Latest reviews

Ingrid Papaphilippopoulos reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"I began with several one-off workshops through the autumn but I was actually hooked from day one. Beatrice found a full time space for me in one of her groups the next term, and now I can’t imagine a time when I won’t be sculpting. The groups are kept small (6 to 8 people) so there is plenty of time for everyone to get individual attention. Also Beatrice has the knack of including everyone periodically, inviting opinions, discussions on techniques or form etc, which encourages constructive comments and a certain cohesion in the group. She is, herself extremely knowledgeable and accomplished as an artist and delightful as a human being. I would recommend everyone to try this at least once for its fabulous potential for creativity but also for its mindfulness and therapeutic value."

Clare Burgess reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"After a Taster Course at Ardington Crafts, I have been to several of Beatrice’s lovely sculpture in clay classes over the past year. Beatrice is an excellent teacher; warm and enthusiastic, she has taught me to look more carefully at shapes and lines. Thanks to Beatrice, I am now beginning to notice for myself what is important in terms of proportion and contours in a sculpture, and what needs bringing to the fore and what can be ignored. With her many years’ teaching experience, she is wonderfully positive when things go wrong, or when your sculpture need radical re-thinking! 6 or 8 weekly blocks of classes are ideal for gradual learning of skills and allow enough time to produce a sculpture you can be really pleased with. The time goes so quickly, I just love it!"

Beth eastwood reviewed: Full day introduction to glass fusing course.

"Smashing , super, inspiring, What more can I say. Oh educational, infomative, productive, A fantastic day. Lots of fun a warm welcome Thank you for helping me to produce two lovely pieces of work I can’t wait to see you again. Beth."

Julia Bathurst reviewed: Full day introduction to glass fusing course.

"Excellent well thought out course from start to finish! There is a warm welcome as you step foot into the studio with coffee and biscuits and immerse yourself in glass fusion world for the day! Learnt so much about glass health and safety along with a variety of techniques through Amanda’s tuition. Amanda is able to translate your own ideas or able to give helpful suggestions for the glass pieces you make. All in all you go home having been well fed through the day, have the satisfaction of beginning to master new skills and two beautiful creations! Thoroughly recommend."

Kate Campbell reviewed: Bronze casting weekend

"This course was a fantastic introduction to working with bronze and was more than I hoped for or expected when I joined. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Mark and Caroline were exceptionally welcoming. The food was delicious and the depth of art discussion was just perfect. There were deep and meaningfuls about a whole range of art and art history. Great debate among the students on their inspirations and their pieces, and also equally friendly chatter when required. There is a wealth of books and materials to study with and the studio was an ideal place to focus when required. The course itself was geared to hands on experience with the materials during the casting process, and I was pouring molten metal within the first day!! The setting is beautiful and I hope to come back some time in better weather (I was there in January). All in all, fantastic value, a unique experience, and an inspirational way to start my year. My bronzes now have pride of place at home."

jan reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"Dear Jamal, Thank you for an interesting, informative and truly educational day, You were extremely patient and took time to explain each stage enabling me make my little bit of stained glass that I am so proud of. In addition your vast experience in the world of stained glass and the many fascinating and important projects you have been involved with was incredibly interesting. I would recommend anyone who has an interest in art or glass to attend one of Jamal's courses, you won't come away disappointed."

Chris Smith reviewed: Pottery Throwing (Group Discounts Available) Lessons in Worcester

"Alice and I spent a most enjoyable morning working on the potters wheels in Chris’s well equipped workshop. We even managed to produce some mugs and bowls! Chris was a very knowledgeable, patient and encouraging teacher and it was great to have some one to one tuition. Looking forward to collecting our finished products when they have been glazed and fired. I would thoroughly recommend this course."

beth reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"Really good fun, not a lot of tuition but Seb on hand to provide excellent advice to make your project magical. Everyone produced something beautiful on our course."

Linda reviewed: Wood carving classes in Pembrokeshire, Wales

"With Anthony to guide me and supply all the necessary equipment I saw my basic paper design transformed into a simple relief wall plaque. There were different degrees of experience in the class but Anthony was able to spend time with all of us individually and collectively (tea break chats) as he explained the different properties of woods and use of the many chisels and mallets. An interesting and relaxing couple of hours a week."

Andrea Smythe reviewed: Beginners stained glass workshops using copper foil.

"Was bought the Stained Glass Beginners Course as a birthday present from my daughter. Wow! What an excellent day we had. I met with some great like minded people and Jo who runs the course was great. We got to make a couple of light catchers which were excellent. Thank you Jo :)"

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

"I went with my mother in law as a joint Christmas present from my sister in law and we had a fabulous time! We've both done a bit before and Chris was very adaptable, gauged our abilities very quickly and supported us as and when needed. We both felt much more confident as a result! He offered lots of tips and suggested various methods that helped me find my feet again on a wheel. He taught me alternative methods for handles and glazing that were interesting and much easier than I had learnt previously! The morning flew by and we had a wonderful time! Totally recommended and hope to go again soon!"

Peter B reviewed: One day MMA/MIG welding course

"I went into the course without any knowledge of how to weld and I left Allied Welding confident that I could set up a machine and start welding on my own. I  liked that we were given plenty of time and consumables to practice with and David is generous in his 1 to 1 time with you. He is also very clear and succinct in his teaching style and I learnt a lot, thank you. *Review written at the welding facility on 17/03/18, hard copy kept at premises."

subash reviewed: Beginners Candlemaking for Two - Anglesey, Wales

"Booked a 1 to 1 candle making course with Anita, which she kindly re- scheduled because of the bad weather. I can only say having been on a few different courses for various things, Anita's style of teaching was the most relaxed and enjoyable. For anyone considering taking up candle making, I think you would struggle to find a better tutor. The location of the Workshop is just the icing on the cake. Anita, once again thank you for the way you encouraged creativity, after having gone through all the basics."

Rhiannon reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"Beatrice is a wonderful teacher who is calm, patient and inspiring. She has helped guide me through the process of sculpture which has enabled me to get back to being a creative person after many, many years away from creativity. She advises on a number of different techniques and always explains why we do a particular technique. When helping to improve your work she explains the art theory behind her advice but always allows you to evolve your work - just with the help of her expertise :-) I have had such a great time doing two terms of sculpture and I am looking forward to more!"

Nicola reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"I had a great day with Rosanna. She Is a great teacher & made sure each of us was kept busy during the day. I came away from the workshop with a clutch of leather goods which I’m very proud of and that look professional. If you book one of Rosanna’s workshops you won’t be disappointed!"

Lia Kolligri reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"We did a one day lead workshop for two and it was a lovely experience. Jamal has been great! We made a couple of decorative stained glass pieces which look really good and hung them at the kitchen window - they make me smile every time I pass by :)"

Thom Lammiman reviewed: Blacksmith forge experience day - introductory course with use of power hammer

"Really good course! Chester was a very informative, down to earth tutor. Learnt a lot in the day and would certainly go back for a second day. Definitely recommend for the newcomer to blacksmithing!"

Corinne WrightWells reviewed: The Annie Sloan complete chair makeover Workshop at La Di Da Interiors

"Fantastic course Well explained Fun Friendly Organised Ideal location Thank you Steph"

Clare reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"I had a fantastic weekend learning how to sculpt with limestone. After a warm welcome, a cup of coffee and introductions, we were shown what all the tools did and let loose on practice blocks. Once ready, Sebastian helped select the right stone for each project and was always there with help and advice. The time flew by and I couldn't wait to get back for day two. We were all very pleased with our finished results and the fact we can continue on them at home using easily obtainable tools. Its definitely a hobby I'm going to continue and I'm very grateful to Sebastian for offering such a great course."

Anita Jackson reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I would thoroughly recommend Lucy to anyone interested in making a bespoke piece of jewellery. Her class was so much fun, she was patient and so knowledgable. Its great to have one on one help. I had a great day and came home with two bangles that I 'm very proud of, can't wait to come back! Thank you so much Anita Jackson."

Jayne Nicholas reviewed: The Annie Sloan complete chair makeover Workshop at La Di Da Interiors

"A great day learning to upcyle an old chair with Annie Sloan paint and finishing it by reupholstering the drop in seat. I am very pleased with the end result and enjoyed seeing the 4 others emerge into new, colourful chairs under the clever hands of my co-learners. A shame I had to leave early due to the weather!"

Jane Castle reviewed: Pottery throwing taster on The Potters Wheel (temporarily suspended due to social distancing restrictions)

"My husband and I had a wonderful morning learning how to throw a pot with Sharon. We were warmly welcomed with coffee and biscuits before being introduced to the potters wheel. After a quick demo it was then hands on, and to our amazement we did actually end up with bowls that we could be proud of for our first attempts. Many thanks, we had a great time."

Sharon Pottery Classes responded:

"Thanks so much Jane for your review, it was a pleasure to meet you and your husband and literally watch your confidence grow as the potting went on during the morning. I am glad you were pleased with the experience."

Janet Goatlu reviewed: The Annie Sloan complete chair makeover Workshop at La Di Da Interiors

"Great day. Nice welcome, delicious tea, coffee, cake and plenty of water. We stripped the seat right back to the frame and were taught to start from scratch with webbing all the way to calico and then the final material. Also did 2 coats if ASCP on chairs and then waxing techniques. All in all, a very thorough day. Only slight criticism- we could have done it in a slightly shorter time, but perhaps due to letting paint dry sufficiently...? Thank you to Steph. Best teacher out there!"

Patti Sowa reviewed: Sewing Retreat Devon

"It's impossible to do justice to the weekend but I will try! I can't recommend it highly enough for a perfect blend of sewing, pampering and retreat created by the magical warmth of Yvonne, together with Rosemary (wonderful nurturing, cakes and food!) and Simon (chauffeur, milk tray man and snow rescue!). We all arrived, excited and also with the varying degrees of confidence and nerves that always come with doing something new and with people you do not know. Some of us knew no one before we arrived, others used it as a chance to catch up with an old friend but the warm welcome from Yvonne meant that everyone bonded very quickly over tea and cake. We settled in to our lovely rooms and were greeted by personalised gifts from Yvonne on each bed - a lovely surprise. The sewing room was perfectly set up and Yvonne's ability to create an atmosphere of trust meant that all of us felt comfortable learning from each other and even I (a complete beginner!) made a fantastic lampshade that I love. The retreat element of the weekend emerged naturally as the trust in the group grew and made it really special with lots of sharing all sorts of wisdom about life as well as sewing. The hot tubs and walks provided a change of pace and the talks added variety without any pressure to take part if the sewing project was your priority. Everyone achieved so much under Yvonne's gentle and positive teaching. Beautiful location, beautiful people that brought out the best in all of us. We didn't want to go home and I don't think we will ever forget the weekend. Thank you all!"

Diana Williams reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"This week I have been expertly guided by Lucy to create unusual resin work together with one of my favourite techniques - reticulation. I produced two silver reticulated pendants and a pair of earrings. I can't wait to wear them as they are so unusual. Lucy's attention to detail ensures that each and every piece you create with her is finished to the highest standard."