Latest reviews

Jess Wickins reviewed: Two person 'Have a Bash' at Blacksmithing course in Shropshire

"Went to Jake for a blacksmithing experience with my other half to celebrate my birthday. The day was just brilliant. Warm welcome, clear demonstration and support throughout. Jake provided a relaxed environment and was phazed by nothing (including an epic tool malfuntion caused by some over enthusiastic cleaning!). Would recommend this day to anyone with an interest in hitting hot metal with hammers."

Peter Thomas reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Had an amazing day at the forge with Mort. Learnt so much about techniques used in basic forge work. Mort is an excellent tutor and very patient with complete novices such as I! I would definitely recommend spending a day at Firebird Forge learning this ancient art. I hope to come back!"

Gordon MacGregor reviewed: Table making course - Scottish Highlands

"I really enjoyed the course, and Aaron was a very good teacher. Had 3 great days and came home with a lovely coffe table at the end of it. I stayed in ACE Adventures which was v nice too."

Jo Murphy reviewed: Knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"I had a great time learning crochet with my friend Linda. I wasn't expecting to be able to do so much after just two hours. I made another granny square when I got home, which is now well on the way to being a blanket, something I've wanted to do for a very long time. Ann is a great teacher and the notes we received mean I can try other things and have something to refer back to. Thank you Ann for passing on such a great skill."

Leeds Central Faith and Light responded:

"Thank you, Jo for your review. I'm glad you and your friend enjoyed your workshop and found it useful and helpful in providing you with a new skill. Hope you manage to complete your blanket. Do send me a picture - I love seeing the work people craft after their session. Kind regards, Ann"

Jordan Richards reviewed: Hand forged rustic knife and sheath course

"Great 2 days in the forge, shown the techniqes and let get one with it. Any point I was having some difficulty or making life harder than it needed to be he was there to help me get back on track. Really impressed with the work I was able to do under his guidance."

Jordan Richards reviewed: Making a Handmade Leather Wallet with Nigel Armitage

"Excellent course takes you through the basics of pattern making to turning it into a finished wallet. Good teacher on how to use the tools so that you end with a good finished peice. I had a brilliant day learning the start of a new craft"

Lydia Clark reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"We had a lovely day creating jewellery on the narrow boat. It was the perfect 21st birthday present, I created a sentimental piece of jewellery and made memories with my family to! Great experience and fab to be able to say I made my birthday present! Highly recommend!"

Salt Way Silver responded:

"Thank you Lydia - lovely to meet you and your family. I'm hoping I might have inspired with more future crafting experiences. Jonathan"

Becky reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"Took my 7 year old to a class yesterday, which had been shortened to an hour and a half (in keeping with the attention span of a younger person). My son loved it. May, the instructor, was so good with him and kept him busy while I was able to concentrate on my own creation. He made 2 items in that time and I can't wait to see them when they've been fired. I've already recommended this workshop to a number of friends."

Panna reviewed: Learn how to screen print using paper stencils

"Great introduction to screen printing in a lovely setting with lovely people. Nice and relaxed day and extremely grateful for all the advice and teaching me a new skill ! I found it very relaxing and enjoyable. Great day which i highly recommend!!!"

Ruth reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I really enjoyed the 2 day course. It was instructive, in pleasant surroundings and pleasant company. I learnt a great deal and it spurred me on to continuing with fleece and spinning. The first day was particularly intense and exhausting! Maybe we're no longer used to concentrating for long periods........a printed hand-out would be useful with basic details of each process."

Maurice Rutherford reviewed: Spoon carving, 2 days with Steve Tomlin in the Yorkshire Dales

"A very relaxed and informative intoduction to spoon carving in a great venue. Looking forward to more of the same!"

Adrian Watts reviewed: Beginners’ Dry Stone Walling Course

"Well organised course. Advised prior to course date items of clothing etc needed. Full instructions on meeting place together with a map and contact details. The instructors were very knowlageable and provided excellent coaching. We worked together in teams of four with one instructor per team. I would highly recommend this course. There is a real sence of acheivement at the end of the 2nd day when you see your handy work."

Jackie reviewed: Beginner’s Soapmaking Workshop in Salisbury

"Really lovely course. Beautiful location and very relaxed, but informative course. Catherine is very knowledgeable and good at sharing that knowledge. Highly recommend."

Bryony reviewed: Spoon carving, 2 days with Steve Tomlin in the Yorkshire Dales

"Just finished the two-day October 2018 course with Steve. On the train home as I write and already I want to come back. Steve was so willing to share his spoon carving skills (and he's pretty good at it) it made learning a pleasure. Rachel and Mike have a beautiful place and are the most welcoming hosts. The weather was cold and rainy and we were warm and well-fed and completely absorbed in our spoons. When the cloud lifted the views were stunning.... It was a wonderful way to spend two days. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning a woodcraft."

Julian Stacey reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I had a very interesting and productive day with Mort at Firebird Forge. Excellent day, I highly recommend this course! Thank you Mort."

Niki Bodell reviewed: Crafts in the Valley - Beginners glass fusing workshops in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire

"I can 100% recommend Melanie's fused glass course held at Creative with Nature in Todmorden. As a novice on the subject, I found her tutoring easy to follow and relaxed. All materials are provided for the pieces you make and with lunch and refreshments thrown in, this is a very reasonably priced, fun day. The booking process was straight forward and Melanie is a good communicator throughout. Please go and do the workshop.. You will LOVE it!"

Beth reviewed: Art + Wine evenings

"I have to say that I was pretty amazed with how my painting turned out. I had previously done a wine & painting class where it was much more prescriptive and everyone paints the same picture. This class gives you the option to choose your painting and learn a bit more in the process. Also, I can confirm that it's great for all levels - I have very little artistic talent but still managed to make something worth framing."

The Arienas Collective responded:

"Hi Beth. Thanks for your lovely feedback about the art and wine evening! We're so glad you found it just right in terms of the mix between instruction, and leaving you to develop your own style of painting. We think Suzanne has got the balance just right so that the class works for those who have never picked up a paint brush before, as well as those who would like to develop their skills, or give acrylic paint a try for the first time. Hope to welcome you back to The Arienas Collective again soon. Lynn x"

Michael reviewed: An introduction to wood turning with Gregory Moreton (2 Days)

"Greg is a natural teacher, which means he imparts knowledge clearly and he does so with patience. I made a lot more progress in the two days than I had expected and I was very pleased with the two pieces - candle-stick and a bowl - that I produced. I would be delighted to return for one of the more advanced courses when I've built up some experience with the skills I have learnt. I would recommend the course to anyone starting out in woodturning."

Edd Rayner reviewed: Advanced Timber Framing Course

"Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Just about the best way you could possibly wish to spend a week doing anything. This is the second course that I have been on with Alan, Connor and Sid; their generosity of spirit, patience and understanding makes them master teachers as well as master craftsmen. There is something about their "way" that creates a great team atmosphere where everyone is "in it together" with a clear collective aim. Great location. Oh, too much Cider, cheese, beer and lovely food: Si richly deserves his enviable oak frame!"

Ann Pugh reviewed: Stained Glass in a Day

"The day went so quickly. From start to end it was so interesting. Informative, friendly and helpful. Chris and Justine have such a passion for Cariad glass that they embrace you into their magic bubble. What I achieved by the end of the day was truly amazing. I will definitely be returning to do another class."

Cariad Glass responded:

"Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Ann! You are quite right, we are incredibly passionate about what we do and I'm so glad that our enthusiasm has inspired you to come back for more courses - thank you so much, we will see you again soon! All the best, Justine"

Joe O'Hara reviewed: One-to-One Private workshop

"I have attended two courses by Gigha ( copper foil and Mosaics ) and I would highly recommend them. Gig is a great teacher and explains everything fully. She is always on hand to help and give inspiration. The workshop is great and the atmosphere is very relaxed. You can help yourself to tea and coffee ( nice biscuits supplied ) and Gigha also supplies lunch. At the end of the day you will come home with something you can be proud of. Five stars."

janemt reviewed: Custom Leather Working Course

"I took a 3-day course with Nigel in Berkley. It was fantastic! He taught a thoughtful and systematic approach to leather projects from beginning to completion enabling me to level up my skills and results. I'm not sure how long (if ever) it would have taken me to get there on my own. The course was worth every penny."

Sharon reviewed: Circular sock knitting machine 'Sock School'

"I learnt so much about sock-making, ribbing, the heel, the toes, invisible seaming and also about the machine itself. Anne’s teaching expertise made all the difference to how much I could take in over a day. I dropped stitches and panicked slightly but Anne ensured me that these mistakes are a necessary part of the learning process. The machine worked so smoothly that it was obvious it was well-maintained and loved. The yarn we used was great quality too! Anne couldn’t have done any more to make it more enjoyable with a lovely healthy lunch including home-made biscuits and cake and thoughtful touches. We had breaks throughout the day for tea/coffee and biscuits or cake . It really felt like a much-needed treat! I returned home feeling so glad that I had taken the course. I love my gorgeous purple and green socks that remind me of heather. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Anne’s Sock School to anyone interested in learning how to use a circular sock machine!"

Steve Holbrook reviewed: Stained Glass Leaded Panel in New Romney, Kent

"I really enjoyed the relaxed feel to the course, from the off we were all made to feel very welcome and in more than capable hands. The studio was very bright and comfortable, with plenty of space and had everything we required for the course. This was all included in the cost. Yolanda, our tutor was very clear and concise about all aspects of what we could expect to achieve from the day. There was plenty of one to one tuition and help when required as well as lots of good advice. Lunch and afternoon tea were very impressive."

Tom Thomas reviewed: Pottery Tuition ~ Learn how to Throw on the Potter's Wheel, Slab-build and Coil in 1 Full Day's Attentive Teaching

"It was fun/Amazing I loved it ? Sonya is very helpful and fun"

Sonya Ceramic Art responded:

"Hi Tom, thank you for commenting on your time spent with me creating with clay! It's been a pleasure working with you and your Dragon in particular! Until next time..."