Latest reviews

22 Sep 15'

Peter Hibbit reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"I attended the single day course and had a great time. It was great to be in a working blacksmiths rather than in a classroom like environment, so I was able to see other work going on around us. I made 5 things in the single day. During lunch I was able to wander around the wood and look at the art work. A great day!"

22 Sep 15'

Julian hinchliffe reviewed: One day blacksmithing course

"Had an excellent day at the beginning of August blacksmithing with Julian where I made a toasting fork and hanging bracket. We hit it off as we had a several common interests."

21 Sep 15'

Jane reviewed: Realistic and Adorable Needle Felt Animals & Pets

"I had done a small amount of needle felting before and wanted to have a go at making a dog. The booking process was straightforward, the venue lovely and Sophie was patient and helpful, providing lots of useful tips and techniques. The group size was also good and lunch delicious. I was really pleased with my dog and am inspired to do a bit more."

21 Sep 15'

Judith reviewed: Spinning Lesson

"I can only reiterate what everyone else has said, it was an excellent course Thank you"

21 Sep 15'

Karen reviewed: Belt Making Workshop or Handbound Leather Journal Workshop

"I would encourage anyone to try this course. Clive and Wendy are such enthusiastic and knowledgeable teachers, you can't go wrong! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this course and I'm delighted with my finished item [I've showed it off to everybody I know!!] Thanks for your patient tuition Clive and Wendy."

21 Sep 15'

Darren Wilbraham reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I returned for the advanced course with Adrian as I had enjoyed the beginners course so much. This day was just as great and I was able to choose an item to make which feels like such an achievement. The cooking by Debbie was yummy yet again! I must say as well how much value for money you get on this course when you consider all the materials and food provided it's a very small price to pay for expert tuition! Thanks again."

20 Sep 15'

Michael reviewed: Introduction to Spoon Carving

"I had my first spoon carving experience with Chris in August, and I have to say that it was a thoroughly enjoyable day. Chris obviously knows his stuff when it comes to working with wood, and he shows a great passion and enthusiasm while he's teaching. He'll explain and show you all of the various chopping and carving techniques that you'll need to know, while letting you work at your own pace until you get the hang of things. If you've never done anything like this before I would highly recommend it."

20 Sep 15'

jim PALMER reviewed: Photography Days

"Having been overwhelmed by the apparent complexity of some of the settings on my digital SLR I had developed the habit of taking refuge in the "intelligent auto" setting. However, after an excellent day with Richard and Sue I now have the background knowledge and the courage to experiment. Photography suddenly looks a lot more fun. The tuition was patient and thorough and was thoughtfully divided between a morning on the shores of Ullswater and an afternoon in the studio looking at macro work. Technophobe or geek, there is plenty in this day for all. Make a booking or put the day on your Christmas list."

20 Sep 15'

Liz Murphy reviewed: 121 - An Introduction to Cold Process Soap Making

"I had a very special day with Emma on a 121 course. Firstly just being in Emma soap work room is a pleasure. It smells amazing and it is full of wonderful, colourful soap. The first part of the day was spent understanding the process. Emma is an excellent teacher and easily answered all my questions. The afternoon was then spent making soap itself with such a good understanding from the morning. I really enjoyed mixing, measuring, picking perfume and choosing colours. Finally I went home with loads of my own soap! Emma is kind, generous and lots of fun. It was a brilliant day and I'd highly recommend it."

18 Sep 15'

Kelly reviewed: Soy Wax Candle Making Workshop

"Thoroughly enjoyable. Have learnt a lot and am looking forward to putting my knowledge in to practice. Sakeena is a great teacher and really personable."

18 Sep 15'

Samantha Russell reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day, 1 person)

"My friend and I booked this course as part of our voyage of discovery into various crafts. We had a great day. We both made a bowl. Graham was really friendly and such a good teacher. Just the right balance between showing us / helping us and letting us do for ourselves. I would highly recommend this day for anyone who is interested in craft. Thanks Graham!"

18 Sep 15'

Heather Shepherd reviewed: One day leather work course - small leather goods

"This has to be the best course that I have been on! The amount of information and skills that I learnt in one day was brilliant. From the tanning process, to types of leather, tools, planning and techniques, to making my very own unique item which I am very proud of! All thanks to Jason, who is a fantastic teacher, very patient, gives you all the confidence you need to succeed and was open to my ideas :-) and what a wonderful relaxed space to work in, I can't wait to go back and learn some more. Thank you Jason."

18 Sep 15'

Keith Hanson reviewed: Wood turning courses

"Hi George, Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed my class with you yesterday. I came expecting to learn a little about woodturning, which I did, but I hadn't expected such a professional teaching session. I really appreciated you patience, your care re Health & Safety, the good lunch (please thank Sue for me ), the cups of coffee and, above all, the beech bowl you helped me to make. Thanks again, Keith Hanson"

18 Sep 15'

Ann-Marie Mulcahy reviewed: Glass Fusing and Slumping for Beginners and Improvers

"Can't recommend this course and the lovely ladies that run it. I have been taking their courses for over 2 years and despite now having my own kiln, I still attend their courses. I love that I get to meet up with other "regulars" as well as making new friends. At every course we learn new tools and techniques, have a fabulous lunch and still have lots of time to make our own designs. The venue is perfect, the tools and safety equipment all provided and in excellent condition. They have every possible colour of glass powders, hundreds of stencils to chose from and loads of ideas to help you produce some great end products. I have personally made: coasters, large and small plates, table top, light shade, candle holders, spoon rest, wall hangings, decorative waves and loads more. Tried others courses but this is the best one by far!"

18 Sep 15'

Tom Trident reviewed: 3 Day beginners Fused Glass crash course - Silver Zebra studio Cheshire - Est 2004 by one of the UKs leading glass artists

"I was looking for a course in fused glass that would give me the confidence in jumping in and having a go with my own kiln and I'm pleased to say that Deborah gave me skills with all the hints and tips I needed in starting out. It was a great class of people, very relaxed but professional and we all made at the least 12 projects in total [I even had chance to make jewellery pieces too] Deborahs 12 yrs in glass really does show and I don't think you could find a better tutor, her enthusiasm really rubs off on you. All in all an excellent weekend away with lovely people in a beautiful location, amazing food and I came away with all the skills I felt I needed to make a start in fused glass on my own. I couldnt recomend this course enough. I feel there are many glass courses to choose from but I can see that there is a difference between hobby style glass classes and studio glass which gives you some technical background without being scary, I also noticed the standard of projects we made and choice too. I have already booked onto the 3 day next step course and cant wait, my kiln is ordered and I know that I have someone to call on for help if I get stuck! Tom"

16 Sep 15'

Sarah Lock reviewed: PickOne weekend weaving course

"I attended the weaving course in February and I absolutely loved the course. I had held a long term ambition to learn to weave and this turned out to be the perfect course, what I liked most was that I learnt everything from choosing a weave pattern right through to threading the loom and weaving a scarf, I was totally absorbed in my task all weekend and he let me stay and weave my project on the monday as I had flown up to Edinburgh to attend. James is a delightful teacher who is enthusiastic, patient and warm in his approach. I may even attend again to refresh my skills."

16 Sep 15'

Jill Derbyshire reviewed: Stone Carving Workshop

"Excellent course for anyone wishing to take up stone carving. Oliver provided excellent tuition and encouragement and we all went away with a carving to be proud of and the enthusiasm to carry on. Fantastic home cooked lunches and snacks, good facilities and a brilliant atmosphere. I would highly recommend it."

15 Sep 15'

Andrew Scott reviewed: Wood turning courses

"I have just got home and have given Liz a full and detailed description of my 2 days with you,which can be described as 'fun','interesting' and more importantly an opportunity for an old dog(me!) to apply myself to something completely new.This turned out to be 2 days where I was able to forget that there is an outside world and spend time with you and Susan getting immersed in wood in all its shapes forms and potentials! The smells of the wood and your workshop were great and I really appreciate the care and attention you paid to me in explaining and showing and guiding my hand. Of course the 3 Bowls I brought home have been immediately put in pride of place as you come through our front door! And I have to say that I have slightly exaggerated how much time I spent on on them..... but they do look great and I am ,I think rightly proud of them. Thank you both for your excellent hospitality and some of the stories of your various 'rich' experiences,which I truly believe should be put into a book! All in all a big thank you and I look forward to the next stage. Best wishes Andrew"

15 Sep 15'

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

"It was what I needed-a creative workshop to get teeth stuck into. Caroline was wonderful, a great teacher and the group size was just right. It ended up being 3 participants in the end which was perfect as it meant we had the time and space to create detailed mosaics. Thank you Caroline for the giggles, music and yummy cake :)"

15 Sep 15'

Sabrina reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"It was an excellent course. Very skilled but at the same time simple. I would definitely recommend anyone to do it. It was great fun!"

14 Sep 15'

Stephanie Taylor reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day, 1 person)

"What a fantastic morning we had! My boyfriend and I were bought the experience as a birthday present and we had no idea what to expect. We had so much fun making candle sticks and bowls and we're delighted with the results - a great looking bowl we each made ourselves! Graham and his wife Chris are fabulous hosts, made us feel truly welcome. Graham is a great and patient teacher. Can't recommend this experience highly enough. We're telling all our friends and will be returning!"

14 Sep 15'

Mike reviewed: Woodturning courses in Hampshire - 2 days

"I did this 2-day course in May 2015. The reason it has taken me over 3 months to post a review is because the training Gary gave me has encouraged me to dive in, buy a lathe and some tools and get woodturning myself! Gary is a good teacher, explaining the tools and the techniques of turning. I found the course to be well-paced and the projects worked on a good introduction. The workshop is small and well equipped and there are a variety of woods to try turning with. Since I got my own equipment (based on a list of supplied during the course), Gary has continued to offer support by answering some of my beginners questions."

14 Sep 15'

Mike reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"I greatly enjoyed this course. Mark explains the steps, techniques and tools used to take selected timber and produce a professional-looking box. The workshop has a good range of woods available and Mark takes you through each stage of making a box and the variations you can have. I would recommend this course to anyone who has an interest in trying their hand at box making or craft woodwork in general. Starting as a box-making novice, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the result I achieved with Mark's tuition."

14 Sep 15'

Michael Hedge reviewed: Wood turning tuition, New Forest, Hampshire (1 day, 1 person)

"A very good introduction to wood turning. I came away with a very attractive fruit bowl. The instruction was very good for the group of 2. The only way it could have been better would be if it was 1 on 1."

14 Sep 15'

Mike Hamblin reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"I attended Simon's Basic Pole-Lathe Taster course. This was a really good introduction to basic green wood techniques for the complete novice. Simon takes you through the skills needed to use a pole lathe and you get to use those skills to make something to take home. He is an excellent instructor but made the whole day interesting and fun so that you come away inspired to do more. A great day out."