Latest reviews

24 Oct 17'

Cathy T reviewed: Beginners fabric printing two day introduction at Slamseys

"I go on courses when other people go on holiday and as it happened 2 booked courses had been cancelled. It was at this stage I discovered Slamseys printing courses and had a rush of blood to the head, booking 4 courses in the Autumn 2017 programme. I started to panic: What if I didn’t the first one and had paid the fees for 3 more? Would the content overlap too much that I wouldn’t learn much and get bored? What is I didn’t like the tutor? It has been a total success! These courses are equal in standard to the mosaic courses run the artist Anne Schwegmann-Fielding, another professional artist, and previously the best I have attended. Ruth Wheaton is a very experience tutor class and gently moves students on so that the all the activities are completed and yet there is flexibility. The equipment and block printing ink are freely available when you need them and there are lots of helpful tips along the way so that you can continue at home. She has a real love and understanding of the print-making process. The description on the website is full and very accurate and if you explore the super website you will see the standard of work which is possible achievable to. Each course covered a different area. To me learning how to build up a design and use the colour wheel to make all the colours needed from red, blue and yellow ink has been really useful. I believe I have a acquired very thorough grounding and with practice at home, and likely achieve very satisfying results. The details list the kind of people who will enjoy the courses. I would say that with Ruth’s very gentle teaching style, providing you consider yourself ‘crafty’ you will get a great deal out of them. You need no more knowledge than having done potato printing and having enjoyed the process. You will meet a whole variety of people. I call myself a mosaic artist, but not having done any printing in a degree module for nearly 20 years because of a depressive illness resulting in complete loss of confidence. Everything associated with Slamsey’s is of the highest quality and matches the branding of the website. The barn is a very large airy space and very conducive to encouraging art activities. There being no more than 6 in a class there is no need for the diffident to feeling overwhelmed. …. and there is plenty of parking! What more can I say? Only I am already planning to join more course in the future. My money was well spent! Cathy T, Chelmsford 20/10/17"

24 Oct 17'

Ian reviewed: Introduction to leatherwork – Belt making workshop

"Excellent course. Relaxed atmosphere, easy pace of learning and instruction gave me the confidence to pursue working with leather on my own. Many thanks to Clive and Wendy."

24 Oct 17'

Rebecca Andrews reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"Sally Anne is a wonderful woman. We had a lovely one to one in a relaxed environment, she answered all of my questions and went above and beyond with assisting me in creating a white willow angel. I can't recommend her enough! I will most certainly be back to create some more beautiful pieces. Thank you again! Rebecca x"

23 Oct 17'

Nicola Gordon reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"Absolutely loved Kerry's soy wax candle making course and can thoroughly recommend it to others. The location is idyllic - picture perfect stone cottages in a quiet rural village - and Kerry has a lovely warm welcoming manner. The workshop itself was well paced, hands on, well organised (all equipment set out at each table place) and interactive. Really interesting and lots of fun. Go with a friend, escape the usual Saturday morning routine and enjoy."

23 Oct 17'

Steve Lumb reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Excellent course and Mark a very patient teacher and balanced the right amount of teaching and demonstration with allowing me to get on with my box and quietly supervising. End result a beautiful box, far nicer than anything else I have ever made and a shed load of new skills. What my wife didnt bank on when she booked the course were all the essential items of workshop equipment I will now need to buy to kit out my own workshop ?"

23 Oct 17'

Chris Lowin reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"My girlfriend treated me to the full day leather craft workshop for my birthday. I'm so glad she chose Rosanna's course because it was a delightful day. Rosanna has a great combination of leathering and teaching skills which makes the day informative and relaxed. There are a number a items you can choose to make, I made a card and passport holder which I personalised and dedicated to my girlfriend. If you are interested in leather craft as a hobby or perhaps a business venture, this course is definitely a great place to start. Thank you Rosanna!"

23 Oct 17'

Camilla McLean reviewed: Pottery wheel throwing and hand building full day

"We had so much fun! I really can't recommend this enough – Richard is a brilliant teacher and fantastic company too. And coffee and lunch were both top notch (v important). It was a perfect birthday present and I'm sure we'll be buying vouchers for friends and family for years to come. We came away feeling enthused and inspired – and can't wait to get our hands on some more clay. Thanks Richard!"

23 Oct 17'

Sue B reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"A fabulous way to spend a day. As a complete novice to the world of spinning I had a brilliant day at All-in-a-Spin on the beginners hand spinning course. Dunja is a wonderful teacher, extremely knowledgeable and patient. The studio is very well equipped and the setting fantastic. I came away feeling that I had learnt a great deal and inspired to continue my spinning adventures. I would thoroughly recommend this course."

23 Oct 17'

Stephen Rippington reviewed: Blacksmithing Introductory Workshop - One Day

"This was an excellent course. The course leader was knowledgeable and approachable. I especially enjoyed how much hands on time there was. Highly recommended!"

23 Oct 17'

Neil Burman reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Having previously had a couple of days tuition with George earlier in the year, `I was delighted to be able to return visit earlier this month and have 3 more days of excellent tuition and time with George and his delightful wife Susan , who keeps us regularly plied with coffee,tea and lovely lunches. With little turning experience, I had surprised myself at our first meeting , how I had been able with Georges supervision to produce a couple of great platters in spalted beech and felt on this visit I wanted to challenge myself to try deep hollowing ,something I had never done! George thought I was up to it but,because hollowing was usually done blind as you are working through a small area that for most of time the work was done by feel, I would best start in open hollowing form,which was great as I did’nt want to have a mishap or injury!! George has infinite patience and gives great confidence and enthusiasm with a high degree of safety tips and for a novice like me that’s very reassuring! A large lump of beech was chosen, cut and mounted on the lathe and Georges’ instruction to “feel the bevel,pick-up the cut,let the wood come to you” was such I shall never now forget!! After a busy and great first day I found I had made a heavy large bowl that I found really pleasing. Day two, I arrived on time and found George having coffee looking at a glossy book of great creations by a Bert Marsh, and he said as I wanted a challenge, I would have a go at producing a vase such as one shown! The day flew by and Susans lovely chilli soup and coffees passed in a sort of blur, my finding I had made a creation that I did’nt realise I could have done, using tools, blow lamps and rasps ! Amazing, my wife could‘nt believe I’d done it when I showed her that evening at the B&B. Day three, Arrived early, and we set to with revision on wood graining and how best to get the right cuts for different shapes,be they end or cross grain,then using the rest of the beech lump we turned a heavy solid bowl,sanded and treated with lemon oil. George in the space of twenty minutes also turned a veneer thin bowl that looked amazing as you could almost see through it! He thought it would quickly go out of shape as it dried but with loads of Lemon oil applied, its fine. All in, a fun time and I look forward to another session next year."

23 Oct 17'

Giles Armstrong reviewed: A Practical Dry Stone Walling Workshop Central London

"We had a fantastic day on our friend’s Hen Party. John was a great teacher and coped fantastically well with our slightly unruly mob. Well worth doing & left me interested in trying it again some time."

23 Oct 17'

Seumas Foster reviewed: Woodturning workshops - one day

"Hi Steve, just a note to thanks you for your time, help, and advice on Friday and to say how much I enjoyed the day, especially as it seems it might be worthwhile going a bit further with wood turning, so i may have a new hobby now! The family were impressed with the candle stick and the bowl I brought home so its was a successful day. Next step is to look at the hardware needed and get some in place to work with."

23 Oct 17'

Sarah Jacques reviewed: 2 Online Felt Picture Courses - Summer Storm & Raindrops on Roses

"An excellent day overall. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and the time went quickly. The facilities were spot on. Bridget allowed us to follow our own ideas in a supportive and encouraging way. I learnt loads about the process of wet felting - which was more complicated and energetic than I thought. I feel much more confident about having another go myself one day. Thank you very much!"

23 Oct 17'

Rik Saunders reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Brilliant day around even with the blisters, fantastic tuition very patient attitude with complete novice like myself. Great banter within the group , really enjoyed the crumble at lunch. Would recommend this course to any one. Thank you very much. Best wishes Rik???"

23 Oct 17'

Jim Girling reviewed: Introduction to green wood craft - a two day course

"I was really impressed with the structure of the course and how it enabled Dave to share lots of knowledge and give us great amount of time to put that into practical use. He was able to train us through demonstration and through guiding us on our application of the skills learnt. I was looking forward to making something but never expected to be able to make a stool that was solid and practical from the tree we chopped down on our first day. There was also plenty of other wood craft skills and woodland management skills to learn along with the stool making and Dave and his team were helpful and knowledgeable with all. There was also a sufficient supply of cups of tea too. This was a really good course in a great location with a highly skilled leader, thanks for making it available for people to share."

23 Oct 17'

Joanna reviewed: Candle making workshops

"I chose this course because of the excellent reviews it has received and we were not disappointed. Angharad is a lovely person and superb teacher, knowledgeable and passsionate about candle making and made the day so enjoyable. We were welcomed into her home and given superb hospitality. I still can't quite believe we made so many beautiful candles and we are keen to go back and learn more. Brilliant value for money and I can't recommend it more strongly."

23 Oct 17'

David Ray reviewed: Blacksmithing Introductory Workshop - One Day

"A well presented and executed course. Content was sufficient to lead the student into each step with adequate knowledge and skill for the task ahead. Good premises well laid out for adequate space for the number of students. An enjoyable day ."

23 Oct 17'

Nick White reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"I have been thinking about taking up woodturning for a while as more time becomes available as I move into retirement, but wanted to have an introductory course before committing to any serious expenditure on equipment. The day spent with Colin was just what I wanted and has definitely whetted my appetite to progress further into this interesting aspect of working with wood. My wife was suitably impressed with the bowl and eggcup that I produced, so that will help when I come back from the forthcoming Harrogate Show with several purchases to get things underway! It is always helpful to have a decent set of notes to bring away from a course and Colin provides just that. Thanks again Colin for an excellent and informative day that I can thoroughly recommend to anyone wishing to take up turning or perhaps just wanting some practical tuition from an expert."

23 Oct 17'

Jane Guy reviewed: Free Motion Embroidery Landscapes in Buntingford, Hertfordshire

"Sue was quick to establish my level of experience and what I wanted from the course. The garden studio is a perfect workspace with all materials readily to hand. I was delighted to finish some appliqué autumn leaves and have already booked another class. A lovely way to spend a morning!"

23 Oct 17'

Debi reviewed: Silver Jewellery making class at Sandra Kerns Jewellery studio, Little Sampford

"Having undertaken 3 courses with Sandra Kerns Jewellery at various levels I can say with confidence Sandra is not only a talented silversmith but also a wonderful teacher and has taught me many useful techniques from basic silver clay and silversmithing to more technical processes and problem solving - who would have thought the humble potato such a useful tool! Sandra is incredibly patient and has a well equiped studio in a beautiful location ready to teach basic jewellery making/beading and more advanced skills for those with some knowledge already who want to advance. Great value, learn a new skill, make an item you can wear and maybe leave with one or two bought from her collection which is hard to resist!"

23 Oct 17'

Alan Atkinson reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Thank you, Adrian, Andy & Debbie for a great day, friendly and educational we felt at home from the outset. Excellent tuition from true craftsmen, helping us to create decent representations of the key ring and dragon coat hooks, fuelled on by some great home cooking and good banter. Brilliant. Cheers, Alan, Carl & Kieran."

23 Oct 17'

John Flynn reviewed: One day glassblowing lesson for beginners

"Had a great day, Achieved more than i imagined, Jonathan is a great friendly teacher, and inspires confidence. I highly recommend this course if you are interested in glass."

23 Oct 17'

Sheila reviewed: Needle Felting Workshop Owl Brooch

"You just HAVE to attend this workshop!!! My bestie and I were total novices,Milly, the needle felting artist, taught us in an easy ,relaxed atmosphere, how to make the most awesome crafted treasures! After just one visit to the workshop, I'm hooked! This HAS to be the most enjoyable craft I've ever done, and I have done lots. Milly, you're one incredible tutor!"

22 Oct 17'

Bertha reviewed: Glass fusing private class - fun taster class for beginners

"I went along with a friend to the taster lesson. This was my first experience of glass fusing and has been a fun start. Sarah began the session with an introduction to the basic glass cutting tools and techniques. Then she demonstrated layering to make a simple piece of jewelry. Whey my pendant was being fired in the microwave kiln, she explained different fusing materials and their unique effects. I'm pleased with what I could achieve in 2 hour. Meanwhile I'm fascinated by the broad subject of glass fusing. I've managed to use 2 fusing materials for my sun catcher; I'd love to see my friend's which used materials different from mine. Since the course, I try to learn about from a couple of websites and I'm considering of taking more sessions to try out different fusing materials."

22 Oct 17'

Anna Williams reviewed: Hand spinning for Beginners Level 1 accredited course at All in a Spin

"Such an interesting and well thought out, planned and run course. I was 100% beginner and left feeling well equipped to complete my course work and also spin wool well with practice. I hope to do the level 3 too. Dunja was really informative, patient and so knowledgeable. The course was very useful and fun too. Highly recommend."