Latest reviews

12 Nov 16'

Mrs E Jones reviewed: Willow hearts and flowers

"This is the second willow workshop I've attended at The Willow Barn with Victoria. This time I brought a friend too! We arrived just before 10am and were warmly welcomed into the workshop by Victoria with hot drinks and big smiles. The workshop is a fabulous, very large but homely portacabin filled with lots of inspiring decorations and plenty of workspace. There's an area with lovely comfy sofas and a coffee table where you can eat your own packed lunch. We were given a choice of things to make and started with willow spheres. Once completed (with much laughter) we moved on to making an angel, stars and a Christmas tree each. The one thing that my friend really loves is dragonflies and we even got to make one of these each too, which was a fabulous surprise. Then we got to decorate our creations with bells, stars, sequins, ribbons, etc. The Christmas trees were 'planted' in florist's oasis in pots that we'd already decorated and were finished with lovely fresh holly and fir fronds. Plenty of hot drinks and lovely festive pies throughout the day and a lot of fun. I cannot recommend one of these workshops highly enough. Great fun, lots of inspiration and a great gift to give someone too."

12 Nov 16'

Alic and Graham reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Well what can I say? We had a super day with the talented George and his lovely wife Susan! This was a birthday present for my hubby (who suffered a stroke 3 years ago) and I was a last minute ‘add on’. Neither of us had done anything like this before – I had never seen a lathe let alone used one! George was a great tutor with an abundance of patience and managed to watch over us both – teach us and keep us entertained all at the same time. We not only learned how to use a lathe – we made a beautiful bowl each – mine was a lovely sycamore bowl and my hubby’s was a beautiful beech bowl – we were both thrilled to bits with our makes!! George had lots of stories to tell – with a great sense of humour and his lovely wife supplied us with tea and biscuits during our breaks and a lovely sustaining lunch at lunchtime! Our day was very special and very much enjoyed! George’s wood turning tuition days are 5 staras far as we are concerned and highly recommended by us!! Alice and Graham Reeve"

12 Nov 16'

Nick reviewed: Blacksmithing - one to one - Hammer Skills

"I went on the introductory course to blacksmithing, had an excellent day, with great tuition thanks Colin. Brilliant atmosphere, I came home with a fantastic poker and a boot scraper. Thanks for a great day."

12 Nov 16'

Stephanie Cole reviewed: 'U' Box at Jacqueline Ritchie Art Retreats

"A fabulous day with loads of inspirational materials to use. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and came home with a lovely box shrine. A meal was provided and was delicious.. thank you so much Jacqui and Imogen . I would be delighted to attend another workshop x"

12 Nov 16'

Rebecca Barnes reviewed: Knitting workshops in Leeds City Centre

"I've just had a two hour session with Ann and it was fantastic. Ann herself is absolutely lovely and so patient. It's been a while since I've knitted and even then it was very basic. She answered all of my questions and even demonstrated crochet which I've never seen before. The vintage tea rooms are perfect for these one to one sessions too!"

12 Nov 16'

Stitchless Bags Workshop reviewed: Stitchless bags workshop - learn how to craft your own leather bag with no stitching

"Really excellent course. You are given a choice of bag design and colour and then you get on with making them in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Esther gives clear and simple instructions and lots of one-to-one attention. It felt good for the soul to be making something with my hands and now I have a lovely bag that has already received compliments (just on my way home from the workshop!). I highly recommend it!"

11 Nov 16'

Steve reviewed: Blacksmithing Experience Day

"One of the best things that I have done for a long time. As others have said, I was very surprised at how much I was able to make. It is definitely worth speaking to Colin or Polly before you go to get ideas of what it is possible to make in a day. I fully intend to go back and would not hesitate to recommend this course to anybody."

11 Nov 16'

Lily Doble reviewed: Stitchless bags workshop - learn how to craft your own leather bag with no stitching

"Absolutely brilliant course! Esther helped throughout the morning but also let us get stuck in and do our own thing. Really loved getting creative and properly using my hands to make something to be proud of. Also, excellent tea and cake at the venue we were at which was provided (and made a welcome break from mallet work!). Can't stop looking at my lovely little bag, thank you again."

11 Nov 16'

Alison Cooper reviewed: Ceramic slip casting workshop

"I have been to various events with this lovely lady. She is kind and patient with adults and children alike and inspires you to create beautiful pieces. Great opportunity to learn skills and produce Christmas presents! Will definitely come again ."

10 Nov 16'

Charlotte White reviewed: Christmas Decorations in Art and Floristry

"A really great course. My friend and I went together and were very pleased with the reverse applique pieces that we created. The tutor was very friendly, knowledgable and supportive. A wide choice of interesting materials were provided, and plenty of inspiration which encouraged me to experiment with different ideas and techniques. Can't wait for the next one. Thank you!"

10 Nov 16'

Carol reviewed: 2 day Traditional Upholstery Intensive Course- London

"I have had so much fun on the weekend course that I have booked into the drop ins. The dining chairs look lovely. Fun, creative and thoroughly satisfying."

10 Nov 16'

Martine Roberts reviewed: Mindful Mosaic workshops with Dionne Ible - Bedfordshire

"My mosaic day was very enjoyable and Dionne's guidance and encouragement made the experience of creating my sunflower mosaic and finishing it at home a wonderful achievement. There was books to find ideas and a amazing selection of mosaic colours to explore with. Looking forward to my next creation."

10 Nov 16'

Melanie Jordan reviewed: Christmas Decorations in Art and Floristry

"So enjoyed this course in a beautiful garden room setting. Jo is an incredibly knowledgable talented tutor, who has a very supportive encouraging way about her. Great choice of resources to choose from, as well as advise on how to use your own resources to best effect. Thank you, looking forward to the next one"

9 Nov 16'

Gillian Oliver reviewed: Ceramic slip casting workshop

"Absolutely brilliant experience. Plenty of materials supplied and great instruction. Alison is the perfect teacher and host. Warm and welcoming atmosphere. I will be back."

9 Nov 16'

Gemma carr reviewed: Upholstery and upcycling furniture and interiors

"What a fantastic day!! We had great fun with a very friendly and clearly extremely knowledgeable tutor. The environment that Lucy provides is perfect in her beautiful home with homemade cakes and cups of tea on tap! I was so pleased with the result of my day and would love to do a longer course next time to tackle a bigger project."

9 Nov 16'

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

"I really enjoyed this course. It was action-packed and full-on. The equipment was well maintained and plentiful and the tuition excellent. I came away with a gorgeous little table of which I am very proud. I would recommend the course to anyone who is interested in green woodworking and wants to spend a few days learning new skills, with a knowledgable teacher in a relaxed environment. Thank you, Peter"

9 Nov 16'

Andy Montador reviewed: Weekly pottery/ceramics classes

"I love this class! Every week there's something new to try. I've made bowls, tiles, tea lights, a ring holder and countless mugs. I've tried lots of different techniques from wheel throwing to slip casting. Alison is a fantastic teacher, full of ideas and inspiration. She allows her students the freedom to explore and find their own style while giving advice and instruction when necessary. She has also taught us a lot of the chemistry and theory behind each process which is really fascinating. Truly, a fabulous class. *****"

9 Nov 16'

Stephanie McCormack reviewed: Ceramic slip casting workshop

"Enjoyed the course so much I didn't want to leave! Alison is very warm and welcoming, and was great at explaining all the essentials for me to make decorations that I am really proud of. I haven't been on a course like this before, and the help and guidance given was immeasurable, but was given without the feel of someone breathing down my neck. There was a huge range of cutters, stamps and fabrics to work with, and lots of inspirational samples decorating the room. The room is spacious yet cosy and the cakes and drinks went down a treat! A perfect course for all ages and all abilities. I will be back!!"

9 Nov 16'

Eva Tomkins reviewed: Leather Workshop One - on - One

"I attended this course earlier in the year and had a great weekend. Sarah was a encouraging and informative tutor, guiding all the students to make a finished hand stitching leather bag by the end of the weekend and I was absolutely thrilled with my bag which I use everyday. The course is held in a beautiful workshop in a converted school house, surrounded by countryside. I will be definitely recommend the course to friends and I would love to do another course with Sarah."

9 Nov 16'

Ester McGonigle reviewed: Natural Body Beautiful workshop by The Crafty Witch (Libra Holistic Health & Wellness)

"Thankyou for a brilliant day I cant believe I have been buying rubbish for years when all that good stuff was at hand!! I could literally eat this whipped body butter and thanks for the information about the natural stuff you are quite right! We had a good laugh and a great wee day it was anything but basic you sell yourself short Mandy! We will be back again! Ester and the Hens xxx"

9 Nov 16'

Karen Peers reviewed: Mosaic one day workshop for adults with Caroline Jariwala, Birmingham

"I attended Caroline Jariwolas mosaic course on Sunday it was a small group of 4 Which meant that we had a lot of individual attention when we were practicising our new skills. I was able to learn and practice the art of cutting and breaking tiles and using nippers which was my aim. i was also able to see the breadth of mosaicing and the use of discarded crockery. It was a brilliant day Caroline was clearly very talented and knowledgable and it was a joy to see the work in her studio but she was so inspiring and made us see our own potential. There was a very relaxed atmosphere and i felt able to ask any questions i learnt a lot laughed a lot and just love mosaics, I would recommend this course for anybody irrespective of age, gender and experience who wants to try out this wonderfull art in a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere, i loved it. Karen Peers 9/11/2016"

9 Nov 16'

Genene James reviewed: Candle making workshops

"I was very lucky to win a charity fundraising raffle prize offering a workshop session with Angharad at Wax the Matter. I was given a very warm welcome into her family home and shared a very pleasant lunch with her family at no extra charge which was so nice. In her workshop we worked with several kinds of waxes and Angharad explained clearly how to make the different types of candles using oils to give a lovely smell to the finished products. I had never made candles from scratch and the workshop was so informative and I was able to learn quite a lot on the day. I was allowed to take home all the candles I made and I look forward to using them and thinking about the lovely experience I had making them with Angharad. She is a lovely lady and a very good teacher. The day was a great pleasure and I wish Angharad all the best for the future."

8 Nov 16'

Claire Hedley reviewed: Bespoke candle making workshop - Edinburgh

"What a fab course and an even wonderful teacher. Learnt so much about the candle world, in lovely surroundings and a very relaxed and friendly environment. Highly recommended"

8 Nov 16'

Adrian Smith reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"I really enjoyed my one day course with Colin. We covered a lot of ground in the time available, this included bowl turning, spindle turning techniques and sharpening. Colin's approach is very relaxed, he is patient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I would highly recommend the course."

8 Nov 16'

Nick Webb reviewed: An introduction to wood turning with Gregory Moreton (2 Days)

"A fantastic beginners course which I cannot recommend highly enough. I had inherited a lathe and tools a couple of years ago but had not been able to produce much but after 2 days with Gregory I feel confident and inspired. Gregory shared his knowledge of, and passion for woodturning in a way that made it very easy to learn and I came away with two very professional pieces. Oh, and the lunch was pretty good too. Many thanks, Gregory."