Latest reviews

Kevin Goodenough reviewed: Beginners introductory pyrography course in Lincolnshire

"I just wanted to say a huge “Thank You” for your time and patience on your Pyrography Beginners Course. With no previous experience whatsoever, I found it a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening day. From the insight into the history of Pyrography, through to the practical hands on sessions trying to grasp the basic skills, I thought it was excellent; the time went so quickly. My only concern now, is trying to pry myself away from trying to develop my pyrography skills on my daughter’s wedding project, in order to prevent my garden from becoming a jungle. I just know I will be engrossed. Thanks again for a great day; it was well worth the trip and would not hesitate to recommend your course for anyone thinking of taking up the hobby."

Roger BYRNE reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"I had a great day with a really experienced craftsman. I went along as a complete novice and Andy enabled me to use two special tools with which to learn the very basic techniques of gradually creating a bowl from a cylindrical block of monkeypuzzle wood. He was patient and gave me guidance at every point in the process forgiving my mistakes and stepping in unobtrusively to rescue me from potential disaster !! I went home with a lovely finished bowl."

Pete Baldwin reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Absolutely wonderful. As someone who has never done much woodworking before, i was amazed that i came home with a hand crafted heirloom that i suspect the kids will be fighting over when I've gone. May have to return to make another one! Setting was fabulous as you will see from the photos. Group size is limited so help always at hand. The best course I've ever attended. Thanks again Ben."

Carole reviewed: Split hazel basketry - two day course

"Dave the tutor is patient and very skilled - he makes it look so easy. Then you try yourself and find more strength and control is needed than you first thought. Dave takes the time to explain and find a way of doing things suited to different abilities - I have knee problems and needed another technique to split the hazel, and Dave came up with several. My finished basket looks lovely and is sturdy enough for use as a fruit basket. The cafe food was also great - thanks to Wayne and his team."

Wendy Harrison reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"My daughter and I had an amazing day with Denise making our little woodland friends ! This was a wonderful experience with a lovely lady who made us feel relaxed and comfortable throughout the day.It was a great opportunity to learn a new skill which we both thoroughly enjoyed . Lunch and a delicious afternoon cake and cuppa complimented the experience! Looking forward to the next time ! Thanks again Denise x ?"

Crafty Gal responded:

"It was a fun day with you two - I loved it and so pleased you left happy with your gorgeous Woodland Creatures, both stunning I may add! xx"

Stuart Ritchie reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"An excellent day of tuition in the well fitted out woirkshop with Andy. Covered all aspects of safety, sharpening and profiling of tools, turning and finishing. A good value course to enable a beginner to go away and start. Well recommended."

Janette reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"Lovely day very relaxed atmosphere, managed to complete my project with help and support from Lucy Thanks"

Sam Downing reviewed: Timber framing courses

"Thanks to everyone at Hewnwood for an amazing week! The course was extremely informative and well organised. The setting is perfect, and I came away feeling all round inspired! Alan and Connor are both extremely knowledgeable and fantastic teachers, and Mary's cooking was incredible! I will definitely be returning and would recommend to anyone. Thanks guys"

Vera reviewed: One day silver jewellery designing and making workshop

"Just arrived back home after spending the day with Bridget in her jewellery studio. It was a very interesting and fun day. I liked the fact that I could choose whatever piece of jewellery I wanted, and after discussing the basic design we worked out the details together, which ensured that my piece had enough challenges to teach me the basics of silversmithing. Bridget was very patient and very easy to talk to, I learnt a lot today and am very happy. I thouroughly recommend spending a day with Bridget to anybody interested in jewellery design and silversmithing"

Kate Coggins reviewed: Make a leather bag in a day workshop

"What an amazing day! Esther was very well organised and flexible enough to enable all of us to make a bag using our choice of pattern, colour of leather, handle type, etc. I learnt such a lot and am extremely proud of the bag I brought home. Thank you Esther for your tuition and encouragement - I have recommended you to a couple of friends. Kate"

Leather Needle Thread responded:

"Hi Kate, Thanks so much for your lovely review. I hope you are enjoying your retirement and your bag! Best wishes, Esther"

Katie Fiszman reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"Where to begin! This was a fantastic day course covering all the essentials in enough detail to feel grounded in the beginnings of dealing with raw fleece, carding, hand spinning, and creating a 2-ply yarn. Since the course I have felt totally confident and able to card and spin on my own at home. I can only commend Dunja on her ability to teach - I have never learned so much in one day as I did on this course. There’s a good balance between information and practical experience - very engaging on different levels. And added to this is Dunja’s hospitality, I felt so welcome and I really enjoyed being at her farm and in the workshop. I intend to take more courses with Dunja as there is so much more to learn and experiment with. Thank you Dunja!"

Roslyn Leary reviewed: Forged in Fire Knifemaking for the Beginner Blacksmith/Knifesmith

"Had a fun time and nice to see the end product from a piece of metal. Good for us girls too. Recommended."

John Daly reviewed: Forged in Fire Knifemaking for the Beginner Blacksmith/Knifesmith

"Everything provided and no prior know how needed. Very good tutor - attentive and easygoing."

Dave Robinson reviewed: Forged in Fire Knifemaking for the Beginner Blacksmith/Knifesmith

"No knowledge need as taken through the basics. Really enjoyed the half day. Very good tutor."

Roy Chandler reviewed: Forged in Fire Knifemaking for the Beginner Blacksmith/Knifesmith

"Great for the novice. Had a brilliant time. Recommended."

John Blake reviewed: Forged in Fire Knifemaking for the Beginner Blacksmith/Knifesmith

"Good grounding for a beginner. Really enjoyed it. Approachable and knowledgeable tutor."

Den reviewed: Carve a Decorative Rocking Horse course

"I just wanted to say a great big thank you to all of you for the kindness and patience shown whilst on the course last week. The actual course far surpassed anything that I was expecting and I really enjoyed the whole experience from the moment I arrived until the moment I left for home, I think I had a tear in my eye (but I think that was because they were full of sawdust from the sanding) but joking aside everything was just so perfect, the tuition, food, company and accommodation and I have done nothing but think and talk about it since I came home, so yet again many thanks and I will most certainly be in touch in the near future."

Jeff Holtom reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Mark is clearly very passionate and knowledgable about woodturning and manages to pass this onto his students in a very relaxed and informal way. As an absolute beginner, Mark provided me with a comprehensive introduction explaining in detail all aspects of woodturning and answering all my questions with ease. I would thoroughly recommend a course with Mark for anyone considering starting woodturning."

Don Irving reviewed: Wood turning courses

"George Many many thanks for your hospitality and my day of woodturning with you, your patience and skill was a pleasure for me far beyond my expectations. Your tuition was most helpful to this rank amateur, your explanation of all the facets of woodturning we covered were very clearly put to me and I hope that I may call on you again in the future. Kindest regards Don"

Nicola Wilson reviewed: Introduction to mosaics / further adventures in mosaic workshop

"Kate's courses are an excellent way to get you started with mosaicing. In a relaxed environment she gives an introduction to techniques before letting you get really hands on with the materials. Tips and advice was given throughout and Kate's always willing to answer questions. She also provides summary notes to reference at home. Ive really enjoyed the 2 courses I've attended and these have both given me the confidence to continue mosaicing at home."

Kate Rattray Mosaic Artist responded:

"Thanks for your lovely review Nicky. I look forward to working with you again soon! Kate"

Andrew J - 30/06/18 reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"An excellent day! Much better than I expected. Came away confident and ready to start work on my car tomorrow. After having many failed attempts at home, David showed me where I was going wrong and I left a confident welder. *Review written at the welding facility on 30/06/18, hard copy kept at premises."

Tom D reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"The course was brilliant! Exactly what I was looking for. A great set up with the majority of time spent doing hands on welding. Could have tolerated a little bit more time spent on classroom type theory, e.g. mixing metals. *Review written at the welding facility on 30/06/18, hard copy kept at premises."

Rob L reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"The course content was very good, covered everything required. No improvements that I can think of. *Review written at the welding facility on 30/06/18, hard copy kept at premises."

Lloyd H reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"I shop at Allied Welding and I saw an advertisement in store. I thought the course was very good, I had no previous welding experience and I am now confident that I can go away and complete small jobs. *Review written at the welding facility on 30/06/18, hard copy kept at premises."

Ben S reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"This was a birthday present from my wife. I thought the course was an excellent introduction and a great confidence builder. The work space was very clean, a pleasant area to work in.  *Review written at the welding facility on 30/06/18, hard copy kept at premises."