Latest reviews

29 Mar 16'

Ben South reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I was given a day course with Nigel for my Christmas present this year. I've never done it before, but it was very good fun and I learned a lot in what was a solid day. Nigel certainly has some stories to tell and some very impressive creations to show. I thoroughly recommend course for anyone interested in making things themselves, it was really great fun."

29 Mar 16'

Justine reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"What a brilliant course!! My husband bought me the two day course as a very inspired Christmas present even though I had never done any leather work before. I'd tried all sorts of different crafts from upholstery to rush weaving but the two days spent with Jason in his workshop was inspirational. He has such enthusiasm and a real love of his craft which is very infectious. He is happy to share his knowledge and teach the skills required to make a truly amazing bag you can't believe you actually made yourself! Jason is very patient and his studio has a very relaxed atmosphere with great views over the hills. A hugely enjoyable and therapeutic two days well spent..... I shall be back for more!"

29 Mar 16'

Helen Hatt reviewed: Standing Wool Christmas trees and baubles

"brilliant workshop totally recommend it ! learnt loads of simple techniques for great effects, i didnt even know there was that many different techniques to make rag rugs!, really felt like helping to preserve the secrets of an ancient craft, the instant flowers straight on to hats were masterfull too and i came home with a piece i love and the tools and knowledge to try a few cool, new (to me!) techniques. Sue really knows her stuff and created a passion in us all for something all our grannies used to do! thank you Sue cant wait till next time."

28 Mar 16'

Luan reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"The girls love crafts and it is perfect thing for them in the holidays, they are always so pleased with what they make and enjoy showing everyone."

28 Mar 16'

Simon reviewed: Animal Sculpture Workshops

"Came and did willow Reindeer had a magical day in the Yurt log fire burning lots of attention from Willow the dog and excellent teaching to produce our beautiful deer's there were eight of us on the course and each deer ended up with its own unique personality, I've already asked my family to let me do another course (I fancy a pig!) I await fathers day in anticipation, many thanks for a lovely day X to those who are unsure book it it's great fun !!!"

28 Mar 16'

Sandra Hobson reviewed: Animal Sculpture Workshops

"My Daughter and I have attended three courses now, the deer, pig and hurdles, all now have pride of place in the garden. We have had a fantastic day each time with great company and excellent instruction. We shall be doing more workshops with Leilah, I am sure."

28 Mar 16'

Alex reviewed: Willow basket workshops

"I had a wonderful day on a willow basket making course with great tuition from Leilah (one to one when needed - and I did need it!). Lovely location (I LOVE the yurt!), coffee, cake AND I managed to produce an amazing and unique basket that exceeded all my hopes when I first booked the day (bigger and sturdier than I'd ever hoped for). I was able to choose the finish of the willow I wanted to work with and, having spoken to Leilah before about what I wanted the basket for, was able to create something that perfectly fitted my needs. It gives me great pleasure to look at and use."

28 Mar 16'

Ann reviewed: Willow basket workshops

"Attended a willow basket making session last year. Had one to one tuition, made a very useful basket and was fed cake too! All this in a yurt in an orchard. Would heartily recommend to anyone."

28 Mar 16'

Bethany reviewed: Animal Sculpture Workshops

"We had a fabulous day making a deer in the Yurt. Having never done anything like that before we were nervous but Leilah helped us at each step and made it totally doable. Our family couldn't believe we'd made them when we got home! A year later they still look great in our gardens and attract much attention!"

28 Mar 16'

Peter Griffiths reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"The weekend course for complete beginners was the most outstanding course I have ever attended. How refreshing to have a tutor who is a professional teacher imparting his expert knowledge. Patient, positive, encouraging, knowledgable and extremely courteous and a pleasure to be with. I have only high praise for my experience and I can now warp a multishaft loom, weave and have an insight into textile patterns. The loan of the loom to finish the project commenced on the course is extremely generous and rewarding to consolidate what has been learnt. It was a 5 to 6 hour journey for me to attend and I will be travelling back for more tuition. Yes, it is worth it."

28 Mar 16'

Janis H reviewed: Animal Sculpture Workshops

"The first workshop I attended I made a willow pig. As I was going by myself I was a little nervous as I had never done any willow weaving before. I shouldn't have worried as Leilah, the tutor, was very welcoming and has an excellent teaching style. I loved it and it actually looked like a pig and has pride of place in my garden. I am now addicted and will attend more classes. I would recommend that everyone tries it at least once !!!"

28 Mar 16'

Jane H reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"Thank you Jamal, a very informative and interesting day, and I was so pleased to come away with a finished stained glass panel to my own design! Really enjoyed it, thank you."

27 Mar 16'

Alison Katte reviewed: Introduction to silk painting - workshop at The Mulberry Shed

"Myself and two friends had a great day with Sheila at the Mulberry shed making a long scarf and a smaller square. We had never tried silk painting before but Sheila set us up and explained the techniques we needed and we each produced some lovely items we were proud of. All the materials we needed were included in the cost as well as tea, coffee and biscuits! Sheila is a great teacher and talented artist and is enthusiastic about teaching others her art. I would recommend this course to anyone. We had a lovely day. Thank you Sheila."

27 Mar 16'

Lisa Moore reviewed: Private Workshop - Make a Pair of Beautiful Fused Glass Coasters with Gemma Truman & Michelle Keeling - Manchester Craft and Design Centre

"Really enjoyed the workshop - it was pitched just at the right level for me as a complete beginner, every stage was explained clearly and I left with a very good understanding of the process. It was also a really fun class and I was made to feel very welcome. Thanks again to both of you, and I hope to be on more of your workshops in the future"

27 Mar 16'

Carole H. reviewed: Make a silver ring or bangle

"I have visited Lucy twice, and I am already planning my next visit. It’s great to have 1-1 tuition of the highest standard in a wonderful, well-equipped studio. I have learned many techniques - some of which are devised by Lucy herself, and not found in books - and I have learned to produce work finished to a professional standard. It’s a nice touch that Lucy later sends a set of photographs of work-in-progress, as well as the finished pieces; that’s a helpful reference to the techniques used. The days have been fun, with lots of tea and inspiration!"

27 Mar 16'

Keith Franklin reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I was bought a 2 day blacksmith course as a Christmas present with Alex, and was not disappointed. Alex is a very patient and knowledgeable instructor with a passion for his work and encourages you have a go at whatever you want to design and make. He keeps you topped up with tea and biscuits whenever you need a break, and the Amberley museum is a great place to have a go at being a smithy. I was pleased with the items I made which was a rams head poker and a large standard light, which was quite challenging due to the size of the piece, but Alex kept me on track and I was pleasantly surprised to get in finished by the end of the second day. I would definitely recommend him to complete beginners or those with some blacksmith experience looking to expand their skills."

26 Mar 16'

Simon Quy reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"My daughter, Madi had a great time with Willow Witch of Pendle. She said making a small basket was great fun and really easy to do. It was really pretty with coloured ribbons and loved showing her friends at school. Sally-Anne is a natural with children helping to build their skills and confidence to complete the project themselves. We will be booking further rural craft workshops for her."

26 Mar 16'

Peren Binion reviewed: Landscapes in Fleece

"I made a beautiful easter basket that I filled with mini Easter eggs last year. Sally-Anne gave easy to follow instructions which resulted in a great end result. I still use if for displaying blossom in springtime. Thank you"

26 Mar 16'

John and Jane Knuckey reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"We have just spent about 30 hours of intense learning how to turn wood on a lathe with Mark. We ran through the basic principles and began using the various chisels, and because of his straightforward method of teaching we are now ready to begin work as woodturners -albeit novices. Mark was throughout really helpful, patient and encouraging, there wasn't a moment when he was not available, and was good humoured and nice to work with."

26 Mar 16'

Judy Smith reviewed: 'Art of Stained Glass' - Oldbury, Birmingham

"Thank you Jamal - I brought my friend with me and we both attempted a challenging design - considering we had never done any leading before and, Jamal had to help 2 people at once... So I had to go back for a second day to complete mine. But I am absolutely thrilled with what I produced. Jamal showed me how the accuracy of every little bit of work matters enormously. He provided everything one needs - and what a lot of things one needs to do this absorbing craft. I learnt a huge amount - and if I get the chance will return to do another project - perhaps being a bit more realistic with my aims!"

26 Mar 16'

Jim reviewed: Intermediate woodworking course

"I have just completed the intermediate course having attended the beginners course last year. This one was much more challenging, it actually spread to 11 nights rather than 10. I consider myself a woodworking novice (and a bit ham fisted), but with Ciarans patient tuition I managed to produce a quite reasonable looking table. I really enjoyed the course and learned a lot. Ciaran is very amiable and an excellent teacher. I would thoroughly recommend this course."

26 Mar 16'

Margaret Embleton reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"I've spent two days with Mark turning a lump of wood into a beautiful aromatic bowl. He gave plenty of advice before starting to work on the wood about why the tools were used in a particular way How the grain of the wood affected the use of the tools. While turning he gave advice on improoving technique.. All this was followed up with copious notes and advice on equipment to buy. I left with the confidence to go back to my lathe and turn another lump of wood into a bowl. Well worth the money."

25 Mar 16'

joan chan reviewed: Plaster mould making for slip cast ceramics with Ed Bentley

"Just spent 2 days on Ed's mould making course, i made a complicated shape in clay which Ed showed me how to make a mould of for slip casting. I had previously done a ceramics degree, which did cover mould making but unfortunately i wasn't really paying much attention to it, Ed covered so much information that what i had done all came back, only now, i had a totally one to one tuition and every question was answered and expertly shown how to do the process. I was expecting just to get my mould made but was taught so much more, the difference in plasters, which tools to use and how everyday objects can be used, how what i have in my own pottery studio can be used to turn the plaster etc etc. You don't just get the tuition, you meet a genuinely nice generous guy, who has the skill and confidence to share what he knows"

25 Mar 16'

Graham King reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Having dabbled with woodturning for the last 12 years or more, I'd never really got to grips with bowl turning or really found a reliable way of sharpening my turning tools. Trying to find any kind of turning course locally had proved to be an impossible task until recently, my wife met a friend of hers who was eagerly looking forward to a bowl turning course at West Dean College. At last, a course seemed possible and the college website was eagerly searched and a booking made for a weekend of turning with Mark Hancock. What an amazing weekend it was - the college and surroundings are so inspiring and the tuition from Mark was first class. We were a varied group of 6 individuals and experience of turning but Mark showed great patience in dealing with numerous catches of tool and wood and going over the main points as we worked. I'm pleased to say that we all went home with a bowl turned from green wood, with a great feeling of satisfaction and achievement. Even in our free time, over meals or in the bar, Mark gave us lots of advice and an insight into the creative process that professional turners employ. True to his word, I received an email today with further information on lathes and other equipment I'd asked for. A very comprehensive list which will involve further research. I'd love to do another course with Mark once I have had a chance to refine my bowl turning skills. In the meantime, thank you Mark for a memorable weekend."

25 Mar 16'

Daisy reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Elaine put on an afternoon taster workshop in our bookshop which certainly attracted attention. The feed back from our customers was very positive and several of them booked onto courses. Others bought books!! Thanks for a successful collaboration."