Latest reviews

Chris Davies reviewed: Natural (cold process) soap making workshop with afternoon tea

"Julie was an excellent host and tutor. Extremely knowledgeable, friendly and witty. Thank you so much, Chris"

Gail reviewed: Container candlemaking course and wax melts with afternoon tea

"We had a fun day making Candles, I would highly recommend this course to anyone. We made different candles which we took home with us to enjoy and the afternoon tea was amazing too. Plus great hand outs to take home, and since the course Julie even sent us label templates to print at home. Can't wait to get making at home now."

Gordon reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"I have just completed the portrait sculpture course with Karin Ort at Phoenix Studio and what a fantastic time! I would heartily recommend this to anyone remotely interested in Art, It has been on my bucket list for years, (I have to thank my partner Jacqueline for booking it) Why have I waited so long! now to book the next course!"

Catrina Crute reviewed: Expressive painting in a gallery adjoining an award winning tearoom

"Caroline is very patient, encouraging and knowledgeable. I have learnt so much from her over the last eighteen months and always look forward to her classes. The atmosphere is informal and relaxed and the location is perfect. This course is ideal for all, ability is not a factor."

Caroline Green responded:

"It was a pleasure teaching you and I hope you enjoyed the workshop as much as I did"

Kira reviewed: Silk painting

"Absolutely fantastic course, could not have asked for a better teacher! Super friendly and knowledgeable, Kat explained every stage in detail but also sought to maximise our practical time. Really pleased with our work and can't wait to try another one of Kat's courses. A fab way to spend an afternoon - good for the soul!"

Sally Watson reviewed: Introduction to silk painting - workshop at The Mulberry Shed

"I bought this wonderful course as a birthday present for friend, and I kept it secret until we arrived. She was very excited and nothing disappointed. We both enjoyed the course enormously and couldn't believe how much we achieved in a day. Sheila provides everything - including loads of inspiration, encouragement and biscuits! My friend is very arty, while I'm not, but we both had a great time. We would love to do it again, and wear our unique scarves with pride!"

Sim Green reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"three of us went for the day last saturday and had a brilliant time. We all came home with nearly completed projects... we will be going again soon!"

Janine reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"I booked Lucy for an upholstery course for my Step Mums Birthday. It was a fantastic day with us all up cycling our pieces. Lucy gave excellent tuition, provided ideas, shared materials and made a lovely lunch. Working in her kitchen you get a real family feel looking out on rolling fields that create a really relaxed atmosphere. We now want to make it a yearly retreat!! I’m really please with my project too. Thank you Lucy !"

David Griffiths reviewed: Beginner hand weaving workshop - one-to-one instruction

"A most informative day, with a surprising range of information covered. I was able to ask Paivi a stream of questions, which really added to my understanding. We spent about half the time warping a table loom, ironing out mistakes which it is easy to make, which will stand me in good stead in practice, and the remaining half trying out different patterns (which I had expected to be really difficult for a beginner like me). All in all, it made me feel not such a total beginner but that "this is possible for me to get started and do." Thank you Paivi."

Lisa reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"I recently spent a day with Lucy in her beautiful home in the Derbyshire countryside. Lucy was so welcoming, encouraging, and lunch tea and cake was lovely! I throughly recommend attending one of her workshops, to spend a day engrossed in a project with such support was so therapeutic. I am hooked and totally want to return with another project . Thank you Lucy for such a lovely day."

Jacqui Jones reviewed: Powertex figure sculpture

"What a fabulous course, a really enjoyable day! Alison was a great teacher, informative, knowledgeable and let us work to our own pace. Good value for money and I was amazed that I came away with a nice piece of work and I've ordered materials so I can play at home, it's so addictive and fun! Only downside the tea shop was busy so lunch took a while to be served and we we didnt all get it at same time. Class was delayed but we were all able to stay later to finish the pieces. Not Alison's fault so not a criticism of the course."

allison turner designs responded:

"Hi Jacqui, Thank you for your lovely review. I am so pleased that you love your angel- I hope you send me some pictures of what you make in the future- as I know you are a very creative person. The comments on the tea shop were addressed- Thank you for this feedback."

Lesley Smith reviewed: Clay portrait weekends with Karin Ort

"I am a beginner and thoroughly enjoyed this course. I learned a lot and was well supported throughout the 2 days. Karin is lovely and the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming. James' cake was excellent too! I would definitely do the course again. Thank you."

Lorraine Glover reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"What a great way to spend a Sunday, the day just flew, Matt taught us all we needed to know to create a glass piece from our own design, I really look forward to joining him again for another workshop. Would recommend to anyone with no knowledge of glass working or artistic flair (like myself) as you can still make a piece to be proud of."

Suzanne & Ian Bevington reviewed: Two day blacksmithing course

"Wow what a fantastic weekend! Julian is a very talented artist and blacksmith but best of all, a great tutor with oodles of patience and a thoroughly lovely man. We arrived thinking we'd leave with a boot scraper or the like but then Julian piqued our interest and he let our imagination flow, putting his own thoughts and ideas in when we needed help. We ended up with a huge wall mounted hat rack which will look fabulous with our array of steampunk hats on. I can't believe that we managed to make something so beautiful and practical of our own design in just 2 days. Nothing fazed Julian at all, he's calm and chatty and I'm now converted to having honey in tea! Thank you so much for an amazing, dirty, exhausting, invigorating weekend. We will definitely be booking again sometime"

Georgina reviewed: Sewing and dressmaking for adults (and keen teens)

"It is everything I was looking for in a course. A very relaxed, kind, and inviting class. Could not of made me more welcome and it was one to one teaching. I am a complete beginner.. the time flew by. So flexible as well which is just perfect for erratic lifestyles .. Try this course, you won’t be disappointed."

Marylyn Hofmann reviewed: One-to-One Private workshop

"This is my second stained glass course and like the first time, I had a wonderful day and came back with some lovely creations. Gigha holds a relaxed informative class and offers good advice and assistance when required. The equipment and choice of products to enhance your creation are superb. I had a fantastic time and will be back again, this time with my husband who desperately wants to try it. Lunch included what else could you ask for."

Justyna reviewed: Make and decorate a ceramic bowl in one session

"This is a fantastic course whether you’re new to ceramics or want to improve your skills. Josie is an excellent and experienced teacher. Her positive energy created a great atmosphere and working in her studio surrounded by her work was inspiring. Thank you!"

Josie Warshaw Ceramics responded:

"Thank you for your review. Your bowl and decoration are beautiful . I hope you enjoy using it in your new home ."

Emily reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"We had a wonderful time at Kerry’s candle making workshop! The workshop takes place in a beautiful, country kitchen where Kerry teaches many great tips and methods for making lovely candles. We learned about different frangrances before creating our own unique frangrance. I’ve already used mine in an oil burner and love it! I would definitely recommend this workshop for people looking for a creative experience with friends or anyone with an interest in learning about starting a business in candle making. The cake and tea also went down very well :) thanks for a brilliant morning!"

Elise reviewed: Art & Craft Days - Mothers Day Chocolate Experience

"I attended the chocolate making class for Mother’s Day, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I learnt so much about the art of making chocolate and truffles. My mother and I really had the best day! Julie and Brian were very welcoming and accommodating, providing teas and coffees and very tasty cake. I would definitely recommend Arts and Craft Days to everyone!"

Valerie Brewster reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"Had so much fun today with Kerry at Can to Candle’s workshop. Learnt loads, Kerry is very knowledgeable, really enthusiastic and happy to share her secrets. Can’t wait to get started with my new hobby. Thanks Kerry!"

Ceri Bailey reviewed: Make a wooden spoon from scratch

"Amazing time spoon carving and staying at the tiny homes! Paul was a fab teacher, very patient and helped us all to come away with fantastic and beautiful spoons (much better than we thought we could have done at the beginning of the day!) Highly recommend to both newcomers to carving/whittling and also those with experience as he catered for all! The tiny homes themselves are excellent, eco living but with all the home comforts and Helen and Frazer make the stay wonderful!"

Diana Williams reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I recently attended a course with Lucy and was not disappointed. Lucy's attention to detail is second to none. I received one to one tuition and ended up producing a silver cuff bracelet and was taught how to set a stone on the bracelet. Thank you. Will be back."

Janice reviewed: 1 to 1 mount cutting for your next exhibition

"My husband surprised me by booking me in for this one day course. Lynne was very welcoming into her own home and provided a beautiful homemade cherry cake and ground coffee throughout the day. The course was brilliant, Lynne is a good tutor ,explaining the task so well and offered help and extra support when a problem arose .I feel this induction introduced me to mounting photos with confidence and I would highly recommended it .Lynne shared knowledge and guidance on required equipment .It was so good being in a small friendly group of people sharing the same interest."

Roger Trett reviewed: Woodturning courses in Norfolk

"Just spent the day with Nick and must say it was a very enjoyable experience. Not undertaking any woodturning since school 58 years ago so was starting from scratch. Excellent and patient teacher. My wife very impressed with the bowl (much to her surprise as she says that I have no creative flair!!). Now looking to take it further. Thank you Jane for the lunch."

Ruby Bender reviewed: Felt Pictures-Painting with fibres - intro to 2D wet felting/felt making

"A really fantastic workshop! Incredibly insightful and taught in a way that made it relaxing and enjoyable. I took so much away from the experience, not only my lovely felted pieces but also the skills and knowledge to continue making at home. There was an abundance of beautifully coloured felts to work with and no short supply of tea and biscuits either. I couldn't have enjoyed myself more and left feeling very inspired."