Latest reviews

Grant Searson reviewed: Small Leather Goods Workshop

"I received this workshop day as a Christmas present. I found it very interesting to find out how to work, cut, stitch and finish the leather. As well as finishing up with a belt of my own, it was really nice to meet Richard who teaches the course, he has a clear passion for the craft and is very good at explaining the processes involved. Over all I would highly recommend this class."

Janet pietrasz reviewed: Full day introduction to glass fusing course.

"I came to do this course for my friends 60th birthday treat. It was fantastic !!! Coffee and cake on arrival, and a fantastic homemade lunch. Amanda was very welcoming,had a brilliant sense of humour and was a fantastic teacher, everything was explained very clearly and the written accompanying notes were very comprehensive. I have just seen my two pieces that I made for the first time today after firing and am VERY pleased. The course was very good value for money so much so that lorraine and I each have some friends that are planning to do this course after our recommendation!!! Thankyou Amanda for a fantastic day !!!"

Deborah McEwen davies reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Where do I start. I have had an amazing day making candles, plus a goody bag of candles that I made. When you see or hear the word “course” you imagine a classroom setting. This could not be further from the truth. Jo welcomes you into her home (which is fab, oh and that view) and immediately you feel at ease. Along with her home she is welcoming, friendly and chatty.The environment is laid back and relaxed. Jo shares her wealth of knowledge with you and gives you information on products you will need and where to get them. I would recommend this course to anyone that wants to make their own candles. Thanks Jo for a fab day."

Alda Mason reviewed: Silver jewellery workshop for beginners with Jude Karnon

"Just home from a day course with Jude which was a gift from my husband for Christmas. Jude was warm and friendly and I was at ease from the moment we met. Fantastic day filled with laughs and great tips. Jude has given me the confidence to follow my dream of designing and making my own jewellery in silver. As I said to Jude this was the 4th best experience of my life after my marriage, the birth of my children and grandchildren. I learnt so much and left with such sense of achievement and a massive smile on my face. I would definitely recommend Jude as a teacher of silver skills, Thanks Jude and much love x"

Jeanne Webb reviewed: Fabric printing & lampshade making workshop

"I had an amazing day and thoroughly enjoyed making my lampshade. Many thanks to ria for making the day so enjoyable."

Niki reviewed: Fusing art glass workshop - Stafford

"Very informative and enjoyable workshops covering a variety of processes. As an art teacher I’ve found these courses not only help me to explore a new medium but also help me to meet my professional development personal targets. Naomi is patient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic in her delivery. Highly recommended."

Naomi Jacques Ltd responded:

"Thank you for such a lovely review, Niki."

Savannah Southcott reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"A lovely day of woodturning tuition. Chris is very patient and clearly knowledgeable and experienced in the subject. The day was very relaxed and pleasant. Chris was chatty and put me at ease. I made a beautiful bowl of sycamore."

Karen Luke reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Wow! What a day.......fantastic. I felt totally at ease in Jo’s home and was made to feel very welcome. Jo was a fantastic teacher who certainly didn’t mind being asked lots of questions. I achieved so much in such a short space of time and all my candles were professionally wrapped to take home. Would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in candles! Thankyou Jo"

Sylvia reviewed: Mosaic workshop at Jackie Nash Art

"Well organised mosaic course, led by a professional instructor, who encourages students to work at their own creative pace. Lots of help and encouragement given to all abilities. Well stocked, pleasant craft room, ideal for small social groups of all ages and genders. A very worthwhile one day craft course, that has inspired me to continue with the art of mosaic. Perhaps classes on a different days of the week, may open up the course, to those who do not have Wednesday free."

Hannah reviewed: Needle felt workshop

"I had a brilliant day felting with Louise making a White Face Woodland sheep. I have done a little bit of felting in the past and this course is brilliant for anyone who wants to have a go whether you are an expert or not. Louise was very patient explaining the process, while also providing hot drinks and cake. Would definitely go again!!"

Loulou Brouard reviewed: Learn to carve wooden spoons, beginners and improvers

"I loved this course and came away with my first spoon and some very clearly taught skills to continue. Highly recommended and a delightful way to spend a day."

Gail reviewed: One day leather bag making workshop

"It was a really enjoyable day and I'm now filled with inspiration and enthusiasm. The course was excellent. Really informative and the workshop is really well resourced. Thank you Rosanna for your patience and sharing your skills and knowledge.A fabulous day and I have a fantastic bag."

Gideon van Niekerk reviewed: Glass blowing for beginners with Jon Lewis

"Was given this day course by my wife as a birthday present and was the best present I have ever received. Jon is an outstanding teacher; calm, immensely patient and his passion for glass, working glass and its enchanted properties is infectious. Jon makes you feel safe in the workshop and makes the process of working with glass come to life. Jon, his immense skill and his craft borders on the fantastical and all day it felt to me as if I had stepped into the pages of a storybook. I left not only with my confidence renewed, but also with the wonderful pieces of glass I worked with. Thank you so much, Jon."

Fiona Moxey reviewed: Needle felt workshop

"I had been unsuccessful in booking a place on one of Louise’s courses, until she contacted me to offer me a place on a group booking that she had ( whose members didn’t mind me tagging along!). I had never tried felting before, but found it great fun and very relaxing! Louise was a great tutor and I was thrilled with my Robin! It was a lovely day in a beautiful location and the cake was very tasty too! I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who has an interest in crafts ."

Sarah reviewed: Mosaic workshop at Jackie Nash Art

"What a fab day I had with Jackie at her mosaic workshop. Jackie went above and beyond for me to create the piece I wanted. The possibilities are endless with all the different tiles to choose from. Jackie ensured we were all happy with our designs and offered guidance when we needed. A great experience very therapeutic. Thank you Jackie i look forward to creating another masterpiece with you soon."

Niall McConnachie reviewed: Steam-Bending Courses in Cumbria

"I attended Charlie's wood-smithing course in France 2016. It was a great experience and Charlie is an excellent teacher full of knowledge, energy and a desire to experiment and be creative. Danny is a great host, always willing to help out and as a local can give you all the info you need on the area. We learnt a lot on the first two days and then had fun experimenting and playing with wood for three days, exploring what was possible with the two chestnut trees that had been milled up for the course. We even helped Charlie create an amazing sculpture that now sits above the gate at the house where the course is held. The village of Caunes-Minervois is beautiful, set in an amazing area of France, with the sea and the mountains not too far away, the stunning town of Carcassonne just a 20 minute drive and of course all the amazing French food & wine!"

Emily Johnson reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops in Tavistock Devon

"I really enjoyed the day and I'm delighted with my glass panel which was delivered this week. I've never worked with glass before so wasn't sure if I would find the cutting difficult, but Wendy and John were really knowledgeable and helpful throughout and I really enjoyed learning the skill. Great day and would recommend!"

Sarah mills reviewed: Glass fusing class - powders and enamels

"Had a fantastic day with friends, created some lovely pieces with limited artistic talent! Sarah gave just the right level of support and guidance throughout the day and the cake was great too!"

Needle felting - 3D birds reviewed: Needle Felting - 3D Cats

"Had a really good afternoon at The Little Craftery. The room is compact but was great for the 5 of us. The materials we were given were very generous, and we had a lot of freedom in what we made. Wendy was a brilliant and patient teacher, and with tea and biscuits on the go it was a lovely way to spend a rainy day. My bird is sat on our mantle piece and I am excited to return and make other items to sit with him. Will visit again."

Mike reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"Hugely enjoyable and amazing that, as a complete woodworking novice, I managed to produce such a professional looking piece of furniture in just a matter of days. Massive thanks to Richard and Mark; not only highly skilled craftsmen but gifted teachers with a wealth of knowledge and the knack of making the right intervention at the right time. Really looking forward to returning for a second week and to what promises to be an absorbing hobby going forward."

Chrissy Smith reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"Really enjoyed the day and made a fab bag to boot. Learnt a lot from the friendly and talented Rosanna. Thank you. Workshop was easy to find and well equipped."

Helen Bates reviewed: Silver clay beginners course - Lori Ridgway

"I did enjoy this workshop with a Lori and my friend who invited me. The course itself was informative and well run. We certainly didn’t get homemade flapjacks. In fact we had to ask for a biscuit and they were ones that had gone soft in a tin. We were offered plenty of drinks. I was very pleased with my jewellery pieces but a bit disappointed when I got home and found it could bend easily. My friend’s did the same. I contacted Lori who suggested hitting it gently with a hammer to toughen it up but also thought it might be the clay."

LR Silver Jewellery responded:

"Hi Helen I am sorry you were not totally happy with your experience at LR Silver Jewellery. I have emailed you with a more detailed response. Please bring or send your jewellery pieces to me and I will have a look at them for you to see what I can do. Solid silver is quite a bit softer than sterling silver, and while it should not be very bendy, it is much easier to bend than sterling silver, however, there are a number of measures that can be taken to strengthen it. As I said in my first email, this has not happened before so I am investigating the causes. Thank you for your review and helping me to improve my courses :-)"

May reviewed: Needle felt workshop

"This felting course with Louise is great fun! I am a beginner, and love trying new stuff. This was a lovely morning, and she made me feel really welcome and at ease (as I went by myself) to have ago. I went for the badger workshop, where she provided warm cuppas, cake and all the equipment and material. Louise also told us about why and where she sources her materials, which was really interesting. From this you can tell she is passionate about felting and sharing her talent with others. Plus a ticket into their amazing garden afterwards finished the day off nicely."

Dan Skinner reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A hugely enjoyable 1 day course in Jan, keeping warm by the forge out of the freezing rain! Impressed to see that the day focusses on just 2 people at a time which meant lots of time for 1:1 support to bring your ideas to life (inc. help to get everything finished before home time). Be sure to take along thoughts for what you’d like to make to avoid wasting too much time in the concept phase. Plenty of help and inspiration once you know roughly where you’re heading. It really felt like anything was possible and I appreciated the practical - problem solving approach. Fantastic levels of knowledge and enthusiasm for the art, combined with aching arms and ‘rustic’ outcomes, the day really made me appreciate the skill and experience required. I’ll never look at a fire-welded piece the same way again!"

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

"A great afternoon spent with Josie, she’s very patient, a good teacher and I felt learnt a lot! Can’t wait to see the results!"