Latest reviews

8 May 16'

Jenny reviewed: Wood turning courses

"A very patient man working with a novice kept me safe all the time. Made very welcome by George and his wife Sue. Excellent tuition so much so that I want to go for further lessons."

8 May 16'

Mike reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thanks very much for the woodturning experience last Friday. It was a very pleasant and relaxed day. I was pleasantly surprised by the bowl I managed to make, and Liz was very pleased with it too!"

7 May 16'

Sheena Hallybone reviewed: Glass blowing morning at Shakspeare Glass

"Awsome workshop today, made some fab pieces of glass, will was on hand the wholetime, talking us through each section. Thoroughly enjoy the whole process. Would definitely go again and recommended to others"

7 May 16'

K Campbell-Legg reviewed: Upholstery and furniture restoration - Weekend course

"The class is really fun - interesting people - a great tutor - and learning a new skill- what could be better. If you've got an old chair that needs some love and attention this is the place to go."

6 May 16'

Sam reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"I Wanted to try a blacksmithing experience, I looked online and found this course. I can highly recommend the course as Chris is a very helpful and a patient teacher and works with you in a step by step manner so you can fully understand the processes and produce two professional pieces of work. If you want to try your hand at blacksmithing this is an excellent course to have a go."

5 May 16'

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

"Spent a wonderful day learning wet felting with Toni. I finished three projects an iPad cover, a picture and the makings for a flower. Toni is warm and friendly and a wonderful teacher. Thank you Toni :)"

5 May 16'

Mike Ferneyhough reviewed: Blacksmithing for Beginners - Full Day Forging for One

"An excellent course and a fantastic day Chris is a skilled blacksmith, a great teacher and made us feel at ease straight away. I booked this as a birthday present for my Dad and when booking Chris suggested I came along as well and we did the course for two - I'm so glad I did ! If you have never done it you should try it there is something elemental and quite amazing about heating up metal and being able to shape and bend it almost like plasticine. We went at a nice relaxed pace Chris demonstrating when each of us taking turns on our own work. We made an artistic leaf shaped keying although you are hitting things with a hammer its quite delicate work. The highlight for me was having a go a fire welding - where you almost melt the metal and the sparks really fly ! I've looked back at the photos while I was doing it and I'm grinning from ear to ear. Definitely Recommended."

4 May 16'

Michael Harvey reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I can only echo what previous reviewers have said - what a fantastic day I had with Mark. Having only ever used a metal turning lathe some 30 odd years ago I was a bit wary of coming across as useless! I needn't have worried. His teaching style suited me and the way he puts things across made it so easy to learn - tools, techniques and plenty of background info. What this man doesn't know about wood turning probably isn't worth knowing. I would whole heartedly recommend anyone who is thinking about wood turning as a hobby spend a day with him. In fact, as it might be a while before I get myself a lathe, I'd go and have a refresher day with him no problem."

4 May 16'

AO (Spring 2015) reviewed: Children's Book Illustration - Nottingham Trent University

"Brilliant course. I enjoyed how thorough our tutor was in making sure we were happy. The schedule was well-defined, and I was able to get a large amount of work done that I am more than happy with. This has made me consider the MA Illustration course taught by the same tutor."

4 May 16'

FP (Spring 2015) reviewed: Children's Book Illustration - Nottingham Trent University

"I really enjoyed the structure of the course – it really focussed my ideas! And the tutor is very passionate about what she does."

4 May 16'

Megan Humphries reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving

"I went having never tried weaving before and I can honestly say it was one the most enjoyable and rewarding workshops I have been to. The entire group finished with a beautiful weaving within the given time of the session. Wonderful experience! Has inspired me to take up weaving myself!"

4 May 16'

Ceri Jones reviewed: Candle making workshops

"I've just spend a wonderful day making candles with Angharad in beautiful rural west Wales. The course was everything I'd hoped it would be. Good combination of theory and practical skills, using all different combinations of waxes, essential oils, colours et. Angharad is an excellent teacher who gives you the confidence to try different things and not to be scared of making mistakes. Atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, as were the dogs. Can't recommend this course highly enough for anyone wanting to develop candle making skills. Also had a lovely lunch and chat. Great to have an assortment of candles to take home and impress the family. A brilliant day!"

4 May 16'

I. May reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - Beginners and improvers wood turning courses - Turn British, all British lathes!!

"As a cabinetmaker I have been looking for quite some time to introduce turned design details as part of my furniture portfolio. As an initial step towards this I enlisted the help of Andy Browne. The day spent with him in his workshop proved to be 'just what the doctor ordered'. His level of expertise in all matters woodturning was a joy to behold.... materials, tools, their preparation, sharpening and uses, finishing materials and techniques (his textured and coloured workpieces were real eye openers!). It was all there in the most wonderfully equipped workshop imaginable. All that coupled with Andy's easy going nature and relaxed teaching style made for a very enjoyable and fruitful day.... I will be returning soon and can't recommend it highly enough to any one wishing to start learning, or to increase their existing skill level in woodturning."

3 May 16'

Robin Seccombe reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"It would appear that everyone gives Alex a Five Star review and I have to agree with them all. I had a great day making (like many others) a Rams Head Poker and yet feel I had created something unique. Alex makes the whole experience interesting and fun taking you through each process but leaving you to do all the work on your piece, whilst keeping a watchful eye, so if you do go wrong he'll point it out before any disaster occurs. This was a Christmas present that I was never going to guess, I hadn't done any Metalwork since I was at school in 1972, yet thanks to Alex I walked out with my poker and everyone (thus far) has been mightily impressed – and it works a treat in our wood burner. Thanks for a brilliant day Alex."

3 May 16'

Helen crowe reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"We had a lovely day with Elaine.She was a perfect hostess and teacher - so incredibly patient.I now feel that I have got to grips with my spinning wheel and all I need to do now is practice....I learned so much from washing fleeces through to spinning yarn and to come away with a self made ball of yarn at the end of the day was a very satisfying bonus!"

3 May 16'

Dave reviewed: Stained Glass Workshop - Two Day

"A christmas gift from my wife, after I had mentioned I would like to try making some stained glass items for our new 1930's home. Although I had some experience, the class I was with had a variety of knowledge levels but Dawn and Jan were very attentative and specific to every individual. I managed to make two items which are now proudly hanging up in our bay windows and we very much enjoy them, even more as I have made them myself. If you have any interest in attempting any sort of stained glass activity I highly recommend!"

3 May 16'

Amalina reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Brilliant! Gave me a new experience and knowledge in candle making."

3 May 16'

Dilshod reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Amazing class done by Sakeena. Expectations were overwhelming! Cannot wait to show what I have done to my friends."

3 May 16'

Anon reviewed: Build a cob oven

"Excellent practical enjoyable course."

3 May 16'

Anon reviewed: Build a cob oven

"Matthew was very clear and kept us interested right up to the end"

3 May 16'

Anon reviewed: Introduction to Keeping Pigs (Part 2) - one day course

"Very happy; it was all very relevant and interesting"

3 May 16'

Anon reviewed: Introduction to Keeping Pigs (Part 2) - one day course

"Very informative, lots to go home and think about"

3 May 16'

Anon reviewed: Introduction to Keeping Pigs (Part 2) - one day course

"Enjoyed all of it! Thank you Noelle"

3 May 16'

The Bug Farm reviewed: M

"Maddie has run a number of workshops at The Bug Farm and every one has been brilliant. Maddie ran different mosaic sessions for both adults and children and everyone who took part came away absolutely buzzing with the skills they had learnt and a beautiful mosaic to take home too! The range of materials provided was fantastic and the workshop was set up to allow you to progress at what ever speed suited you. Maddie was helpful, kind, extremely patient and professional and as a participant in one of her workshops myself, it was an absolute pleasure to be part of."

3 May 16'

Adrian and Lesley Muxlow reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"We did the one day course for 2 people in April 2016. It was a fantastic day, full on enjoyment. We learnt so much from Ricky and having never worked with glass before, came away with a handful of pieces each. Ricky's patience is exemplary. He took time to explain the why's as well as the how's and demonstrated each step of the process. I can thoroughly recommend this course. We had a superb day."