Latest reviews

Sylvia Pike reviewed: Mosaic and Glass Art 2 day Course

"Fabulous workshop, very suitable for complete beginners, Maggie is an excellent teacher, very patient and made the course great fun. Would highly recommend it."

Pretty Rubbish Mosaics responded:

"Thank you so much Sylvia for taking the time to write a review. Your wee pheasant turned out so lovely and it was a joy to help you create him. I am glad you are still mosaicing and can't wait to see what else you have been making."

Joan Thraves reviewed: Natural soap & cosmetic products workshop

"The course was a birthday present from my daughter Rosanna, and its one of the best presents in my long life. Julie welcomed us and we were soon making soaps, body butters and all the other lovely products. Julie was very generous with her knowledge and her time and was totally focused on making the day an interesting and productive one, whilst it was still relaxing and fun. We also enjoyed wonderful food at lunchtime and came home with some wonderful products. I feel I have been given a lot of information and learned new skills that will enable me to pursue this further . I definitely hope to come on another course. Thank you from Joan"

Brenda Potter reviewed: Alternative firing - Introduction to Naked Clay Workshop - West Sussex

"Very well planned and delivered course, time was spent very productively and there was plenty of opportunity to ask questions about our individual practice. The firing process was calm and controlled but at the same time exciting, with fascinating results from a number of different raku processes. I learnt an enormous amount, both days were very productive and enjoyable in a convivial atmosphere, helped along by excellent food and good company. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this course to anyone at whatever stage of ceramic enquiry they are at, it really was a treat!"

Karen C reviewed: Mosaic and Glass Art 2 day Course

"Just completed the 2 day workshop. What a warm, welcoming, passionate and inspiring tutor Maggie is. Her workshop and garden are amazing, full of colour and quirky designs. The course itself is relaxing and confidence building and Maggie works hard to ensure everyone can bring their own ideas to life and get completed within the time frame. Fantastic lunch and refreshments from Maggie and her husband too, thoroughly recommended."

Pretty Rubbish Mosaics responded:

"Thank you Karen for writing such a lovely review. You were a pleasure to work with as your creativity and artistic ability was apparent from the minute you sat down. That little caterpillar you were piecing together whilst I was giving my demo should never have been allowed to escape!Your pheasant is just lovely and you truly embraced the pique assiette style of mosaic.Thank you for choosing to come to my workshop."

Sara Fielding reviewed: Piped cushion with lapped zip

"This is the second course i have done and I cannot thank Janet enough for her fantastic tips and encouragement. She makes everything make sense and no question is daft! I am learning so much from Janet and cannot wait to do the next course. Highly recommended!"

Deb Harpley reviewed: Colourful stained glass panel making course

"Myself and 2 friends spent a fantastic day in Jo's wonderful workshop space. We are all impressed with what we were able to achieve, and delighted with the stained glass panels that we produced. Jo is a great teacher, patient, kind and encouraging. Highly recommended."

Jo Snowdon Stained Glass responded:

"Many thanks for your review, I am so glad you enjoyed the day! Best wishes, Jo"

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

"My husband and I did this course with Andy a couple of weeks ago, it was AMAZING! Andy is so knowledgeable about his craft also he is very patient and takes time to show you what to do without making you feel stupid. Neither of us had a clue what to do at the beginning of the day and yet we both had beautiful wood bowls at the end of the day! I simply cannot recommend this course highly enough! I can't wait to do another course with Andy in the future."

Nick Stonier reviewed: Premium experience package dry stone walling for beginners

"I received the course as a surprise gift - and it turned out to be a really great surprise! Carl and Daniel are extremely good teachers (and patient!) and are obviously very skilled at their craft. They took time to get to know everyone on the course and the result was everyone was made to feel part of the team - and the resulting banter was every bit as good as the refreshments. Great weekend guys. Thank you"

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

"My husband and I had been entranced with a beautiful garden bench created by Adrian. Also a swallow sculpture he’d done - both of which we purchased and he installed. I needed to come on a course to appreciate the work and skill, not to mention the creative imagination he puts into his work. I was not disappointed. It’s hard and hot work! All on the course were encouraged throughout by Adrian and Andy. It was such fun with us all comparing efforts throughout the day. Add to this the wonderful food created by Debbie and you have a gem of a day to take away - not only new skills and appreciation, but new friends too. Thank you all."

Alec Roberts reviewed: Alternative firing - Introduction to Naked Clay Workshop - West Sussex

"This was an outstanding course and just right for me at this stage in my development. The quality of the materials was excellent. The standard of the teaching was also excellent. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. The food and drink was delicious (Moroccan soup, bread, salad, shortbread biscuits and freshly ground coffee). We had great fun with fire in a safe and well managed environment."

Jane Maloney reviewed: Relaxed introduction to soft pastels. Includes £55 worth of unison pastels to take home

"Fabulous course. Absolutely loved it. Been now about 4 times. Each time we have picked a picture I am interested in completing and Heather has demonstrated how to complete it as I follow along. Really good value for money. All materials are provided and they are good materials which help in achieving a great finished painting. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in learning about pastels."

Claire Anderson reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Fantastic day. Chris was really helpful and informative. Excellent teacher - very patient. Highly recommended."

Richard Brockman reviewed: Alternative firing - Introduction to Naked Clay Workshop - West Sussex

"Convenient location Good transport links Shared free parking Tutors friendly and efficient Sympathetic to beginners Reliable, good quality equipment No hanging around Companionable lunches"

Vivienne Gibbons reviewed: Natural soap & cosmetic products workshop

"Wow - absolutely brilliant! Knowledgeable, informative, friendly. Everyone was supported to make beautiful products that smell and look spectacular, plus a wonderfully presented afternoon tea. Both myself and my friend will be booking again. Thank you so much. We had a great, relaxing and enjoyable time. Viv and Geraldine from Leeds."

Gerry reviewed: Creative Art as Therapy

"I wanted to change direction from my old, staid way of expressing myself artistically, and Tajinder's methods were ideal for that. After a long break I am now ready to pick up a paintbrush again. Thank you, Tajinder!"

Deborah Morton reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Excellent plan for the day. Plenty to do but scope to go your own way if desired- but not in my case!"

Barbara Lowe reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Came to a previous workshop following an open studios visit. Great workshop, excellent teacher. So good to complete a piece on the day. I'm very inspired to stop talking about it and start doing it! Many thanks."

Tany Alexander reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Wonderful workshop. Relaxed and encouraging. Just enough "input" at the right pace. Really appreciated the loan of the machine. Great location and nice cake! Thank you."

Veonica King reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"I had the most amazing day, and will be back!!! Thank you so much."

Nick Alexander reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Dear George. Thanks very much for your and your wife's hospitality yesterday. The course was very informative, and as an absolute beginner at wood turning it was a real pleasure to create a beautiful finished bowl - which has been much admired by friends and neighbours, and most importantly, my wife! I am sure that you are correct to keep the numbers of students to a minimum. The constant flow of information and advice , and of course the demonstrations and " hands on" practical work, is much better when you provide virtually individual attention. Nick."

paul reviewed: Traditional Saddle Stitching with Armitage Leather

"I took a 4 day introduction to leather work course, as I was an absolute beginner and wanted to see if I liked leather work as a way to relax away from my day job. I chose Nigel, as I wanted to learn the correct more traditional techniques, and after looking on YouTube etc, thought he was the best person to learn from. I wasn't wrong. Nigel is patient, witty and an extremely gifted teacher, putting you at ease straight away and making the days fly by. The instruction is thoroughly explained, with lots of tool options to try - especially useful if you are left handed like myself. The course far exceeded my expectations, so I am now looking to purchase some tools and get practising before a return visit for the next set of instructions. As people have said previously, it is also the knowledge that you can get in touch after the course has finished which is extremely important. Thank you for making for the days richly enjoyable and I left with a beautiful wallet and pouch."

Ann Fewtrell reviewed: Introduction to woodturning: one to one

"A friend and I, both complete novices, had a great day of wood turning with Bill, he’s a patient teacher who gets the balance of showing/teaching/helping just right. He’s got a really well set up workshop so no hanging around waiting for a piece of equipment to be available. We are both ridiculously proud of our creations and would happily go back to learn more - highly recommended."

Leah reviewed: Corset making: Victorian / Beginners

"I had an amazing time with Lisa on the two day Victorian corset course. Lisa is a fantastic passionate teacher who makes all students feel welcome and at ease throughout the course. It is also a bonus meeting lots of lovely like minded people on the course. I really did learn so much on the course you certainly won’t be left disappointed. *****"

Vicky Shoosmith reviewed: Dorset weekly pottery classes

"I joined this pottery class last year and have loved every minute of it. In fact, I get withdrawal symptoms when the classes aren't on. I've made some wonderful pieces with Rachel's help, she is a brilliant teacher and we all have so much fun. Thoroughly recommend."

Ann PHILLIPS reviewed: Spoon carving course (1 day)

"Thoroughly enjoyed my day at Coppicewood. Excellent tutor, location, food and company. Highly recommended."

The Coppice Plot responded:

"Hi Ann, thanks very much for your review. Glad you enjoyed the course!"