Latest reviews

19 May 13'

Carolyn reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Excellent weekend. James breaks down the process into easily digestible chunks and guides you through each bit, making sure you are comfortable with each step before progressing. He has a wide range of colours of wool to choose from to design a scarf and by the second day you are happily weaving. What is great is that the expectation is that you will NOT finish by the end of the weekend so there is no time pressure. By the end of the second day you are weaving confidently and can then take the loom home to finish at your own pace. Because there are only 5-6 people in the class, James is able to give everyone the attention/help they need and manage the different speeds of progress. The atmosphere is very informal, friendly and welcoming with tea/coffee/biscuits available whenever anyone wants."

16 May 13'

Petra Rohr-Rouendaal reviewed: Raku with John Wheeldon

"The Raku course was very good. I enjoyed learning about two different types of Raku firing and it was good being able to go home with a sample pot. John Wheeldon was extremely helpful and answered all our questions. One suggestions- inevitable the participants will buy equipment from you and it would be better to have a least two staff members at hand to take our orders during the time we had to buy. Some of us missed John's teaching because we were queuing up to place our orders. Generally there was a bit too much time waiting around. Maybe we could have had a print out about the Raku technique we could read while waiting? Lunch was great and it was good to meet other people interested in the Raku firing."

15 May 13'

Karen Smith reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"Exceptional tutor, equal amounts of cheer + work...with a cosy scarf to end it all! Loved this course."

14 May 13'

JOHN COMMANE reviewed: Raku with John Wheeldon

"Right from the beginning the course was highly informative and easy to understand. John made the day very interesting and the final results were excellent. Time seemed to pass so quickly as we enjoyed the magic of RAKU. The facilities were very good and an excellent choice of food at lunch and a good supply of drinks all day. Thankyou"

14 May 13'

Stephen Williams reviewed: Raku with John Wheeldon

"Interesting course. Lots of waiting around though (understandably). A little more information on the history, science and practicability of the process would have been useful."

13 May 13'

Lionel Chilcott reviewed: A fabulous introduction to fused glass - one day course

"An incredibley Inspirational day that was fun, full of knowledge, and where I found a creative edge within myself that I did not know existed. I was quite nervous about attending, but Siobhan had a manner that made me feel really comfortable and able. Thoroughly enjoyed and would certainly recommend."

13 May 13'

nicholas ODH reviewed: Processes of Making

"best short course of 2013"

11 May 13'

Michael Obodia reviewed: Weekend stone carving courses on the beautiful Welsh/Shropshire border

"Very much excited and glad."

8 May 13'

Fran Gregson reviewed: Five day woodwork course - wood

"Richard is brilliant at challenging you just enough,so you get satisfaction from your work without feeling out of your depth. There is always another way of doing things if anything is a problem. Very relaxed but with great respect for safety, and his dog, Ash. is great too."

26 Apr 13'

Sue and Charley reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"As complete mould making novices, and having never been on a course at Potclays we did feel a bit apprehensive before arriving. But the staff made us very welcome and Ed swiftly put us at ease. We have now successfully used our moulds and have spent the last couple of days making more. All in all a very rewarding day worth every penny. If you book yourself on the course be sure to pre order clay and a bag of plaster to take away with you. Thank you Ed and Potclays we will definitely be back."

26 Apr 13'

Niky reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"I had a great day. The course was a brilliant introduction to mould making. Ed demonstrated various techniques, encouraged each of us in our own attempts and was generous with helpful advice and experience to ensure each of us produced our own mould/s. My mould is nearly dry enough to be used. The Potclays team were, as ever, extremely helpful and provided a great lunch and break-time refreshments!"

25 Apr 13'

Jo Menneer reviewed: Introduction to silver jewellery making workshop with Diane Lee

"I attended a silversmithing course with Diane. I absolutely love my ring and feel very proud that I made it myself. Diane was a great teacher – very clear instructions and a fun delivery. I will definitely recommend her to my friends!"

25 Apr 13'

Adrian Ford reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"I can thoroughly recommend Simon's day course in green woodturning using the pole lathe. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about an ancient skill at your own pace under the expert guidance of someone who's clearly enthused and knowledgeable about his subject. The whole experience was so relaxing you lose all sense of time, and the setting (at Snelsmore) is idyllic."

25 Apr 13'

kate m reviewed: A stool making day

"The stool making course I attended was a thoroughly enjoyable day, and really empowering for a complete novice. I walked away with a sense of achievement and an insight into a surprisingly broad range of woodworking techniques. The courtyard setting is beautiful and the teachers inspiring and fun. Our common sense of purpose as a group, and our shared experiences as we saw our projects develop brought a real sense of community and sharing to the participants. We all left with big smiles on our faces, and I still look at my stool with a sense of pride!"

24 Apr 13'

Margaret reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"Course: Educational, useful, valuable. General: Well tutored. Good fun. Food: Surprisingly good. Recommendation: Have already recommended it to many."

24 Apr 13'

Mike reviewed: Mouldmaking for Slipcasting with Ed Bentley

"This course was both great fun and very useful. It catered very well for a wide range of experience. Ed did a brilliant job of working with all the attendees on an individual basis, interspersed with appropriate demonstrations for the group. The course delivered exactly what it promised and was good value for money. As usual the catering was well up to the outstanding Potclays tradition!"

23 Apr 13'

Robert Folder reviewed: Photography Days

"I had a very good day with Sue and Richard and learnt a lot. They gave me a lot of very good information to help take better photos. They listen to what you want them help you from there. I would recommend any one to go on a course with Sue and Richard well worth the money."

16 Apr 13'

Btian Reeds reviewed: A stool making day

"I had a wonderful day making a stool from a spare bit of forest. The leaders show us how and passed on loads of useful tips and advice. It was a real insight, even for someone relatively familiar with wood. The day flew past and I am determined to do another course. The atmosphere was excellent and I came away full of good intentions. For once, I acted on them! I bought a draw knife and a froe (go on the course and you'll find out what a froe is) and set about making my own shave horse. Great stuff and highly recommended"

16 Apr 13'

Derek Snee reviewed: A stool making day

"Wonderful! I wholeheartedly recommend Big Tree Society courses. I have attended two so far and have learned so much from Eoin and Keith - two guys who are passionate about green woodworking and passing on their skills. The courses are great places to share thoughts with like minded people, learn, re-focus and be re-invigorated. I have caught the bug, built a workshop, and regularly use the shaving horse, chair and stool which I made on the courses."

15 Apr 13'

Kirsteen Woods reviewed: A stool making day

"I had an amazing day making a stool out of a tree. It was wonderful learning how to make a functional piece of furniture from green wood in just one day! It is a beautiful setting, with very knowledgeable and truly inspirational teachers. I highly recommend this course - sign up today - it is great value for money, fantastic fun, and you will leave with a great sense of achievement!"

15 Apr 13'

Linda Keith reviewed: A stool making day

"What a fantastic day I had 'down in the woods' making a willow chair! I had no previous knowledge which did not matter at all as the support and guidance was superb and I came home with a unique art piece for my garden. What's more I would love to make another one - a great experience."

14 Apr 13'

Mark Douglass reviewed: Five day woodwork course - wood

"I have always thought I would enjoy working with wood but with no real opportunity to find out. That has now been rectified as I have just completed Course 1 with Richard and Mark. Course 1 is a most enjoyable fun week in which you are guaranteed to learn an awful lot of wood working skills in Richard's Workshop. A great set up with loads of top quality tools and top quality guidance and instructions. I have completed this course with a massive sense of achievement and a super Spinning Stool which is taking pride of place. I am now trying to work out how I can set up my own workshop and get back for Course 2."

13 Apr 13'

Becky Walker reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"The best craft course I've ever been to!! Jane and her husband, Graham make you so welcome, with amazing home cooked food and a wonderful attic studio to work in. Views over the beautiful midlothian countryside and all the colours of wool you could hope for to weave from. Really inspiring lovely day out, really tailored to all abilities. Can't recommend a days tapestry weaving with Jane enough!"

12 Apr 13'

Sue Kane reviewed: Five day woodwork course - wood

"I have attended Week One and the followed it with a Week Two Course. I knew virtually nothing about woodworking beforehand but was trained by Richard and Mark in the use of hand tools and power tools. Their teaching was excellent and the small class numbers meant that we were never left waiting to find out what to do next. I thoroughly enjoyed the weeks and have two beautiful pieces of furniture to show for it! Thank you!"

10 Apr 13'

Janet Barnes reviewed: A stool making day

"Great training from great people at a great venue! Can highly recommend - great value for money."