Latest reviews

29 Jun 17'

Jack Slater reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"More than learning to work with wood. For me, this course was an enjoyable, relaxing, almost therapeutic couple of days. Thanks to Peter and Jav; learning while doing is what it is all about. A very small, yet vital amount of time is taken up by excellent formal instruction from your two instructors while for every other moment you are encouraged to get hands-on with your log of choice.. and drink copious amounts of tea. P & J are both very kind, friendly and relaxed and possess the knowledge to answer any question - wood or life related. I would recommend this course to those who enjoy the simpler things in life and wood enthusiasts alike. I hope to be back very soon."

29 Jun 17'

Mark price reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"What an excellent course this is. Took my son for a taster half day and he loved it. Bob is excellent and obviously very experienced and a great teacher. I was that impressed I will be booking a go in the not to distant future!!"

29 Jun 17'

Jesi Leigh reviewed: One day silver jewellery making in Worcestershire.

"Jonathan provided an excellent introduction into the basics of silversmithing - with the guide of an enthusiastic and encouraging teacher, I was able to make a beautiful silver ring. Thank you for a brilliant experience, one that is enough to inspire anyone (even my partner, who didn't attend, who has arrived home with just about everything we need to set up a silversmithing workbench!). Highly recommended course :)"

28 Jun 17'

Alistair reviewed: Mosaic in Isfield Village Hall with Hannah Griffiths - East Sussex

"As someone who had never made a mosiac before I found this course was an excellent introduction to the tools and techniques required. Everything about the course was designed to put you at your ease and help you learn - from the venue (the village hall in the beautful village of Isfield), Adele's homemade cakes to go with the tea and coffee, and the small number in the group enabling Hannah to spend time with everyone. And with a little planning and careful selection of a design, we were all able to complete a small mosiac within the day, which is important as it means you see the whole process as well as giving you a bit of confidence you can actually do it ! Now all I have to do is work out where to put the mosiac I made and what one to start next......"

28 Jun 17'

Christine reviewed: A fused glass workshop with Matt Sorrell – Making a colourful owl plaque

"Had a great time with Matt Sorrell's glass fusion class last Saturday, really interesting! Hope to try something else again soon. Thank you Matt for your patience and help with cutting the curves."

28 Jun 17'

Jeanne and John Rayment reviewed: Willow skep hive (Alveari) making - with Bees for Development

"We both thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was our first time working with willow but we found Chris was really helpful and obviously worked very hard at helping everyone. We also liked hearing about the history of skeps and bee keeping in the past. It has really opened a door for us in regards to learning more about natural bee keeping. I would definitely recommend this course for those wishing to have hands on experience in making something from the past but which they can use for their bees today."

28 Jun 17'

Alison Lockett-Burke reviewed: Make a Welsh stick chair

"Just emerged from a week in the woods with a beautiful chair that I can hardly believe I managed to make myself (but I definitely did, my new muscles are proof!). Armed with very little woodworking experience but lots of enthusiasm I was slightly apprehensive about retreating to the Mid Welsh woodland for a week on my own to make a chair. I needn't have worried, I've come away having had one of the most rewarding weeks of my life. The setting was absolutely perfect for a green woodworking course - deep in the woodland with only the sound of birds and sheep baaing in the background. Ben is the perfect balance of teacher - if you come expecting him to do the hard work for you to get the glory don't bother coming. If you want to come away with a beautiful piece that you know is yours, blood, sweat and tears (ok, no tears, promise) right down to the tiny wedges in the seat then this is for you. He makes sure you understand, learn and actually physically do the entire process from beginning to end, from splitting wood, axing, shaping, turing on a treadle lathe, adzing, seat shaping, measuring (and in my case remeasuring ha) - every single bit of making what will become your beautiful chair. He's patient, calm, funny and clearly an unassuming master of his trade as well as being a top notch teacher. It was an absolute joy to learn from someone who has so much love for green woodworking and is so passionate about passing it on. Passed it on he has and I'm already looking to do more green woodworking and as soon as he releases the next dates for his woodland courses I'll definitely be there. If you're thinking about doing this don't think twice, just do it, I can absolutely guarantee you won't regret it. You're almost certain to find a love for green woodwork that you didn't know you had.... Oh, and Ben is also a master at soup making and his lunch spreads were well needed and very much savoured and appreciated after a long morning axing wood!"

28 Jun 17'

Jeni Graham reviewed: Autumn Fascinators Workshop 2018

"Beth was a great person to do a course with. Having never done any kind of millinery she paced things well and judged the support I needed really well. the resources were excellent and the guidance just right. Thanks Beth!"

28 Jun 17'

Louise Whitehead reviewed: Embroidered landscape with words, with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"Exceptionally good course, Julie is welcoming and very talented putting you at ease straight away. Julie and her workshop are very motivating and she is a good teacher. Spent a lovely day on the Hare and Dragonflies Course and was completely absorbed in creating my hare. I am looking forward to doing another course with Julie."

27 Jun 17'

FURZIE reviewed: Furzie mobile needle-felting parties - sculpt with wool! Ideal for birthdays, hen parties and dinner parties

"I organised a felting workshop at my home in Derbyshire for a few friends and myself run by Michelle from Furzie. All of us we complete novices in the art and craft of needle felting. We were totally inspired by the examples of Michelle's work...true masterpieces...none of us thought or believed that we'd end up with a completed articles. Michelle guided us through many techniques from making our wire aperture to shaping it with hand felted wool and putting on the finishing touches...we were all amazed at the end of the day. We would highly recommend others to explore needle felting with Michelle. Thanks for a great day."

27 Jun 17'

Carol Penrose reviewed: Embroidered landscape with words, with Julie Brand at Tigley Textiles in Worcester

"I had such a smashing day - Julie is so enthusiastic about her work and passing her skills on to her guests. Can't recommend it highly enough and I came home with a very pretty completed piece- thanks Julie hope to book in again :-)"

27 Jun 17'

Dave Smith reviewed: Bowl carving day Green Fox Wild Crafts

"Very enjoyable and informative course, so much so I'm in the process of making my own bowl horse. Nadine is a very skilled instructor and crafts person. She brings skills from many areas, she has patience and a wealth of knowledge. Nothing seems to be any trouble and she is able to help, whatever your problem or skill level or ability. This was the second of Nadine's courses I have been on and look forward to going on another to learn another skill. The course finished all to soon. I couldn't recommend her courses highly enough."

27 Jun 17'

Pauline Smith reviewed: Weekly pottery/ceramics classes

"Another great evening with Alison and friends. Love the pace of the classes, able to work at my own pace with plenty of encouragement and support. 10/10 ."

27 Jun 17'

Liz & Craig reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"We asked to create some Christmas baubles and that's exactly what Ricky helped us to create: 9 beautiful Christmas baubles. He listened to what we wanted and took us patiently through the stages, entirely at our own pace. After a quick safety briefing we were blowing our first bauble, since there are only two people in the class, you are always doing something, whether as support for your partner or working with the glass yourself. As complete beginners, we really didn't expect to be able to produce so many such beautiful pieces. Ricky was very good at suggesting ways to achieve the effects we were after. He helped us rescue an overblown bauble and turn it into one that was even more beautiful. The day went very quickly, broken by lunch in the lovely walled garden; he was very easy to chat to over lunch. I would throughly recommend this course to anyone who wants to create something beautiful from glass."

27 Jun 17'

Pam B reviewed: Glass Fusing for beginners

"Very well organised with lots of materials available to use. Each step was clearly demonstrated and if you were still uncertain Gihga helped you through. Gihga clearly explained how to use the equipment safely and kept a watchful eye on us without interfering. It was a lovely day - every one pitched in and the lunch was very good. You don't have to be an expert, just relax and have fun."

27 Jun 17'

Nicola Marshall reviewed: Fused Glass Workshops for beginners & experienced

"What a wonderful way to spend a few hours doing something completely different. Ali is so welcoming and takes great care to explain all about glass fusion and what to do -advising and guiding , but still allowing plenty of freedom for your own creativity . Or if like me , you just want to copy something you like , she is happy to tell you how it's done. All the lovely coloured different types of glass are like being in a sweet shop ......so hard to choose.... and the relaxed atmosphere Ali creates means you don't want to leave. .... I've been three times and will definitely be back."

27 Jun 17'

Chris Wade reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"I have just attended Simon's introductory green wood turning course and can heartily recommend both the course and the instructor. As a trainer myself (in a very different field) I was impressed with Simon's skills as a trainer, as well as a craftsman. He took great care in assessing my "skills" at each stage and helping me to improve throughout the day, while giving me time to develop the different techniques. I learned lots and thoroughly enjoyed doing something different & creative. Thank you, Simon."

27 Jun 17'

Neil Tomlinson reviewed: Two day dry stone walling course for beginners in association with Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

"I had always fancied a go, just to learn the basics, but - of course - never got round to it. This was solved by my wife who bought me the course as a 60th birthday present. A very interesting and informative weekend was spent among like minded and friendly co-students - led by enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining tutors. Hard work though - but good fun. I can recommend the course to all."

27 Jun 17'

holidaygirl273 reviewed: A fused glass workshop with Matt Sorrell – Making a colourful owl plaque

"We decided to try our hand at glass fusion and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We learned a lot and it was great having hands on time making our own pieces which we are waiting eagerly for them to be fired to see the results!!!"

27 Jun 17'

H.W. reviewed: Being Nature: mindfulness & re-wilding days in the woods

"It was a wonderful day. I am thrilled with with what I have learnt. Awesome! Magic! Wonderful! I felt so pleased with myself all kinda empowered and strong. Very content. Well you know I'll be back for more, I have my sights on grass baskets, needles, pottery and bark containers. Thank you sooo much."

27 Jun 17'

Alyson Rawnsley reviewed: Mosaic Summer/Autumn School (5 days) in the Peak District

"As a 'newby' to mosaics I first came to Zantium in 2003 and discovered a medium I love working in. The tuition from Peter and the can do attitude he inspires makes each visit a positive experience and I always leave with a wonderful piece of art I didn't think I could achieve. Everyone can work at their own pace and Peter is great at getting you over any design or execution problems. On top of that that the studio is a lovely place to work in and the outside garden a calming place to go for breaks. Ali's wonderful lunches and homemade cakes just add the finishing touches to a truly lovely week. In addition I have really enjoyed the company of all the interesting people I have met on the courses. Can't wait to go back!"

27 Jun 17'

John Mason reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"Brilliant manual lathe bowl turning course, great teacher. Thoroughly enjoyable course, lots to learn and about the history, techniques and skills of this type of turning. The ability to create something of beauty and practicality without using any machines at all is a great experience. I would recommend this course to anyone."

26 Jun 17'

Brodie Birss reviewed: Intensive Basic Blacksmithing Skills Course

"Absolutely fantastic course, cannot recommend it enough. Facilities excellent, instruction excellent. Well worth the trip down and have left with real knowledge and understanding of processes and tools."

26 Jun 17'

Karen Lintott-Moss reviewed: Pet Portraits in Pastel

"I haven't tried producing any art since my school days 30 years ago so I had fairly low expectations for the end result of my pet portrait. However, I was extremely happy and actually very surprised that the portrait of my dog came out so true to life! I have received so many compliments on the portrait, but the credit goes to Gaynor for breaking down the process in such an easy to understand way. It just goes to show that drawing and shading can be a learned process and that you do not need to be a natural! Gaynor is very knowledgeable and approachable and her methods are easy to grasp, so I cannot recommend her course highly enough."

26 Jun 17'

Dori Vana reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Great teacher. Fantastic human being. Very knowledgeable and professional. I really enjoyed my day. Would have no hesitation recommending Mort."