Latest reviews

14 Mar 18'

Mark Thomas reviewed: Damascus steel pattern welding

"This is a great course, made all the better by Stuart, here is a guy who knows his art form and passes it on with great teaching style. loved the 3 days here and will be back to do the axe course,"

14 Mar 18'

Mary Savage reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"Great opportunity to meet with friends. Have lots of fun and spend a whole weekend crafting. Plenty of food and a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Good value for money and advice readily available."

14 Mar 18'

Tom Magal reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I have just had a one-on-one day course with Mark and I couldn't be happier with the whole experience. The day started with the basics of the lathe and tools, progressed through parallel grain turning techniques and finished ended with me turning a bowl from a piece of ash. The knowledge and expertise that Mark passed onto me is invaluable to me, and I thoroughly recommend his courses. Thanks for your patience with me Mark!"

14 Mar 18'

Sheryl Kendall reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"The best place to get on with your own projects. Lovely grounds apparently, not really seen them too busy crafting. Fabulous home cooked food. 5ft table to spread out on for the whole weekend. Bedrooms very basic but only slept there and showered so very adequate. Been going for years and a bit addicted now. Page challenge is probably my most dreaded and favourite part ... really gets you thinking and doing something different."

14 Mar 18'

Jean Lewis reviewed: Needle Felting

"What a thoroughly enjoyable workshop. Sandy was enthusiastic and it was catching. I even came home with something that looked like a fox. It was my first time doing needle felting and I loved. It was a lovely setting and the atmosphere was relaxed, fun and friendly. The time just flew by. I also have to mention Anna's cakes - to die for !!! I had determined to learn at least one new thing a year and this was just what I wanted. I hope to come to some more. Sandy did warn it could become addictive. I cannot thank Sandy and Anna enough."

14 Mar 18'

Lisa reviewed: Beginners Pottery Day Course

"I have just completed Matthew's One Day Throwing Course and I can't praise the day enough! I have never thrown a pot before and didn't know if I would be able to do it, so felt a little nervous. No need! Matthew immediately put me at ease, very easy going and chatty so before you know it, you've thrown a pot with confidence. Matthew is a superb teacher and works at your own pace, giving clear and encouraging instruction all the while. I finished the day with some pots that I am so proud of and wanting to continue to learn more. It's great that there is flexibility in booking the course that suits me. If you're thinking about it...do it!"

14 Mar 18'

katie Mitchell reviewed: Green Woodworking - Make a Shave Horse - 1 Day Course in South Devon

"A really good day and coming home with a fully working shave horse too is a bonus. I'm already planning my next course with Peter ! He is patient and full of knowledge a great course and would highly recommend"

14 Mar 18'

Padraig McEntee reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"This was a great days course. I really enjoyed it. Mort was a great teacher and to watch him work is really impressive. After I spent about a hour shaping a piece of high carbon steel that takes him about 5 minutes to do with a big hammer its amazing what experience can do. Good hands on practical course that shows you how to do some really impressive techniques and if you are a hobbyist or plan to become one I think a course like this is essential to teach the basics."

14 Mar 18'

Tracy Devlin reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"A fantastic weekend break with lots of lovely crafters - lovely surroundings, great food and comfortable rooms. Plenty of space to set up to do your own crafting and nothing else to worry about Highly recommend and cannot wait for the next one"

14 Mar 18'

Helen Stannard reviewed: Container candlemaking course and wax melts with afternoon tea

"Absolutely brilliant, the candle making course was excellent. Julie and Janet were wonderful, didn’t realise how interesting and relaxing it was learning about candles. Everything was explained clearly, Julie talked us through everything and it was so enjoyable I’m coming back again to do another one. The day was fabulous, even better was the added bonus of afternoon tea with delicious sandwiches and cream cakes. Would highly recommend anyone coming along and doing this course. Thank you again Julie"

14 Mar 18'

Jessica Skelton reviewed: Hand Spinning Essentials for Beginners Week-end Residential (half board)

"A great course, perfect for a complete beginner like me who's had no experience at all of fleece or spinning. It's hands-on right from the start, with each step explained, then shown - then you're thrown in the deep end to try it yourself. There are a variety of different wheels to try, and by the end of it you'll have your very own skein of yarn and be itching to do more."

14 Mar 18'

Sally-Ann Eburn-Knowles reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"Fabulous venue, food and being able to scrapbook or craft with old and new friends. Large tables and a craft shop available all weekend. Clean linen, comfortable beds and each room has ensuite, The craft room is open from the time you arrive until you leave. You don’t have to sleep if you don’t want to. Easy parking, fantastic grounds."

13 Mar 18'

Pauline Clarry reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"Fabulous weekend spent crafting with old friends and new. 24 hours availability of craft room if wanted and a plentiful supply of hot drinks, biscuits and cake to keep you going. Spacious craft room with lots of table space to hold all that stash I took with me. The atmosphere was friendly and I thoroughly recommend it for a great crafty weekend."

13 Mar 18'

Anne Gadsden reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"A truly relaxing weekend with fplenty of time for scrapbooking and catching up with friends. Pleasant location, pleasant environment, good experience"

13 Mar 18'

Caleb Allen reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"Chris is an excellent blacksmith and a brilliant teacher, he knows his craft well and shares his skills in an easy to follow and friendly manner. We spent any time we weren’t smithing talking about the history of metalwork. I would recommend this course to anyone with an interest or curiosity in the heritage crafts. Chris is a young and enthusiastic guy with a wealth of experience."

13 Mar 18'

H Clapshaw reviewed: Quilling for Mother's Day with Learn to be Crafty

"Great fun session, loved the level of interaction between both attendees and the lovely ladies running it. A brilliant idea, with a simple format and delicious refreshments. Perfect start to the weekend!"

13 Mar 18'

Ros Morris reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"A great weekend with lovely , like minded people. Great food, clean, comfortable rooms & plenty of space to work(24 hours if you want to) . Lovely historic house & beautiful grounds to walk in, if you can tear yourself away from your crafting. Everyone is very friendly & it was a lovely atmosphere.can highly reccomend it if you are a crafty person looking to get away from it all to enjoy your craft."

13 Mar 18'

Roslyn Penn reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"What a wonderful way to spend a weekend!! Crafting or Scrapbooking for 48 hours (if you want to)... The food was excellent, you certainly won’t go hungry. The rooms were comfortable. The craft rooms were spacious with large tables to work from. Plenty of supplies to keep you going and stock up on if needed. Thoroughly recommend this if you are a craft person to enjoy your hobby with like minded people!"

13 Mar 18'

Lindsey reviewed: 💜 The Suffolk Silk Scarf Painting Workshops 💜 For FOUR People at The Arty Silkworm, Green Farm, Suffolk ~ Fabulously Creative

"Having never done any shibori work, or worked with silk this course was the best introduction we could have had. Ruth's enthusiasm and attention to detail, whilst giving us total artistic freedom, was brilliant and we came away with a beautiful and unique silk scarf totally created by ourselves. Ruth was very generous with all the materials used and had a huge array of beautiful colours, I was totally blown away by the way platinum looked on silk! Thank you Ruth for a lovely, educational and relaxed day, and for all the tea and coffee, will definitely be back again."

13 Mar 18'

Moira Brown reviewed: Silk painting

"Well it's an absolute joy to do one of Kat's courses. She has prepared well and everything is well organised which gives them a very relaxed feeling. Great to go to on your own or as a group maybe to celebrate some special occasion. Suitable for old and young she has time to spend on everyone. There is enough guidance given but room for everyone to take it to the level that is right for them. You finish the session having made something special and very personal. Also sge gives you i nformation on how the continue the craft if you w ish to afterwards. Well done Kat"

13 Mar 18'

Linda Morrison reviewed: Furniture painting workshops / Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course and loved being able to use the paints to see the true colours. It was great to mess about and experiment with them. This is vital with paint as its so difficult to know the exact shades that come out and what colours blend together. I would love to have more lessons on other types of painting. I feel I need some advice on the nest of tables I am painting and follow up lessons would be an advantage. I found it very enjoyable and the teacher was excellent!!!"

13 Mar 18'

Julia Sutcliffe reviewed: Quilling for Mother's Day with Learn to be Crafty

"Very enjoyable morning making chocolates with my friend and some lovely ladies. Thank you Helen and Fiona ? x"

13 Mar 18'

Rose Heelis reviewed: Lino printmaking in the Dales

"This was a first for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Penny is a great tutor and put everyone at their ease. We were all so proud of our efforts and went home with some lovely prints. I would definitely like to try some more printing and would recommend this course if you are looking for something a little different."

13 Mar 18'

Angela walklate reviewed: Container candlemaking course and wax melts with afternoon tea

"I attended this candle making course with afternoon tea on 10th of March and was extremely impressed with everything from Julie and Janet to the actual candle making, the ladies were full of information and advise, afternoon tea was exceptional and the group of ladies and gentlemen were very friendly, all making for a fabulous day, would highly recommend this. Thank you"

13 Mar 18'

Angelina Morris reviewed: Natural (cold process) soap making workshop with afternoon tea

"I had a brilliant day and didn’t want it to end, I learned so much about candle making, Julie was very funny, honest and knowledgable. I will do more course with Julie In the future Thank to Janet also for looking after us"