Latest reviews

Ella Boyce reviewed: Needle felted Valentines workshop with 2 Inspire You

"What a fabulous workshop! Rachel and Rhiannon were knowledgable, highly skilled and able to clearly teach, guide, help and support with this craft throughout the day. I felt as if I had learned so much and at the end of the day went home with a very nearly completed piece of art work which I keenly went on to finish the next day. The range of resources provided was excellent and it was especially inspiring to see examples of their own work. Feel as if I have found a craft that I want to keep on doing. Loved it and would definitely recommend!! Hoping to come again soon. Thank you so much"

2 Inspire You responded:

"Hi Ella, Thank you so much for the kind words. Please send me a photo of your finished piece if you get the chance I would love to see it. I did say it was dangerously addictive but so rewarding. We hope to see you back with us soon and see what we create next time. Happy felting Rach"

Paul May reviewed: Rustic thumb walking stick

"Relaxed style of learning promoted by Dave. Excellent. The joints we made are not traditional but pegged with steel pin. I was happy with this as my skills, I am sure, wouldn't have run to making pegs/dowels etc. I messed up with stick straightening but Dave rescued me by giving me a spare. Instruction and examples were very clear. Dave did some of this himself eg drilling holes for the pins. It is good that we left with a finished stick and a choice of what t o do if we want to do more work on it. Lovely location and workspace - plus emergency room if we needed to shelter. Tea/coffee and biscuits available all day - excellent. I enjoyed the day and didn't find it too challenging ( which I was happy about as really I am a bit of a bodger! )"

Martin Smith reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I recently took a one day,1 to 1, introduction to wood turning given by Mark. To say that I was a novice in wood turning is an understatement as I have no experience of working wood since I was at school a long while ago. Mark showed me around the workshop explaining what the various tools and machines were used for. He took time to advise on the minimal tools and type of lathe to get should I wish to pursue wood turning as well as websites where these can be purchased for a reasonable outlay. For the rest of the day he showed me the various steps required in turning a bowl. After demonstrating each step and watching me my attempt, he left me alone to complete the task whilst he worked elsewhere. This approach, rather than standing over and watching me, took the pressure off me although he often could hear when I did something wrong and return to put me right. They say you learn by your mistakes and I possibly made most you could. Mark however appears to have the patience of a saint and merely showed me what I was doing wrong and how to correct it. All in all a very interesting and enjoyable day. Mark is incredibly talented and knowledgeable, and indeed a nice guy, and I would recommend him for tuition at all abilities."

carly lee reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Wonderful day! Mark was a fantastic teacher... funny, patient and clearly had a wealth of expertise. I thoroughly enjoyed the 1 day course I took and left feeling very enthused and so proud of myself for the wooden stool I had produced. I was very impressed by the way that Mark gave help when needed but also allowed me to 'have a go' for myself- it made me feel like I really was capable of woodturning and not just being spoon fed the instructions. Highly recommend to anyone!"

Nick Stanley reviewed: Knife Making and Bladesmith Classes: Hand-Forged Viking Knife

"We spent a day as a family & complete novices at Anvil Forge. My wife & teenage daughters were nervous when they arrived but Spencer was patient & encouraging. Two to one tuition with Steve as the second instructor - now there is a man who is passionate about his knives. Girls can't wait to go again & make a dragon. Thoroughly worth the drive down from Macclesfield."

Karen reviewed: Introduction to silk painting - workshop at The Mulberry Shed

"Our second course with sheila and immense fun. I have zero artistic skills but it doesn’t matter you can still create a fabulous piece. Mum and I choose to do scarves each time and with sheila’s clear instructions and infinite patience we had beautiful objects at the end of the day. The course is fabulous value for money and both Mum and I would 100% recommend giving it a go even if ,like me, you are not an artist at all."

Carol Doyle reviewed: Needle felting workshop - Create your own woodland creature

"Wow what a day in lovely surroundings, Denise was a great instructor and the results we had were fantastic. Will definitely be taking up this craft and will be looking to book further courses with Denise in the future."

Crafty Gal responded:

"Thank you Carol for such a lovely review, so pleased you want to go more! Have fun and hopefully see you soon. x"

Yvonne Kerry reviewed: Weekend upholstery courses - Oxfordshire & Berkshire Borders

"This was an absolutely brilliant course! I had a wonderful 2 days. I had chosen to upholster a little round-seated bedroom chair which apparently is quite ambitious for a first go! Philip's relaxed and easy style makes you feel that you can achieve, even as a beginner and I got a good way into my project. Philip will nurture, encourage and suggest, so you never feel that you have got anything wrong. I enjoyed the weekend so much I am booking again to finish the chair and to start on another project. Even though not every moment of the 2 days was spent on my own project, watching and learning from the other students' projects and Philip's own experience and explanations was incredibly useful and will stand me in good stead for projects I may tackle on my own. Philip was very good at managing his time evenly between the class (9 people) so that we could all progress. My group was all ladies so don't be intimidated if you are thinking it's a male-dominated thing! The venue was very good. Everyone has plenty of room to work, even on larger pieces and all the tools you need are provided. My project involved some sewing so I took along my own machine. I certainly learnt a lot and I'm really looking forward to the next course!"

Ian Hydes reviewed: Willow Ethical Trophy Stag Head sculpture course with Joe Gregory at Creative with Nature Todmorden, West Yorkshire

"Did a willow weaving course with Joe, it was excellent and I walked home with a 3 foot tall Heron who now guards over the stream at the bottom of our garden :D It was a great experience and she was a smashing teacher"

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"Thanks Ian!! Glad you had a good day: ) JOe. xx"

Murie Ronald reviewed: Foraged Basket 2 day Course

"A fabulous course . Joe has great knowledge which she delights in sharing. Great to finish the day with a basket of ones own."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"thank you Murie: ) xxx"

Fiona Thomas reviewed: Needle felted Valentines workshop with 2 Inspire You

"A lovely day! I learned lots in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere, took home a piece of art that can be hung on the wall and am inspired to continue this learning journey at home and on future courses. I would definitely recommend Rachel and the needle felt course. Three of us went together and we all thoroughly enjoyed it!"

2 Inspire You responded:

"Hi Fiona, Thank you so much for such a lovely review! I look forward to seeing more of your work and to having you join me again. It was a lovely relaxed day and all the pieces looked amazing. I hope your other friends may come and join in with you as well. Rach"

Pam Vickers reviewed: Mosaic and Glass Art 2 day Course

"Billiant weekend with Maggie and three other lovely ladies. Good company and a great inspirational teacher. Feeling very pleased with myself after producing my first of what I am sure will be many 'rubbish' mosaics. Added bonus - my family are impressed with the result too! Thanks for the opportunity to find a very relaxing and satisfying new craft."

ANNA WARREN reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"I had the most enjoyable day with like-minded people. Lucy Renshaw is the most lovely person you could meet! So sociable, friendly and talented. It was a wonderful environment to be in. Working in such a small group, Lucy was able to give us her undivided attention at all times. Hoping to do another project soon."

Sharron Hughes reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"My son bought me the 1 day painting class as a present, I enjoyed the day so much I booked the 4 day course straight away. I am totally hooked and hope to continue to produce my own work and all thanks to Jamal he is a fantastic teacher. Jamal is patient, encouraging and extremely knowledgeable he has given me the confidence to use the skills he has taught me to make pieces by myself. I cannot recommend this course highly enough."

Anne Johnston reviewed: Marvellous Mosaic one day workshop

"What a lovely absorbing way to spend a day. Lyndsey is clearly very experienced in her craft and her work is inspiring. I had plenty of time to attempt and complete several coasters and Lyndsey's guidance and tutoring made sure that we could all make the most of the day, the time and the very varied materials. There were only 3 of us and it meant that we had as much attention as we needed as well as time to be inspired. I hadn't tried mosaics before but am delighted with what I managed to achieve and would love to have another go. Thank you Lyndsey for a very relaxed, enjoyable and productive day."

Lindsey Kennedy Portfolio responded:

"Thank you Ann for the generous and positive review. I’m so glad that you enjoyed your day experimenting with Mosaics. Do send me photos of your next mosaic projects, it was lovely meeting you!"

Sharron Hughes reviewed: One day blacksmithing course

"Me and my husband did the mig welding course with Julian and had such a great day we booked the blacksmith course straight away. Julian is a great teacher he is encouraging and helpful and really knows his stuff. We produced some fantastic pieces we are really proud of, we cannot recommend any course with Julian highly enough."

Rob Eagle reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Amazing!!! Such a fantastic course, I have never done anything like it, a truly wholesome experience! From start to finish I loved every minute. Learning new skills, working with wood, handling new tools, being outdoors, couldn’t really have asked for more. Ben is great, really welcoming, very patient and keeps the course running at a good pace, ensuring everyone is getting to grips with the tools and processes. The location is perfect and Ben does a pretty mean soup too! To be able to take away a beautiful chair that I already treasure will be a lasting reminder of a week well spent! I’ll be back! Thank you Ben"

Jackie Ross reviewed: Mosaic and Glass Art 2 day Course

"I had a wonderful time at Maggie's this weekend just past. I have been wanting to try mosaics for ages but wasn't sure how I would get on - I am not very artistic. But Maggie made it seem so easy and was very helpful and encouraging. I was delighted with the end result. I will be back!"

Jo Harris reviewed: Two day stained glass workshop - lead panels or garden sculpture

"Excellent weekend with Gigha, learning how to make a stained glass panel. Everything explained, super lunch each day,and would highly recommend taking part in one of her workshops. Thank you."

Susan Strange reviewed: Creating shadows and light in your collagraph prints, course in artists studio near York

"Emily prepares well for her students. She asks beforehand if there is a particular area that students would like to work on. Generous supplies of materials are available. Emily is patient! She gives advice and encouragement gently and explains the processes along the way. Enjoyment, experimenting and fun are encouraged. One day is good but two days even better! Thank you Emily"

Barbara Head reviewed: Creating shadows and light in your collagraph prints, course in artists studio near York

"A very enjoyable 2 day Course. Everything I asked for. Pleased with my efforts. Will book again."

Elaine Penn reviewed: A day on the tiles: one-day mosaic workshop

"Lovely day doing a craft I haven't tried before. Fiona was a great teacher and also grouted our finished picture for collection the next day. Would definitely recommend. We came away with a lovely mosaic picture to keep and treasure. Fiona also made us plenty of tea and coffee during the day and a delicious cake. Not to mention all the rhubarb from her garden she gave me. Many thanks"

Fiona Walters reviewed: Leather Crossbody/Messenger or Tote bag

"The cross body bag making course was fantastic. Richard was generous with both his time and knowledge. He is such a patient and calm teacher with the ability to coax the best out of you. His style is relaxed but the amount of information and technique that he shares throughout the day is tremendous. Be prepared to concentrate and by the end of the day he will make sure that you will have produced something to be proud of that is truly unique and beautiful. I 100% recommend this course with Richard."

Martin reviewed: Highland stool making course - Scottish Highlands

"A most enjoyable course, well taught, relaxing setting and we all achieved what we set out to do."

Nigel Browne reviewed: Two day stained glass workshop - lead panels or garden sculpture

"I attended a two-day course in making stained glass panels. Excellent tuition, very clear and helpful, a well-equipped workshop, good food and a worthwhile panel to take home at the end. Thoroughly recommended."