Latest reviews

Gill Czaicka reviewed: Mosaic one day workshop for adults with Caroline Jariwala, Birmingham

"I did my first course with Caroline last week and was nervous as I'm not very confident about doing things like this. I really enjoyed the day with lovely participants and Caroline was great helping each of us achieve something so different and unique. Caroline was a super host too keeping us supplied with drinks and food. Well worth it!"

Jon Briggs reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"This was a top-up course for me and really worthwhile. Dave gave plenty of individual attention in a cosy yurt. I refreshed and upgraded my understanding of knife holds and techniques, along with some facts about wood I’d not picked up on before. Lashings of tea and awesome flapjack :-)"

Gemma reviewed: Create a ceramic animal sculpture with Twisted Earth Ceramics at Ilkley Manor Studio

"I have just got back from a residential ceramics and yoga weekend at a beautiful venue in Derbyshire (led by sculptor, Richard, and yoga teacher, Hilary). The weekend was a little treat to myself and a treat it surely was! Richard and Hilary worked really well together and the balance between clay work and yoga was spot on. There was also time to explore our beautiful surroundings and to relax and chat with one another. The course was really well organised but always felt relaxed and fun. Richard and Hilary are very skilled at what they do and their passion for their art is infectious! Besides this, they are both lovely people to be around. I would certainly recommend this residential course to anyone interested in sculpturing/yoga practice or anyone simply looking for a little mind and body nourishment!"

Charlotte Hale reviewed: Photoshop - an artist's guide for beginners

"I took a 2-day course a couple of years back and it was a really enjoyable experience down at the Nature in Art museum near Gloucester. The other students were a mixture of artistic and business types so there was a good atmosphere. Using Photoshop for the first time gave us a fair amount to get to grips with so Shelly had prepared useful notes to cover the main features of the tool to help us get started and use as reference. First of all we had a demo on how Shelly creates some of her work which was very inspiring. She had also prepared some images which we could layer together ourselves to give us an idea of how to create interesting collages. We progressed to collecting together our own images and drawings to produce individual pieces of work. I was impressed by the breadth of work produced by the students and it was a nice forum for sharing ideas. In retrospect I would have pre-prepared more textures such as photos of leaves, bark, rock, fir etc. and to scan some of my favourite drawings and images to incorporate into the collages. In fact, since I took the course, it has become quite a hobby to capture different textures and build up my own library of images. Shelly is a great teacher with a warm and friendly manner and her house makes a great venue. I would certainly recommend this course - you'll love it."

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

"I had this bought as a birthday present from my wife. Really enjoyed the day. Adrian, Debbie and Andy were the perfect hosts. Would definitely like to come back and try something else."

Diana Ekdawy reviewed: Easel Weasel Wednesday Art workshops - Derbyshire Peak District

"Me and my fiancé did this course and Denise was amazing- so friendly and helped us along every step of the way. Great for all abilities too as I have never been very talented in painting but with Denise’s help I was able to make a lovely painting that I will treasure. We will definitely be back!!!"

Deb Waterhouse reviewed: Needle felt workshop

"This is the second time that I have attended Louise's felting course. It was so good the first time (making a hare) that I immediately signed up for another go (making a sheep). On both occasions I attended on my own and just felt so comfortable joining this group of people I had never met before. No airs and graces, just down to earth good company and creativity with like minded people. We were supplied with all materials needed (which we also took home with us) and given that we all had the same equipment, came out with individual sheep that we could be proud of - not one was the same. Once you start putting details of faces on them, they really come to life and you can put your own character into it. We were also supplied with mugs of tea (plenty of them too) and biscuits in the morning, cake in the afternoon. I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting some quality time in beautiful surroundings with an instructor who makes it seem so easy."

Kirstie Gardner reviewed: Needle felting course with FURZIE at Trumpet Corner Tea Rooms, Ledbury, Herefordshire

"What a great relaxing fun and informative day. Michelle is a fantastic and generous teacher. The venue at Trumpet was lovely. Food and refreshments were delicious and added to the day. Looking forward to booking another day."

Juliet Caulfield reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"This is a FANTASTIC course! Jason is a highly talented leather craftsman and exceptionally patient teacher. His passion for his craft is infectious and he has created a genuinely ‘hands on’ course. Over 2 days I produced a really ‘professionally’ crafted bag that has already received several compliments! Jason has inspired me to continue my leather work as a rewarding new hobby!"

Jayne and Eddie reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"We had a great day learning to wood turn and came away with a rather lovely bowl. Mark was patient and kind and coped with our different abilities and ambition with humour. We laughed a lot and learnt a lot. I would recommend this course for anyone wanting to try a new craft."

Mark Stanton reviewed: Wood turning courses

"I signed up for the day's introduction as a way of getting to know about wood turning. I have shown an interest in this skill and was thinking of learning more before taking the plunge and buying any equipment. I found that the day was very informative with skill and knowledge being shared. There was extensive care and support given through out the day with openness to help with all procedures. I was also given the offer of after care and support if I needed it. I had a great time with and learnt lots to take away. Oh and I also made a bowl :) Great day, highly recommended if you want to learn or just go for the experience"

Mark hancock reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I had a great day with Mark , he gave us lots of information and we had a good laugh together and produced a bowl! He put up with us and all our questions throughout the day, and I don’t think he will forget us in a hurry!!! He also advised of local places to stay and we arrived at 9am and he stayed with us until 7.30pm! I would love to do another day with him soon!!"

Mark Hancock responded:

"Thank you Sue or Cheryl for your review but you signed it off in my name! :-) I know it wasn't Jayne or Eddie as they have one listed. It was a pleasure for me meeting you all and introducing you to turning. I'm so glad you all enjoyed it. All the best Mark"

Lisa Greenwood reviewed: Circular sock knitting machine 'Sock School'

"What a fantastic day! Loved every minute of it. Sock school was well organised and the day structured. Anne was an excellent teacher and help was on hand all day with Anne’s wonderful helpers. Delicious homemade lunch, biscuits and cakes provided too by Anne’s team! I’m sitting here the day after wishing I could do it all again!! I cannot recommend the sock knitting course highly enough!"

Annie B reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"I can't praise this workshop enough! Everything was perfect. The welcome was warm, the workspace comfortable, intimate, creative and inspiring, the views to die for, the lunch and refreshments delicious, the tutoring skilled, patient and hugely encouraging. Jane has an amazing workspace in the beautiful Midlothian countryside with the largest array of wools I've ever seen in every colour imaginable. Our workstations were set up ready with everything we might need close at hand. Refreshments flowed throughout the day and were served by Jane's husband, Graham. We had the most fabulous and memorable day there and looking forward to booking another in the near future."

Rachel Ware reviewed: Blacksmithing course with Longdog Smithy

"I bought a day at Longdog Smithy for my partner's birthday present, thinking I would go along for the ride, but with Tom's patient encouragement I got right into it and by the end of the day I'd made a beautiful cook's knife that I'm hugely proud of - and my other half is thrilled with the bowie knife he made too. I can't believe we accomplished so much in a day. A fantastic experience in every respect. Can't recommend highly enough."

Lisa reviewed: Lined Curtains - Soft Furnishings Workshop

"What a lovely lady with great patience and a very relaxing, fun atmosphere. She gave a very professional tutorial with fabulous quality fabrics which was included on the course."

Suzanne reviewed: Learn to sew a reversible tote bag

"Fun and informative, good value for money. Judi is a great teacher."

June reviewed: Learn to sew - zipped and lined bags - Worcestershire

"I have SO enjoyed today, thank you.I have learned many new skills and tips and now feel confident to make these projects at home!"

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

"I bought this as a present for my husband and decided to join him. What an excellent day. The instructions were clear and we were helped along the way to achieve good end results - I was amazed about what I achieved. Both of us proudly took home our efforts. It was informal, relaxed and friendly with the addition of a lovely lunch and snacks. Our friends will all be hearing about our great day. I would recommend this day to those wanting to understand the process and maybe start a new hobby. Thank you Adrian and Andy. Anne and Bob"

John Parrack reviewed: Make you own fan bird

"Excellent course, excellent tuition from Steve. Learned a lot which will come in handy for my work and hobby and came out with a spoon to top it all. Great to work along with like minded people too. Thank you."

Nichola reviewed: Chocolate Discovery Day - Workshop 1 - A Beginners Guide

"From start to finish this course was fantastic. My friends and I have never laughed so much as we melted chocolate, cast moulds, made ganache and finally packaged our endeavours. Margaret was a star through out the day, really gelling with me and my girlfriends (birthday bash/treat for one of us). Would recommend Margaret's course to anyone with an interest in crafting or just for someone to see just how much effort goes into making hand made chocolates - which there is more too it then you would think. Would like to thank Margaret for making our special day out even more special - THANK YOU."

Anne reviewed: Chocolate Discovery Day - Workshop 1 - A Beginners Guide

"Attended this course because I am a chocoholic! WOW - what a day. Margaret put a lot of effort in making sure that we all had enough information, both written, verbal and hands on for us to get the basics of working with chocolate. We were looked after (me and 2 other ladies) from the very start of the day to the finish, and we all went home with some fantastic tasting and looking chocolates which we were able to display in several types of packaging. I would recommend this course to anyone and everyone, not only from value for money, but also from the sheer joy that Margaret imbues when working with chocolate. Really looking forward to the development of her next course (which apparently has to be developed yet!)"

James simonds reviewed: Bladesmithing experience day

"I met Steve a while ago at a different forge and had been waiting to go down and learn some more about making chef's knives from a master. Steve is an artist in iron and you could live with him for a year and not run out of things to learn about bladesmithing. In two days I ruined his course plans, asked him to do all sorts of things he hadn't expected, forced him to use my own unsuitable materials, tried a technique neither of us had used before and generally was a pain in the backside. But Steve took it all in his stride, adapted his lessons, helped me work out how to get the best result with what we had and kept a smile on his face the whole time. An excellent teacher, a passionate bladesmith and won't just force you down a cookie cutter approach to knife making but give you the space to make your own decisions and own your mistakes and learn from them. I'll be down there to ruin his week again later this year, I have another crazy project in mind already."

White Tiger Knives responded:

"Hi James It was a blast and you've got to live on the edge, pardon the pun. Like we said you make mistakes and you learn, keep doing what you're doing, pushing the envelope and asking more from yourself with each build. That's the fun of the fare, making knives and enjoying it at the same time."

Jacqui Seddon reviewed: Porcelain Masterclass with Richard Heeley

"I took this course last week and I am so happy that I was fortunate enough to learn from Richard. He is extremely generous with his extensive knowledge, and I improved so much from the first goblet to the last large platter that friends don't believe I made them! ;-). Many thanks to Richard and everyone at Potclays for making it a great workshop."

Potclays Ltd. responded:

"Many thanks for your kind words Jacqui! Look forward to seeing you here again soon :-) Best wishes from the Potclays team."

Gethin ap Dafydd reviewed: Spoon carving course (1 day)

"Fantastic day. Very informative and knowledgeable tutor. Superb venue. Very tasty lunch too! I'd highly recommend this."