Latest reviews

Charlotte reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"I actually loved this course so much that l went back and did it a second time! We got to make a range of beautiful items including a decoration and some functional pieces - l wear the jewellery all the time and people always ask me where l got it from! I love being able to say i made it myself in a course. Melanie is such a wonderful teacher, full of inspiration, enthusiasm and generally really lovely and welcoming! I also enjoyed having a trip out to a really beautiful part of the world and the food in the middle of the day was a real treat! I will definitely be back for more!"

Rob reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Great course with a range of technical tasks. Ability to work with some creative freedom and a very knowledgeable host. Would highly recommend."

Mary James reviewed: Lino cutting course - Laura Andrew Art Studio, Lincoln - Linocut lino printing

"I had a really enjoyable day with Laura. She was very helpful around arranging dates. I was not completely confident as this was a whole new area for me, but Laura is an excellent, encouraging teacher and soon helped me get under way. I was really pleased (and a little surprised) by how good my prints looked when done. I didn't think I had the skills to make something so lovely. I have to admit I have caught the bug and will be trying more printing at home."

Mell reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"Really enjoyable, different day. We're not particularly art and hasn't done anything remotely like this before, but Melanie was really patient & supportive, and gave us time to try things out. It was amazing seeing the results the following week once they'd been in the kiln. Can't wait for the follow-on workshop in Feb!"

Wendy Plevey reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"Super friendly host and great teacher. Left feeling very inspired to learn more about Glass Fusing. Was very surprised by how much we achieved in a day. Once the firing process was complete I had a coaster, a dish, a star and some beautiful jewellery. And we had time to have a yummy lunch with cake. Great value for money, I highly recommend."

Jackie Graty reviewed: Needle felt workshop

"i have been on 4 of Louise's workshop's. They are absolutely brilliant for beginners and intermediates. I learnt so much and can't wait for 2019 course dates. Highly recommend"

Jez reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"Loved the whole experience, great direction from John, Mark and Spencer and a great pub lunch too! Recommended for anyone with an interest in blacksmithing."

Maureen Taylor reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"This was a refresher day for me. I first tried Spinning last year & was amazed at how much I enjoyed myself. So much so that my partner bought me a wheel. I'd taken early retirement & started a new business venture so life was busy. Last week I felt ignited again! A Spinning day with Theresa where I regained control & felt proud that I hadn't lost it completely. This was due to having an excellent, patient tutor. Theresa encouraged me & by the end of the session I was fired up again. I'm determined to keep this new found love alive. Going through the steps again made me realise how adventurous you can get with such a tactile natural product. I would definitely recommend this course as a gift or if you're curious, for yourself. Warning! You will become hooked! ?"

Jane reviewed: Natural (cold process) soap making workshop with afternoon tea

"I had a wonderful day attending this course in great company. We went through the whole process and came away with lots of samples of the soaps we had made. I now feel confident to create my own soaps. Julie is a great teacher. The afternoon tea was delicious. I highly recommended it."

Claire Munday reviewed: Wheel thrown mug workshop

"Jack was a fantastic teacher. He was so patient and helpful and put us at ease straight away! The studio was ideal and we would recommend this course to everyone! We will be back again soon!"

Chris Burfield reviewed: Interior styling and decorating one to one day course

"A fantastic course in our home. Michelle took the time to understand what we wanted to achieve in our living room and helped us accordingly. We were able to create a mood board, colour scheme and a short list of wallpaper options. Michelle also recommended a refresh of some of our older furniture which saved us a fortune as we thought we’d need to buy all new. It was a great addition to have Michelle come back the following week to help us with up-cycling our dark wood cabinets in the new colour scheme. Michelle is lovely to work with, is very attentive and goes out of her way to ensure everything is covered. She is well deserving of her fantastic reputation and we will definitely be having her back to help plan our new kitchen diner."

Kathy Paton reviewed: Axe or bladesmithing weekend workshop – 2 days making your choice of a seax, bushcraft, bowie or chef knife

"I loved forging a Seax! I’m a female on the wrong side of 55 and under 5ft but that was no obstacle as Matt is a great tutor. He is calm, patient and knowledgeable and obviously loves what he does. Ali was very attentive, even finding a B&B for me and picking me up from the station! She really went above and beyond in her hospitality! It was lots of fun and if you are a fellow devotee of Forged in fire - you will LOVE it!!!"

Maria Wilkinson reviewed: Candlemaking for Beginners

"I attended this course in October 2018 and had no knowledge of candle making at all . Rob was excellent giving you guidance throughout to make your own beautiful candles and explaining the process of candle making , He had a wealth of knowledge about his subject, and conveyed it well. Classes are kept small so you feel you are given utmost attention. Highly recommend this to anyone wanting to learn the basics of candle making. Cant wait for a follow up course! Maria Wilkinson"

harriett griffin reviewed: Victoria House monthly flower school

"good review"

Gary reviewed: Wood turning courses

"What a great day, Lots to learn but with a great Teacher was made easier and more enjoyable, The hospitality was lovely and made to feel very welcome. Will be booking another day very soon. Once again thanks for a great Day"

Wendy Gyles reviewed: Creative metalwork and welding, scrap metal sculpture.

"Good facilities for metalworking, friendly and informative tutors. Thoroughly enjoyable with everybody achieving their vision of a sculpture/piece."

Tony reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"I spent a really enjoyable day on Creative Vibe’s beginners glass blowing course just before Christmas. Ricky is a very gentle and patient teacher who successfully taught three absolute beginners to create some amazing pieces of glass art. I would highly recommend the course to everybody. Tony"

Felix Watkins reviewed: Spoon carving for beginners - morning

"I really enjoyed the spoon carving workshop. It was good learning new skills and Stephen is very welcoming and supportive. You probably need longer than one session to get a finished product but the class is recommended and an excellent introduction to the world of woodcarving."

Emily Goodall reviewed: Mosaic workshops for beginners Adults make a mosaic heart using vintage china

"I took this course on Saturday with my sister in law. We had a great time, Eva was a patient teacher and very welcoming. I'm addicted, i want to go back and do all of her classes. Thanks again for a lovely day Eva."

Jane Marsh reviewed: Shoemaking Workshop

"I did the one day shoe making workshop - I was absolutely thrilled with the results and proudly wear them regularly. Very patient tuition -I am pretty cack-handed on any sewing machine let alone a leather sewing one! I would heartily recommend! Once the team at Green Shoes have your pattern, you can then also order handmade shoes from them at a later date too."

Asa reviewed: Silver clay ring making

"I did this with my mum and had an amazing time! I learned a lot, the teacher was experienced but also patient and it was very relaxed and comfortable. I was incredibly pleased with both the rings I made (one for a friend and one for my mum) and so were they!"

The Arienas Collective responded:

"Hi Asa. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review. We're so glad you enjoyed your ring-making workshop and felt you had learned a lot. You created two very unique and beautiful rings, and it's great to hear that the lucky recipients were happy with them. We hope to welcome you back to The Arienas Collective again. With best wishes, Lynn"

Xanthe Scott reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - Anvil Forge

"What a great experience - my partner and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and although we started off a little daunted at the thought of bending hot metal we soon got to grips with the techniques under the expert tutelage of John, Mark and Spencer and soon became engrossed in our tasks. It's fairly physically demanding and we ended the day exhausted but very happy with what we produced - we made a pair of candlesticks. Altogether a great atmosphere, lovely group of people - fantastic day!"

Paul Le Baigue reviewed: Blacksmithing course - spend a day in the forge

"I really enjoyed my day with Richard. Lunch great. We were well looked after. I would have loved 2 days!!"

Kim reviewed: Cyanotype workshop (half day)

"In a sentence: a brilliant way to have a creative afternoon, in great company where you actually like the thing you make! I'd never done Cyanotope before but others on the course had and the workshop seemed to work for all. Lucy was really friendly, approachable and provided us with guidance, lots of tips along the way and beautiful materials to work with. I came away with 7 pieces of my own art work that I'd be proud to hang on my wall. A really satisfying way to spend a half day."

Marina Szijarto reviewed: Alchemy of Pigment and Pattern at SAOG Studios

"Deep gratitude to you all for your wisdom teachings and the detailed hands on application of them. Your teachings all came from a place of immense generosity, deep understanding and love. Thank you. The weeks unfolding of the philosophy of craft traditions, the relationship of minerals and colours with the planets, together with sacred geometry patterns and how they all connect was opening for the mind and consciousness. The physical action of touching, washing, grinding minerals, plants & beetles, plus the dramatic chemical reactions, grounded the knowledge in the body and crates a relationship for me with all the materials and tools we used. The making and using of the paints on the sacred patterns was a heart opening meditation that connected all parts of this incredible week - thank you so so much. Thank you also for making space for Darren’s water talk, which was also illuminating, plus the daily poems and prayers which helped set the intention of the room. I wanted to share these words I was inspired to put on social media with some photos after the course “Wild crafting our materials ( both traditional craft arts & healing arts) and connecting our creativity to a specific place on the earth - making relationship with those plants, earth, rocks and minerals and their connections to the planets/ cosmos is all of our birth right, no matter which continent we live on, or who are ancestors are - it is the medicine to antidote the industrialisation and commodification of our world and Re Member our interconnections.” On returning to London ... I felt similar to how it feels when coming back from a meditation or spiritual retreat...only better as now I have some beautiful colours to mark and remember the journey :) I hope to be able to take more workshops with you all ... Thank you again, and warmest regards to you all and your families during this beautiful dark time of year and the rebirth of the seed of light,"