Latest reviews

6 Aug 16'

Richard Boland reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"As a complete beginner I didn't think I would be turning out much on my first day, however with Mark's expert tuition I (with a little help) managed to produce a lovely oak bowl, that I was proud to take home, as well as learning the correct methods of setting up the lathe, sharpening and using tools and how to get the best out of them. The course is packed full of information backed up with concise notes to take away and use for reference. For anyone thinking of learning to turn this is probably the best start you can have."

5 Aug 16'

Donna Parsons reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"We had an amazing experience and Maddie was fantastic! She went through all the basics and i was really surprised when we went home with some great little pieces. She shared her wealth of knowledge, templates and large stock of materials. We now can't walk into an antique store without buying some plates for future designs. Would thoroughly recommend her to anyone and everyone."

4 Aug 16'

Yvonne reviewed: Amazing encaustic art day course

"Had a super day - Phil made the day interesting. Its amazing what pictures you can create with wax and an iron."

4 Aug 16'

Sue Thirlwell reviewed: Piped cushion with lapped zip

"I learned how to make a zipped and piped cushion, and although I have done some basic sewing previously I have never attempted anything like this before. I really enjoyed the course with Janet, and found her to be an extremely good and interesting teacher. I learnt many new skills and am absolutely delighted."

4 Aug 16'

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

"My friends and I completed Emma's Introduction to Cold Processed Soap Making course and had a fabulous time! Emma was extremely knowledgeable. The day was terrific fun and excellent value. I would highly recommend the course. I can't wait to use my soap!"

4 Aug 16'

Rich reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Having spent two fantastic days of tuition with Mark, I felt as though I had had a very thorough introduction into woodturning, learning everything you would need to know to get yourself started, skillswise, toolswise and materialswise. Mark is a very knowledgeable and friendly tutor, and i would recommend this course to anyone. Thankyou for a couple of very enjoyable days!"

4 Aug 16'

Carmen Hughes reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I had a fantastic day, making a copper oak leaf pendant with Lucy. Not only did I take away a variety of jewellery making skills that I will use to make more jewellery in the future, I also enjoyed her company. Lucy taught me in a way that even as a beginner, I did not feel overwhelmed and was able to complete my pendant using many different techniques that I had no previous experience of doing. I look forward to doing another course with her in the future. Thank you Lucy :-)"

4 Aug 16'

Kathryn Francis reviewed: Beginners 2 sterling silver stacking rings jewellery course

"I loved doing Sarah's class. She has a really sweet and friendly workshop. Sarah was patient and kind and really encouraging. I hadn't realised how much was involved in the process. It was so good having one-to-one tution and I learnt a lot. There was tea and biscuits too. I love the rings that I made, with Sarah's help, and hope to do future classes. I highly recommend this class."

3 Aug 16'

Lisa reviewed: Bath Bomb Workshop

"Attended this course at the lovely Dotty Diva workshop. We found it a friendly and inviting atmosphere where we learnt to make some lovely bathbombs. Excellent value for money and a great evening. Would definitely recommend!"

3 Aug 16'

Edward Johnson reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"This is the best one-day course that I have ever been on! Chris is a proper, methodical trainer who is flexible and leads you through every step using demonstrations and examples. This is an extremely hands-on course. Chris is quick to adapt to you and the day flew by for me. I experienced a comfortable learning environment with lots of two-way communication to make things clear for me and Chris made me feel right at home. I had some great conversations with him and Chris has many good stories about blacksmithing down the ages that I really enjoyed. Chris' passionate knowledge of history and metallurgy shines through and he has a good way of explaining what we do to the metal with clear intuitive phrases and sketches. I genuinely had a lot of fun and a lot of exercise hammering, but it never felt like hard work thanks to Chris! I had never done metalwork before this course and Chris filled me with confidence and inspiration!"

3 Aug 16'

Linda Armitage reviewed: Explore Shibori - An ancient Japanese resist dye method for fabric

"Amanda's courses and workshops are a great mixture of practical demonstration, intellectual and historical background and, wonderful energy and support for the group as a whole and individual efforts. They are truly nourishing to the soul. Amanda is able to take any fledgling idea you have and offer both solid support and a fountain of further options to consider. Her energy is boundless, she is so much fun and, she is able to unify - intellectually and practically - the diverse artefacts that any group produces. In short she makes magic. At the end of her courses you go home immensely enthused and inspired. She is a wonderful form of rescue remedy - in human form. Amanda is one of those rare tutors who is brilliant at finding your forte and offering the right support and encouragement, in the right context. Plus, lots of fun and endless extra thoughts and ideas. What a bonus! You will come away from one of her courses or workshops raring to carry on with all the options generated, amongst the group and individually. Amanda is such a wonderful tutor, do not linger on booking up her next courses and workshops!"

2 Aug 16'

Jessica reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"My class with Lucy was fantastic! She taught me the basics of annealing and moulding copper into a ring. Definitely will need to come back again to learn some more techniques! Lucy was lovely and a great teacher. I really appreciate that she gave me a list of the tools that I would need to get started. I am very envious of Lucy's studio, just need to find a space to start my own now!"

2 Aug 16'

Ann Merrigan reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"I booked this course for my partner's 60th birthday present and we did it together. Ricky is a fantastic teacher and we learned lots and had a great afternoon. We made 3 objects and can't wait to pick them up. All in all it was great value for money and we would definitely recommend it."

2 Aug 16'

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

"A very enjoyable relaxing day. Course run by very friendly knowledgeable lady. Help and inspiration given when asked but also encouraged to be creative. Would thoroughly recommend this course to people of all ages and abilities."

2 Aug 16'

anon reviewed: Build a cob oven

"Well structured and delivered"

2 Aug 16'

anon reviewed: Build a cob oven

"Easy to understand, excellent facilities. Brilliant to have the hands on opportunity"

2 Aug 16'

Anon reviewed: Build a cob oven

"Best bit was the facilitator! And cob build. Brilliant very informative, fun and full of humour"

2 Aug 16'

Martin Boundy reviewed: Three day blacksmithing course

"Attended course from 18th to 20th July 2016. Didn't know what to expect found Peter was very hands on gave me the confidence to work the heat in the forge then working the metal on the anvil. Heather always made a lovely lunch with fresh produce out of the garden and fresh bread from Prestigne. I really enjoyed the 3 days and would love to go back and build on what I was taught. Would really encourage anyone who is thinking about this course to go ahead and do it. Great fun !!"

2 Aug 16'

nicola Spencer reviewed: Container candlemaking course and wax melts with afternoon tea

"What a fabulous course and both Julie and Kay were so welcoming and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this course and also the afternoon tea was wonderful. Thanks so much"

1 Aug 16'

Peter Chrystie reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"The other reviews are spot on. Colin is a very good teacher with endless patience. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with him and came away with the best bowl I have turned to date, a box with a lid that fits, my tools properly sharpened and a host of new skills to practice. Many thanks Colin!"

1 Aug 16'

Colin Gallagher reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day, 1 person)

"As a lover of wood, but fearful of lathes and chisels, I have always admired what a wood turner can do but never imagined I would EVER be able make anything other than a bag of wood chips. I signed up to do a half day course while on holiday in the New Forest and now wish I had booked the whole day. From the moment I met Graham I felt very relaxed as he made you feel very much at ease. His instructions and tutoring were delivered in such a way as to make you listen but not feel pressured. My half day with Graham resulted in a wonderful wooden bowl some twelve inches in diameter that I can say with confidence "it was made in the New Forest" and very proud to say "I made that". If you ever wanted to work with wood, in a friendly and safe environment, I would highly recommend this course. Thank you Graham and look forward to my revisit soon."

1 Aug 16'

Flee reviewed: Two day stained glass workshop including glass painting

"I had no idea what to expect from this course, so I was a complete beginner in learning and understanding all aspects of making a stained glass window. But Nick is very patient even with my many questions and patient in explaining each stage. My stained glass window hangs proudly in my window and love the idea these are the same skills used over the past few hundred years. Now I notice stained glass so much more in historic and modern windows. A very relaxed, informative and enjoyable course."

1 Aug 16'

Dan & Clive reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"Bought an experience day for my father and joined him for the small extra charge. The day was very enjoyable, under Colin's expert guidance we managed to make almost a full fire companion set, poker, rake, toasting fork and some reasonably complex scissor tongs for moving logs around. Each step was carefully explained and demonstrated in advance by Colin then he gives guidance as you do it for yourself, the result is some pretty impressive professional looking items that you've made entirely yourself. As someone who has wanted to try blacksmithing for a long time I'd recommend this course, set in a beautiful old forge in the countryside, with a master blacksmith who clearly knows his trade well, it was a very enjoyable day."

1 Aug 16'

Ian reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"I purchased this course as a birthday present for my 14 year old son. With just two people on the course, it is amazing what is achieved in just 6 hours. Students are able to progress quickly as when they are not making something themselves, they are actively involved in helping the other person which serves to consolidate what they have learnt. Creative Vibe is based at what can only be described as a delightful setting that is peaceful, relaxing and totally free from any distractions. The course is professionally and safely run by Ricky who teaches in clear and calm manner. His style puts students at ease and they only progress to the next level once each task has been successfully completed. Overall, a thoroughly interesting and enjoyable experience, for both me (as an observer) and my son, who is now eagerly awaiting the arrival of his creations though the post. These are sent on to you a week or so later should you so choose and are great momentos of the day. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this course."

1 Aug 16'

Ana Kirby reviewed: Introductory wet felting incorporating 3d techniques to make toys, jewellery and decorations in the Forest of Dean.

"A fabulous, fun, inspiring and creative day! Although 'crafty' I had never done felting before and so everything was new. Chris was wonderfully patient and inspiring and I came home with two pieces of work that I continue to enjoy. I will definitely be back for more!"