Latest reviews

Maria reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"A pleasant way to spend 48 hours with like minded people in a room with lots of space to scrapbook The room I stayed in was close to the main craft room and was comfortable & clean with its own bathroom. The food was excellent with plenty of it The shop was handy and had lots of goodies to buy The house was lovely and the grounds were beautiful and the whole weekend was amazing. Thank you"

Debbie/Shirley/Sam reviewed: Introduction to fused glass (1 day) in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

"Fantastic course - such fun, thoroughly recommend it to others!!! Martin is so knowledgeable, and the course was well resourced and structured to introduce us to many different techniques you can use in fused glass artwork - each new skill building on the previous one. It was challenging and satisfying all rolled into one We all came away with multiple glass sun catchers, glass coasters, encapsulated fused glass and a glass bowl which was great value for money. Thank you Martin - we are all now addicted!"

Linda Byrne reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"Had a fantastic day with Kate today, in her lovely garden. Have never tried willow weaving before, but Kate was a brilliant teacher and taught with calmness and patience as we tried to grasp the basics!! There were 6 of us today, and we all went home having made our first willow sculptures - herons, a chicken and even a deer. The atmosphere was brilliant, we all had a good laugh. Excellent lunch and refreshments provided, as well as cakes. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and will definately be returning to make something different."

DAVID reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"Good course. Puts you on the right path with plenty of demos, plenty of humour, lots of hands on experience. Very relaxed atmosphere allowing your confidence to grow."

Potclays Ltd. responded:

"Many thanks for your review, David! Look forward to seeing you again at Potclays soon."

Libby Halford reviewed: Table Loom Weaving Workshop - Dobby & Rose

"Rebecca was a wonderful coach being calm and very knowledgeable. I have been interested in weaving for years but never tried it and was delighted with the outcome. I will certainly explore this amazing craft further."

Veronica Grindley reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"My sister, my daughter and myself spent a wonderful day last Sunday on the silver jewellery boat (which is a great venue!). Jonathan was very patient and an excellent teacher. I really enjoyed learning how to make copper chains, links and charms before making a silver bangle (which I'm wearing as I type). We tried out several different skills and it was really interesting to understand the different processes that are gone through to get to the completed bangle. The boat was moored in a pretty spot with a walk through trees and a wildflower meadow to reach it. We sat on the bank to eat our picnic and watched other boats, cyclists and walkers go past through the day. At one point a family of swans came visiting (four very young cygnets) and the adults tapped on the window. I went away with a smile on my face and am very pleased with what I managed to produce. I would really recommend a day out on the silver jewellery boat. Many thanks Jonathan!"

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Dear Veronica, thank you for your very kind and thoughtful words! It was a great day and you may be pleased to hear the cygnets are still thriving and whizzing about. I'm very pleased you are enjoying the jewellery and hope you might go on to make some more. Great to meet you and your family. Jonathan"

Suzanne reviewed: Furniture Painting Workshop in the Cotswolds

"Warm welcome with a coffee and cake. Discussed what my expectations of the day were. Everything went at my pace and the course was very relaxed. I never felt like I was doing it wrong as creativity is what you make it. Lunch was brilliant my absolute favourite thank you, which allowed the paint to dry on my work. Then we made the finishing touches which totally transformed the piece of furniture. I was astounded and didn’t think it would work but it looks brilliant thank you so much for your guidance and knowledge. I will definitely keep in touch. And the day was nicely rounded off with a freshly made scone with cream! It was a surprise birthday treat for me and I loved every minute of it thank you"

Richard Marchart. reviewed: Introduction to Spoon Carving

"An excellent and thoroughly enjoyable day in a beautiful location. Great tuition and guidance from Chris. Lunch and cake were delicious and the company was great. I thoroughly recommend this cause to anyone who would like to explore green woodworking."

Caroline Rutkowski reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"I attended the Stag Course in April and left with not only a wonderful Stag, but some excellent advice and skills. I think I may have caught the bug as it wasn't long before my own willow arrived and using all the techniques learnt, I was able to sculpt my very own piggy."

Eirian reviewed: Hedgerow basketmaking holiday

"Really had a good time, learned many technical skills and the days were interesting and educational. The setting was lovely and Jane was a very good tutor, having expertise in the subject taught."

Cin Burnett reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"Very well organised and hosted. Collaborative group. Nice people. Good food and good value. Have booked another course."

Sue reviewed: Raku pottery workshop with Pris McGirr

"Throughly enjoyed today's Raku course. Would highly recommend anyone wanting to learn a new craft to go on any of the courses run by Alford Craft Market , they are well taught in friendly small groups."

Alison reviewed: Raku pottery workshop with Pris McGirr

"Had a lovely day doing Raku at Alford Craft Market"

Emma reviewed: Raku pottery workshop with Pris McGirr

"My mum and I had a great day and we are so proud of our beautiful pots. Total raku addicts now!!"

Donna Abercrombie reviewed: Advanced Sewing Machine Skills with St Ives Adult Learning

"It was 6 hours well spent. I learnt how to clean my sewing machine and all about needles and threads and when to use these for different purposes. We went on to learn how to use the different feet supplied for the machines and how to use the zip foot for piping. We learned how to do decorative effects with different stitches and twin needles as well as how to do different button holes, overedging and how to use some of our lesser used stitches. It was a really helpful course for people with a range of skills. It was a small class so we had the luxury of individual attention when we needed it. I've been to Pamela's classes before, and she never disappoints."

Adult and Community Learning responded:

"Thank you for your kind review, Donna, we are glad that you enjoy Pamela's courses and can confirm that we will have a couple of new ones available in our new programme - St Ives Adult Learning"

Fiona Sharp reviewed: Dyeing with Woad

"Really lovely course, very interesting and I learned such a lot from Susan. Very pleased with the items I dyed. Definitely worth booking."

Susan Martin responded:

"Thank you for your review, much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed the course."

Steve K reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"I was not expecting to be able to Arc and MIG weld after just one day! David is a very professional and knowledgeable host, taking time to answer and explain all questions. Also, thank you for helping me with my exhaust bracket, appreciated. *Review written at the welding facility on 09/06/18, hard copy kept at premises."

Alex C reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"Perfect explanations and very helpful. We got stuck in right away, I loved it!. Dave is a great teacher and put me through my paces while also stopping to explain and show corrections where necessary. *Review written at the welding facility on 09/06/18, hard copy kept at premises."

Nathan F reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"The course was excellent, perfect for the work I need to do on my land rover. There's nothing that needs improving, the course was as advertised, and David provided support and assistance all day. *Review written at the welding facility on 30/09/17, hard copy kept at premises."

John M reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"The atmosphere was informal and friendly and I really enjoyed the day, perfect for a beginner like me. *Review written at the welding facility on 09/06/18, hard copy kept at premises."

Andrew H reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"An excellent and informative day. Plenty lot of hands on practice with constant help and advice.  *Review written at the welding facility on 09/06/18, hard copy kept at premises."

John Coombs reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking at Sallerton Wood

"I did the one day course a couple of days ago and I want to go again. Andy is a competent and very able instructor. He made me feel relaxed and at home right from the start. Clearly there is a limit as to what can be done in a day, but I came away with a couple of fairly respectable spatulas and a hefty mallet and I am well pleased with that. Next time though I want to have a crack at one of the pole lathes. Oh, I should that the setting is stunning at that the catering was pretty good too. Andy make a good brew and they keep on coming. Thanks Andy,. See you again in not too long I hope."

Saly Middleton reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"As the recipient of this wonderful birthday present I was looking forward to an informative and practical learning experience. It was all of this and so much more! Lucy's expertise in her craft is obvious from the beginning, but the gentle way she guided us through creating and making our unique pieces of jewellery makes it a thoroughly enjoyable day. Throughout, her enthusiasm and attentiveness to both my daughter and myself, enabled us to keep going even when we thought things were not going according to plan! The end results amazed us both and I am so proud to be wearing my ivy leaf with trailing curl! I now have the incentive and enough basic knowledge to see how I can alter my glass studio, to make room for combining my lamp work beads with silver work. Thank you Lucy for creating an inspirational day, relighting my creativity! Sally M."

Steven Hanley reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking at Sallerton Wood

"A wonderful experience. Set in the heart of the woodland, it is a very hands on course. Effective demonstrations of how to make each object, and then it is up to you to try. You experience using shave horses and pole lathes. All the work is done by hand. No electric tools in sight. Andy is friendly, and has good coaching skills. I did wonder if I would be bored, and itching to go home. Not a bit of it. Time flew by. I'm even thinking of doing another course."

Angela Whitehead reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"Great weekend, good venue, good company, had fun crafting. Help when required and lots of things to try. Thoroughly enjoyed it"