Latest reviews

8 Sep 14'

Lynda hall reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"I thought that the first day was interesting and well planned however day 2 surpassed my expectations call the different textures and fibres were explained and we were allowed to design our own yarn. This was fascinating. Dunja is a very knowledgable spinner and us very enthusiastic in every aspect if the craft. Her instruction was both entertaining and clear. A day to remember"

8 Sep 14'

Lynda hall reviewed: Improvers Hand Spinning - Next Steps in Hand Spinning - at All in a Spin

"The 2 day tuition was excellent. Dunja started from raw fleece and worked through to finished wool. Explanation was perfect. A home made lunch with lots of tea and coffee were provided. A perfect venue."

8 Sep 14'

S.E reviewed: Encaustic art beginners class - paint with molten wax

"I did a class on Saturday and was amazed at the amount of stuff I produced and techniques I learnt. I am now an artiste!!!!and have the evidence to prove it. If you are thinking of doing this, book immediately. Toni is a fantastic tutor and she will tease the creativity out of you."

7 Sep 14'

SSs reviewed: Amazing encaustic art day course

"I did a 1-2-1 taster class with Phil and had an very enjoyable day. He has a very fun teaching style and fitted lots into the day. I left having learnt many techniques and had plenty of time to practice under his excellent supervision! I will definitely be returning to do more classes. Thank you Phil, you are a true inspiration."

7 Sep 14'

Dianne Watson-Payne reviewed: Upholstery and cushion covers with Jo Walton

"Brilliant traditional upholstery weekend in a sunny, well equipped studio. Small group size so plenty of one to one tuition & support from Jo Walton of the Urban Chair Company. Being surrounded by the incredible pieces she's created was inspirational. As was the camaraderie within the group. Jo has the skills of a master crafts woman, & the patience of a saint. Loved it! Thank you :)"

7 Sep 14'

Walter van Opstal reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"Fab day with a very friendly and helpful tutor. Lots of hands-on time with a very good balance between guided and independent work. Very welcoming and fantastic food too! Thank you."

7 Sep 14'

S S reviewed: Encaustic art beginners class - paint with molten wax

"I did a wax art course with Toni and was amazed at the number of techniques and pieces of artwork I produced. I thoroughly enjoyed the day, learning a skill I will continue to use. Toni is an excellent and fun teacher. She let us loose to experiment with lots of different media and colours and was very encouraging. If you want to learn wax art, book a class with her!"

6 Sep 14'

Miriam Sherman reviewed: Handspinning workshop

"Did the course yesterday and have only got good things to say about it: the setting ( although not really related to the course) is beautiful , a lovely farm in the Peak District. Diane is a wonderfully enthusiastic and patient teacher. She came with her brother and sister both spinners . Her knowledge and passion is wonderfully infectuous . Would love to keep this up, if I can."

5 Sep 14'

Roz Speirs reviewed: Kiln Formed Glass in Cornwall

"I attended Fi's "Further Fusing" 2 day course in August and still can't quite believe how many different techniques and areas we managed to cover and how many beautiful pieces of glass were produced as a result! Fi is extremely talented and experienced, and was so generous with the depth of knowledge and resources she shared with me. In addition, she is just a lovely person to be around and a great teacher - patient, calm and inspiring and happy to tailor the course content around my requirements and interests. The class was taught in her light and spacious studio gallery which was an amazing space to work in, with Paddy the dog for company too! Great value and highly recommended!"

5 Sep 14'

Mike Todd reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Fantastic day and have already started building my own forge! Mort is a great teacher, full of enthusiasm, patience and an absolute mine of knowledge. I got this day for my birthday and will deffinitly be going back once my own set up is up and running. Thanks Mort. P.S will need to tap your knowledge about the best way to make a truyer as they're a bit out of my price range new!! thanks again and see you soon Mike P.P.S already used the forge tongs I / we made so great tools to make on the day if anyone is in need of ideas"

5 Sep 14'

Ross Beveridge reviewed: A stool making day

"A great day all round. The course is fun, informative and the course leaders allow you to be as hands-on as possible while still being immediately available for advice and suggestions. I was given this course as a birthday gift and it was really enjoyable and has given me the knowledge and enthusiasm to continue woodworking in my own time as well as having a great little footstool to put my feet on after a hard days work! I can't recommend this course highly enough for anyone with an interest in having a go at working with their hands. Sign up today!"

4 Sep 14'

Tim Ford reviewed: Blacksmith Experience Day - North Norfolk

"My 8yr old son and I spent a day with James at the forge, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. The forge itself was worth a visit, with it's inherent history and magnificent setting in the estate buildings, and to have the opportunity to have a go at blacksmithing really made our day. James was patient, instructive, and helped us to both come away with an appreciation of the craft, and also something to hang on the wall: We made a toasting fork and key ring. Our day shared day, away from the modern day distractions of Apple and Nintendo, was some of our most memorable spent together, and we would love to do it again, next summer maybe."

3 Sep 14'

Tope reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"Excellent course, fantastic location and wonderful tutor. Really enjoyed the course and looking forward to the next one"

2 Sep 14'

Catherine reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"Gaynor and Enya are terrific teachers, and the two-day course is very well structured. I still find it hard to believe that I made such a beautiful hand-stitched tote in just two days. I came away knowing that I can now do simple leatherworking (as long as I practice soon so I don't forget too many things). I'm about to start making a little pouch like you'd use for a mobile phone (after I've practiced my stitching), and I've promised my husband a hand made belt, but that will have to wait until I feel confident enough to order the leather. I keep looking around rooms to see if there's anything that could be improved or mended by a hand-stitched leather strap or something."

29 Aug 14'

Jenny Watts reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"A really enjoyable and informative. I'd been reading about how to spin but it really does help to have a patient expert showing how it is really done. I've even managed to spin and ply another skein since the weekend. Dunja was friendly and welcomed us into her lovely home, so thank you for a great day."

29 Aug 14'

Jackie Cole reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"Came away from the one day course on a real high. Theresa is extremely knowledgable and so enthusiastic about her craft,her patience is never ending. Actually produced a skein of useable wool. Such a fun day in beautiful surroundings. Can not recommend the day too highly."

27 Aug 14'

Anna Davenport reviewed: 3 day traditional silver jewellery course

"I would thoroughly recommend Flux n Flame to anyone. I attended the 3-day course over the Aug bank holiday weekend and absolutely loved it! I feel very lucky to have found such a great course, brilliant workshop venue and tuition that is in my opinion, second to none, from Jesa and Ali. To spend time with, and learn from, two people who are truly passionate about their craft, is a joy in itself. I did just one day in May with one of their tutors, the lovely Heidi, and after making 3 silver rings, I was hooked! The group of people each time were lovely, friendly, helpful and it's inspiring to see what others have achieved. Lunch was fab, teas and coffees were flowing when needed, and 'cake and biscuits' were close by for those moments when my inspiration was ebbing! If you're wavering, don't - just book it. You won't be disappointed!"

25 Aug 14'

Trevor reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"This was my first time doing real woodwork since school and I really enjoyed it. Peter and his team of Kath and Jarv were all very approachable, patient and helpful, explaining each step in detail and then giving advice and help as we went along. It was really helpful Peter saying what we needed to have achieved in each half-day as that kept the pace steady. Lovely venue, too! Amazing to see at the end of the course that there were so many lovely and very different stools and tables all started from the same starting materials"

25 Aug 14'

Paddy reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Thank you George for a wonderful day. I can't believe I came away with such a beautiful bowl. My husband was soooo impressed. George you were clear and patient and we had fun producing this masterpiece. Thank you too Susan for a delicious lunch and endless cups of tea. I hope to come again to learn more. Paddy."

24 Aug 14'

Manon Gatehouse reviewed: Encaustic Art - What do you want to learn?

"A great day covering numerous different ways of using the wax, iron & stylus. All done in a very relaxed atmosphere but ensuring lots of new techniques learnt as the day progressed. Mel is excellent at what she does and ran the day perfectly tailored to my needs (ie I had a smattering of experience only when we started) and I came away with work of which I could be proud."

23 Aug 14'

Ruth Moore reviewed: Beginners Hand spinning - 'From fleece to fibre’ - at All in a Spin

"I had a fantastic day with Dunja learning to spin. She was welcoming and hospitable from the moment we arrived. I finished the day having spun two mini-skeins of yarn from fleece I carded, spun and plied myself. I really feel like I achieved something! Dunja is an excellent teacher - very relaxed and patient with our efforts and answering all our questions. She is great at allowing you to have a go at things but is there with helpful advice and tips if things start to go wrong. It's a great way to learn - because you do it yourself (and make the mistakes) you will remember how to do it next time. She has shared her knowledge of spinning all the way from fleece selection and preparation right through to plying the yarn. I now feel able to have a go myself and think (with practice) I can achieve some good results. I look forward to returning for the advanced course once I've had some practice! Oh and lunch was lovely too!"

21 Aug 14'

Gwen Casey reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"I attended a day long course to gain confidence in spinning. I achieved my objective. Elaine is an excellent teacher, being thorough, supportive and knowledgeable."

21 Aug 14'

Penny Schindler reviewed: Pembrokeshire Maddie Janes Mosaic

"I’ve dabbled with mosaicing before but learned so much more in my morning with Maddie and Penny and things that had previously seemed quite complicated were made simpler and with better results. Maddie and Penny seem to see endless possibilities in all sorts of unexpected things and I get the impression they innovate and discover constantly so I’m excited to see what new ideas they have come up with next time. I learned how to fuse pieces of glass in a microwave kiln to make gorgeous, unique tiles with exciting results and possibilities. The day was great fun and I’m looking forward to going back to learn and create more as well as to spend time with two inspiring and gifted teachers in a brilliant studio packed with heaps of exciting materials, ideas and inspiration. Thanks Maddie and Penny"

21 Aug 14'

J Muskett reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I spent the weekend at Fransham Forge with a couple of mates on the one day course which needless to say was our only regret, we should've booked the two day course! Nigel's knowledge of the art and his patience as a tutor were excellent made the whole experience unforgettable. Whilst working in the forge we had a great laugh, made some really good stuff that we could take back home and use and definitely appreciated Nigel's awareness of safety on site. The accomodation is set in a quiet and picturesque woodland surrounded by a miriad of sculptures and everything that we needed was provided. I will definitely be coming back."

19 Aug 14'

Dave Greenhalf reviewed: Introduction to green wood furniture making - two days

"I had a lovely couple of days at the centre. Peter was very patient and, despite becoming a father a few days before, gave us his full attention. His instructions were clear and every task was demonstrated. There were good sharp tools supplied to enable us to complete the tasks required. I ended up with exactly what I wanted, a guitar stool for my son. Tea and coffee were available at all times, as was support from Peter's very able helper Jav. I would recommend this course to anyone who is interested in woodwork. There is a freedom in this type of work that I have never found in other types of woodwork; I used to be a carpenter and do still make some things in a shed at home. The course is suitable for both the experiences woodworker, who, like me, always wanted to have a go at this greenwood work, or the complete novice who has never lifted a tool. I want to go back and do more!"