Latest reviews

Matthew Davies reviewed: One to One Silver Jewellery Tuition

"I completed both a two day introduction to silver jewellery making and a one day stone setting course with Jonathan. These days were full of amazing instruction and practical demonstration - I was then able, under Jonathan's careful guidance, to create a pair of rings and a sapphire-set bangle: I am incredibly proud of all three of these (my wife and I have not taken the rings off since the day I made them! Jonathan's courses acre structured so that anyone, with any or no experience is able to access them with ease. Coming to these courses as a complete novice, I am pleased to say that I have been inspired with the confidence to take the craft further myself. Jonathan himself is a font of knowledge, and it was amazing to be taught by someone who clearly has a passion for his craft. He was so giving of this knowledge and passion, and it was clear from the outset that he wants others to enter the trade (he wasn't selfish about it at all, but recognised the need for others to enter the profession). The lists of tools and instructions he provides students with are a valuable source of information regarding starting up. It took me all of an hour after having left his workshop to buy my first tools and materials. Thank you, Jonathan!"

Jude Moreland reviewed: Pottery Throwing (Group Discounts Available) Lessons in Worcester

"My daughter and I had a one-off lesson with Chris (my birthday present from hubby). We spent a very enjoyable time throwing pots. Chris demonstrated all the steps and was very patient when I forgot what to do! He explained everything very clearly and was very helpful. A great evening. Thanks."

rosalind crawford reviewed: Free Taster Intuitive Art for Healing & Well Being art class/free group

"Kassi’s insightful and thought provoking course taps into a deeper level of being, encouraging reflection on what’s going on at a subconscious level. Kassi is a lovely person dedicated to helping others realise potential, express thoughts, fears, joys, intentions of the heart through explorative art . What could be better than that? Highly recommend"

Natalie & Jan reviewed: Bespoke Contemporary Fine Art Encaustic Wax Workshop.

"“My mum and I simply had the most fun and creative day doing our wax workshop with Lyn. We both got totally hooked on the joy of encaustic wax and are really looking forward to doing it again - Lyn was so helpful and lovely to spend the day with too.”"

Emma reviewed: Mosaic making class

"A very enjoyable day! Dawn was extremely welcoming and well organised. There was an excellent selection of animals/shapes to mosaic and it was very helpful to have so many completed examples to use for ideas and for inspiration. Very good selection of colours and finish of tiles. Refreshments were provided throughout the day. The cake was especially delicious. We also looked at the bed and breakfast accommodation, which is best described as delightful! Thank you to Dawn for a superb day-I am now hooked on mosaics!"

Jacqui du Rocher reviewed: Shine Brightly - Intuitive Tree Painting class

"This course has been a journey for me both in my learning to express myself through paint and colour and in my inner journey as Kassi gently guided, and continues to guide me, through my feelings and all the different things that have been coming up for me as I paint my tree. It is a wonderful course and Kassi is so patient and helpful. My art has really burst into life, after being very tentative at the beginning, and I have learnt to let go and trust my intuition. It's also about having fun and I am really enjoying it!"

Claire reviewed: Beginners Arm knitting workshop - make a chunky knit throw, Newbury

"Attended this course earlier this year....was a lovely evening and I left with a gorgeous knitted throw thanks to the guidance of Sophie. I can highly recommend, even if you are a knitting novice like me!"

Forest and Dot responded:

"Thank you Claire for your lovely review! It was great to have you onboard! I hope you enjoy your arm knitted throw!"

Meg Neill reviewed: Creative Paper Cutting (1 day) in the Peak District

"A really great day at a lovely place, Christine was a excellent tutor, and I very much hope they put on a follow-on course for 3D paper cutting in the future. Good cakes too!"

Judith reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day) (2 people)

"Just completed 2 days of wood turning under Graham's knowledgeable tuition. Thoroughly enjoyed the learning process which was tailored at a speed that I felt comfortable with, Graham was very patient especially when I needed certain technical instructions/techniques repeating. This was my second visit and I doubt it will be my last. All in all, a great environment to learn a fascinating new skill and feel encouraged to pursue this new interest further which I will certainly do. Would certainly recommend Graham to anyone with an interest in wood turning."

Jon Arrenberg reviewed: Bees for Development Sustainable Beekeeping Weekend Courses 2024

"This was an excellent course which was eye opening, thought provoking, very well delivered and enjoyable. I have been keeping bees for about 4 years and I wish that I had attended the course before starting. I have been a conventional beekeeper and increasingly concerned about the sustainability of what I was doing and the course has shown me a much better way of operating. It will certainly lead to a change in the way I am going to keep bees from now on and I have already started on the construction of two top bar hives after sending back a couple of Nationals that I had just bought from Thornes. A big thank you to all involved. Wonderful food."

Hazel Scott reviewed: China mosaic workshop with China Petals

"I absolutely loved this course. I had never attempted this before and so have a real sense of achievement. It was fun and I had a super day. Great teaching and very patient with beginners. Highly recommended."

China Petals responded:

"Thank you so much, we're really glad you enjoyed your time with us."

Andi reviewed: Paint The Tree of YOUR Life art & personal development

"Kas is offering a unique course that reached parts of me I didn't know were there. Her kindness and perception are unique too. A most valuable course I'm so glad I did"

Annie Page reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I can only echo the other reviews. It was an excellent day. I'll never look at another spoon in the same way again."

Alex Graybow reviewed: Paint The Tree of YOUR Life art & personal development

"I would highly recommend this wonderful opportunity to experience Kassi’s unique form of self-discovery and personal development through intuitive art and Paint the Tree of Your Life. I love to work in an intuitive way and see a visual expression of my feelings. I felt I got to know and understand myself a little better through each stage of creating the tree of my life. Kassi supported my process throughout the group. Her warmth and curiosity enabled me to deeply explore the images and my process. There is no pressure to share, however when I did it felt that I was being witnessed by a very supportive group of people. This warm and non-judgemental environment has given me a sense of freedom from my more critical voices."

Diana Carteur reviewed: Two day mosaic course with Joy Sturgess in Scarborough, North Yorkshire

"I already had some experience of making mosaics but learnt the reverse method for the first time on this course- and learnt all about andamento- flow- in how to lay the tiles. The quality of materials and the tuition on how to plan a mosaic were outstanding, resulting in a thoroughly enjoyable experience."

Sarah Fisher reviewed: Two day mosaic course with Joy Sturgess in Scarborough, North Yorkshire

"I made a mosaic (door number) which I am very proud of- Joy was strict about the technique and is a very knowledgeable and supportive teacher. It was an immersive yet relaxing experience, Joy allows you to make mistakes and then learn how to put them right- so you learn skills that you can use on your own in the future- I would like to lean more about designing a mosaic- what works and what doesn't- I cannot think of many better ways to spend a weekend doing something new, creative, exciting and a great relaxation too."

Judy Bell reviewed: Mosaic courses with Joy Sturgess, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

"I chose this course because Joy seemed passionate about mosaic and there weren't any other courses in the right area. The course was well managed and the task- to complete a mosaic to take home- was achievable. I made a lily mosaic and Joy helped me translate the picture I brought with me into a design. Joy is friendly and helpful and I would take a further course with her to increase my skills and experience in mosaic."

jodie wingham reviewed: Leather Workshop One - on - One

"I attended a one to one workshop with Sarah recently and it was brilliant! I had been on a previous course with Sarah, the half a day course, which was also fantastic and decided I had to come back to learn more and the one to one course Sarah provides was just what I wanted. Sarah was very informative and helpful, her knowledge is immense but with this she does not make things overtly complicated ensuring you have enough information to make what you want and in the process learn what you want too. By the end of the day I had made a fantastic bag which I love, and the skills to practice myself with leather work. I would recommend attending a course to anyone."

Williams Handmade responded:

"Thanks Jodie, you did a great job on your bag, looking forward to seeing what you make next, thanks Sarah"

Louise Stevenson reviewed: Creative Paper Cutting (1 day) in the Peak District

"I thoroughly enjoyed my day at Zantium learning how to begin papercutting. The tutor was excellent, teaching us the basic skills necessary, but also encouraging us to design our own pieces within the first hour. As a complete novice, I was thrilled with what I was able to achieve in such a short time and will certainly be continuing with this new craft. Zantium Studios is set in an idyllic hamlet and the studio itself was flooded with beautiful natural light . Inspirational artworks surrounded us throughout the building. Food was excellent with homemade soup and cheese for lunch and delicious flapjacks and cakes (still warm from the oven) in the afternoon."

Alan reviewed: Paint The Tree of YOUR Life art & personal development

"This was an amazing exprience for me. I really enjoyed the process of creating the tree with the helpful support of Kassi. As well as being lots of fun it also gave me an opportunity to learn about myself. Kassi is a warm, respectful and patient facilitator. She is available when needed but lets you get on with it too. Kassi has created a wonderful, supportive and creative environment in which to explore yourself through art. Well worth doing."

Barbara Stevenson reviewed: Beginners Candlemaking for Two - Anglesey, Wales

"Wonderfully relaxed, fun morning with The Candle Alchemist. Four of us - daughter, grand-daughter, grandson and I enjoyed learning candle dipping making a variety of unique candles in lovely colours. Anita was so patient with us absolute beginners and we felt very proud of our creations. Thank you Anita for a great craft session. See you again soon!"

Bob Halsey reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian is very obviously passionate about wood and it's impossible not to have some of his enthusiasm rub off on you. With his instruction and support we produced lovely and useful oak and ash stools. Thoroughly recommend this 1 day course as an introduction to working in green wood."

Steven Shannon reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Fantastic day... Adrian and Debbie are the perfect hosts, excellent tuition throughout the day from Adrian, extremely knowledgeable light hearted with no pressure or expectation. The whole group supported throughout, Lunch was very good a vegetarian stew and baked potatoes followed by apple crumble delicious! The day flew by and we all left with two very well made momentoms.. Would highly recommend this course well worth every penny."

Mike Dunn reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian is very knowledgeable, interesting and a good teacher. We had an extremely enjoyable day. I would recommend this course to anyone."

Liz Priest reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"My Mum and I went to Sophie’s needle felting workshop day on 14th April. We had never done needle felting before but by the end of the day I had created an elephant ? & mum made a sheep ?. We thoroughly enjoyed the day which went by so quickly. Sophie explained the process of needle felting in an easy understandable way with a step by step approach. Sophie gives you confidence and was attentive to us as individuals and as a group. We had a lovely group of ladies who all created a beautiful collection of ? a ? and a ?. The surroundings were beautiful and we were served coffee and bus units and a fantastic lunch. We were inspired to carry on needle felting at home and brought a starter kit from Sophie. This Worksop is ideal for people with no experience of needle felting and you will be amazed at what you create & take home. Equally if you have experience the worshop would enable you to learn new techniques, tips and broaden your knowledge. This is all a testament to Sophie’s knowledge & teaching approach. We would highly recommend attending Sophie’s workshops."