Latest reviews

Yvonne Grey reviewed: Ash Splint Basket Weaving

"A fun couple of days, extremely interesting course and went home with a basket. The venue was great the refreshments wonderful and lots of entertainment added by weather. Highly recommended, a good practical result at end thank you Adrian."

Faye Somerville reviewed: Introduction to Block Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"The whole day was fantastic. The workshop is airy, light and in a beautiful setting. Jude was brilliant - patient, calm and gave excellent demos so that we were clear on the process. She helped me achieve my somewhat ambitious tessellated design and I loved my results. The yummy cake, coffees and teas helped lubricate the process. If you are looking for a great day course I would highly recommend this one. It would also be great fun with a group of friends."

Carole Wood reviewed: Papercraft - learn to make beautiful cards and boxes using the latest techniques

"a wonderful card making and papercraft class. Plenty to make and lots of good ideas."

Stampysue responded:

"Thank you Carol, so glad you enjoy the class."

Steph reviewed: Introduction to Silver Clay

"Had an amazing day with Helen. Excellent clear instructions an explanations, plus I went home with two pairs of (much admired!) earrings, and a beautiful leaf pendant. Highly recommend."

Sylvia Birbeck reviewed: Needle felt your dog with Crafty Gal

"What fun! I enjoyed every minute. I came out feeling very pleased with myself having made a very passable hare brooch. Denise is a first class tutor and I shall certainly be joining another workshop. Thanks Denise."

Matt Walsh reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"Fantastic day with Bob. Great experience and a brilliant and patient tutor. The course itself progressed nicely from basic forge and hammer control to handle and fork making. A long and hard day but very much worth while. I would recommend this to anyone who want to give blacksmithing/metal work a go."

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

"Highly recommend. Spike great teacher loads of knowledge and untold amounts of patience if like me never done anything close to blacksmithing. Any way stop reading my review book your course and find out for your self.\m/"

Flora Fairbairn reviewed: Ash Splint Basket Weaving

"The two days with Adrian at his workshop seemed to simply fly by. We met others and made new friends and we received practical and skilled demonstration time and we participated in all the stages needed for ash basket making. These delicate but strong baskets are a delight. It was also interesting to see different styles and types of baskets produced by Adrian and others. You may need to loosen your belt after two days of the tasty homemade food. I left at the end of the two days clutching my own delicate ash basket."

Janice Tarr reviewed: Papercraft - learn to make beautiful cards and boxes using the latest techniques

"Excellent monthly course. Attendees have the opportunity to make at least three original cards during the evening . Sue gives lots of hints , tips and support and provides a good variety of resources and materials. Would highly recommend this course."

Stampysue responded:

"Thank you, glad you enjoy it. See you next month."

Nicholas Palmer reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"Lucy is one of the best teachers I have ever had, her knowledge/skill is impeccable, she is patient, kind, funny and extremely encouraging. What ever your skill level you’ll come away from the course with skills and know how to start your own work with confidence. Be prepared to be well fed with delicious food and treats throughout, I’m sure you’ll feel (as I did) you’ll want to sign up again by the end I can’t recomend it enough."

Andrea Jarvis reviewed: One day Traditional Lead Stained Glass Course

"My son bought me a workshop voucher as a gift. I really enjoyed the day. Cheryl was so friendly and encouraging you could not fail to make something amazing. I would recommend it to anyone and I fully intend to return."

Paula rhodes reviewed: One day Traditional Lead Stained Glass Course

"Just had a wonderful day learning the foiling method. I’m so proud of the three pieces that I made – the colour, texture and finish – all great. Cheryl was a brilliant teacher providing lots of encouragement and advice. It was a lovely way to spend a day."

Fiona reviewed: Make a spindle-back chair

"Th experience of immersing yourself in learning and making for a week is fantastic. Peter is a kind, patient and encouraging teacher who seems to know when you need a bit of help, and when it's best to leave you to get on with it at your own pace. Love my chair, and couldn't recommend this course enough!"

Jill Levison reviewed: Love your loom tapestry weaving 1 day course for beginners - Devon

"My one day tapestry weaving course in September was a wonderful experience. It took place in a workshop with windows all around in an orchard in the heart of the Devon countryside and there was a wonderful peace. The varied weavings on the walls and all the glorious colours of the yarns made me itch to get creating straight away. Alana guided me in my choice of colours and textures of yarns available, showed me how to weave and all the different possibilities. She checked I'd understood and then left me to work and experiment on my own but was there if I needed any help. She told me that in weaving there's no right and wrong, which I found very liberating. I was quickly completely absorbed in the work and my imagination and creativity were in full flow. At the end of the day I had a wall hanging that I was absolutely delighted with. To my great surprise, as it was my first attempt, I was proud enough of it to give it to friends as a wedding present the next day. I can't wait to go back and do another course!"

Jamie reviewed: Green woodworking and nature connection in the Malvern Hills

"Absolutely amazing weekend, worth putting yourself in a group of strangers and totally immersing yourself in the experience. The woods was beautiful. The camping spot was away from where we spend out time eating and chopping wood and carving. There was a teepee which was for breakfast and a general chillout area near where we camped. Tom is very knowledgeable and patient, an all round great teacher and had clearly put a lot of time, effort and energy into making sure we had the best possible experience. The food was phenomenal and in abundance, kindly prepared and brought to us by Tom's friends who own the woodland. 10/10 and highly recommended."

Lisa Gallagher reviewed: One to one pottery throwing class in Worksop

"I took my husband as a surprise for our 9th wedding anniversary. When we got there, and he found out, he was very reluctant! However, thanks to Harriet, he loved the experience. Harriet makes you feel really relaxed, and she is a fantastic teacher! My husband and I both made some great pieces that we were really proud of. I would recommend this course and Harriet as a teacher, to anyone! Thank you so much for a truly memorable day x"

sharon stone reviewed: Introduction to Block Lino Printing in Cambridgeshire

"I came with a little experience of Lino cut but lacked confidence in the printing process. Judith guided everyone through each stage, encouraging experimentation with cuts, paper and colour, and gave great tips for when we did more at home. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding day. Thank you Judith."

Claire Morrison reviewed: Stained Glass Mosaics Course

"From the moment I met Ann and her husband Will, we absolutely clicked. I spent the best two days at their studio set in a tranquil rural Setting just minutes from Inverurie. I learned how to put my vision into mosaic, Ann is a great teacher and her enthusiasm shines out of her. I wanted to escape my busy life and create, and I did just that. I would highly recommend this experience, I’m absolutely smitten.i am definitely looking forward to returning and trying different things. 5 stars"

Steve Robertson reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"What a fantastic day! Mark's friendly and relaxed manner was apparent from start to finish making it a very enjoyable and fulfilling day. As a complete beginner to wood turning Mark took me through everything I needed to know, from all the different tools, sharpeners and Lathes to use, including which ones on the market were the best to buy and which ones to steer clear of. Throughout the morning, we focused on the different cutting techniques, which through Mark's clear and easy instructions were made simple. Mark walked me through sharpening tools and I was left feeling confident on doing so again on my own. During lunch Mark was able to share with me a fountain of knowledge that he has on everything to do with working with wood, including the cutting of bowl blanks from logs and wood drying techniques. He was also able to offer advise on courses I should take in which to pursue a career in furniture making. In the afternoon we went on to starting the bowl which I'd leave with at the end of the day. Through his excellent care and attention to detail I was able to produce something of professional standards. Even after the course was over I was contacted by Mark with all the information we had talked about throughout the day and a shopping list of all the best and most affordable tools and equipment to get me started. I definitely recommend this course to anyone with any interest in wood working and at any level! Thanks Mark."

Sonya Wratten reviewed: Lucy Churchill's Stone Carving Workshops

"A good experience but I felt the group I worked in was too small and I was a bit overwhelmed as a beginner with the short time in which to create a finished piece. Food was wonderful."

Peter Carmichael reviewed: Pole Lathe Bowl Turning - Your First Bowl

"What an excellent event from beginning to end, from the excellent directions and signage to the venue to the warm welcome on arrival. The organisation although appearing laid back was first class, non bureaucratic, and functioned smoothly throughout the event. The instructors needless to say were all superb, representing as they do the pinnacle of the wooden bowl world. The pre-fest courses that I attended were well structured, super informative, helpful and most of all good fun. The event providers, volunteers, instructors and of course the participants were without exception friendly, helpful interesting people. I sincerely hope that this event runs again to help people along their journey with wooden bowls, to promote the craft, and to foster the companionship of the " woody" community as a whole."

Phil Venables reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Really good course-great woodland setting, excellent tutor who took the time to explain, demonstrate and assist with all the skills which we were introduced to during the week. It may feel a bit daunting at the start- you see examples of finished chairs , and probably think 'I can never make that ', but all of the different processes come together and you will achieve a lot of satisfaction from producing a really lovely unique piece of furniture by the end of the course. Whilst the course does involve hard work , it is also very relaxing and therapeutic - no-one will 'get left behind 'any stage. Many thanks Ben, I can highly recommend the course to anyone interested in green woodworking"

Jason reviewed: Blacksmithing one-to-one North West UK

"If it's on the floor or red it's hot and remember which end you put in the forge. I spent the day with Colin and learnt so much. Colin is very experienced and explained the hows and indeed the whys of the blacksmithing techniques I learnt. Turned a flat bar into a simple, beautiful leafed and rounded coat hook and two other items. Wholly enjoyable day. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend Colin / Anvilsring to anybody interested in giving blacksmithing a try!"

June Simpson reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"Better than excellent. What a fun afternoon with free reign to all types and colours of glass. I went with the idea of a wave of poppies, and I got exactly what I wanted and more. I love the visual texture created by the medium grade glass I used. Julie was so helpful throughout, and I loved the visit to the workshop be Callie."

Sarah Johnson reviewed: 6 week ceramic courses using hand building techniques, stoneware clay and coloured slips.

"I'm in week two of Jenny's six week ceramic course and can highly recommend this course to anyone looking for a totally immersive, relaxing and really inspiring introduction to ceramics. Each week has been very different, learning new skills under Jenny's excellent tuition and guidance. We've experimented with different techniques, slips, glazes and forms and have already made lots of exciting items. The location is really peaceful, nothing is too much trouble for Jenny and she is very open to people doing their own thing and following their own design styles. Really refreshing and a lovely way to spend a Wednesday afternoon!"