent tuition, and once again the fabulous location, facilities & delicious food. Perfect."

Cowshed Creative responded:

"Thanks again for such lovely feedback. Some amazing pots and an exciting day!"

Gail reviewed: Creative writing with Lorraine Ambers at Make it in Wales

"What a lovely way to spend time! Lorraine is patient, encouraging and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed the course and have been inspired to write a little everyday! If you are looking for inspiration, helpful feedback and advice in a relaxed setting, this is the course for you. Thank you, Lorraine!"

Creative writing workshops at Make it in Wales responded:

"Thank you, Gail. It was a pleasure working with you."

Brigit reviewed: Sculpture at Bull Mill Arts Wiltshire

"Paul talked us through each step individually as each piece had its own peculiarities and managed to divide himself equally between 8 of us. He knew exactly what stage each one of us was at an any one time and guided us through accordingly. It didn’t seem to matter how many times he had to explain. Patience of a saint. Lovely surroundings and coaxing on from our host Olivia. An exceptionally talented artist with a gift for imparting her vast experience and knowledge. Always excited to sign up for any course run by Olivia as it is always high end professionalism in creativity at its best."