Latest reviews

Ann Lewis reviewed: Luxury Christmas decorations (full day) with the Cheshire School of Glass

"We had a brilliant day! Jenny made it so much fun. We really got in the mood for christmas! Mince pies and Bing Crosby in abundance! The decoration we made will be treasured for ever! I'm so pleased with the results and the amount we made. Thank you Jenny an awsome day. I will be back for the basic fusing course."

Lizzie Britland reviewed: 1-to-1 tailored course with one of the UK's leading glass artists Jennifer Barker, at the Cheshire School of Glass

"Jenny is the real deal. Her knowledge of glass techniques is incredible. I thought the one to one was a lot of money until I came away from an incredible day where I made and learnt so much. I now realise it was really good value for money. Jenny is easy to get on with and is welcoming and relaxed. She teaches with genuine enthusiasm and in my view, is the best glass fuser in the business. A real professional."

Thomas Miles reviewed: Creating a Viking knife an introduction to forging and knife making at Bearded Pig Forge

"Fantastic course, brillaint teacher with Spike who is very patient and approachable specially if you haven't done this before, yet doesn't dumb anything down, so you walk away with an all round learning experience. Very pleased with the course."

Roger Sylvester-Bradley reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I'm a crop scientist, so I hate it when people only think food comes from shops. But then I was thinking spoons and forks come from shops ... I hadn't thought that forging was needed, or what forging really meant ... but once I'd twigged it's about melting and bashing bits of metal, I really enjoyed it ... and as everyone else is saying, Nigel was an excellent and enthusiastic introducer ... and now I have my own self-made spoon ... and poker, BBQ spatula, and weird wiggly thing to stick in the garden, etc. Activity / experience gifts seem to be in fashion, and this is one, par excellence, especially if you arrive from outer space, like me."

mike edwards reviewed: Hand forged rustic knife course

"This was a fantastic experience.... andy the course leader was very welcoming and great at explaining the process. As a complete beginer i was able to knock up a very respectable blade which looks good and actually works. Would definately reccommend this course for anybody for an experience a little different"

Helen reviewed: Bird sculpture - clay, paper, mixed media craft workshop

"What a wonderful day! I was nervous at first being a beginner to sculpting. However I ended up with two wonderful if somewhat quirky birds! I love them Nikki is lovely and so talented - she was very patient throughout the day, and explained things clearly. She had loads of materials to choose from and everything was set up really well. The studio is very well positioned and light and airy. Nikki made the whole experience really enjoyable. Playing Enya in the background set it off perfectly for me! I wholly recommend this course and I am planning to go back to tackle something else - now I am brimming with confidence in my artistic abilities! Thank you so much Nikki - Humphrey is already settling in well to his new home and haven't worked out what the girl is called yet!"

NIKKI SZABO responded:

"Thank you so much Helen! It was lovely meeting you and I am so pleased you enjoyed the day. Nikki x"

Melissa Gutierrez reviewed: One day Mosaic workshop Moon Hare Studio, Devon

"Brilliant tutor - very knowledgeable and passionate about mosaics. I never knew there was so much to mosaicking. It was a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. I would love to have a go at the ceramic workshop that Adela also holds."

Tania reviewed: 1-Day Jewellery Making Silver Copper Workshop for 2 people

"I thoroughly enjoyed Linda’s workshop. There was a small group of 4 which was perfect. We had the choice of making earrings, pendant, bangle or a ring. I decided on some earrings. Linda was really encouraging and gave lots of guidance so we could achieve something special. I decided on a pair of earrings and I’m so thrilled with them! Not only did I learn a lot of jewellery making skills, I also learnt another technique called keum boo where you bond 24ct gold onto your piece. Thanks Linda for such a great day. Can’t wait to come back"

Linda Sandeman Jewellery responded:

"Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It was so lovely having you there. Loved your design on your earrings. The keum boo really sets them off. :-)"

Kate Frost reviewed: Introductory soap making workshop

"We booked a workshop to celebrate birthdays together. Our age range was from 18 to 85 and we had a brilliant time: really fun, very informative and lovely products to take away at the end. I would highly recommend this, either a session making one thing or a longer workshop trying a few different techniques."

Boo Cottage Botanicals responded:

"Hi Kate, Many thanks for your lovely review - we really enjoyed having you all, it was a fun-filled morning of creativity and laughter. Hope you enjoyed using your goodies, Nic"

Leanne from Burton on the water reviewed: Hand embroidery Workshop - Garden Borders with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"Such a lovely day! Julie you are such a good teacher. Love the Tigley terminology- scrunch uppies!! Many thanks."

Pat from Worcester reviewed: Hand embroidery Workshop - Garden Borders with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"Had a great time, really enjoyed myself and learned lots of new things."

Caroline from Birmingham reviewed: Hand embroidery Workshop - Garden Borders with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"Thank you for a lovely day! Really enjoyed it and very pleased with my "artwork". Hope to come again."

Keeley from Monmouth reviewed: Hand embroidery Workshop - Garden Borders with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"Absolutely fabulous! Thank you!"

Deni Darke- Underwood reviewed: Hand embroidery Workshop - Garden Borders with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"Great! Thank you Julie for your patience and brilliant inspiration."

kirstin from Bracknell reviewed: Hand embroidery Workshop - Garden Borders with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcestershire

"Thank you! Had a fabulous time. Amazing location in your amazing "shed". Beautiful style of teaching and fab to take something almost finished home. Thank you- hope to be back soon!"

Paul KIRKBRIGHT reviewed: Hand forged rustic knife course

"Really enjoyable day. I'm a complete beginner, and had no trouble keeping up, thanks to the patient teaching. The course was easy to understand, enjoyable throughout and I didn't notice my brand new blisters until I was far enough along not to care. By the end of the course I came away with my new knife, feeling like I'd learned a bit and very happy with the experience."

Barbara Cook reviewed: Lino Printing Day with Oxford Linocut Workshops

"I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon with Claire learning how to lino-print. She is a wonderful teacher,very good at explaining technique and very encouraging. Her course was very well organised and I coul;d not fault it at all. Thank you Claire."

Rachel reviewed: Saturday Mosaic Making - St Albans - Hertfordshire

"Really enjoyed how to do a mosaic. Audrey was very helpful every step of the way and the venue and catering were excellent. Loved learning how to mosaic."

Debbie Edlmann reviewed: Lino Printing Day with Oxford Linocut Workshops

"A wonderful afternoon with Claire learning to make Lino cuts. She was such a lovely host and excellent teacher. In an afternoon we were about to print cards from our work which I thought wonderful. I’d love to go again if I get the chance"

Aaron Saunders reviewed: Dragon Making: 2 Day Course

"Just done the Dragon making course and can highly recommend this course. John and his crew are fantastic. Their knowledge and expertise is second to none. Started the course by making a fire poker to learn the basic technics which is excellent. Completing the dragons over 2 days gives a really good insight into blacksmithing. The afternoon of day 2 is where all your pieces come together in a a great one off dragon."

Caroline Blundell reviewed: Wire & mixed media sculpture courses with James Ort

"I was a bit daunted - as creating in wire felt out of my comfort zone - but, as ever, James encourages confidence and creativity, and everyone on our course - all novice to wire - produced splendid artwork to enjoy. I couldn't believe the results. It was an absorbing, fun way to spend 2 days with lovely people in a beautiful setting. This is my third course at the studio and I like it more and more. I would encourage anyone with a curious nature and creative soul to go and enjoy themselves there."

The Phoenix Studio responded:

"Ahhh thanks Caroline! You made a lovely 'cooo' and it was great to see you take to wire so well! As ever, thanks for your loyalty! x"

Deborah Fern reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"A great day learning new skills in a friendly, safe and supportive environment. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who thinks it might be for them - don't doubt it - book a course and find out."

Sarah Foxley reviewed: Craft Retreat at Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"I was unlucky enough to arrive a day later than the other guests owing to a spot of freak September weather but Rosie went above and beyond the call of duty, helping me sort alternative trains and then kindly driving into Inverness late on the Sunday evening to meet me at the station. The remainder of the week unfolded effortlessly into a pattern of stunning scenic walks interspersed with craft activities such as eco dyeing, silk printing and felt making. Everything was beautifully organised yet in such a comfortingly informal manner that it felt more like a relaxed family holiday than a rigid course. Food was freshly prepared and delicious and there was a seemingly endless variety of hot drinks and homemade cake for all those in-between times! But what will probably stay with me the longest was the warmth of both Rosie and Joannie who took the time to get to know each and every guest, instinctively knowing when to listen, encourage and allow space if needed. Equally welcoming were Rosie's friends, Ally and Ele, who kindly shared their spinning and traditional singing skills with us on a couple of evenings. All in all it was a very special week and one which will stay with me for a long time to come."

Jocelyn reviewed: Cyanotype workshop (half day)

"Just had the BEST time on this course. It was so interesting to hear all about the history of the process and then we had so much time to experiment with all the amazing props that Lucy provided. There were so many options from feathers and leaves to wooded shapes and glitter and we were provided with so many pieces of paper to work with so we ended up taking away a lot of special pictures. It was a beautiful space to really be creative - really can't recommend it enough - especially if you find it hard to make time in your life to tap in to your creativity. Such a beautiful process and a really happy day!"

Andrew welsh reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"A very good day , tutors very skilled and fun to work with , lunch was very good with a very frendly atmosphere Would recommend the course"