Latest reviews

Jon Bailey reviewed: Introduction to leatherwork – Belt making workshop

"Outstanding day. Having no knowledge of leather craft I didn’t know what to expect. Clive and Wendy put everyone attending at ease and they both showed patience and understanding during the tricky bits (for me it was the hand stitching). This has given me a desire to try more advanced techniques and I will no doubt attend another course. The end result was pretty good as well."

Carol Bolton reviewed: Beginner's modern calligraphy at Swallows & Artisans, Lake District

"Really enjoyed my recent calligraphy course at Swallows and Artisans. The stylish new workshop was the perfect venue. Caron our tutor was really helpful and we were soon making lovely greetings cards and gift tags to take home with us. This course is a great introduction to the craft and I came home bursting with enthusiasm and ideas. The venue is in a truly stunning location and I look forward to returning for another event sometime in the near future."

Sarah Allsop reviewed: Stained Glass - Copper Foil (2 days) in the Peak District

"My husband and I had a fabulous 2 days learning the basic techniques of copper foil stained glass. We thoroughly enjoyed it and are contemplating booking onto the intermediate course now, to learn more. Lillian is a superb tutor, very calm and encouraging. Godfrey Hole House is a superb setting, and the studio is spot on. The food, especially the cakes, were delicious. Everyone was very welcoming and we had really lovely 2 days, thank you! I'd thoroughly recommend it to anyone."

Zantium Studios Ltd responded:

"Dear Sarah, I have just read your wonderful words...thankyou so much for sharing such a positive review. We are truly delighted to hear you enjoyed the course so much. I will be certain to pass on your kind feedback to Lilian. She works so very hard and is clearly passionate about her craft. Good luck with any future projects - of which I am sure there are many... Hope to see you again at some point. Best wishes Alison"

Kathy R reviewed: Garden Plaque or House Number

"We had a great afternoon learning how to cut and shape tiles, about adhesives, design & grouting. Adela is an excellent host and good tutor. There was a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of help and resources. I'd definitely recommend this workshop to others.. Good value, too!"

Kay White reviewed: Introduction to Glass Fusing with Enamels - Full Day Workshop

"After enjoying a 1 day glass workshop last summer in St Davids my husband bought me a 2 day glass workshop experience for my birthday. I would thoroughly recommend Steve’s 2 day workshop particularly if you have completed the 1 day one. It is 2 very full days, including 2 lovely lunches at local pubs in Ashprington (his new location). The first day we mostly made test pieces to fire overnight. Steve took me through different ways of applying the enamel and demonstrated mould making and glass cutting, I did a lot of glass cutting myself for my final piece. On the second day I made my final piece along with several other items using techniques that I had been taught. His enthusiasm and energy as well as his skill and patience is limitless. At the end of the 2 days I was able to take home not only the main piece, but also several other items which I had made including bowls, t-lights, small wall hangings and all the test pieces. Steve is very generous with his materials as well as his time and is an excellent teacher."

laraine shapley reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"A very patient man with excellent teaching skills. He is very health and safety conscious and I was provided with a special tunic along with full face protection. Amazing what you can do when you try and I produced a fine sycamore fruit bowl all on my own with one to one guidance from the expert. He also has beautiful work available to buy from his own collection. It is a full day and needs concentration, very enjoyable."

Melanie Louise reviewed: Half day willow bird feeder/hanging basket course with Joe Gregory

"I have been on a number of Joe's willow weaving workshops and have loved every minute of them. Her workshops take place in some fantastic venues including her lovely studio gallery in Todmorden. Joe is a great teacher, very knowledgeable, approachable and friendly. She creates a lovely atmosphere for therapeutic weaving time! I highly recommend all of her courses."

Creative with Nature Ltd responded:

"Thanks Melanie-Louise that's really kind of you! loved weaving with you too and look forward to more in the future. Joe. xx"

Eamonn reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"This was a wonderful experience spent in great company and led by first-class instructors. The sense of achievement in dismantling the foundations of an existing dry-stone wall and re-building a healthy section of new wall was immense. The course is delivered at a fantastic pace to enable complete beginners to understand the techniques involved in this worthy pursuit. The instructors deliver a unique experience that enables learning to take place whilst having fun at the same time. Due care and attention is given to Health and Safety and it wasn't long before we were all partaking in the building exercise which provides a huge amount of satisfaction. If you are enchanted by the network of dry-stone walling that adorns the upper landscapes then this is the course for you......don't wait for someone to buy it for you as a gift! A word of caution.....it's a little bit addictive!"

Nick Clarkson reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"An absolutely fantastic course run by people who really know their subject and are eager to show others. Their passion for dry stone walling is infectious and over the two days we were introduced to the basics of building a dry stone wall, I'd like to add this is a real working wall, one that will help a farmer and be standing for a couple of centuries not one that is torn down again for the next group. There is a little "classroom" work lasting around half an hour each day and the rest is pure practical experience with friendly, concise expert guidance, which is the best way to learn anything. It's all done in a laid back friendly fashion - you work at your own pace and at the end of the two days you will be amazed at what you have achieved. I felt really proud of what the whole group achieved and it's made me want to learn more. I waited a few years before finally getting the resolve to do the course and if you're reading this I'd say don't think too much about it just get out there and do it."

Vivienne Mackenzie reviewed: 2 Day felting course with naturally dyed fleece, Wild Rose Escapes, Highlands, Scotland

"This is the second felting course I have done with the instructor Rosie and both have been amazing. The location is beautiful, the food provided is delicious and home-made and the teaching is superb. Rosie is very enthusiastic about felting and the natural processes (foraging for natural colours to dye the fleece) involved in the practice. Rosie made me feel relaxed and was very encouraging while I made my artwork. I came away feeling happy with my work, was given ideas about how to develop it further and felt confident I could continue wet-felting at home."

Danny B reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"Really enjoyed the course and was very pleased with the quality of training and support given by the instructors. I'd recommend it to anyone thinking of taking part - you will not regret it. It's a great way to spend a couple of days and you get to create something that will form part of the landscape for the next couple of hundred years."

gerard kenyon reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"A fantastic introduction to dry stone walling. Very much hands on with sufficient teaching and guidance to enable the group to dismantle and completely rebuild a section of an old disintegrated dry stone wall. The instructors were excellent. They provide the right balance of allowing you to put theory into practice, whilst working alongside the team to provide practical advice and tips; sharing their obvious mastery of the craft. The feeling we all had at the completion of the weekend was a real high. Seeing a section of wall that we had completed together, that looked solid and would last the test of time, was amazing. Never thought we could do such a good job when we arrived. Our section blended in so well with the sections rebuilt earlier that we all stood back in pride."

Anna Ricketts reviewed: Hide camp - deer skin into buckskin

"This Hide Camp was a wonderful experience. It was a brilliant few days - fantastic food cooked over an open fire, lovely people, and so interesting learning about natural tanning from two highly knowledgeable tutors. Jessie and Jane explained everything with such patience and expertise - it was truly fascinating, and great inspiration on many levels. Thier kindness and sensitivity with people and the elements meant we learned a lot and really enjoyed all the processes involved. I feel very connected with the skins I worked on, and have become much more conscious of other materials around me, and where they come from. Highly recommended."

Gill Laird reviewed: Circular sock knitting machine 'Sock School'

"Wonderful course. Anne and her assistants were a wealth of knowledge and have given me the confidence to take the sock knitting machine I have out of it's box and start making socks. The refreshments and lunch were superb. I had a great time."

John reviewed: Introduction to leatherwork – Belt making workshop

"What an enjoyable day. Amazing views from our workstation, excellent hospitality and a real sense of achievement when we finished our belts. I didn't fully appreciate the work that goes into hand stitching a piece of leather. Clive and Wendy were great hosts and very informative. Whilst the instruction is delivered in a very relaxed style, my wife and I both came away very proud of our work but exhausted. You do have to concentrate to make a good job. I would heartily recommend anyone to give this workshop a go. At the end of the day you walk away with a hand made leather belt which you can brag about to your friends."

Jennifer reviewed: Furniture Painting Workshop in the Cotswolds

"The perfect introduction to furniture painting. Chris and Celia couldn't have been more helpful, talking us through all the steps from what to look out for (and avoid) when picking furniture to paint, preparation and choosing paint to painting the additional techniques you can use to enhance a piece. We each came away with a finished and completely transformed piece of furniture which will act as a lovely reminder of a lovely day and a confidence boost to start more furniture projects. All this and delicious food and wonderful hospitality. I would thoroughly recommend this workshop."

Interiors @ No. 6 with Tearoom responded:

"Hi Jennifer Thank you so much for your kind review. It was a real pleasure looking after you and Mum the other day, and look forward to seeing her assessment in due course. Don't hesitate to contact us should you require further advice Best wishes Celia & Chris"

Mat reviewed: 1-to-1 Mount cutting and effective presentation for painters and photographers

"As a complete novice, Lynne's warm and generous nature removed any nerves that I had before the course. The well stocked studio was comfortable and relaxed and Lynne's teaching was patient yet full of passion and enthusiasm. Leaving the studio at the end of the day with my newly mounted artworks was a very special type of joy. Oh, and the homemade cake, mmm..! I would highly recommend this course."

Fraser Chapman reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 1 (beginner)

"This was a great course, it was really interesting learning how to do some of the woodworking basics properly. Aidan was an extremely good teacher and gave lots of additional information throughout the course. Highly recommended."

Lorraine reviewed: Silver Clay Jewellery Course

"I have no hesitation in recommending TeachMe. Yolanda is a wonderful host and teacher, making everyone feel relaxed and welcome and never tiring of our questions. Everything is provided and the lunch was delicious. This is far more in depth than most silver clay courses and the finished results were fantastic!"

Eloise Kent reviewed: Training course in upcycling with pallets. An introduction to making furniture with pallets for beginners

"A fantastic course! Taken by Scott, and Sue his wife and Max 'Black Paw' the lab were there too to help. Scott went through how to identify pallets, which you wouldn't think is important but certainly is! We then were taught how to take them apart, how to make a work bench in 5 mins. All the tools used, different types of nails, screws etc. How to use hand tool and power tools. The second day was also interesting, how to wire a plug and lamp, then we turned it into a cool floor lamp and we made a pallet armchair/throne. Scott is very knowledgable, and has great ideas. He explains things well and is patient to everyone's learning speed. Would 100% recommend to everyone!"

Pip Rice reviewed: Fabulous fused glass jewellery for beginners

"A great day! I had never worked with glass before but Eleanor was a brilliant teacher, patient and informative. I had no idea glass was so versatile and was amazed at how much we could make in a few hours. The day was utterly absorbing and I would reccomend the course to anyone."

Chris Hearson reviewed: Mosaic courses with Joy Sturgess, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

"I chose this course after seeing Joy's work on her website and I enjoyed everything- cutting and shaping the tiles, learning how to show form in mosaic and how colour works. The teaching and support given were excellent."

Shelly Smith reviewed: Mosaic courses with Joy Sturgess, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

"I learnt lots on this course- I like the idea of coming with my own idea and learning how to translate that idea into an achievable project- I made two small mosaic panels based on Shetland knitting patterns. The atmosphere was relaxed and I had a chance to ask about my specific interests and ideas, and to find out about other people's ideas. The course was an ideal length to complete a piece."

Nigel Feerick reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"The course was a birthday gift from my kids and i have have to say a great present. The course is run over two days and is well structured. The instructors are excellent and extremely knowledgable, and as well as giving you the benefit of their expertise they make the course good fun. You get the opportunity to gain hands on experience in the art of drystone walling and I guarantee you will be pleased with the results of your work over the two days."

Amore Brison reviewed: Two day mosaic course with Joy Sturgess in Scarborough, North Yorkshire

"I chose this course because it was close to home and I have done mosaic before and wanted to learn a new technique- I learnt how to work on paper initially and also to take note of which way up to lay the tiles when working in reverse- I enjoyed the great level of individual support given. There is plenty of workspace and choice of materials, and lots of cuppas and biscuits! I am very pleased with the shell mosaic I made using the 'crazy paving' style of laying tiles."