Latest reviews

Pip Hall reviewed: Mixed Media Textiles

"Dawn provides an abundance of ideas and materials to use in her workshops along with encouragement and advice. A nurturing and enjoyable day in a well equipped studio complete with cake! Thanks."

Mandy Davies reviewed: Bespoke Contemporary Fine Art Encaustic Wax Workshop.

"I wanted inspiration and insight into this art/craft and a day with Lyn Kirkland gives you exactly that. Open to sharing her knowledge and skills freely, I had a fabulous day learning the techniques associated with this art form under Lyn's patient and inspirational guidance. You will not be disappointed by choosing this intriguing course. Go away with your created project, inspired to explore this craft further and a list of items to set you on your path. Free tea and coffee and scrumptious homemade cake together with Lyn's friendly, warm personality and charm will leave you hungry for more and a yearning to return again. Thank you Lyn. It was a great day!!"

Contemporary Encaustic Wax Workshop responded:

"Mandy, thank you so much for your review of the day. I am so pleased that you enjoyed it. Hope you give it a go! Thanks Lyn x"

Alison reviewed: Free-machine Embroidery Workshop with Dawn Ireland

"I loved the workshop and with Dawn's friendly and clear guidance was able to produce some great pieces to take home. In fact we enjoyed it so much we've already booked for another workshop in the spring!"

Sue Owen reviewed: Experimental Monoprinting (includes gelli printing)

"I thoroughly enjoyed being able to experiment with print techniques in this well run and informative course. Ruth is an excellent teacher who inspired me to produce some interesting work. Thank you Ruth."

Inki reviewed: Experimental Monoprinting (includes gelli printing)

"Fab day and a fab location! Beautiful garden setting and a great place to learn about printing. Ruth is an amazing tutor (and makes great cakes to boot!) Couldn't have asked for a better day."

Sue Owen reviewed: Residential two day monoprinting and collagraph print workshop

"Ruth was an inspirational teacher on this exciting course. I was able to progress at my own rate with expert guidance and encouragment. The course was very well organised and I was thrilled with my results. Thoroughly recommended."

Syd reviewed: Experimental Monoprinting (includes gelli printing)

"Keen to do some monoprinting, so spent a load of time surfing the web to find out about it. Thought I knew it all and fell at the first hurdle! There is no substitute for one on one tuition and Ruth soon put me on the right track. Charming studio and delightful host!"

Mark Hill reviewed: A Practical Dry Stone Walling Workshop Central London

"It was a great day of learning a new skill. John was a great teacher. He introduced the day well, gave a good historical context to the skill of dry stone walling, went through the safety requirements and introduced the tools and techniques really well. We got the work in good time and had a great time. John shared his time well with the students and got us going quickly. Before any time at all we were cutting stones and laying them in place. The target of finishing the sheep creep in the day was a tough one but we got to it and worked hard led by the pace of John to achieve the goal. The outcome was good, the feedback honest and critical but very supportive and clear and I came away with the wonderful feeling of having learned some good skills that i can use in my life and of having a good positive day of work. Thank you John.. you are a fine chap!"

London School of Dry Stone Walling responded:

"Hello Mark - When i met the group, i thought it was going to be a 'tough call' completing the SC in the time. The weather was favourable, which enabled us to get going. Before long, i noticed, you were getting your 'eye in', 'juggling stone' hammer trimming and 'internal pinning'!! Building up the 'Cheek Ends', 'crossing joints', standing back and 'eying up' ! The group worked well together making good progress. Three hours disappeared and after lunch, i felt the team energy and excitement growing to completion. It is a great, permanant feature of engineering skill, and testiment to those determined to stick with it on their, 'day out' !! Thank you for your feedback Mark and taking part. Take Care, Best Wishes - John"

Digger Harris reviewed: Green Wood Chair Making - 6 Day Woodworking Course in South Devon

"I have just attended Peter's spectacular course on chair building. Along with my five fellow participants we have returned home with a much greater understanding of working in green ash and each of us has a beautiful chair which we know intimately as we personally transformed the green ash logs into objects of craft and beauty. Peter was our guide through the process, he explained the plan and the way we could succeed, the priorities and the pace we needed, he helped us understand and avoid pitfalls, make the right decisions and understand why they were right. He encouraged us to make creative decisions to include in the design. I was very impressed that he was able to naturally give the appropriate level of support to each member of the group so we all arrived at the end with a tremendous personal success."

Hadassah reviewed: Glass blowing for beginners with Jon Lewis

"My sister and I had a fantastic day at Parndon Mill with Jon blowing glass. The day was extremely enjoyable and with Jon’s help we made a number of original items including my dream vase! He was tremendously helpful, motivating and encouraging and enabled us to experience all areas and aspects of glass blowing. I would definitely recommend this course to others! Thank you Jon "

Jeremy Wyman reviewed: 1 day introduction to silver jewellery making

"We have just returned from the Saturday course with Jonathan, clutching the silver jewellery we have made. We have done a lot of Craft Courses through Craftcourses.com and this course is in the very top tier. The instruction was excellent with time to practice on Copper before moving to Silver in the afternoon. There was no time pressure to rush the completion of our pieces as we were using some new skills learnt in the morning, this is very welcome and there was no clock watching. We were very impressed that Jonathan could move us from a state of being completely unskilled to a level where we could produce something that we value. The lunch was excellent and the home made ginger nut biscuits are to die for (as mentioned by others). Overall an excellent day. For the record there were three of of us on the course (my wife and I and one other) and that was perfect."

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

"What a fab day! My daughter and I attended a full day workshop yesterday and we're both thrilled with the jewellery we made. Linda has loads of ideas but is also open to suggestions and has loads of patience to help overcome snags. Would love to go again."

Linda Sandeman Jewellery responded:

"Thank you for such a wonderful review. It was so lovely having you there. You bought so much lovely energy to the group. Thanks again."

Someone else reviewed: Residential two day monoprinting and collagraph print workshop

"A memorable experience full of creativity and great company. I'm amazed I what I produced at the end of this course. Big thanks to the amazing Ruth Blackford."

Embroidery is like pudding reviewed: Residential two day machine embroidery workshop

"A wonderful experience on every level. Brilliant tutoring by Ruth and great company. I was very pleased with what I produced. Thoroughly recommend."

Embroidery fan reviewed: Free Machine Embroidery

"A thoroughly enjoyable course and so much packed into one day. Leaves me wanting to attend another course by Ruth Blackford."

Creative bod reviewed: Experimental Monoprinting (includes gelli printing)

"Thoroughly inspiring workshop run by fantastic tutor, Ruth Blackford. Without a doubt I got more than my money is worth. Going to have to book another one!"

aspiring print maker reviewed: Two day Monoprint and Collagraph Print workshop

"Never thought I was capable of creating beautiful images. Superb direction by Ruth Blackford!"

Creative embroidery enthusiast reviewed: Two day Free Machine Embroidery workshop

"A fantastic course for anyone who has a lot, little or no embroidery experience. Ruth Blackford is a great communicator."

Stephen Roberts reviewed: Glass blowing for beginners

"Great value day,nice people, left with permanent reminder of an excellent dat!"

Raymond and Rosemary |Allard reviewed: Woodturning Course in North Yorkshire with Philip Greenwood RPT

"We both bought each other (un-be known) a day wood turning course with Phillip Greenwood in Hetton le hole. Arrived at his workshop in the centre of the village 10 mins early and parked up outside in a small car park. We both ventured a little bit apprehensive and was greeted by Wendy and Phillip. After a cup of tea we doned our coveralls and after explanations of lathe, tools and wood and safety aspects, we choose our wood to work on. Both being a bit competitive with each other, we decide to turn a bowl each. Neither of us had never done anything like this before but Phillip explained everything and was very informative throughout the day. As we had set off at 07.00ish that morning we were hungry, so by lunchtime a smashing sandwich and garnish turned up. YUM. After lunch we went back into the studio to finish our bowls. Due to us asking so many questions and having a really good time we unfortunately didn't get to turn a candlestick, We both turned a beautiful bowl each, the smooth and rich colour and tactile feel of them we couldn't wait to show the family at lunch the next day. We came away with a big smile, learnt something and product that we will cherish and use in our home. A big thank you to Phillip and not forgetting Wendy for the refreshments."

Chloe Harding reviewed: Introduction to Off-Loom Weaving Workshop, Crawley, Hampshire

"I recently attended one of Ellie's workshops with my daughter and it was brilliant ~ we both absolutely loved it. Ellie is so knowledgeable, kind and patient. She provided us all with tea and coffee upon arrival, which created a friendly welcome; it was also lovely to be able to sit down with a cup of something and settle into the class while she gave us some background knowledge on weaving. The equiptment and materials provided were beautiful. There was a real variety of different yarns and I had no idea that you could get a yarn made from rose, which is unbelievably soft! You are also able to purchase a loom which comes with clear instructions and photos (fantastic) put together by Ellie making it easy to take home and carry on weaving. This calss is a must for anyone interested in weaving. We shall definitely be attending another one in the future."

Elka responded:

"It was great to have you both there and i'm so glad you enjoyed it. Your weaving was fabulous!"

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

"Had a fantastic time doing the jewellery making day. I learnt loads of techniques and had the freedom to play around with them before deciding what to make. I made 3 stacking rings and Linda helped me achieve a really professional finish to them. They look great and I can't believe I made them! I'd definitely recommend the course."

Linda Sandeman Jewellery responded:

"Thank you for the wonderful review. What a lovely creative soul you are. You new exactly what you wanted to make and the design. I’m so pleased you were delighted with the result . Amazing stacking rings. x"

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

"The one day jewellery workshop was a most interesting and creative day, culminating in an unusual pair of silver earrings, which I have already worn! Both Linda was extremely helpful and patient, especially as my project ran overtime - much appreciated. I had no idea what was entailed in all the differing processes that go into creating this type of jewellery. Absolutely fascinating, and a lovely Birthday gift from my two children. Many thanks, Gill Macey"

Linda Sandeman Jewellery responded:

"Thank you so much for the wonderful review. It was such a pleasure having you there. The piece you made is beautiful!"

Irene Holland reviewed: Half day leather accessories workshop

"Really great class! I now know how to cut, make holes, stitch and add fasteners. Lovely tutor - now going to have to make some pencil cases for my grandchildren!"

Maththew and Cara Woodwark reviewed: Half day leather accessories workshop

"Great to understand the basics, specific tools and now I know how to saddlestich. We should be able to use the techniques and patterns for lots of things. We have a lot of leather to use. Our tutor was very clear and patient with us and we have patterns to follow to make glasses cases, pen holders and luggage tags. I would recommend this knowledge packed course for anyone wanting to learn how to work in leather."