Latest reviews

20 Aug 16'

Carla Forsten reviewed: Silver jewellery Pendant making workshop

"I had a really great time during the workshop! Sarah and Anneke were there to patiently help us making our own bangle and I was delighted with the result I got to take home with me. The pictures that were taken during the workshop were great as well. So nice to see yourself, fully concentrated on making a really nice piece of jewelry."

20 Aug 16'

Christine Maslin reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day, 1 person)

"What a fabulous morning I had with Graham learning about wood turning. I am so proud of the bowl I managed to produce with Graham's excellent tuition and guidance. As a keen crafter who likes to dabble in something new, this is now my new favourite. Would recommend this to everyone. Hope to return with my son, who bought this as a gift for me, to share the experience."

19 Aug 16'

Berber Wijnia-Sieperda reviewed: Silver jewellery Pendant making workshop

"I have attended a workshop, making my own bracelet. Together with my mom, we have learned a lot. We have made a beautiful personal bracelet. Thank you Sarah and her assistent Anneke :)"

19 Aug 16'

John Atkins reviewed: Wood turning courses

"My deepest thanks to George for his excellent tuition, and for his patience with me. Thanks also to Sue for keeping me fed and watered. I had a great day, and will now look at my equipment needs to take my wood turning skills forward. Terri loved the bowl I created - with more than a little help from George - which will be a permanent reminder of my 65th birthday celebration."

19 Aug 16'

Sarah Beven reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"This course was fantastic! The welcome was great with Simon staying on the phone for directions when I took a wrong turn and a lovely cup of coffee brewing on the fire when I arrived. Simon is highly knowledgeable about the subject and is a very patient teacher. He is astute in assessing what a student needs in order to feel comfortable with all stages of the process, from cleaving a billet to creating a final product. As a result, you come away from the day with a good understanding of the history of green woodworking, a knowledge of the technical aspects of wood as a material and most importantly an understanding of the best way for you personally to approach pole lathe turning. Simon is an intuitive teacher and offers advice on the best stance to take when operating the lathe and treadle, the best way for you to comfortably hold the tools and the best way for you to develop and shape the piece you are working on. As a result the course builds confidence and is extremely accessible for participants of all abilities and practical skill levels. The icing on the cake is that Snelsmore Common is a lovely setting! A great place to spend a relaxing day working outside in the woods. I would thoroughly recommend and will be going again at some point in the future."

19 Aug 16'

Ian Col reviewed: Pottery classes near Bridgend- Hand building with a professional potter with over 30 years experience

"My wife and I have been on two raku days which we thoroughly enjoyed - please see my wife's review on Jane's raku course. Jane also gave me half a day's instruction on throwing, something I have only had a go at once before. She explained how to centre, how to use my hands as tools, helping me apply the correct amount of pressure, how to brace arms against the wheel and how to feel and understand the nature of the clay. By the end, and with her expert hands-on help, I had successfully thrown two pots and feel I have the confidence and knowledge to practice on my own. I can highly recommend this course."

19 Aug 16'

Debs Paproska Cole reviewed: no longer avable

"Jane is a warm and welcoming lady who lives and breathes raku. Her lifetime of experience and enthusiasm shines from the minute you step through the archway into her wonderfully creative and knowledgeable world. She immerses you in a hands-on experience that enables you to truly understand the nature of raku glazing and firing, encouraging you to take part from the onset. She provided me with the skills and confidence to have a go myself back home, returning for a second day a month or so later to consolidate what I had achieved and discuss my mistakes. Jane also taught me further raku techniques to have fun with. It's refreshing to attend a course that enables you to do it for real rather than stand around watching an instructor do everything ... and in such a welcoming lovely environment too. I highly recommend this course and hope to return again in the spring for even more."

19 Aug 16'

Julia Singer reviewed: Beginner's DIY Hand Sanitiser Natural Soap Course

"Really informative and enjoyable - and a bargain at the price. Will be going to her natural lotion/moisturiser course and natural hair products classes too. Location is very convenient - a couple of mins walk from Angel tube."

19 Aug 16'

Alison Chapman reviewed: One day mosaic workshop - Lincolnshire

"the course was excellent , thanks to Caron for all her expert help, inspiration and endless coffee and cakes . I could spend hours just looking at all her wonderful work. Looking forward to next time . I would recommend this course to everyone what a wonderful way to spend a day !"

19 Aug 16'

Rob Richards reviewed: POLISHING - French polishing & modern hand finishes in East Sussex

"The small group meant we got lots of individual help and were able to go off track easily to discuss specific things in more depth."

19 Aug 16'

Andy Wells reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"My son and I had a great time and I now receive the daily question of "when can we go again Dad?" Chris is a great teacher, very patient but didn't take over, even when I thought things were going south. In the end we were really amazed we managed to make the items and proud of what we did. Certainly learnt plenty and went home pretty tired. Thanks Chris"

19 Aug 16'

Katy reviewed: Basic to advanced knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"Met Ann on a Saturday morning in the vintage tea rooms. She was absolutely lovely and very patient with us. I have now been knitting at home and i love it. I will be going back soon for a crochet lesson."

18 Aug 16'

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

"I was rather anxious as I set off for a "surprise" treat for my sisters 60th birthday- it had been arranged by my three wonderful nieces ( a rather intrepid group thus the anxiety!). However my anxieties were soon laid to rest when we arrived at Siobhan's wonderful shop and fused glass studio- the shop was full of inspirational examples of her work (AND you can buy them and pretend you made them - no-one will know.....). Anyway, you won't need to as under her expert (and very patient guidance) you can make several very lovely pieces of your own. When we stopped for an excellent lunch no-one could believe how quickly the time had passed. I can honestly say that by the end we were all talking about coming again (perhaps to make Christmas decorations??) Thank-you so much Siobhan (and nieces) for the most fun I've had in ages."

18 Aug 16'

Ian Thomson reviewed: An introduction to wood turning with Gregory Moreton (2 Days)

"An excellent two days spent with a friend, learning wood turning pretty much from scratch. Greg was very good at explaining techniques and also very patient when we struggled to get things right! The course gave us a great understanding of the basics of wood turning, which with practice, can be built upon. Greg was very generous in sharing his knowledge, giving us lots of helpful tips. He also prepared and gave us two beautiful pieces of wood, with which we were just about able to make a couple of very special bowls to take home with us. The family were impressed! Many thanks for a tiring, but very enjoyable, couple of days."

18 Aug 16'

Martina Marks reviewed: Piped cushion with lapped zip

"It was with some trepidation that I approached Janet's class as I had never sewed anything before and didn't even know how to thread a sewing machine - but I needn't have worried! Janet's friendly and practical approach made me feel confident and completely at ease. I was shown how to make a Roman blind and thanks to Janet's guidance and excellent tutoring I have since managed to make a roman blind for my son's bedroom which I am proud to say is now in situ! I have felt so inspired by what I learnt in Janet's class that I have enrolled for her next tutorial in making and measuring curtains. My kitchen windows are cab my next project!! I really would recommend Janet's class to anyone who is keen to make soft furnishings for their own home"

18 Aug 16'

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

"We were looking to do a nice activity for my mum's 60th and were BEYOND excited to find Siobhan & the Forge because our whole family is a bit glass-mad but we had no idea just how wonderful an experience it would be - the atmosphere and level of fun and care make the day almost as fab as the glasswork does, the price is brilliantly reasonable considering the amount of methods taught and the amount of projects you get to do there - we're already planning our next session! Utterly wonderful and massively rewarding, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone whether as a gift or just as something lovely to do for themselves - two thumbs way, WAY up."

18 Aug 16'

Folake reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"I found this course very enlightening and it opened up my mind to many possibilities. I loved it."

18 Aug 16'

Anna (Russia) reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"I learned more than I expected. Absolutely happy! Looking forward to try at home. Thank you!"

18 Aug 16'

Anna reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I spent my first day with Lucy yesterday and had a fantastic day. Lucy has an in depth knowledge having spent many years training and teaching jewellery making. I am looking forward to spending more days with Lucy to learn more skills. In one day I learnt a variety of different skills. It is great that Lucy encourages you to design your own pieces. Lucy's experience and amazing ability in the craft means that almost anything is possible. Lucy's style of teaching is great, she encourages you to think about the process and how it works, demonstrates well but you certainly do most of the making yourself. Looking forward to making learning and making lots more :) Thanks again!"

18 Aug 16'

Nikki Acton reviewed: Amazing encaustic art day course

"I bit the bullet and booked a full day with Phil. I had never done encaustic before but by the end of the day was confident about the medium, the basic techniques and the versatility of the product. Phil explains very well with a little humour thrown in. The great thing about this was the personal nature of the tuition... Phil adapts to his clients needs and is encouraging and supportive. The day was enjoyable, fun and educational - doesn't get better than that! Even had coffee and ginger biscuits too :)"

18 Aug 16'

Nick Hemmings reviewed: One day leather bag making workshop

"Really enjoyed the course. Rosanna was a great teacher and very easy to converse with. It was a super chill environment and a really fun day. Felt I learnt a lot and definitely keen to hone my skills further."

18 Aug 16'

Bobby Gard-Storry reviewed: Blacksmithing one-to-one North West UK

"I can thoroughly recommend an introductory blacksmithing course day with Colin. He's a relaxed but attentive tutor, with a wealth of knowledge about the various aspects and techniques involved in metalwork, and it was a pleasure to be guided by him through the basics of the craft. We wasted no time in getting started, and as soon as I had caught the gist of anything he would trust me to do it alone, offering guidance and assistance as required. I was absolutely delighted with the end products of the day; a beautiful poker, two hooks and a bottle opener, which I will use with great satisfaction knowing I made them myself. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a one-on-one session with Colin to anybody interested in giving blacksmithing a try!"

18 Aug 16'

Susan Scott reviewed: Shoemaking Workshop

"I booked the two day boot making course. Absolutely loved it. So informative and hands on. Alison is a great teacher and keeps the process moving along at a good pace. The working environment is friendly and fun, a great two days, far exceeded my expectations, and I just love my boots! Thank you guys!!"

17 Aug 16'

Jen Hayes reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"What a fabulous teacher Dunja is. She explained the process of spinning, carding and prep of the fleeces clearly and in a way to easily understand and with such enthusiasm of this amazing art, she was so patient with me and I found her teaching clear and very helpful, I will be back for more instruction once I have practiced what I have learnt. I highly recommend anyone considering learning to spin or weave to attend one of her workshops you won't look back."

17 Aug 16'

Patrick Fear reviewed: Creative laser cutting

"I attended this course on the 13th & 14th August. It was exactly what I was expecting, an introduction to Laser cutting, the materials, drawing applications and how to get from a paper design to a product. Emily is very knowledgeable and I would recommend this course to anyone thinking of getting into this field."