Latest reviews

7 Sep 16'

Julia Bryant reviewed: Stained glass copperfoiling - beginners course - Witney, Oxfordshire

"Attended this course for my 40th birthday as a present from my husband which was arranged at very short notice, but Roz was very accommodating. I learnt how to cut glass, straight and curvy lines and we discussed what I was going to make after showing me some designs. I decided I would like to make a window panel landscape and she showed me the glass in sheets in the colours I wanted. We designed a simple landscape pattern together and as this was going to be in a window I chose see through glass. The copperfoiling was fiddly, but soon got the hang of it and loved the look of it before soldering when it was pinned to a board. I then soldered it and wow I am so pleased I did this. I cannot draw or paint, but this has come out beautiful. Roz said she'd put a photo on her facebook page soon. I did run over time, but she did not rush me at all. I enjoyed all aspects of the course and was amazed by the different types of glass you can buy such pretty glass. I would totally recommended Roz as a friendly and approachable tutor who showed me clearly what to do. Loved the cookies too Roz as I ate most of them. Thank you."

7 Sep 16'

Sara Herron reviewed: Introductory pottery wheel throwing taster sessions

"A very enjoyable, productive day. I have some experience at the wheel but wanted to get to grips with some fundamentals that I felt were inhibiting my learning. Lorraine was great at gauging the level of assistance required and establishing the balance between practical and theory with a mixed ability group. It was really helpful to understand the behaviour of the clay and why certain techniques work, or don't. I would definitely recommend the course and look forward to going back to further my understanding of throwing, firing and glazing."

7 Sep 16'

Rachel Day reviewed: Ceramic Studio Experience - Sunday Clay Day - Full Day Tutor Interactive Workshop

"Sue and Geri have helped me use different skills and techniques to complete my projects. I have made bowls, brooches and sculptures of an owl and a turtle. Everyone does totally different work, so it's very interesting to see what's going on. Sue and Geri make me laugh!"

7 Sep 16'

Emma Heart reviewed: Weekend Stool Making Courses

"I did a stool making course at the East London School of Furniture. It was fantastic! A great way to spend two days, and I got to take home my beautiful handmade ash stool! The atmosphere was really relaxed, and I met some lovely people. I was a complete beginner, and nothing was too challenging. There were others who had some experience, and we all got a lot out of it, so well designed and suitable for all levels. I cant recommend enough!"

6 Sep 16'

Linda Price reviewed: Beginners Weaving with the Rigid Heddle Loom - at All in a Spin

"Dunja has set up a delightful small business in her lovely farmhouse, set in stunning scenery. Her professional and enthusiastic attitude inspires confidence in her abilities as a teacher - the website, equipment and materials are good, as are the accompanying notes. For a complete beginner I can thoroughly recommend this weaving course."

6 Sep 16'

Nicc reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"This course was bought for me for my birthday. And it was fantastic, the blacksmith is a great teacher taking time to show me what I needed to know but also leaving me to it. Nigel's knowledge is very vast. I have thoroughly enjoyed my day, I was tired but all worth it! Everything I made that day I could take home with me. His shop is also a masterpiece! We also stay in one of the gypsy carts with my wife, it just added to the whole experience! Definitely recommend this forge!!!"

6 Sep 16'

Gavin reviewed: A Practical Dry Stone Walling Workshop Central London

"Really enjoyed my one day course with John Holt, despite blazing sunshine which made lifting stone heavy going! It's remarkable how much information John managed to impart in one day, all in an easy, anecdotal fashion, but his obvious passion for the craft of dry stone walling comes across strongly and infects anybody who takes the course. Obviously, you can't learn a skilled craft like this in a day, but the experience of taking down a wall, sorting the stones and then building another wall - along with the fact sheets given to at the end of the session - will give you a good grounding and hopefully the appetite for more!"

5 Sep 16'

Mary B reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"I attended the full day workshop and had a brilliant day. Rosanna was very welcoming and gave me her full attention, nothing was too much trouble. I haven't worked with leather before but had the opportunity to experience a lot in one day and made several different items - all of which I am pleased with and will be used! Despite doing so much it was very relaxing. Thank you Rosanna, I had a great day!"

5 Sep 16'

Victoria reviewed: Flamework (Lampwork) - Making glass beads for beginners

"Having enjoyed last year's summer school, I was keen to attend this year's too. I did the beginner's flamework beads, to remember the basics & create some more lovely pieces, before trying the sculptured beads class in the afternoon. It was challenging & lots of fun (although my owl had wonky wings). Toni is fantastic & very patient with all our questions. I can't wait to do some more!"

5 Sep 16'

Alison Rae reviewed: Upholstery weekly classes

"Such a wonderful course! Karen was always on hand to help with the fiddly / frustrating bits. I learnt so much and had a lot of fun doing it. I'm already looking for my next project..."

5 Sep 16'

Victoria reviewed: Make fabulous felt - needle felting and wet felting techniques to make animals, bags, pictures...

"I had a great time learning wet-felting, making a much-needed tea cosy (with a landscape design) & a gorgeous 3D pink & white rose, which I needle-felted into shape. I learned more about needle-felting & hope to create more at home. Toni is a fantastic teacher, always helping & encouraging you to enjoy the experience."

5 Sep 16'

Carol reviewed: Group Soap-making Workshop - Soapology Studio - Nottinghamshire

"This was a lovely day, Emma was encouraging and supportive. The morning session was very informative, although I am not sure I totally understood the maths involved!! The afternoon was great as I got to make 3 batches of soap. It was great to use the different essential oils and other ingredients and Emma encouraged us all in using her stock. I had a really enjoyable day and would thoroughly recommend it for anyone interested in starting soap making. Thanks also to Emma's partner for giving a helping hand. Was"

5 Sep 16'

Carol reviewed: Group Soap-making Workshop - Soapology Studio - Nottinghamshire

"I had a lovely day. Emma was informative and supportive throughout the day. I made 3 batches of soap with any ingredients I wanted to choose from her stores. It was great fun experimenting. I would recommend it to anyone interested in soap making."

5 Sep 16'

Willow Hearts reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"This half day workshop was suitable for people new to willow work and those with some experience. All successfully made a selection of 'Hearts' and dressed them with some lovely trimmings, which were available at no extra cost. Everyone had a lovely time, Beautiful lemon cake and tea was an extra treat."

5 Sep 16'

Helen reviewed: Bushcraft (for 8-13 yrs)

"A fantastic holiday club which my 10 year old daughter actively asks to go to which is not the case for many holiday activities! Inspiring staff, interesting and varied activities make for a truly great week. Miri wants to come back for s third year in 2017"

5 Sep 16'

Nikki Swarbrick reviewed: Bushcraft (for 8-13 yrs)

"Amazing!! My daughter has an Anxiety Disorder, and this is one of the places she truly relaxes in. All the leaders (especially Chris) are fantastic, and it's brilliant value for money. They come back dirty, tired and happy! 10/10"

4 Sep 16'

Bill & Mary reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Just enjoyed 2 days blacksmithing with Nigel for Bill's birthday which exceeded all expectations! We stayed in a cosy shepherd's hut in the idyllic woodland adjoining Fransham Forge. Nigel's infectious enthusiasm guided us through a wide range of techniques & he made sure that we both successfully created several useful tools, supporting our differing levels of ability & guiding us through successive processes. We enjoyed working with Jane & Keith on the second day. Nigel is an inspiring and entertaining teacher & we highly recommend his courses - hope to come again & learn more!"

4 Sep 16'

Chris Leach reviewed: Green Man Ceramic wall sculpture

"Have just had a lovely day creating a green man wall sculpture. Linda is great and it's a very relaxing and therapeutic way to spend a few hours. Have also booked onto a Glass Fusion workshop with Linda at the end of September and I can't wait."

4 Sep 16'

Matt reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I've had a keen interest in blacksmithing since university and after plenty of research I found this course in Norfolk. I signed up for the two day course and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Nigel's skills, knowledge and enthusiasm for engineering and blacksmithing was amazing! During the two day course I gained much inspiration around the workshop and sculpture garden. All aspects of production were explained including the safe and controlled use of tools and machinery in the forge. I learnt a great deal of knowledge that will be valuable in the future and will definitely attend another course to develop my skills further. I highly recommend this course!"

4 Sep 16'

Jane Miller reviewed: Beginner's Spinning in Newcastle

"I've been spinning for about 12 months, completely self-taught and wanted some expert guidance to improve my technique. Cathy is a lovely teacher, very patient and great one-to-one tuition where needed, we were soon off to a great start. I picked up some valuable tips which I take away to my home spinning, newly enthused and raring to go! Thank you, Cathy, for an enjoyable day, friendly atmosphere and an excellent setting, shop and cafe at Black Sheep in Culcheth to make us feel totally spoilt!"

4 Sep 16'

Maxine Dunham reviewed: Blacksmith forgework Learning Experience Day

"What a brilliant way to spend a rainy Saturday, in a smithy that recently won an award on Shed Of The Year. Robin and Daren are great company - fantastic tutors, extremely knowledgable and very patient with a lady not used to wielding a hammer! Me and the other student on the course had a reet laugh, whilst learning some interesting techniques with round- and square-section bars: how to draw out a tapered point and curl it into a beautiful scroll, how to make 'barleysugar' twists, and forge strong corners and decorative points, to create a handsome poker and fire rake which are now gracing my fireplace. Robin's wife provided homemade scones and jam, and a huge, delicious vegetarian lunch to keep our strength up. If you go on this course, be sure to ask Robin for a tour round his extensive collection of anvils. You'll be wanting your own by the time you leave."

4 Sep 16'

Glenn Latham reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"Chris provided a real fun day for me and my daughter in a fantastic setting on the edge of dartmoor. I was particularly impressed with the attention to safety in the workshop environment . And we produced two fantastic bowls !!"

4 Sep 16'

ZOE E LATHAM reviewed: Learn to Turn in the Dartmoor National Park

"My Dad and I had a great day with Chris. I had recently inherited a lathe and was keen to learn the ropes before taking on my new tool. On our craft day both my dad and I turned a lovely bowl under the helpful watch and guidance of Chris. Chris really gave me the confidence I needed to continue wood turning in my own workshop and there's no doubt I'll be doing a level 2 course with him in the near future."

3 Sep 16'

Sam reviewed: Group Soap-making Workshop - Soapology Studio - Nottinghamshire

"An excellent and well taught course including everything you need to know about cold processed soap making. There was plenty to learn from the day and we all managed to make plenty of soap of our own fragrance and design to take home. If you are looking for a soap course or just want to have a dabble this is definitely the course for you."

3 Sep 16'

Melanie reviewed: Soap making

"I have had a wonderful day today, very relaxing and interesting. Diane makes you feel very welcome into her home, providing lots of tea/coffee and a lovely lunch. The workshop was very interesting and lots of information given. I am looking forward to receiving my soap through the post, and cannot wait to smell the fragrance, chosen by myself. This workshop, if like me, a complete novice, is great, I will definitely be making soap at home in the future."