Latest reviews

20 May 18'

Sonya Dyke reviewed: An Introduction to Glass Fusing

"My daughter and I spent a lovely day with Dorothy in her workshop. She was very knowledgeable and showed us various techniques we could try as well as the numerous different glasses we could use - from sheets, to confetti, to powdered. By the end of the day we had made 2 coasters, a window hanging and a free standing wave piece and can’t wait to collect them once they have been fired! Thank you Dorothy"

19 May 18'

Stephanie harman reviewed: Upcycling Paint & Paper Decoupage Furniture Workshop Experience: Spend Two Days with ReVamp Boutique

"I thoroughly enjoyed the upcycling furniture course. It was very informative and i learned so much. Sarah is an excellent tutor and takes time to explain each stage of the course. We were all made very welcome and provided us with delicious food! Im so pleased with my piece of furniture and am delighted with the results, to think that I nearly threw it away! Thank you Sarah, I would love to attend a future course."

19 May 18'

Wayne Galloway reviewed: Ceramics/Pottery workshops in Edinburgh area

"I have been a student of Tricia’s for around 18 months. In that time my skills and knowledge have grown so much. The small class sizes mean that Tricia has time to support you in whatever you want to learn... as well as setting projects for the whole class, e.g. makIng lidded pieces. Tricia is a great teacher regardless of whether you have never touched clay before or want to improve your skills. The classes are focussed but relaxed and there is lovely supportive atmosphere. Would definitely recommend!"

19 May 18'

Sandie Duncan reviewed: Stained glass for beginners | Lead lights

"David was patient, enthusiastic and extremely informative. He also made the workshop fun and obligely went two hours over time until we finished our pieces. Can't wait until next workshop as well and truly hooked."

19 May 18'

Colin Morse reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"A Christmas Present voucher for Clay Portrait Weekend with Karin Ort from son with a sense of humour....scary! But absolutely no worries. Karin is a superb teacher, the result, a clay sculpture to be proud of, for everyone on the course, including beginners like me. And that's not all, it was a wonderful relaxed weekend, great fun, great company, great organisation. And thanks to "Emma", who sat patiently whilst we all tried, and succeeded, to capture her features in our own particular way. But then of course, Karin was there gently showing us the tricks of the trade, and the way forward. Brilliant, try it!"

19 May 18'

Caroline Gillan reviewed: Ceramics/Pottery workshops in Edinburgh area

"I have completed a couple of courses with Trish. She is a skilled tutor with a supportive and encouraging style. The classes are small which allows for individual attention but also plenty time at the wheel or bench working independently on your chosen project. I have had the chance to try a range of techniques, coilbuilding, slab work as well as throwing on the wheel, working with leather hard clay and I have also had the chance to learn a bit about glazing. Would definitely recommend these courses."

19 May 18'

Caroline Mcgrain reviewed: Ceramics/Pottery workshops in Edinburgh area

"Tricia is an excellent tutor giving just the right balance between direct instruction and helpful hints that are timed exactly when they are needed. The studio is gorgeous and flooded with light and the classes are small and personal."

19 May 18'

Liz smith reviewed: Watercolour painting afternoon workshop - birds, animals & nature - with artist Laura Andrew

"A great day . Laura was so hospitable ......needless to say talented . She had planned the day so well ...introducing us to different techniques and materials. After giving us the "tools " with which we could experiment and feel free to try some of our own ideas the time raced past . Laura constantly gave us encouragement and advice . We both produced some worthwhile work and came away with a great feeling of satisfaction and achievement . Thank you Laura for a lovely day ."

19 May 18'

Sharon Thomas reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"What a brilliant course! I went with an open mind and was encouraged just to give it a go and see what happened. Seeing the results was great fun and I love the way the pots turned out. The colours are brilliant and they make me smile whenever I look at them. Thanks both."

19 May 18'

Mark Bent reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"Thanks guys – I had a really good time dabbling with the different glazes. The kiln was most enteraining!"

19 May 18'

sara Beevis reviewed: One day fused glass course at North Norfolk Stained Glass

"I was completely new to this art and completed an amazing piece to display at home. Lovely, friendly, relaxed environment in a beautiful setting. Natalie and Paul are a great couple and make you feel welcome in their home. I will be returning to learn more skills. Thank you. Sara."

18 May 18'

Sue and Ron Owen reviewed: Stained glass for beginners - two day workshop

"What a fantastic 2 days we have had with Jan and Alison. The course was amazing! We learnt how to make a stained glass window, from learning how to use the tools, choosing and cutting our glass, cutting our lead, soldering and onto cementing and polishing. The finished pieces were beautiful we are both vey proud! Thank you to Jan and Alison for your wonderful tuition and patience! Cannot recommend this studio highly enough but beware it's addictive!! Glass fusing next for us!!"

18 May 18'

Genette Flynn reviewed: Machine made lined curtains

"Janet has taken me for two courses now. The first with a friend, the second one was on a one to one basis. The first course was called - 'Curtain making to a Professional Standard' I think, & it was very informative. I am the sort of person who learns by doing things myself, it was so helpful that we made a dummy curtain on the day, all the while following Janet guidance and her thorough notes which she gives you to take away. The second course was a Roman Blind making course to make interlined blinds, which was also extremely good and I now feel confident that I can go away and make a Roman Blind from scratch with the aid of her notes and the dummy blind we made. Janet has made an easy to follow excel spreadsheet for both of the courses which help you to calculate how much fabric is required for different types of curtains and also for the Roman blinds . I have saved a fortune making curtains and blinds for my new home - just the Roman Blind alone would have been over £600 if I had gone to John Lewis - and that was a quote NOT for interlined blinds! By going on her course it has cost me a fraction of that price to make one myself, and I have the knowledge forever! Janet explains everything well and also the reasoning behind it. She is very personable and her classes are held at her lovely home in Sale which is very handy for the motorway. I live in a suburb of Liverpool and it took just 45 minutes to drive there. I would highly recommend taking the time to go one one of Janets courses - for making your own curtains or if you are thinking of starting up a small business."

18 May 18'

Rachael reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"I had a wonderful time starting my project on lucy’s course. It was a relaxing and informal day. It was great to see other people’s different projects to get ideas and inspiration. Although my project was too big for a day course, I left with the confidence to finish it at home. Thank you Lucy"

17 May 18'

Nick reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"I attended this course in March 2018, as an individual who had done a fair bit of DIY, but never any genuine carpentry. I'd always wanted to do some "proper woodwork", and follow in the footsteps of my father and grandfather. I felt like I learned an amazing amount during the week, with patient and friendly support from Mark and Richard, who were both fantastic. They have a knack of passing on the knowledge and techniques required to achieve a good standard without ever taking over the project and doing things for you - I can look at the step-stool I produced and know that I made every part of it, which is a great feeling. All in all, it's a brilliant way to learn about woodwork, and I'd recommend it to anyone. All of the above is reason enough to attend the course, but there was another aspect for me that was just as important, and that's the feeling I got from spending a week in a lovely part of the country, with great people (both students and tutors), learning new skills, and putting them into practice to produce a tangible and beautiful thing. It was truly inspirational; not a moment of stress and completely enjoyable from start to finish. It's a rare opportunity to spend a week like that, and I for one feel lucky to have done so."

17 May 18'

Mike Sweeney reviewed: Pole Lathe Bowl Turning - Your First Bowl

"Well taught, well organised, well demonstrated, well done!"

17 May 18'

Ian Dickinson reviewed: Pole Lathe Bowl Turning - Your First Bowl

"I did Ade's intro bowl-turning course at the Bodgers Ball in 2018, and it was excellent. Ade was a very capable teacher, and by the end of the day everyone in our group had a product they were pleased with, and had had a great time doing it. Some standouts for me: * Ade was very adaptable at helping people who needed a bit of extra attention, while giving others space to "get on with it" when they were in their flow, and issuing challenges and stretch goals to people who were ready for it. * great attention to health and safety, which is really important when you're handling super-sharp tools * clear process for everyone to follow from "log" to "bowl" * excellent tools and equipment. No wobbly lathes or blunt tools here! In summary, I was really happy with my day, and would heartily recommend Ade's course."

17 May 18'

Margaret Winskill reviewed: Silver Clay Beginners Workshop

"What a fabulous day! Relaxed but highly informative and I am now the proud owner of earrings and a pendant. I have truly amazed myself at what I have achieved with the aid of a very skilled tutor. A huge thank you Marianne!"

17 May 18'

Maria reviewed: Make a colourful ‘Houses’ fused glass wall plaque 12” x 4” with Matt Sorrell

"Thank you Matt - had a brilliant afternoon. Will definitely do another one!"

17 May 18'

Martin Blyth reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Had a really great day at the forge, right from the start of the day to the end it was very well organised. Great welcome from Debbie with a cuppa and cake, atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. Once Adrian went through the health & safety it was straight in to the blacksmithing which is what people want. Within half an hour of starting we had our first piece of steal in the fire. Adrian gave really clear demonstrations and let us go to work but was always on hand with help if needed. Debbie also provided a delicious big lunch. This was a gift from my wife, so as a gift it's great for all ages and abilities."

17 May 18'

Andy reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I'm sat looking at the results of the May box making course attended last weekend and still can't really believe just how good it looks. My last wood working efforts of any kind (other than flat-pack furniture assembly or patching up a skirting board) was around 54 years ago as a 12 year old. That experience was traumatic and resulted in a wobbly teapot stand that only a mother could love; this one was cathartic and resulted in a fine looking box. I've just re-read through all of the previous reviews for this course, in the hope that I could think of something that hasn't already been said. I can't though! You might be forgiven for thinking that there must be a degree of exaggeration in many of them, but I can confirm that I found that all were accurate. Mark was a patient and helpful guide to technique, tools and scary machinery through every stage of the process. He demonstrated what needed to be done and watched over your initial efforts with advice as necessary, but never doing the job for you. This was a well-organised and very enjoyable course that I would give 6 stars to if it were possible. Recommended to all - thanks Mark!"

17 May 18'

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

"I was keen to try one of the courses available over the Bodgers' Ball and I am very pleased that I picked the Bowl Turning course with Adrian Lloyd. The instruction was excellent and I received preferential treatment as I had a ferry to catch back to Ireland (where no similar course is available). I have done some turning on a powered lathe when I have much preferred spindle turning over bowl turning. However, Adrian has inspired me to consider following up with perhaps one of his lathe making courses with further bowl turning instruction. A very enjoyable day."

17 May 18'

Jane reviewed: Fabulous fused glass jewellery for beginners

"Eleanor is a really patient, unassuming tutor who gives concise step by step instructions to achieve really great results in just a day. Her examples are both inspiring and attainable. Her passion for the art is self evident and nothing is too much trouble. Rainbow Glass is a working studio too and is so busy its amazing Eleanor is able to fit any classes in. A great experience and warm welcome. Would highly recommend."

16 May 18'

Maurice Eldridge reviewed: Pole Lathe Bowl Turning - Your First Bowl

"Excellent from Go to Wo. The right kind of teaching and intervention when useful."

16 May 18'

Thomas Bickerdike reviewed: Pole Lathe Bowl Turning - Your First Bowl

"I attended Adrians workshop at the Bodgers Ball and came away with the skills and knowledge to confidently start turning bowls once home. Adrians relaxed fun approach makes the whole day go well with excellent tips, demonstrations and advice throughout the day. I particuarly liked Adrians passion and enthusiasm to the craft."