Latest reviews

23 Sep 17'

Simon James reviewed: Timber framing courses

"Another excellent week in the woods: great learning experience, excellent tuition, good people and fantastic food. This was my third course having completed basic and advanced in July. We continued framing the same project; a large "glamping cabin" which provided a challenging and fulfilling learning environment. Allen spent time designing my project for a barn conversion in Normandy which we are planning to use as a course late summer 2018. A big thanks to Mary, Allen, Connor, John and Sid for another great week."

23 Sep 17'

Trevelyan Beyer reviewed: Timber framing courses

"I struggle to find a fault in this course. Superb environment. Glorious meals from Mary. Wise guidance and instruction from Alan, Connor, John and Anthony. The content and delivery was inspiring and clear which is exactly what I had hoped for. Meeting so many lovely folk was an added bonus. I can see why people come back! Many thanks again to the Hewnwood team."

23 Sep 17'

Ruth Sharman reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"I had a great day doing this course. It was really fun and made some very cool things. Thanks"

23 Sep 17'

Anna Read reviewed: Pottery Throwing (Group Discounts Available) Lessons in Worcester

"I really enjoyed my lessons with Chris, he is a skilled and patient teacher, and was happy to focus on my area of interest. As a beginner I learnt how to throw on the wheel, and was thrilled to see my progression as the pots improved: It was very exciting to see my final pieces once glazed and out of the kiln! Thanks to Chris, I can now throw confidently, and understand the processes of working with clay. I learned a lot through the clearly guided one-to-one tuition and would highly recommend this course."

23 Sep 17'

Timber framing No.3 reviewed: Timber framing courses

"After visiting Hewnwood for my third course, I'm happy to say it's still the same great learning environment as it was on my first visit. There is something new to learn every time I go! There's a good chance I'll be back next year and enjoy more of Mary's cooking!"

23 Sep 17'

Rachel Ward reviewed: 1 day basic shoe making course

"Judi's workshop was a really nice and relaxing day. I had no idea that there were so many components to making a slipper!!! Excellent guidance & patience from Judi as she talked us through the various steps required in the art of slipper manufacture!! All to soon we were putting our finished slippers in a drawstring bag. How quickly a day passes when your having fun!"

22 Sep 17'

Catherine Stuart reviewed: Stonecarving Weekend, Gloucestershire Cotswolds

"This was such a good stone carving course run by the very interesting and lovely Sebastian who has a very calm approach to teaching - gently guiding and encouraging everyone. Our daughter had bought one of Sebastian's stone carving courses for my husband's birthday and he spent a wonderful 2 days in sunny April (2017) on the course in Saul and afterwards he just could not stop telling everyone how much he had enjoyed it...so our daughter bought one of Sebastian's courses for my birthday too. I normally sculpt in clay or wax and so used Sebastian's course to understand the possibilities and some of the techniques in stone carving. Sebastian had some very interesting tools, some found on his travels in Africa..which were amazing. Everyone on the course managed to complete a sculpture in just two days!! The two day course in Bentham (Cheltenham) was hard work, very messy, great fun, with very nice people - in a truly beautiful setting next to a field of sheep looking onto Birdlip escarpment on one side and a fenced off area with wonderful geese !! and chickens on the other. I also loved the compost loo!! We should all have one. As it is the UK and September (2017) we had amazing sunshine, a little bit of rain, then cold but bright weather and then very hot sun. We sculpted out side, which was wonderful and just put on more layers or took them off as needed and did not need to go inside at all. I think everyone should do some sort of art course at least once at some point in their life as art is so liberating and such fun and Sebastian's stone carving course gets five stars from me. Catherine."

22 Sep 17'

Jeannie reviewed: A fabulous introduction to fused glass - one day course

"This was such an enjoyable day. Not being at all creative and never having worked with glass previously, with Siobhan's wonderful help and patience I surprised myself by producing my own work of art. The day went so quickly, I was completely absorbed from start to finish. It was such fun. Thanks Siobhan for a lovely day."

22 Sep 17'

Gilly reviewed: Curtains, blinds and cushion making day courses

"Thank you so much for the fabulous workshop yesterday ! It was such a useful and interesting day with delicious lunch too ! I came away after learning so much and improving on what I knew already .. Can't wait to book another ! Many thanks"

22 Sep 17'

Liz reviewed: Curtains, blinds and cushion making day courses

"September 21st Just to let you know how much I enjoyed yesterday. I learnt so much & Rachel is a lovely teacher. Thank you for your input and the great lunch. Met some lovely ladies!"

22 Sep 17'

Clare reviewed: Micro Macrame - Beaded Bracelet

"Good value for money, well lit working space and clearly taught by knowledgeable teacher. Finished product looked like the example. Even included coffee and chocolate biscuits!"

22 Sep 17'

Sharon reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I had an intensive day course being instructed in the processes involved in silversmithing. Lucy is extremely knowledgeable and skilled in her craft and, with her patient guidance and help, a silver bangle was produced! The workshop is spacious and very well equipped and I was impressed with the hospitality I was shown. Thank you for most enjoyable experience. Highly recommended."

22 Sep 17'

Edna reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"Another superb day with Lucy spent working on my project piece. So many skills I'm learning always over and above what I'm expecting. I love the collaborative style of working as she gently makes suggestions to save me making mistakes but also we come together to make my project better. Although it's not complete it has become a very professional looking piece all thanks to Lucy's patience"

22 Sep 17'

Rosalind reviewed: Creative self discovery

"A very enjoyable course in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Several interesting projects to make and lots to think about. Sandra was very patient and helpful giving everyone the time they needed with the projects. Good fun and met new people. If anyone feels stuck and doesn't know what they want to do next this course will certainly help them push through those blocks."

22 Sep 17'

Peter reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"I went to Julies wanting make a picture in a theme of a beach view. Julie explained how everything worked and how the glass changes in firing I learnt about glass making and the process far more than I expected . After looking at examples of Julies work . I decided to make a field of poppies picture and I love the result. I really did have fun and found it relaxing thank you."

22 Sep 17'

Rachel reviewed: Fused Glass Half Day

"I attended this half day course and was amazed what I could and did achieve. Julie explains things very well and put me at ease. Showed work that had worked and some that didnt which helped me understand the glass process and firing. My work of art is now on my dining table for all to see. I am going back in the new year to create more . Thank you again for this wonderful experience ."

22 Sep 17'

Helen Jones reviewed: Fused glass Xmas decorations: morning workshop YOU MAKE YOUR OWN GROP UP

"I have just done this workshop and made 2 decorations which I love . Julie was very helpful and patient with showing me what would work and wouldnt ! I will be back to do a half day course ."

22 Sep 17'

Susie F reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"The course was such fun and Rosanna (and her mother) delightful! We learned and made far more than we thought possible in a day, and Rosanna is an exceptional teacher. Many thanks indeed and we will definitely be booking another course soon. Highly recommended."

22 Sep 17'

Jayne reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I first met Mark a few months ago; I’d decided that I needed to explore some hobbies which might take me out of my comfort zone and get me to learn new skills. Given my (then) belief that wood-turning demanded brute strength and was undertaken by grey-haired beardy-weirdy men with an unhealthy love of folk music and an unquenchable desire to fill the world with hand-made honey spurtles, it seemed to fit the bill perfectly given I am a middle-aged, cack-handed female, cautious about folk music and who has never-knowingly made anything useful in her life. So I booked a 1-day session with Mark and looked forward to a few hours in woodland world …. How wrong I was! Well, yes, Mark does indeed have a beard and there may be a few grey hairs in it (albeit not as many as there were by the time he had finished teaching me) but other than that, all preconceptions went out of the window. By the time I left I was a convert having learned that wood-turning is: • Both incredibly relaxing and yet challenging enough to keep the brain interested; forget making a honey spurtle; by the end of my first day I had produced (with a lot of help!) a lovely bowl which that morning had started life as a rather unprepossessing lump of firewood; • Requires no brute strength at all – when you get the technique correct it’s all about finesse not muscle; move over gentlemen and let us ladies have a go; • Pretty easy to learn; after just one day with Mark you’re confident enough to get your own lathe (or simply commandeer your husband’s or partner's) and start having a go on your own My conversion to the joys of wood-turning was completely due to Mark, and his brilliance as a teacher. Mark is incredibly patient, informative, enthusiastic and encouraging. He takes the lessons seriously in that he is well-prepared and able to move along at your pace, taking the time to explain not only what to do but why you need to do it (important when wishing to avoid a piece of wood flying at your head from less than a foot away). But while he is serious about his craft, his teaching style is anything but: I had great fun from start to finish, and spent much of the day laughing both at Mark’s jokes and at myself. Indeed I enjoyed it so much that I’ve subsequently returned for a couple more sessions. Never found out whether he likes folk music……."

22 Sep 17'

Claire Lawrence reviewed: Modern Calligraphy

"This course is an excellent introduction to calligraphy. Asha taught us the basics and provided a starter pack so we could practice at home. She is a great teacher! I'd highly recommend this to anyone who fancies trying out calligraphy. Asha makes it look easy but it clearly requires a lot of skill and perseverance...."

21 Sep 17'

Helen reviewed: ‘Winter dream ' wool painting face-to-face textile art course in Worcestershire

"Did not know what to expect but Raya soon made everyone feel at home and we were quickly to work on our creations. Raya is an excellent teacher, engaging and encouraging and provides an excellent choice of wool and frames for use on the course. It was fascinating to see how the pictures evolved throughout the day and lovely to take something beautiful home as a memento. Highly recommended by someone who was a complete beginner!"

21 Sep 17'

Keith Hoidgson reviewed: Rustic Furniture Making – 2 day course

"Great course and great teacher. it was good to lean how to make a stool with the use of hand tools and not using nails and glue. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in making things out of green wood. wish I had found out about this course sooner. I will be looking into taking more courses like this. Mark was very helpful to everyone on the course and he didn't just stand and watch he took his time to show us the right way to make our stools. he also explained every step in great detail. I would give mark 10 out of 10."

21 Sep 17'

Karolan reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Thank you David for a great day. It was such a fun, relaxed and interesting day. Lovely to come away with something unique as a bonus. Karolan"

21 Sep 17'

Louise Townley reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"I have just returned from a fabulous day learning how to make candles with Jo. I could not recommend this course enough, from the setting to the actual course and lunch it was all wonderful. I really was experiencing a cottage industry craft. I enjoyed the day with my best friend & it took us an hour to travel there but was well worth the journey. You will not be disappointed if you book this class. Thanks again Jo x"

21 Sep 17'

David Yorkstone reviewed: Rustic Furniture Making – 2 day course

"Fantastic, head clearing and productive weekend. The stool I made will be well used!"