Latest reviews

5 Mar 17'

Judi Bunn reviewed: Half day leather clutch bag / ipad case

"The second course I have attended with Ms Williams. Really fun, very solid and simple teaching (always important!). Am already booked for two more. These are some of the best courses I have attended over the last 20 years or so."

5 Mar 17'

Rob Hildreth reviewed: Half day leather clutch bag / ipad case

"My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed the leather workshop with Sarah. Sarah and Steve made us both feel very welcome from the moment we arrived. Sarah's knowledge of her craft was impeccable and shared in a really easy to understand format. The venue looked amazing, was clean, light and spacious and had everything we needed. The tools and materials we were using were excellent and kept in great condition which made working with them safer and easier. There was a great selection of leathers to choose from and Sarah explained all the processes in great detail. We were left feeling very enthused and inspired to continue developing our new skills and felt very proud of our progress and final pieces. We couldn't thank Sarah enough for that and we're looking forward to returning for another class in the near future. Highly recommended."

5 Mar 17'

barbara winner reviewed: An Introduction to Stained Glass - 2 day Weekend Workshop

"I spent an amazing weekend with Fi creating a stained glass panel. This was the first time I had attempted anything remotely like this but her patience and way of sharing her skill and knowledge made it possible and I was so pleased with the result. And as promised - it was fun! It has also left me wanting to learn more. Thank you Fi. Barbara March 2017"

5 Mar 17'

kim mason reviewed: Art & Craft Days - Make a Willow Bird House Feeder Table - Two Day Workshop

"Brilliant two day workshop, enjoyed it immensely and the bird feeder looks lovely in the garden. Thank you Deb, Brian and Julie, for both the tuition and amazing food."

5 Mar 17'

Suzanne reviewed: Art & Craft Days - Make a Willow Bird House Feeder Table - Two Day Workshop

"Fabulous way to spend a couple of days so pleased with the end result. Thank you Deb and of course Brian and Julie for the sustenance."

5 Mar 17'

Denise Simpson reviewed: Willow Piglet workshop

"Fantastic day full of excellent tuition and support from Victoria. This was my second time at the Willow Barn. A great start to my birthday weekend. Thank you Victoria for a great day xxx I'll be back"

4 Mar 17'

Jan & Andy reviewed: Full day leather craft workshop

"I would highly recommend this workshop. I bought the one day leather course for my husband has a present...and today we have just throughly enjoyed the full day inspirational workshop with Rosanna. She is an excellent and personable tutor, with her expert guidance, clear instructions, constant and helpful supervision all at the perfect pace for us both (complete beginners). I was so pleased and impressed to come away with five finished useful products, (my husband completed three) all in our individual item and colour choices. We both found it fun and most informative, Rosanna shared some useful tips, knowledge and information about tools, supplies and suppliers. We are now looking forward to trying some other leather projects at home."

4 Mar 17'

Neil Paulley reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"As a novice to woodturning the course provided me with an excellent introduction, and it was a very worthwhile and enjoyable day. Mark provides a wealth of essential information and is a very patient and encouraging teacher,"

4 Mar 17'

Jane reviewed: Two day leather work course - bag making

"Fantastic course - really can't rate it highly enough. Jason certainly knows his craft and makes the weekend both a great learning experience and lots of fun. I honestly can't believe I made such a beautiful handbag. And the quality of the leather is second to none. More courses please!"

4 Mar 17'

Kim reviewed: Introduction to candle-making as a business

"Excellent day from start to finish in a beautiful home and tasty home made lunch. Learnt so much that I came away and immediately brought some supplies so I can start a new hobby. Thank you so much Jo, I will be back! Xx"

4 Mar 17'

Jayne Rogers reviewed: Bespoke Contemporary Fine Art Encaustic Wax Workshop.

"Had an amazing time at Lyn's encaustic wax workshop on Monday. It was a fun day, lots of laughs, lovely home cooked food and a great bright studio. Lyn is really patient so a very relaxed environment in which to learn. Thanks Lyn"

4 Mar 17'

Helen Merron reviewed: Enamelling on copper

"Had a lovely day celebrating my 60th birthday. Although I have done many arts and crafts this was my first attempt at enameling and it was so good I can honestly say it wont be my last. (Sorry Dilys we will be back)!!! Concentration is needed but both my daughter and I came out feeling so relaxed completely de-stressed. If thinking about enameling - just do it, what ever your age or ability you will be warmly welcomed and leave feeling like an artist. Just be warned - Dilys's home is amazing, both she and her husband have fantastic artistic talents, I have my eye on a water colour for my next birthday present. Thank you for making us feel so welcome. Helen"

4 Mar 17'

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

"Gerry and Sue are brilliant. The taster really gives you a great idea of what you can do with clay and I have since become a regular visitor to the studio working on my own projects."

4 Mar 17'

michael messenger reviewed: Advanced Raku Ceramics Masterclass

"Catherine Lucktaylor gives a very informative and friendly course on Raku making and firing. She is a good instructor with a great knowledge of the subject and is able to make us feel both competant and creative. Catherine is a welcoming and a warm person to work with. Highly recommended."

4 Mar 17'

Andrew reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 1 (beginner)

"I attended the fundamental course , part one at the end of February for two days and thoroughly enjoyed my time at Aidan's workshop. He is a very skilful and patient tutor explaining all aspects of what is involved in the weekend project and giving very good practical demonstrations . I shall definitely be returning for more courses as soon as possible and I would recommend Aidan and his training course to anyone . I had very limited carpentry, furniture making knowledge before going on this course but never felt out of my depth in his workshop at all ."

4 Mar 17'

Margaret Jackson reviewed: Curtain making

"I booked this course for my daughter and myself and it was great. I have sewn before but my daughter is a complete novice but we both finished the day with a completed made to measure lined curtain with a weighted hem and pleated top. Despite us having differing levels of ability the course satisfied both our needs. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to make curtains. Thank you Denise for this great course and for welcoming us into your lovely home. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon when you show me how to make a roman blind !!"

4 Mar 17'

Ben reviewed: Furniture making course: Fundamentals of Furniture Making Part 1 (beginner)

"I attended the fundamentals part 1 course and thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend. Aiden is hugely knowledgable/helpful and a great teacher. We learned lots of skills and techniques needed to begin fine furniture making from planing and cutting to precise measuring and finishing. As well as the info expected from the course Aiden also teaches you about other important parts of fine furniture making including finding and selecting wood, buying and maintaining tools and anything else you would like to know more about. I cannot recommend this course highly enough, if you have an interest in learning about fine furniture making then Aiden is the man to see!"

3 Mar 17'

Lesley reviewed: Kate Morrell willow sculpture courses

"I was lucky to have the session by myself so had Kate's full attention. I would have been just as spoilt in a group (with attention and food). I was so relaxed sitting there making my pheasant that time flew by. The surroundings, Kate's company and the pure enjoyment of working with the willow was a real treat I would love to do again."

3 Mar 17'

Kate reviewed: Wood Carving Course

"My Dad and I had a fabulous day. We had never carved before and really weren't sure about what we'd be able to achieve in a day, but went along anyway for the experience. It turned out that we were both really pleased with and proud of what we made. Pete's love for his craft, for the techniques, the tools, the wood, for the projects and for the people he meets along the way were great. We were in a small group with heaps of individual attention, with plenty of tools on hand and given an introduction to the tools, the wood etc. We followed Pete step by step to make a small piece to get us started and then launched into our own relief carved project. We'd come armed with ideas - a running hare and a teddy bear - but there were a good range of patterns and ideas to look at and chose from. Pete took his time with each of us, carefully explaining to us the best way to approach our designs and helping us along the way. We loved his sense of humour and his little stories and anecdotes about life as a carver - what a lovely guy. Thanks Pete! (Ps husband not so happy with Pete - I spent over a 100 quid on carving tools and cut proof gloves etc as soon as I got home that night!)"

3 Mar 17'

Hazel March reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"I really enjoyed my day with Theresa, such a lovely lady! I am a complete beginner but I gained confidence throughout my lesson. I am now looking for a wheel of my own to continue my new found hobby! Thank you Theresa, highly recommended!"

3 Mar 17'

Georgie reviewed: Weekend upholstery courses - Oxfordshire & Berkshire Borders

"I had a fantastic time reupholstering my rocking chair. Philip is a fantastic and patient teacher. It was great to spend a weekend with friendly people and see their different projects develop. I'm already planning my next project and look forward to booking onto another weekend course soon!"

3 Mar 17'

Fiona Young reviewed: The Annie Sloan complete chair makeover Workshop at La Di Da Interiors

"Had a really fun, busy and relaxing day with my Mum learning all about painting and upholstery with Annie Sloane paint and fabrics. Steph is a very knowledgeable, patient and lovely lady. We both loved our chairs at the end of a brilliant course."

3 Mar 17'

Claudia reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Excellent course. Really worth the money. Clear explanations and guidance throughout! I am really excited about developing a candle business. (Attended the Intermediate Candle Making Workshop)"

3 Mar 17'

Eliza Fox reviewed: Blacksmithing Introduction courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I bought this as a 16th birthday gift for my Son and what a great day we had from start to finish. We were greeted with refreshments and homemade goodies before starting our epic day of bending and hammering bits of metal into our very own masterpieces! Adrian and Andy guided us through our projects with expert tuition and Debbie fed us until we were ready to bust! Adrian, Andy and Debbie, thank you so much, you were the perfect hosts and we thoroughly enjoy every bit of our day."

3 Mar 17'

peter head reviewed: Damascus steel pattern welding

"Truly hands on and down to your skills - Stuart is a great teacher. Recommended"