Latest reviews

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

"Just completed 2 days knife making course with Spike. What an absolutely awesome experience. Spike guides at every step of the process, explaining and demonstrating techniques on scrap metal so that your piece is entirely your own work. Spikes teaching style is calm collected and encouraging. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the history of his craft as well as the techniques and skills involved. I felt reassured and gained confidence quickly . And produced a gorgeous Damascus (pre-made pattern welded steel) Kriss Athame dagger. I thought perhaps i was asking too much when i first enquired about making one, however, Spikes tuition meant i was able to achieve everything i wanted in the knife in good time. I highly recommend his course and teaching and i fully expect to be booking again in the future."

Bev Popplewell reviewed: Mixed Media Textiles

"Lovely setting, very friendly and very well prepared. Small group, so very easy to get to know people and get help if needed. So many available resources to inspire and delight! Will definitely book again!"

Jacqueline Thompaon reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"Fun, informative, quirky and productive. I totally recommend this workshop whether it’s to learn a new skill, develop an interest further or just to enjoy a different way to spend time with friends/family. Great venue and fantastic teacher. I left with a candle I love and loads of good ideas! Tea and cake was a nice touch. Thanks!"

Jeanine de Cock reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"I enjoy Beatrice Hoffman's sculpture workshops very much and look forward to start again in a few week's time - I need that "getting away from it all" time !"

Nicholas Nelson reviewed: Pottery throwing workshop Saturdays or Sundays

"My hubby and I spent the most fantastic afternoon with Nadia and 5 other students at the beginning of September. Our first time to throw, we knew nothing. Nadia’s calm and patient teaching had us moulding the raw clay, centering, shaping and creating. You’ll have your own wheel and tools and great opportunity to create something to take home, under Nadia’s wing. A beautiful studio, wonderful garden and delicious cake set the scene. We’re hooked and very keen to find ways to “throw” again - thank you Nadia for a wonderful experience."

Stella Lallement reviewed: Stained Glass Weekend for Beginners

"Jude's encouragement and guidance throughout the course were great. She is very knowledgeable and skilled not only in the art of stained glass but also in teaching. Jude provided us with demonstrations, constant feedback and plenty of very useful information. We could choose from a variety of materials and tools to accomplish our task. And, at the end, I was very happy with the lovely stained glass panel I was able to make with Jude's support. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in stained glass making whether they are starting out like me or want to learn something new. Jude also offers longer more advanced courses and teaches other techniques such as fusing."

J Towndrow reviewed: Fused glass day course - beginners/intermediate

"I did a full day of fusing. Yes, the venue as a little tricky to find. Having got there, the workshop was such a pleasure. It was all peaceful and all about having a creative time. My coasters and window hanging are beautiful - they actually look vaguely professional - and a number of my friends have expressed a desire to attend one of Nicky's workshops as a result of seeing what I made. I will definitely book again. It really was wonderful to be in the presence of such creativity and allow some of it to brush off onto me."

Graeme Whittle reviewed: Blacksmithing one-to-one North West UK

"Wow .... what a great day! Just got back from a full day, one to one blacksmithing course with Colin. It exceeded my expectations and I would strongly recommend it for anyone who is interested in iron work. Colin is old school, down to earth and straight talking, a great guy. He’s extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher. I wanted to make a handle for a wood burning stove I’m making and Colin was more than happy to help design it and teach me the skills to craft it myself. He teaches each stage of the project by building one alongside you and nothing was to much trouble to explain. This course was a birthday present from my kids and I had a great time .... thanks Colin."

Mary Birkby reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Thanks Jo for a brilliant day. The course was so much fun and incredibly informative. Jo’s beautiful studio overlooking The Green in Cavendish is the perfect place to be schooled in all aspects of candlemaking. At the end of the workshop I came away with a bag full of my fragrant creations and as if that wasn’t awesome enough I now have the knowledge and confidence to be able to make candles at home anytime I wish. I would wholeheartedly recommend this workshop, I had a splendid day."

Tina and Melwyn reviewed: Stained glass leading for beginners

"We were a family of 4 with no prior experience in stained glass leading but we were looking forward to a different experience. It was an excellent day and we were extremely glad of having done this together. Jamal was extremely patient and encouraging and gave all of us some tips and tricks to make our panels look good. Jamal is an extremely talented artist himself and it was also fantastic to talk to him about his work."

Geraldine Williams reviewed: Stained Glass Mosaics Course

"Geraldine Williams Yesterday at 22:24 Had a fantastic time on Ann's two day course, could have spent a whole week there! Ann is such a wonderful teacher, in the most relaxing, welcoming and chilled out surroundings. It was honestly brilliant. The course caters for the beginner like me to the most gifted, Ann is fantastic and so encouraging (and Will too). Highly recommend Blue Sky Mosaics and definitely plan for a return visit."

Blue Sky Mosaics responded:

"Thank-you so much for your lovely review Geraldine, it was a pleasure having you on this course."

Jenny K reviewed: Mini photoshoot with frame or card craft activity

"Excellent photographer and event for both adults and children. We absolutely loved the concept and you get a lot out of it for the price, would definitely book again!"

RN Events Photography responded:

"Thank you so much, we hope to see you at our next session!"

barry reviewed: Denim jeans - be the designer!

"I just wanted to say what a fantastic time I had with Angela , the jeans that Angela helped me with are just so much better than anything you can buy , Angela was such a good teacher , the equipment second to none, the jeans of my dreams, I had a fab time , thank you Angela all the best Barry"

Gianna I. reviewed: Alien spoon carving

"We had such a good time! It was a present for my boyfriend and we did the course together. Alan was very patient, showed us all the techniques, we also had regular breaks with coffee - and an outstanding lunch cooked by his partner. And we did indeed create something that resembles a spoon! Such lovely people and a fantastic course we would recommend to anyone."

Sue Evans reviewed: Mindful Mosaic workshops with Dionne Ible - Bedfordshire

"I had such a lovely day with Dionne. She taught me the techniques I needed to use as this was my first attempt at mosaic. She gave me just the right balance of independence and guidance so that I felt enabled and supported. I was able to complete the project I had wanted to create and take the finished article home. Dionne is very professional and friendly so the whole experience was relaxing and absorbing and I felt I had accomplished something new. I would highly recommend her."

Sally Guild reviewed: Stone carving for beginners - one day course at Sculpture by the Lakes with John Davey

"I was gifted a place on John's one day beginners course at Sculpture by the Lakes as a complete novice. What a great experience in a magnificent setting. John is a patient and experienced teacher who brought the best out of all of our small and friendly group. We produced completely different compositions and outcomes under his excellent tutorage. We were so lucky to be able to work outside in the sunshine with all tools provided at individual work stations. An added bonus was lunch al fresco chosen from a very comprehensive menu provided by the on site restaurant. Thank you John for a brilliant and successful day and Monique for being such a good facilitator ! Sally Guild"

Art & Inspiration at Sculpture by the Lakes responded:

"Dear Sally - thank you for a lovely review and so glad you enjoyed your day with John at Sculpture by the Lakes and I will pass on your kind comments to the cafe staff. You all completed excellent work and I think you should all be very proud of yourselves!"

Jean Martin reviewed: The spirit of Shetland knitting holiday

"Everything was very well organized and ran smoothly. Lynn was delightful and attentive to all necessary details. Great experience! Kathleen, Annie and Hazel we're fantastic instructors. They were very helpful and lots of fun. Non-knitting excursions were interesting and well planned. I'm ready to go back to Shetland again."

Stephen reviewed: Spoon carving beginners course

"The reviews already posted sum up what this spoon carving course is about - a lovely setting, good company, relaxed, great tuition - you'll find this out soon enough when you sign up. Simon and Nigel were running the course when I went in July. Nigel was our main mentor for the day and he was, quite frankly, a 100% good chap. Simon, what a legend. There may be some people out there who haven't chopped anything beyond your ham and cheese sandwiches. I was in the same boat before starting the course. As such, you may feel a bit apprehensive about wielding an axe or using a carving knife...but you won't feel this way for long... Nigel really shows you step by step what to do, how to do things safely, and will do demonstrations throughout the day. It's a patient and calm setting - the best way to get started on learning wood working. It didn't take long before I was really enthralled in what I was slowly creating! A great day out, and a lot learned that I can now build upon - thank you Nigel and Simon!"

Dominic O'Riordan reviewed: Beginners blacksmithing course - 3 days

"We did the three day beginners' course. This is a fantastic course with an expert craftsman, team and equipment. They were fun, challenging, intensive full days at the forge. We managed to do a lot more than I thought would be feasible. It is really well organised, great teacher and worth the cost. Thanks Peat and team. Hoping to do the tool making or leaf course next."

Paul McLintic reviewed: Stained glass panel

"Margery not only really knows the arts and crafts of beautiful stained-glass, she knows how to share them and guide you through making your own art. From an absolute beginner, I learned about design, including choosing among the various combinations of colours and tones of glass, about cutting the glass and the lead, assembly, soldering and then completing the piece. I have since mounted my stained glass panel on a resin base and am very pleased with the finished product. This course was a great revelation to me and I look forward to doing more stained-glass work with Margery."

Spencer Hanley reviewed: Introduction to Furniture Restoration at Craven Conservation

"Fantastic Day! Started off just about knowing where wood came from and preceded to learn about the many different tools and what they are used for, applied the learning by using Tenon Saw, general saw, plane, chisel, bandsaw, rotary sander, made wooden plugs, drilled and sanded to ultimately produce a really nice shelf out 1 plank and one length of 0.4x0.4. Bill was excellent; patient, engaging and not in anyway intimidating while I applied my ham-fisted talents. Brilliant."

Lyn Pearson reviewed: Jewellery making with silver clay - one day beginners workshop

"I really enjoyed the silver clay workshop it was brilliant to be able to come away with some beautiful pieces of jewellery the same day. It was lovely having 'one-to-one' instruction which made the workshop very personal. I would recommend doing this workshop to anyone and in fact have done already! Thank you again Charlotte for sharing your knowledge, I'm very keen to buy a starter kit now and start making lovely jewellery at home. Would like to learn how to make rings so will definitely be back when that course is available, Thank you again."

Jeni reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"I had a lovely afternoon trying the different techniques and was so pleased with the results once they came out of the kiln. Julie was a very good teacher and a lovely hostess and made me feel very welcome. I had been wanting to try glass fusing for a long time and Julie really explained things clearly and gave me the right foundation to take this further if I want to in the future. Already booked to go back, this time bringing my Mum with me to do some Christmas decorations!"

Penny Brinn reviewed: Spoon Carving in the Woods (an introduction)

"Beautiful woodland venue, really informative and fun day with a lovely lunch cooked on the fire. Highly recommend"

Jasmine reviewed: Have a Go Pottery: throwing

"Absolutely fantastic evening with Mary. Me and my friend went for her birthday treat and both thoroughly enjoyed it. I posted a photo of our pots and so many people have asked where we went and i couldn't recommend Mary enough. I didn't know what to expect but it was very hands on and we managed to do four pots and sarah 5!! The lesson was perfect as we had one to one attention and Mary tried to up our confidence. Very relaxed atmosphere and we had such a laugh."