Latest reviews

16 Mar 18'

Emily, Exeter reviewed: Introduction to green woodworking - make a stool or small table

"Cannot recommend it highly enough! Bob and Steve are both so knowledgeable and such great teachers, that after a weekend that was thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable, I'd both learnt a lot and made a stool that I am genuinely proud of. They really went the extra mile to make sure everyone on the course came out with a unique piece of furniture that they loved. PS. If you want to make even more of a holiday of it, there’s a gorgeous Shepherd's Hut on site that you can book to stay in. Also highly recommended! Emily, Exeter"

16 Mar 18'

Ian Forbes reviewed: Metalwork Craft weekend with The Iron Lady - Bradwell Blacksmiths

"What an amazing weekend. The time went so fast. Natalie and her team are fantastic. Very clear instruction and patience with the students. Would highly recommend this weekend . If you are a complete novice or have some experience you will have a great time and grow in confidence. I was amazed at how much hands on work we did and we all managed to build and fabricate something from scratch. Hoping more weekends will be planned so I can go again."

16 Mar 18'

Janet Edsall reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"The highlight of my calendar is escaping to this crafting residential. The food and friendship are exceptional! The chance to spread out all your equipment and leave it out to work any time, night or day, is invaluable. As is the chance to share ideas, test out new equipment and challenge yourself to try new things. Once you have attended, you will want to schedule to attend every year... as I do!"

16 Mar 18'

Carol Preston reviewed: Quilling for Mother's Day with Learn to be Crafty

"Most enjoyable day, meeting new friends over a cup of tea and having the most lovely crispy chocolate/lemon drizzle cakes. This was followed by a tutorial on how to make your own choc's by Helen and Fiona who took us through the recipes step by step before taking home our goodies. Most impressed and looking forward to more ideas on cake decorations. Really nice get together. Thanks :)"

16 Mar 18'

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

"A really enjoyable day, lots of interesting things to learn plus, because Ian is very passionate about his craft and the importance of maintaining these rural skills, that adds value to the time he puts into teaching them. There is also the bonus of walking away with your own stool. If you need to find someway to break free from the pressure of a hectic work schedule, spend a few hours in Ian's workshop, it may help put things in perspective!"

16 Mar 18'

Joy reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I can only repeat all the good things said about Chris in other comments. I had a wonderful day woodturning in a wonderful setting on the edge of Dartmoor. Chris very carefully and patiently explained every step to this complete beginner, including correct and safe use of tools and equipment. By the end of the day I managed to produce a beautiful sycamore bowl, admittedly with lots of help! Would thoroughly recommend."

16 Mar 18'

William McDermott reviewed: Learn to bookfold

"Great workshops run by The Folding Fairy. I went to a folded flower workshop which I enjoyed and found easier then I expected. A clever craft and taught so that it doesn't feel daunting. Would definitely recommend going along and learning something new."

16 Mar 18'

Jane squires reviewed: Rustic Furniture Making – 2 day course

"This is the second course I have been on at Trading Places, both excellent. Mark was a great instructor, very patient and had time for everyone in a very relaxed atmosphere. I thoruughly enjoyed my weekend and came home with a lovely table. :)"

16 Mar 18'

Andy Langley reviewed: Bronze Smelting and Casting

"Fantastic day out! The instructor was thorough, patient and highly knowledgable. We spent the morning learning the process of melting down copper ore into usable metallic copper, a magical process! The afternoon was spent melting down bronze in the crucible, designing sand moulds and finally casting our own bronze axe heads. Be prepared to get involved with everything and be ready to pump those bellows! Highly recommended course."

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16 Mar 18'

Dayzee reviewed: Percher hat making - blocking for beginners millinery workshop

"I really enjoyed this workshop and I had such a fabulous day. I am feeling very inspired now and eager to try and recreate many of the techniques that we were taught. I found the way the workshop was structured was a big help as you can get overwhelmed when you are shown a lot at once. Rachel broke it up into bite size pieces and then watched and helped in between. Getting feedback on what we were doing as we went along was very encouraging. We then moved on to learn even more. So many new skills to bring to my other work. The range of colours and materials that were available was very inspiring too. It's easy to visualise when there are so many complimenting colours and shapes to start with. I can see this becoming a new hobby."

16 Mar 18'

Kerry Partridge reviewed: Bladesmithing Experience Day

"I cannot recommend this course highly enough to anyone who is looking to try something different or is interested in smithing or knives. A really relaxed environment and incredibly hands on from the start. Graham was a great tutor... demonstrated (on his own piece, not yours), then perfectly guided our small group. Never interfering or taking over, always encouraging and only getting involved if things were going wrong. Once corrected it was straight back to you again. Everything was there - small group (so lots of attention), plenty of tools (so never waiting) and no pressure (so you could work at your own pace)... even the lunch was great!. I've never done anything like this before, but was totally delighted (and proud) with the knife I walked away with. For the cost, quality of the course and my final knife this is by a distance the of the best craft course I have done - thank you Graham."

16 Mar 18'

Kerry Partridge reviewed: ** SPECIAL OFFER ** 10% off - Bladesmithing Experience Day - Wiltshire

"I cannot recommend this course highly enough to anyone who is looking to try something different or is interested in smithing or knives. A really relaxed environment and incredibly hands on from the start. Graham was a great tutor... demonstrated (on his own piece, not yours), then perfectly guided our small group. Never interfering or taking over, always encouraging and only getting involved if things were going wrong. Once corrected it was straight back to you again. Everything was there - small group (so lots of attention), plenty of tools (so never waiting) and no pressure (so you could work at your own pace)... even the lunch was great!. I've never done anything like this before, but was totally delighted (and proud) with the knife I walked away with. For the cost, quality of the course and my final knife this is by a distance the of the best craft course I have done - thank you Graham."

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15 Mar 18'

Lottie Breakwell reviewed: Percher hat making - blocking for beginners millinery workshop

"I absolutely loved Rachel's fascinator workshop! I went into it not sure what to expect, it was nothing like I have ever done before, and my brain doesn't naturally lend itself to working in 3D, but the directions and demonstrations were well done and easy to follow. I came home with so many new skills and techniques I can't wait to explore more, and finish my fascinator (I was far too indecisive to do so on the day). I would recommend it to anybody, it was great fun, I thoroughly enjoyed the day."

15 Mar 18'

Elizabeth Wills reviewed: Animal sculpture (The Hare) with Jeremy James

"Just finished this Course today and wow, it was wonderful. I have no artistic ability at all - just an uneducated enthusiasm - and despite this, Jeremy was able to guide me to making a passable hare. It’s an addictive pastime and I’m already planning more work now I have some basic techniques. Jeremy is a great teacher and was able to - with enviable ease - demonstrate, assist and guide on the entire process of making and modelling a hare sculpture. I would highly recommend this course, great value for money and as ever, the Potclays folk are wonderful - very welcoming and friendly. I really, really enjoyed this course!"

15 Mar 18'

Helen Cooper reviewed: Country House Crafting Retreats in rural Hertfordshire

"Fantastic weekend away. Scrapbooking in beautiful surrounding, basic but very comfortable bedrooms, lovely food and fantastic company. My only complaint we have to come home!"

15 Mar 18'

Sally Allpress reviewed: Kiln Formed Glass in Cornwall

"Had a brilliant day. Having never worked with glass before found it really interesting and absorbing. Fi was a great teacher very patient and knowledgeable. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it highly."

15 Mar 18'

Kate Beckett reviewed: Kiln Formed Glass in Cornwall

"I have just attended the course today and loved it from start to finish. Fi was delightful and put me at ease straight away, helping when needed, but letting you use your imagination. I would recommend this course 100% and I am looking forward to seeing my creation!!"

15 Mar 18'

Amanda reviewed: Candlemaking for Beginners

"An absolutely brilliant day, thanks to a very patient Rob (I was late due to the flooding on the roads) and two lovely ladies who made the experience equally as enjoyable and fun. Rob was informative and certainly made us feel welcome and at ease, I was even told off a few times! (being too eager or cheeky probably). I learnt many technical skills that I was missing and with my freshly honed skills, I'm looking forward to making and selling as part of my craft business. Thank you so much Rob and I will hopefully look forward to the next level of candle making skills/making moulds etc. Thank you!"

15 Mar 18'

Gloria Stein reviewed: Fun with Felt Flowers

"A wonderful tutor. I have learnt so much in one session with Nancy and now look forward to further sessions with her."

15 Mar 18'

BARBARA THOMAS reviewed: Silver jewellery workshop for beginners with Jude Karnon

"My daughter and I had a wonderful day - seven and half hours spent making jewellery with a short break for a delicious lunch. Jude even managed to work out a way for my daughter to achieve the complex origami style pendant that she had thought up (although there were sighs when my daughter realised that she was giong to have to do some very delicate soldering). It was very much a hands on experience which was great, even better we each managed to make three pieces of jewellery."

15 Mar 18'

Brian Hirst reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I was bought a one day course as a present by my kids. I had a great time ... Now I just need to get my own forge ... Plus maybe a bit more tuition! Alex is a great teacher, very patient and attentive but equally happy to let me get on with it and learn stuff for myself. I would thoroughly recommend it, and certainly be happy to go again, maybe my arm won't ache quite so much next time! Cheers Alex"

15 Mar 18'

Victoria Sampson reviewed: Metalwork Craft weekend with The Iron Lady - Bradwell Blacksmiths

"What an amazing weekend!! I can't praise Natalie and the team highly enough for giving me so much confidence and making the whole weekend so much fun. I was quite apprehensive to start with but Natalie's energy, enthusiasm and obvious love of her job was infectious and put us all at ease immediately. It really didn't matter what our level of experience was as we were given full instruction's and shown how to use all the equipment and plenty of time and help to practice. I honestly thought we would be given a pre-formed project to put together, but no ... all our projects we made from scratch and everyone one on the course went home with something amazing they had created. I would highly recommend this course to everyone and hope I get an opportunity to do more. A great experience!!!"

15 Mar 18'

Eileen Hall reviewed: Quilling for Mother's Day with Learn to be Crafty

"A very enjoyable course for letting your imagination run wild whilst making chocolates. Plus knowledgeable tutors in Fiona and Helen and a lovely bunch of "students". All this makes for a fun time!"

15 Mar 18'

Lisa Robinson reviewed: Rustic Furniture Making – 2 day course

"This was a fantastic course and the second one I’ve done at trading places. Excellent instructor, great atmosphere, very good value for money and I went home with a really impressive piece of furniture. I have already recommended it to friends. 5 stars! Lisa"

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