Latest reviews

Liz reviewed: Weaving the cosmos: sacred geometry and hexagonal weave basketry

"Fascinating, frustrating and addictive! I have thoroughly enjoyed devoting the whole day to understanding and consolidating the craft. Wonderful to take home some beautiful artefacts; ably and patiently supported by Daniel and Vija. Thank you. Liz"

Kerry McLellan reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Great day spent with Jo learning the art of candlemaking. She was very warm, welcoming and full of knowledge. Would throughly recommend this workshop A+"

Shelly buswell reviewed: Private One to One Stained glass by Le Breton Traditional (near Exeter/Crediton/Tiverton)

"Thank you so much for helping my 10 year daughter create her masterpiece! Very impressed with your workshop had the most brilliant day, my daughter was able to create a beautiful piece of work to show off in our home with your clear and helpful knowledge and instructions. Will definitely be back for more!! I want to thank you for your support and care to help make Libby's 10th birthday experience one to be cherished and remembered."

Nick Saffell reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"This course exceeded all my expectations. Mort is a fantastic teacher, very encouraging and patient as well as extremely knowledgeable. I have never done anything like this before, and was therefore very surprised that I could jump straight in and make a coat rack with Mort's expert guidance. I would highly recommend this course to anyone, regardless of experience, and hope to return again in the future."

Edna reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"Another day with Lucy and my pendant is complete. I don't have to worry as after we have solved the conundrum of what to do with the chain, I have so many other projects in mind. Although working with Lucy has enabled my knowledge skills and confidence soar. I realise I'm only scratching the surface of my jewellery making journey and I hope she will accompany me for a long time to come imparting her wisdom along the way."

Rob reviewed: A General Leatherwork Skill Day

"Just got back from an excellent day with Nigel. It was my first time working with leather but after today, I’m hooked! I’m now going to go away, practise the new skills I’ve learnt and apply them to my own projects. Nigel’s teaching style is brilliant - very patient, he explains everything really well so it’s easy to understand and his approach is very methodical. Lunch and endless cups of (real) coffee were nice too! Highly recommended."

Marie Oliphant reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"I had a 1-2-1 Workshop with Jo last week and it was the best Workshop I’ve ever attended (and I’ve done a few!) I made a large selection of candles, tealights, melts and Christmas hanging decorations. I was also able to choose a different fragrance for everything I made, so got to try fragrances I wouldn’t normally see in a shop. Jo is extremely helpful and knowledgeable and provided answers to all of my questions and I know she will happily help in the future. If you want an enjoyable treat for yourself or with some friends, you really couldn’t ask for a nicer day - even if all you want out of it is some beautiful smelling candles. Or, you can come away with knowledge to start a business (it purely depends what you are wanting from the experience). I cannot wait until I start practicing my new skills ? Thank you so much Jo xx"

Julie Elliott & Robyn Tadgell reviewed: M

"Thank you Maddie for wonderfully infomative, relaxing and hands on day. We really enjoyed the tuition, ambiance and practical nature of the day. Delving into all the boxes of tiles and treasure was bliss! We came away proudly with a variety of items we had made - with new skills and a desire to continue. Thank you Maddie."

Penny Murphy reviewed: One day bangle/ring workshop

"A fantastic experience! Jolene and her workshop are inspirational and I enjoyed every minute, so much so I am planning to return for a second course in the near future. The atmosphere was lovely, friendly and supportive as we made some original and very wearable bangles. I cannot thank Jolene enough and I thoroughly recommend this course."

Jane parsons reviewed: Stained glass sun-catcher workshop: Hampshire

"Spent the most wonderful day learning the art of copper foil work. Rachel was the best teacher you could hope for pushed us all into making some great work,will be going again thank you very much."

Swanwick Studio responded:

"Thanks Jane for your fabulous comments, really kind words :-) You all did a great job on Saturday & I really enjoyed the day :-) Very well done. R"

Lauren Rhodes reviewed: Pottery classes in Teesside

"Booked the pottery class as a gift for my Mums 60th birthday - great fun, a bargain, and Louise was a great tutor! Using the wheel was definitely a challenge but worth it - we made 2 pots each and returned to paint them. There was a large selection of unusual colours to choose from and they turned out fab as a first attempt - very pleased! The shop was filled with lots of interesting crafts - we’ll definitely be back to have a go at something else x"

Lindley fallon reviewed: One day bangle/ring workshop

"There aren't enough stars to say how brilliant the course was. From the moment I arrived in Jolene's amazing, fascinating workshop - I was hooked! Jolene's instructions were so clear and she gave huge encouragement and ideas to the three of us on the course, while allowing us free range to create our own designs. Endless cups of coffee and tea and biscuits were served during the day - which passed too fast. I am already enrolled for a pendant/ear ring course having done the bracelet course. Many thanks Jolene."

Peter Cowan reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 2 (beginner) - Surrey

"This is the first course of this type, or any, since leaving school, that I have done and I think I chose wisely. Really informative and also hands on and finished with my very own masterpiece !! The processes, reasoning behind them and the use and handling and care for tools was really good and presented in a relaxed style within the small group but also one to one when needed. I would highly recommend if you are looking to start a journey into fine woodworking or any type of woodworking. Looking forward to my next course with Aiden."

Rosemary reviewed: Pottery throwing workshop Saturdays or Sundays

"A brilliant way to spend an afternoon. Hope to be back to try and improve on my potting skills! Looking forward to seeing the end result."

Trevor Jones reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Just returned from a great day with Mort. Having done some blacksmithing at school (55 years ago!!) I was very uneasy and lacking in confidence that I could do very much. Mort encouraged me to aim much higher than I thought I could and I came away with a very presentable fire companion set of poker/log roller, toasting fork and rake complete with twisted basket handles. Mort is a great teacher, very patient, lets you get on with it, but keeps an eye out for any errors which he will assist in correcting to prevent disasters. I will certainly try to get back for another day with him as I anticipate most of his students will. 5 well earned stars."

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

"These courses have given me confidence to share in a safe and welcoming group, of like minded respectful creative people. Kas will always check if you want to explore your art, and is not pushy. She is calm and pleasant. I would recommend these courses."

Elaine phillips reviewed: Furniture painting workshops / Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

"Thank you Nyree for a really enjoyable course, it was invigorating , very informative, fun and relaxing. Loved learning about the paint and how easy it was to use it. Can't wait to start on some of my projects, you have inspired me to have the confidence to go for it. Once again thank you. By the way my sister in law at lavender house was well impressed. Keep painting .???"

Nicola Keane reviewed: Clay sculpture workshops - Monday evening

"Beatrice’s workshops are unique. Each participant is free to choose his or her own direction and there is a treasure trove of photographs and books and models for inspiration. She is a very attentive and intuitive teacher who seems to be able to tune in to the needs of each of the participants, whilst still imparting her knowledge to the whole group. The variety of sculptures produced by the group speaks for itself. There is enormous satisfaction in taking a lump of clay, and over the course of a number of weeks, fashioning it into whatever you want, only limited by your imagination and the end of the class. It is the most concentrated 3 hours in my week and the time flies by!"

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

"I bought for my boyfriend for Christmas present. He absolutely loved the lesson and the end product. He learned a lot and cannot stop talking about it. Highly recommend Ian’s workshop."

Jude Mahoney reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I had a fantastic time learning about blacksmithing and actually having a really good go at it. Chris is a superb teacher, calm patient and expert in his knowledge. I can't recommend him and his course highly enough. Thanks Chris for an amazing day!"

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

"It's been 2 weeks since completing a stained glass leading workshop with Jamal, and the end result is still making me smile! The day was great, well organised and Jamal was a patient teacher who was happy to pass on his experience as a stained glass artist. I'd thoroughly recommend attending Jamal's workshops - they are well worth it."

Graham Guppy reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"I've recently attended a very informative wood turning course with Andy at his place in the New Forest. During the session it became apparent that my wood turning tools were not suited for the production of bowls but would be more suitable for turning of spindles, I'm now looking to purchase the more appropriate gouges from a source Andy advised me of. Many many thanks Andy for all your advice and I will persevere with the techniques you've shown to me. I would also like to thank you & your wife for the refreshments that were supplied during the day, wishing all the best for the future."

Ann Waters reviewed: Mosaic courses with Joy Sturgess, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

"This course was chosen for me by my daughter and was a great gift- I discovered that I have some artistic talent. I was very pleased with the mosaic I made which was an initial A in orange with a green background. I learnt how to use mosaic tools and all about the materials - Joy has a good range of colours and the studio is well set out. This was a most interesting and relaxing day - the time went too quickly!"

Sheraine D'Ulivo-Rogers reviewed: Mosaic courses with Joy Sturgess, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

"I chose this course because Scarborough is a nice place for a short break and because Joy offered an interesting course suitable for beginners. I learnt so much and made a great sign for my brother's toilet door. Joy created a relaxed and supportive environment and I had a really good day - I liked everything about this day and now want to go on and undertake a longer course over a couple of days. I would definitely recommend this course to other people."

Mark Waters reviewed: Mosaic courses with Joy Sturgess, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

"I made a door sign for my bathroom with a star fish design. I loved the relaxed easy going atmosphere and how informative Joy was - the course was a Christmas present from my sister and a great gift - it allowed me to discover another way of crafting and introduced me to mosaic."