Latest reviews

Shiv reviewed: Woodwork taster / pendant making course in Cheshire

"I had never made any jewellery before, but love wooden things, loved the look of the necklaces/pendants, so jumped at the opportunity to make one myself. The three hours went in a flash. It was lovely to get out of the city and so Interesting to learn how to make something from scratch. The pendant looks simple, but there were many different stages, the use of different tools and machinery, to arrive at the finished product. Dave is informative, patient, his teaching was interwoven with interesting facts, chats, guidance and support. You will not be disappointed. I look forward to returning. I had such a fun and enjoyable few hours in the workshop, there is a cosy wood burner in there too."

Victoria Partridge reviewed: Silver clay Warwickshire

"I have been working with silver clay for a while now but felt I would benefit from a bit of guidance. I've just advanced a few years worth of skill in one day, well worth the money. I cannot recommend highly enough, thank you Kate."

Tina H reviewed: Candle making class & bubbly in Brighton & Hove

"I booked candle making with Charlie for a friend's birthday. What a lovely lovely afternoon we had starting with a glass of bubbly. Charlie was so welcoming and enjoyed a giggle alongside us. I would definitely recommend any workshop with Charlie"

Karen reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I had such a splendid time at the café last Saturday I wanted to write and say a special thank you. I've never been to a craft workshop before, and, given the extensive and interesting range, had trouble deciding which one to choose having received a voucher for Christmas. The felting choice was great. Marieke was lovely and a great tutor. The day was a joy from the moment of arriving and getting a cuppa with the yummy warm-from-the-oven biscuit until it was time to go. The venue was excellent, food fantastic and welcoming friendly atmosphere spot on. My partner was delighted that his gift to me had made me so happy and I'm hoping that future birthdays and Christmases might result in more vouchers coming my way! With very best wishes"

Caroline W reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"What a fun day. We went home exhausted, each with a very different pair of wearable slippers. Annie joined in and happily supplied bundles of towels to mop her floor as we added more and more lovely organic soap and water to our creations as we rolled and rolled trying to remember which way up it was and how many layers we'd done. (Future sessions could do with some sort of chart to mark off as one goes along - all the chatting takes one's mind of the job at hand.) Annie's helpers provided a choice of three delicious soups (I tasted all three!) and two puddings for lunch at a table set out in the sunshine in the garden - time to gather our energies for the afternoon. Thanks especially to Marieke who managed to get her instructions across against all the chatter, while making her own perfect pair."

Ros S reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"I thought that making a pair of felt slippers would be so easy - just sew up some felt and hey presto ! But no we had to make the felt ourselves ... Lovely Marieke helped us to gradually build up layers of merino wool and patiently explained how to create patterns and colours. We worked so hard rolling and soaping and throwing and massaging and chatting -but what a result. An amazing pair of very cosy slippers which I designed and made myself ! A lovely day - helped by delicious soups and 2 puddings for lunch and scones with jam and cream for tea. Highly recommended!"

Annie S reviewed: Funky felt slipper making, warm & cosy - a 'Quirky Workshop' at Greystoke Craft Garden & Barns near Penrith and Ullswater

"What a great course! Beautiful location; delicious, healthy lunch and refreshments; excellent, friendly tuition, complete with dashings of science and history (local and global) of felting.... this course takes your knowledge and skills of felting to a higher level. It would be suitable for the beginner or the experienced alike as there is always room for improvement. Marieke and demonstrates the process in an unrushed, clear, step-by-step fashion, resulting in beautiful, unique, warm slippers. The other ladies on the course were lovely to be with. We shared ideas, thoughts and knowledge. Ideas for embellishment were shared and observed. Annie made us feel very welcome, even offering childcare at the end after school pick-up in order to finish the slippers. I would recommend this course to anyone needing an uplifting day...and desiring special slippers! I still feel a warm glow from it nearly 2 weeks later. Thankyou."

Linda Trotman reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"A lovely day - thank you Denise. The number of us on the course was ideal - a small group so we all had chance to have individual guidance and it was also fun to chat while we worked. The tuition was excellent and it's given me some new ideas/techniques to take my needle felting forward. I was very proud of my results and Henrietta Hare will inspire me to try more things now. Hope to see you on another course soon."

Crafty Gal responded:

"SO pleased you enjoyed your day Linda! Look forward to seeing what you go on to next using all the tricks of the trade from yesterday! Enjoy! Dx"

Victoria K reviewed: Candle making class & bubbly in Brighton & Hove

"I booked this course last minute and was very glad I did. As somebody else had cancelled it was just me and Charlie. The workshop was very easy to follow and informative. Lovely comfortable studio. Would totally recommend for individuals or small groups."

wendy scanes reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"After 20 years of owning a spinning wheel that I just dusted and oiled occaisionally, I can now actually use it. I couldn't seem to put into practice what I was reading in books, and, more recently, watching on videos. Now, after just a day spent with Theresa, it all makes sense and I'm looking forward to using my wheel regularly. If you are thinking of learning to spin, I thoroughly recommend booking a class with Theresa. It was a relaxed and enjoyable day, time flew but thanks to our very patient, and knowledgable teacher, we successfully produced our skeins of spun wool."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"Thank you so much for your review. I really do appreciate it. I was thrilled to help you to finally spin on your beautiful wheel and your first skein was impressive. I really hope that you continue to spin and that it gives you years of pleasure. Awaiting photos of the knitted result!!"

Lalita Nicholson reviewed: 2-Day Jewellery Making Workshop

"I had a fantastic 2-day workshop with Linda and made two lovely pieces of jewellery. Linda is very knowledgeable and was very encouraging, and I came away with a good understanding of various techniques. She had a very relaxed style of teaching which made the whole time really enjoyable. I would highly recommend these workshops to anyone who wants a fun experience or is interested in making jewellery."

Amanda & Gill Carver reviewed: 1-Day Jewellery Making Silver Copper Workshop for 2 people

""Such an amazing day jewellery making with Linda today. This was the second visit for myself and my mum. This time we make earrings and a necklace. Would recommend this workshop to everyone, it’s fantastic!""

Tracey reviewed: Spoon carving for beginners - morning

"Fantastic afternoon spent carving a wooden spoon - just to work with raw materials and your hands deepens your appreciation for what’s involved in making one spoon and how we take it for granted. Thanks to Stephen for allowing us all to express and encourage our individual styles in a relaxed, fun and addictive way!!! I can’t recommend it enough - I will definitely return!"

Denholm reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Couldn't have wished for a better course to introduce me to wood turning, I had a great day with mark everything, anything and more was explained and taught. Mark shows you from the very beginning the do's and don't of essential equipment needed to start up wood turning without having a salesman have u spend your money for you to the essentials of tool care and use of them and the improvements to them for a much more professional result. Also you get a mass of information that he gives you when you leave on course notes and also takes time to email you a essential beginners/improvers list of recommended equipment and tools that you never get on courses these days....Side note mark should start a instagram account so you can see his amazing work ."

Kim Waugh reviewed: Glass Fusing and Slumping for Beginners and Improvers

"My sister and I attended a class (our second, and definately not the last!) on Saturday. Once again completely enjoyed our day, started with a little refresher on what we were doing and then Jean & Janice encouraged our creative inner selves to shine thru! As always, they were very helpful and encouraging...and the homemade soup, bread and sweets were an additional bonus! Well done ladies! If you want a great day with excellent end result - sign up here!!"

JJ Fused Glass responded:

"Thank you for this Kim. It was really nice to see you and your sister once again. You’re both so enthusiastic and receptive to the whole process, it makes our job much easier. I do hope you like your work. We look for ward to seeing you again in the future."

Jenny reviewed: Weave a scarf in a day - handloom weaving

"I had a fantastic time at the Skipton class. Really friendly and welcoming atmosphere. All 6 of us went home with lovely, individual scarves and a good base of knowledge of how to weave and potential problems to look out for. Anne was so lovely and a great teacher. I did the workshop to see if I would enjoy weaving and I came home and ordered a loom straight away, so I would say it was definitely a success!"

Jane & Steve B reviewed: Pottery / ceramics wheel throwing, full day

"Very productive day. Good fun. Excellent tutor. We each threw, turned and decorated at least 6 pots of various sizes. Can't wait for them to be glazed & fired ready for collection. Definitely recommended Thanks Lorraine PS: Cake was delicious - Thanks Lorraine's mum"

Pippa Dore reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"I had no experience of spinning prior to this course and didn’t know how I’d get on. The class was so well prepared and each step explained really well. The welcome and atmosphere was really friendly and it was easy to relax and enjoy the whole experience of learning a new craft. I loved the extra information relating to sheep breeds and different wools too. I would definitely recommend this course, I feel very lucky that I found it."

The Spinning Barn responded:

"I was delighted to help you on the start of a learning curve which involved more than spinning. Your enthusiasm reminds me of myself 20 years ago! I was so pleased to watch your quick progress and final production of two skeins on day one. I was thrilled too. So thank you so much for your wonderful review. It is really appreciated."

Tony brotherton reviewed: Beginners spoon carving taster session

"Enjoyable and relaxed atmosphere and first class instruction. Could perhaps have done with another 30 mins to progress a little further with the spoon. Otherwise a thoroughly enjoyable course and highly recommended"

Helen reviewed: Woodwork taster / pendant making course in Cheshire

"Myself and one other participant made pendants just before Christmas, with which we were delighted. It was great fun using all the equipment and Dave's teaching style is very supportive and patient. His passion shone out when he showed us his hand-made box of different woods over lunch. He is a true artist as well as craftsman, and will inspire you to be the same."

Jennie Bashforth reviewed: Upholstery weekly classes

"Karen is passionate about upholstery and is a great and inspirational teacher. The small group of four mean that you get a lot of attention from Karen in a welcoming, friendly and relaxed environment. Wednesday afternoons are the high light of my week and I would highly recommend Badger Upholstery to anyone who is thinking of taking up upholstery."

Rosie Huckle reviewed: Calligraphy: four-lesson correspondence and/or zoom courses with Gaynor Goffe

"I was really keen to reignite my passion for calligraphy having had a few lessons some years ago but then not been able to find any evening classes etc near me. I’m so pleased I finally found Gaynor - I now attend the day sessions about once a month. The sessions are in small groups and Gaynor tailors her teaching to whatever script or project you want to tackle. I’ve been able to start working towards the CLAS National Diploma. Because the sessions are so bespoke (not to mention friendly and welcoming!) I think they represent excellent value for money, and Gaynor’s skill and expertise are certainly second to none. I have progressed so much over the last year under her tutelage. I would highly recommend!"

Priscilla White reviewed: One day Mosaic workshop Moon Hare Studio, Devon

"Thank you Adela for a lovely introduction to mosiac making - the course was fun, entertaining, well prepared and allowed enough time for me to complete a project (apart from the grouting but that needs to be done 24hrs later and we were given a demo and the materials to finish). The choice of patterns to use were varied and very flexible to each persons preferences and the colour schemes they chose. Location was easy to find - only downside the tea room we had planned to visit afterwards had closed when we emerged clutching our mosaics!"

Alan Lynch reviewed: Beginners spoon carving taster session

"Thoroughly enjoyed the taster session. It was well planned and professional in delivery; explanation was clear and I’m sure everyone enjoyed the experience. It would have been good to finish the spoon but this wasn’t realistic for just over 2 hours of work. I would highly recommend the session to others."

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

"Absolutely loved every minute of the day! Spike was very welcoming, professional and an excellent teacher. Catered for everything throughout the day offered very good teaching tips and cues and allowed me to forge a Viking seax from scratch. Will definitely book to do another days experience loved it that much."