Latest reviews

Easan reviewed: Wheel thrown mug workshop

"We booked onto a 2.5 hour beginners pottery course for the two of us (at very late notice!) and had a great time! We arrived at the studio in its beautiful rural setting and had some coffee and brownies on arrival. Jack was excellent at explaining the technique and we were very quickly into it. We made 3 pots each (of varying shapes and sizes!) under very close supervision and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Highly recommended to all!"

Holly reviewed: Fabulous fused glass jewellery for beginners

"The glass Jewellery workshop with Eleanor was fantastic. she is a great teacher and taught us lots of different fusing techniques in a very short time which we were able to put into practice and fire in the kiln. I made some pendants using dichroic glass and some with copper inclusions and textured paper and decals. I also experimented with painting with copper oxide and reactive glass . The course was very well structured and Eleanor was very attentive to all the students and explained all the techniques very clearly. It is a lovely studio with a small group of students. I didn’t want the workshop to end ! I am very inspired to continue and develop the techniques I learnt and I am looking forward to doing another course in the future . Highly recommended !"

Eleanor Designs responded:

"Hello Holly, thank you for your lovely review - it was delightful to have you on the course exploring so many creative techniques. I really look forward to seeing how you combine them with your beautiful artworks and bee-keeping interests too! I really liked the wide variety of bubbled glass pieces you made, the turquoise on red is very interesting isn't it? I look forward to you coming back and learning more soon! Thanks again! Eleanor"

Joe Duirwyn reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Learning Spoon carving with Jeffrey is The Best! His intruction is clear and easy to follow and he is a keen observer of your process, which means he can offer insightful tweaks and adjustments to get you carving safely and confidently in very little time. I was really impressed with my first spoon and (my obvious talent notwithstanding) I would put that down to jeffreys excellent teaching style. Highly reccomended!"

Jane reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Felted Pictures Workshop in Cragg Vale, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday ! Melanie and Linda were just brilliant from the very moment I arrived (a little too early in my over enthusiasm) to the minute I left. THANK YOU THANK YOU for your support, instruction and expert guidance. Would love to do it all over again. Thank you for being so generous with your wools. I loved the food too. Cobbles and Clay is such a lovely sanctuary. Jane x"

Diana James reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Absolutely fantastic!"

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you Di. Hoping it was warm enough for you! Jonathan"

Bethany Green reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"A very good day, beautiful setting, beautiful jewellery, thank you"

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you Beth - very kind words. Well done with your jewellery making and good luck with your future crafting activities! Jonathan"

Camille Peplow reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Amazing day. We had a great laugh and learnt so much. Jonathan has the most amazing approach and outlook. Fab!!"

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you Camille for bringing your workforce along - it was a great day and lovely to meet you all- the jewellery was pretty impressive in the end - and yes, we had a good laugh! Jonathan"

Sue Evans reviewed: Glass Bead Making Workshop - For Two People

"A thoroughly enjoyable activity, very peaceful and highly recommended. Julia gives expert demos then gently guides you through as you make your own beads. I was very impressed how much was achieved and love wearing the beads on a bar brooch."

Jenny Holland reviewed: The natural health chest: assemble your own herbal medicine chest for health and wellbeing

"I have thoroughly enjoyed Rowan’s herbal courses and have continued to recommend them to everyone! There is something rather magical about walking into Rowan’s home, being greeted like a friend and sitting down to a fresh mug of delicious herbal tea. It’s a feast for the senses with all kinds of smells and lots of herbs in various bottles and bags on the kitchen table waiting to be chatted about, measured, simmered and stirred. Rowan has a wealth of knowledge and shares this informally and professionally, ready to answer questions as they arise. The courses are well structured with lots of practical work. Everything from identifying plants in her beautiful garden, collecting leaves, roots and berries to making concoctions. Having a seasonal lunch with yummy homemade cake adds to the whole experience. I have come away feeling empowered and energised and still use many of the recipes that Rowan shared. Rowan’s medicine course has completely changed my approach to dealing with the inevitable family sicknesses and I now have a stash of herbs that I use frequently for coughs, colds, temperatures and tummy bugs. Thank you Rowan for passing on your knowledge, it’s vital!"

Rowan Mconegal responded:

"Thanks Jenny, really pleased that you found the course so useful and empowering, and are going to carry on using this precious knowledge."

Amanda Drury reviewed: Lino cutting course - Laura Andrew Art Studio, Lincoln - Linocut lino printing

"I had a blissful day carving away at the lino and creating a series of prints. Laura is an excellent teacher, really patient and attentive, inspiring us with her artworks and the possibilities of what can be done. Lunch was also nice. I would highly recommend"

Robert Nancy reviewed: Stacking rings Warwickshire

"Booked this for my wife as a Birthday present and to say she was delighted is an understatement. The day did not disappoint, her rings are really impressive and she said it was a great experience."

Carol Huie reviewed: Fabulous fused glass jewellery for beginners

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I wondered what could I possibly make and at the end had made cufflinks, pendants, beads, earrings and broaches. The sparkling vibrancy of the pieces that I’ve made has made me keenly look for another course with the tutor, Eleanor. The studio is a treasure in just the right location. The content, findings and the duration of the course was spot on. Well worth doing."

Eleanor Designs responded:

"Thank you Carol! It was great to have you on my course and see you explore glass as a new medium for your jewellery making. Well done, you should be proud of your beautiful pieces! I hope to see you again soon!"

Kim Metcalf reviewed: Needle felted Dogs and Cats in Hebden Bridge

"This is a great course if you want to have a go at this craft for the first time, or even if you have done some before. With Jo's expert guidence you can leave after the single day with a finished animal - made to a high standard. Jo's method is very sculptural so you gain confidence in building your model from the ground up - no cheating wires or frames that you would find in starter kits ! Its a great way to spend a day, very good value, a great teacher and a lovely venue. Highly recommended."

Chris reviewed: Introduction to Soft Pastels 10-week face-to-face art course in Kidderminster West Midlands

"I am currently attending the Fundamental Art Course with Raya Brown. She is so encouraging and has a great deal of patience! She explains techniques in an easily understood manner and makes each lesson a pleasure...you leave feeling a sense of achievement and looking forward to the next one! Practice at home is now addictive for me! I have also been to several Wool Painting workshops with Raya Brown and these have been fantastic also....a new hobby! Continue doing what you are doing Raya Brown!"

Abbie-Louise Harmer reviewed: Macrame Pot Hanger Workshop

"Great 2 hours spent learning a new skill. Alice is friendly and a great teacher, I would highly recommend!"

Marion Campbell reviewed: Japanese woodblock printing - two day course

"It was a delight to experience a new form of printmaking using organic materials and media. Rowan prepared good notes for the course in advance and supported the practical work with her enthusiasm for the art form and for her time spent developing her skill in Japan."

Rowan Mconegal responded:

"Thanks for your feedback Marion, much appreciated. I'm so pleased that you have enjoyed the courses that you have come on."

Craig Evans reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"I would highly recommend this course. I completed the intermediate course early in 2018, after the beginners course in 2017. Both courses were great. Really informative and fun, but hard work! It was amazing to take home the end result along with new skills. Ciarán is a fantastic teacher, and a lovely bloke. Organised, patient and unassuming, which makes the course great for complete newbies, or hobbyists with a bit of experience already. The workshop is a welcoming environment (although make sure to wrap up in the colder months), and the tools he has for students to work with are great."

Bob Mackenzie reviewed: Woodturning Course in North Yorkshire with Philip Greenwood RPT

"What a great day doing wood turning with Philip, the tuition was second to none he takes his time to explain, then shows you then, let’s you do it, then tells you how you are doing. The best thing was his knowledge of the equipment all the pros and cons what’s best for you. He listens to what you want out of the couse then works around you all the time explaining things at your level. You do have a laugh and a joke which does put you at ease. Overall a fantastic course for young and like me 65yrs never to old to learn. Would recommend this course run by philip to anybody wishing to take up a new hobby. Philip great to meet you and I am looking forward to putting all I learnt in to practice and enjoying my time I my Man Cave in France."

Julie reviewed: Christmas Pudding - needle felting workshop with The Lady Moth

"I thoroughly enjoyed the owl workshop. The atmosphere was friendly and supportive. Following Żenia’s excellent and patient tuition we all went home with a felted owl that we could be proud of. I highly recommend the workshops and will be booking another one."

Tor reviewed: Lino printing landscapes

"I really enjoyed my day with Lee creating a winter landscape lino print. I had a little bit of experience with print making but I still learnt so much from Lee – especially about colours, simplifying a landscape to suit a lino print and the reduction technique – and was amazed that I managed to create a three layer lino print in one day. And, more importantly, it looked like the River Wye landscape I was trying to emulate! Lee's calm and confident manner was infectious and he effortlessly moved around the group supporting each person either with a positive comment or some hands-on assistance. It was lovely spending time learning, creating and chatting with a friendly and supportive group of people. From seeing everyone's seemingly not too impressive first printed layer it was amazing to watch each individual lino print landscape come to life as the next two layers were added. A hugely inspiring day."

Barney reviewed: Woodcarving for beginners - two day course in Suffolk

"Went on the course having never held a chisel and came home with two items I manged to make over the two days. Very relaxed cousre and Gerald had plenty of time for all the students. It might even be worth going just for the food."

Martin reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"I did a workshop mid-June in Weymouth and really enjoyed it. The workstation was laid out well for easy usage. John was inspirational and very helpful as this was my first time. I brought home a piece of work that I’m very proud of and my wife loves. This course is definitely worth doing and is worthwhile”."

Andrea Hobbs/Robert Thompson reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Had a really enjoyable day making our dragons and spirals! Great fun, the right level of tutoring and guidance from the guys, lovely lunch and cake from Debbie, sense of achievement for us both and lots to think about afterwards! Thank you so much Andrea & Rob ...and Rob may be back!"

Brenda reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"I recently did a workshop with John, it was an amazing experience, John was so patient, and explained things in laymen terms. After two hours of chipping and Johns expert help I walked away with a beautiful yacht set in Portland stone. I can honestly say it’s probably one of the things I am most proud of. I defiantly will be going to another of Johns workshops."

Pipa reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - Weymouth

"Having never done anything like this before, I was full of trepidation but Jonh was great. I learned so much, I went from beginner to smug in just a few hours. John gave me the tools to crest a satisfying carving. I would recommend this course to anyone. Thank you."