Latest reviews

10 May 17'

Adam Mynott reviewed: Green Woodwork and Pole Lathe day

"It was an excellent day of very expert tuition from Chris Allen. He has the knack of distilling his expertise and experience into a day of enjoyable and valuable teaching. I would highly recommend his pole lathe course, not least for the excellent lunch that broke up a day of intense concentration."

10 May 17'

Alfie Simmons reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"Julie is a talented tutor who possess the ability to inspire confidence in the most doubtful of tutees. The course was well organised and thoroughly enjoyable. My basket now takes pride of place in the kitchen."

10 May 17'

Simon Wilkins reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"Great course, but does not make me want to quit my day job and work with green wood all the time! Peter and Jav were so patient, knowledge the everyone created their own wonderful pieces in only two days. Incredible when you think what it started like. This course is great for anyone interested in working with wood or their hands, you don't need to be a expert, with the right tools and instruction you'll see anything is possible. Thank you Peter, I look forward to seeing you again soon on a future course to further develop my skills."

10 May 17'

Jenny reviewed: Felt Making Workshops - Stratford upon Avon

"My daughter and I love attending different craft workshops but neither of us had never experienced felting previously. We had a wonderful session with Lesley in her craft room with excellent tuition and materials . We were amazed at how well our first attempts at a picture turned out all due to Lesley's help and demonstrations. We would recommend Lesley's workshops to anyone who is interested in Felting as she has a passion for her craft and guides you through the steps, carefully explaining the processes to ensure success."

10 May 17'

Sean Radtke reviewed: Pole-lathe turning taster days: spindle turning

"The day was great, with an instructor who obviously thoroughly enjoyed woodworking, and sharing his enjoyment with others. I am very happy with the items I created. Thank you, Maurice"

10 May 17'

Lynn Orr reviewed: One day bangle/ring workshop

"My friends and I did the earring and pendant making course provided by Jolene. We thoroughly enjoyed the day and we learnt a new skill. Jolene was very patient and helpful with us all. We all came away with wearable pieces and we would thoroughly recommend this course to others. Well worth the money."

10 May 17'

Sue Sparkes reviewed: Two day stained glass workshop - lead panels or garden sculpture

"Thanks to Gigha for the help and encouragement on her leaded light window course. There was a lot to fit into the day and luckily we could overrun on time as some of us took longer than others, but you stayed calm and tried to help as much as possible. We were also very well looked after by your helper who cheerfully provided us with refreshments throughout the day and was very encouraging too! A very enjoyable day!"

9 May 17'

Tess reviewed: The Pottery Cave - Evening beginners classes

"I so look forward to Caroline's pottery classes. You can play with clay to your hearts content in a friendly supportive atmosphere. Everyone works on their own pieces with no pressure to conform to a set programme. All supplies are provided along with hot drinks and biscuits. Caroline has a unique teaching style by gently encouraging you to find your own style. The lovely feel of manipulating cool clay is soothing for both your fingers and soul. Highly recommended"

9 May 17'

Jon Southall reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"If you want to know anything about woodturning, I suggest you book a day at Marks well equipped workshop. My 15 year old son and myself spent the whole day under Marks excellent tuition. As complete novices, he was very patient with us, but shared his vast knowledge over a long day that we both enjoyed. Lots of expert advice was given through out the day, all supplied on reference sheets to take home and study at our leisure. Thanks again Mark."

9 May 17'

Maria reviewed: Wood turning courses

"My fiance and I attended the course to celebrate my 50th birthday - we are both novices; George was simply amazing - not only is he an excellent teacher he also gave us so much valuable information regarding what to look for in tools and equipment..........we both enjoyed ourselves so much, I can't recommend the course highly enough. We will definately be back for stage two as soon as we can manage it!!"

9 May 17'

Bob Halliday reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day) (2 people)

"I had a really great day with Graham doing a "refresher" after 30 years of absence from woodturning. There were just 2 of us on the course so we had very personal attention. Graham's teaching style is very relaxed so he put me at my ease quickly which meant that I was learning in a very enjoyable way. I came away with a nice cedar bowl and as a bonus he sharpened my (30 year old) chisels for me. Highly recommended. Bob Halliday"

9 May 17'

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

"Siobhan is an awesome teacher and the perfect guide to the world of fused art. She amazed me with her enthusiasm, energy and patience. And she got us all making our own original creations from the off. She also took care of all the important stuff – introductions, studio safety and copious cups of tea."

9 May 17'

Terence Green reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"What a fab day we had with Kate, making our herons. We were very proud of what we achieved in a day, thanks to Kate's guidance. Would recommend it to anyone who has never done willow weaving before or if you are looking for something different as a present. Thank you to husband Dave for the cups of tea and lunch."

9 May 17'

Stephenie Fanshawe reviewed: Patchwork and Quilting for Absolute Beginners

"I did the course with Sharien Hussain who has already commented so eloquently. I loved it as I hadn't done anything like this ever before so wasn't sure if it was me. However it was briliant and Sheena (our tutor) was fabulous and was able to debunk all the hype and get this to my basic level of understanding. She was reassuring and encouraging and nothing was too much trouble for her, not even when each and everyone of us, made a mistake of some description or another. "A learning opportunity" as she put it. There was none of this I know better than you attitude that sometimes you get on such courses, but a clear and conscise explanation and demonstration of techniques. She gave me the confidence to give it a go, especially where the top sewing for the quilting was concerned. I haven't done any sort of top sewing for so many years and was really worried about this aspect of it. At the end of it all I managed to produce a lovely patchwork quilted cushion cover which was the whole purpose of it!! Unfortunately I can't attend Sheena's next session in this neck of the woods but will certainly be looking out to undertake more courses with her as tutor. Fantastic."

9 May 17'

Magnus Mowat reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"I have spent two day with Chris and greatly enjoyed both of them. He is very knowledgeable and endlessly patient with a beginner who does not always remember what he was told an hour ago! I learnt a great deal and am going back again. Magnus Mowat"

9 May 17'

Chris Loxley reviewed: Furniture Painting Course with Afternoon Tea in Sheffield by South Yorkshire Interiors Academy

"Thank you for a lovely day"

9 May 17'

Yvonne S. Markham reviewed: Furniture Painting Course with Afternoon Tea in Sheffield by South Yorkshire Interiors Academy

"Just completed this course at SYIA. Beautiful workshop and the afternoon tea was wonderful. We all had a walk around the village, which was so pretty. Well worth the money and a great day had by all. Thank you Y"

9 May 17'

Julie Davies reviewed: Furniture Painting Course with Afternoon Tea in Sheffield by South Yorkshire Interiors Academy

"Brilliant course. Gill gave us some great advice on where to start when it comes to selling painted furniture. Looking forward to visiting her shop in Holmfirth."

9 May 17'

Stephanie Harold reviewed: One day Fused Glass Workshops

"I recently went on a 2-day course with Bonnie at the Purple Stained Glass Studio near Loughborough and it was a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening experience. I was a complete beginner, but under her expert tuition, I actually came away with a stained glass window that I feel really proud of and can display in my home. My partner was surprised at how 'professional' it looks! Bonnie is an exceptional tutor with a natural aptitude for teaching- she is calm, reassuring and has oodles of patience. She is very flexible and tailors her course around what you actually want to learn, and if you have a specific project in mind, will help you complete it, incorporating more days if needed. In theory, you can learn how to make stained glass windows by watching YouTube videos- in practice, you can't beat hands-on tuition where you get ongoing advice and tips. I highly recommend anyone wanting to learn about the 'how to' of stained glass to go and see Bonnie- you won't be disappointed."

9 May 17'

Gail reviewed: Half day: 3 Leather Accessories

"We spent a lovely afternoon with Rosanna using leather for the first time. Rosanna is an excellent teacher with a pleasant and friendly manner. We were all very happy with our finished products. My children, my mother and I will remember this afternoon for many years."

9 May 17'

Sharien Hussain reviewed: Patchwork and Quilting for Absolute Beginners

"Had a brilliant 2 days on the patchwork and quilting course. I learnt how to use a rotary cutter in the correct way. I was always frightened to use one. Wow was I impressed. I was able to make a cushion cover and started the log cabin design for a sewing machine cover. The tutor was very helpful and was able to answer the questions I asked and gave everyone equal time. She was a pleasure to be with. Hope to do another course with the tutor in the near future. Thank you."

8 May 17'

angela moon reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"Was a complete novice and delighted with end product. A truly therapeutic day fully focused on learning new skills and creating your own design. Glass is such a beautiful medium and Matt's teaching' patience and enthusiasm are fantastic. Good bunch of people all acheiving their own amazing designs. Fully Recommend the day whether you are a complete novice like me or more experienced wanting to hone your skills. Worth every penny."

8 May 17'

Yvonne Jones reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"Lucy is very welcoming and an excellent teacher. I had a brilliant day and learnt lots of new skills. Lucy made everything seem so easy. I made buttons for my footstool and piping for cushion covers. Things i always thought were too difficult. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable day with delicious homemade cake and lunch. I would definitely recommend the courses and hope to go back myself."

8 May 17'

Julie Edge reviewed: One day stained glass classes by Le Breton Traditional

"Having already dipped my toe into the stained glass water, I came to the class with 2 techniques I wanted to master and left knowing so much more. 2 terms of evening classes had taught me the confidence to cut glass and copper foil it, but even the tuition about cutting on Matt's course was valuable as I learned new techniques and improved my speed and confidence. I feel ready to try came work now as well. Matt is very patient and clearly has a passion for this type of work. His enthusiasm is infectious and I only wish I lived nearer to attend again. Handouts supplied after the course were an unexpected and helpful addition. How many times have I wondered at the array of glass available to buy and never felt certain about the choices I was making? Thank you, Matt. Your course comes highly recommended."

8 May 17'

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

"I thought the workshop was therapeutic. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Raya proved to be a great host providing us with tea, coffee and cakes all day. It was great to recreate a holiday picture I took of the Devon landscape where I used to go on holiday. Raya showed me how to create this picture using merino wool and other fibres. I was amazed that using Raya's techniques I could create a wool painting. I am so proud of my work and it decorates the kitchen wall in my house. Raya Brown is a professional teacher with lots of skills and experience. I would recommend this course to anyone. I would not class myself as an artistic person but this workshop gave me new confidence to continue with my artistic side. Natella"