Latest reviews

Tim Yang reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I am a returning student to Mark. He gave me a lesson on how to sharpen tools in depth. As my goal is to be a professional woodturner, I need somebody to guide me in the right direction. If you are looking for a woodturning expert, he is the person you can rely on and will give you all the information he has got. During and after the lesson, I had always been happy. I am still happy when I think of the lesson with him. That is why I am returning whenever I need help to upgrade skills or to cure my bad habit for sound and safe woodturning. Thanks again Mark and happy woodturning everybody!!"

Tracy Brown reviewed: Glass blowing for beginners with Jon Lewis

"Just come back from a days glass blowing with Jon, and I had a fabulous day. Jon is patient, supportive and inspirating. He gave us the guidance needed to take complete beginners through the basics to enable us to make baubles and drinking glasses. I enjoyed it that much, I didn’t want to leave. He has inspired me to explore about glass blowing. Thank you."

Andrew Barnard reviewed: Pottery 6 Week Classes

"A really enjoyable course. Joan is knowledgeable about a wide range of clay building methods, and is really patient! I went on the course wanting to learn how to throw on the wheel, but have also found that I enjoy hand building as well. I could have spent hours in her workshop turning down pots as I find that the concentration is so therapeutic. I have been back 3 times now, and am looking forward to more this year."

Emily lack reviewed: Needle felting with Virginia

"Both my mum and I really enjoyed this course, as complete beginners we were really amazed with how much we achieved. Both of us going home with beautiful works of art and a new addictive craft. Virginia was great, I highly recommend this course it is both fun, informative and an absolute bargain. Had a wonderful time! Thank you Virginia"

Kate reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"I have attended about 5 different classes now, some with my children some with friends. They are always relaxed and great fun. I’ve never felt daft asking for help or asking questions and i’ve always ended up with a piece I love, which given i’m really not very arty is impressive!"

smARTsy responded:

"Thanks Kate, see you soon!"

Helen reviewed: Taster Pottery Session

"Really enjoyed my afternoon. Joan is friendly and knowledgeable. I felt really welcome and Joan was really supportive and flexible in her approach. I am hoping to go back and take part in some of her classes in the near future"

jccermaics responded:

"Thankyou for coming Helen and I hope to see you again soon ?"

Pete Griffiths reviewed: Wood turning courses

"My partner Lin bought me an day’s wood turning experience with George Foweraker as a Christmas present. Never one to shy away from DIY during my life, I was keen to add to my skills and find a new hobby for my retirement in a few years. On arrival George greeted me with a coffee and a 15 minute “getting to know each other” chat. We then entered his workshop which was an Aladdin’s cave for people who enjoy “making sawdust”. George is a skilled turner and a great teacher of his craft. I felt I brought away from the day more than just a beautifully finished bowl. George imparted his knowledge with great care and skill, mixed in with some really good humour. The tips you learn on this day will be put to use in many DIY in the future. When I got home and presented my bowl to Lin, she was staggered that a complete novice had brought back a piece she would have thought had come from a shop."

Tracey reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"Really enjoyable at SmArtsy for any of the courses. Ali is very helpful and provides loads of inspiration if you don't have any of your own. But beware, it is highly addictive!"

smARTsy responded:

"Thanks Tracey, glad you enjoy it :)"

Marie Watson reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A very inspiring course. Learnt many new techniques. Thank you Julie ."

Karen Blackmore reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Wonderful, I just had such fun! Lots of different techniques all leannt in one day, were so stimulating. I will definitely be back."

Julie white reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"I had a wonderful day and have learnt some inspiring techniques, can't wait to try out the techniques again."

Linda townsend reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"A wonderful course. Well taught, well thought out, very creative, satisfying and fun. A fantastic creation at the end that I can't believe I produced. I'll definitely attend another one."

Moira savage reviewed: Machine embroidery - stitch doodling with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Very engaging day - lovely piece of work to take home and lots of new techniques. Also, great cake!"

Karlie reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"Fantastic. I can’t keep away! It’s so addictive! Ali is wonderful and every session I have attended has been brilliant."

smARTsy responded:

"Thanks Karlie, you're very talented, I always like to see what you've made."

Dan reviewed: Pottery wheel throwing and hand building full day

"Fantastic day...relaxed and welcoming environment and expert tuition with knowledgeable and interesting conversation thrown in. I really felt immersed in the artisanal craft and hopefully have a few half decent pots to show for my efforts. Thanks Richard for a memorable experience...100% recommended!"

Lily-Rose Mandel reviewed: Clay sculpture, painting : Art Spells Magic Kids Classes

"I have been going to Lucky's Saturday Kids classes for nearly three years now, and I am enjoying it so much! Lucky teaches us so many amazing and creative new skills and techniques, I am really happy that I joined three years ago. It has been so much fun! A handful of the projects that I have been doing with Lucky are: Making things out of clay, making a clay fairy house and fairy essentials, glazing our work, a paper mache scene on a canvas, painting a bird feeder, Dreamcatchers, Red Indian war shields, self-Portraits, charcoal, and much, much more. Not everything has worked out quite the way we've expected it, but we have learned from our mistakes, and we have enjoyed each and every project."

Tony Higham reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"Just spent a wonderful day with Bob , a great course and Bob is an excellent teacher . Highly recommended"

Shona Cooper reviewed: Mosaic and Glass Art 2 day Course

"What a fantastic couple of days at Pretty Rubbish Mosaics with Maggie. She took us through all the stages from tool, materials, design and grouting and we left with three finished pieces and the confidence to carry on at home. Amazing what can be produced from broken cups and plates. A beautiful, peaceful setting and lovely garden showing off Maggie's creations. Hopefully get back soon to do another workshop in glass work. Highly recommended."

Pretty Rubbish Mosaics responded:

"Shona, thank you so much for your kind words. Your pieces were fantastic and you really do have nimble fingers .What a pleasure and a privilege to work with you and learn about the fantastic work you do for FORGET ME NOT in Banchory. I really hope that the skills you have learned will enable you to enrich the lives of your clients even more.. and you can let them listen to some nice music!"

Roger Pinnock reviewed: Skills - Ultimate power tools

"I was given this as a Christmas present, and what a brilliant gift it proved to be. David is a personable and highly knowledgeable teacher, with a vast array of power tools available. He carefully checked what I wanted to get out of the day before we started, and made sure we achieved it all. As a late starter, I was chuffed to get the advice and confidence I need in selecting the tools I am yet to buy, and in setting up and using those I already have. Thoroughly recommended."

Karen Gerrard reviewed: Get to know your sewing machine - introductory course

"My daughters attend two of Sandy's classes and they both love them. Well organised, fun classes. Sandy is lovely and great with the kids. Worth every penny."

Lewis MacFarlane reviewed: One day welding course: an introduction

"Recently attended a 1-day welding course at Julian's workshop. When booking the course beforehand, I'd discussed with Julian why I wanted to learn to weld and as a result, the course was very heavily tailored to my needs. The theory was taught in a very succinct manner, easy to understand. Loads of time spent hands-on welding. As others have said, to get good takes practice. I thought that Julian taught me what I needed to know to improve quickly with practice. What to look for, techniques to focus on etc. A superb course, excellent value for money. Highly recommended."

Jo Kemp reviewed: Tuesday evening printmaking course at Lavender Print School

"The course was fantastic! I learnt a huge amount, gained a keen interest in printmaking and have signed up to do more classes with the studio. The class size was small, the teaching style thorough and encouraging, the equipment at the studio was good and it is located in an easy-to-reach place."