Latest reviews

28 Jun 15'

Paul Taylor reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"What a great day. I still can't believe I somehow thanks to Simon's guidance and patience turned a log into a dibber and a willow stick into a flower. What a brilliant day in a lovely woodland location. Thanks to Simon's inspiration I'm now planning to build my own pole lathe and create more masterpieces in wood."

28 Jun 15'

Monica reviewed: Weaving: the journey begins

"Thank you very much for lessons last week, very well structured, very patient! delicious lunch at Cargill's restaurant and overall a most recommendable experience. I enjoyed it very much."

28 Jun 15'

paul B reviewed: One day Traditional Lead Stained Glass Course

"Cant recommend Cheryl highly enough. A brilliant and inspiring teacher. I cannot believe what she enabled me to achieve, and so enjoyable in the process! Thank you!"

28 Jun 15'

deborah Butcher reviewed: One day Traditional Lead Stained Glass Course

"Had a truly wonderful day creating a stained glass panel with my best friend Tina - thank you Cheryl"

27 Jun 15'

Hilary Wrigley reviewed: Willow Kindling Basket- Beginners Log Bottomed

"A unique opportunity in unique surroundings. I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt the tutor was excellent, helpful and knowledgeable. I made a great basket - with help!"

27 Jun 15'

Claire Blade reviewed: Make silver jewellery using precious metal clay or silver clay

"Lovely, relaxing day. Toni was very knowledgable and helpful, she made the course easy to follow and I appreciated the worksheets we got to take home with us. Would definitely recommend, and I hope to attend some of her other courses in the future."

26 Jun 15'

Nicolene reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Everything about this course was informative and enjoyable. Our first briefing was on the safe use of tools, and we were given all the techniques and tips to stay safe, efficient and gain confidence. All the tools are in peak working order, and sharpened and polished to perfection. The workshop is impeccable, and with the emphasis on functionality. Martin's course is as honed as one of his spoons. It was perfectly paced and in line with our abilities, with enough time to absorb new information as we progressed. The tips and tricks he throws in are very valuable. Our course lunches were another highlight, as Martin is a great cook. I would recommend this course as a perfect introduction to spoon carving from a master craftsman. An unforgettable weekend!"

25 Jun 15'

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

"Another amazing weekend! this is the second time i have attended Dunja's courses. They are very well organized and flexible to the requirements of the group or the individual. Full of content and really fun to do as we tried so many different techniques, tools and types of fibers. Dunja's teaching is impeccable, very clear, able to respond to any question, demonstrating it first and then allowing us to do it. She is warm and encourage you without pushing. The sun shined all weekend, the farm and the surrounds looked fantastic and we had a delicious rubard cake!!! I'll definitely recommend it to any one. Ah! and thanks to Brian, he made us feel very welcome."

25 Jun 15'

Alan Greene reviewed: A fabulous introduction to fused glass - one day course

"A very enjoyable day to be creative using glass a new medium. I saw this course as a taster to understand what could be done with glass and managed to produce four pieces of work. A friendly atmosphere with good instruction, learnt a lot and would do this again."

25 Jun 15'

Rosalie Holland reviewed: Powertex fabric sculpted figure/Angel/Masai

"I had a fantastic time on my first powertex course. Annette was brilliant and helped me a lot with my angel sculpture. Me and my friend have already booked on a second course. Rosalie Holland5"

25 Jun 15'

Annette Boniface reviewed: Autentico Basic Chalk Paint Workshop - Hailsham, East Sussex

"Thoroughly enjoyed the course. It was fun and informative. If you are thinking of reinventing a piece of tired old furniture it is well worth learning how to do it properly. Can't wait to get painting the big stuff now!"

25 Jun 15'

Jon M reviewed: Introduction to traditional green wood turning course

"A fantastic experience in a wonderful location with an engaging, enthusiastic and patient teacher. This was a perfect introduction to turning and carving and I can only echo what other reviewers have said. Simon is an excellent communicator and guide, teaching not just the mechanics of the skill but also its the background and history. He was spot on in gauging and re-assessing my ability throughout the day and struck a perfect balance between delivering a challenging yet always enjoyable experience. Above all he was also great company: a sunny day in Snelsmore with a fire going, a brew on and the lathe turning - what a great experience! I cannot recommend this highly enough."

25 Jun 15'

Dave Swanson reviewed: Wood turning courses in the Midlands

"Like others, I was given the day as a present after recently buying my first lathe. Also like others, I hadn't stood in front of a lathe in 40 years so had much to learn. Mark's approach to finding out what I wanted to achieve was a great way of ensuring I came away satisfied. In nine hours together, Mark covered a vast range of aspects of wood turning and provide me with opportunity to get plenty of hands on experience, practicing both spindle and bowl techniques as well as learning about tools and how to sharpen them properly. Mark has also offered phone and email support and advice for the future as I take forward what I hope will become an interesting and productive hobby. Strongly recommended course."

25 Jun 15'

Kris Rothstein reviewed: Shoemaking Workshop

"The workshop was so fun and surpassed my high expectations! The pace was fabulous and nothing was too rushed - I always felt someone was on had to answer my questions and guide me through difficult bits. Everyone was lovely - the staff and my fellow students. My only suggestion is that it might be handy to have a handout for those that want one which gives a few of the basic terms, techniques and methodology - I know it couldn't be too specific as we all choose to make different shoes. However, having a reference to get a bit of a sense of the bigger picture before delving in could be helpful in knowing which mistakes are easy to fix or cover up or are not important! It would have been helpful to know which bits were the trickiest and most important while I was doing them. Now that I've completed a pair of shoes I have a sense of those but starting out it was so mysterious. I am very happy with my shoes and will recommend this and also I think I will come again!"

24 Jun 15'

Liz osullivan reviewed: Silk painting workshops

"An amazing day!!! I booked this wonderful workshop for my daughter and myself and we both had a fabulous day. Bridget is a wonderful and patient teacher. She made us fell welcome and at ease, and explained the process through to its intirety. Worth paying a visit!!!"

24 Jun 15'

Nick Barnaby reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"Wow what a top day and what a top bloke Mort is. Fantastic fun learning blacksmithing and making a piece of ancient military history (roman pilum) for me to use. We share a passion for history, his medieval (and so much more...), mine roman (and so much smaller...) and I came away with a lot more knowledge than I went in with that's for sure. Very relaxed, skillful and entertaining tuition with great attention to detail and more than happy to go the extra mile to make my piece authentic and highly accurate. If your a historical reenactor or enthusiast don't hesitate, get yourself some pictures/drawings to work with and a big packet of Jaffa cakes and Mort will most likely be able to help realise your ideas. Equally if your just interested in trying out blacksmithing don't hesitate, you'll come away with an amazing piece, a huge smile and great memories too, just don't forget the Jaffa cakes. Cannot recommend this course enough and I will return as soon as I can research new projects, Mort beware!"

24 Jun 15'

Tracy Hudson reviewed: Powertex fabric sculpted figure/Angel/Masai

"I recently went on my first Powertex fabric figure/Angel sculpture course and had a brilliant time. Annette was really helpful, patient and very knowledgeable about that products, she gave me lots of ideas and tips. I was so pleased with my figure and have had lots of compli5ments. I would recommend anyone to book on a course with Annette. You will be so impressed with what you can make."

24 Jun 15'

Lucy reviewed: Intermediary Glass fusing workshop with Laura Hart of Hart Glass

"A fantastic course! Laura covers a whole variety of different techniques, and allows plenty of time to try things out. As a teacher she offers support when needed, plenty of encouragement to try new things out, and suggestions to make things even better. Whether a novice with glass, or someone with experience, you will come away having learnt loads, but also with lots of hints and tips to give your pieces a more professional look. And you begin to get an understanding of the amount of work, time and skill that goes into making the sorts of beautiful pieces Laura makes! Overall I felt I learnt masses, in a way that I can remember and apply back home, and had a huge amount of fun along the way!"

24 Jun 15'

Stephanie reviewed: ‘Winter dream ' wool painting face-to-face textile art course in Worcestershire

"Raya's workshop was a wonderful experience and very therapeutic. It was fantastic to see our pictures grow and even with some guidance and instructions our pictures were quite different from each other. There was no pressure and plenty of room to be creative. I have learnt so much and feel inspired to rush home and make lots more !"

24 Jun 15'

Angelos G reviewed: Creative Vibe - Glassblowing Sessions

"I had a great day at Creative Vibe. I was a complete beginner and had a lot of fun learning a new skill and about the art of glass blowing. Ricky was patient, a good teacher and a pleasure to meet. Thank you, I will be recommending."

23 Jun 15'

Amanda Brawn reviewed: 5 Week Intermediate/Advanced Jewellery Making Class at Jewellery Workshop Leeds

"I've been attending this class for the last 18 months, following immediately on from the introductory course. Why am I still coming? Put simply, because I am still learning. It's hands on, with lots of one to one time from Bernard, and if you can imagine it, Bernard will help you create it. It's the perfect environment to develop your skills in whatever direction you choose. I would recommend without hesitation."

23 Jun 15'

Amanda Brawn reviewed: One Day Stone Setting Workshop at Jewellery Workshop Leeds

"Undertook this workshop just after the 6 week introduction course. You really do need to have mastered the basics of handling and cutting metal, filing, soldering etc as the workshop is an intensive day packed with lots of new skills to learn. Bernard and Jane made this lots of fun though and I came away with some lovely finished pieces and the confidence to make more. All this and there was delicious cake too!"

23 Jun 15'

Amanda Brawn reviewed: 6 wk Mixed Level Jewellery Making at Jewellery Workshop Leeds

"I originally booked this course because I wanted to learn a new creative skill. Over the 6 week period I went from being a complete novice to reasonably proficient. Bernard is an excellent tutor - very supportive and extremely knowledgeable. He and Jane also made the learning process really enjoyable. After that initial 6 weeks I was hooked and wanted to keep getting better so I immediately booked onto the intermediate course. 18 months later I am still attending - pushing my skills further and further with Bernard's expert help. Would recommend this course to anyone."

23 Jun 15'

Teleri Swift reviewed: Autentico Basic Chalk Paint Workshop - Hailsham, East Sussex

"Had a fantastic course with Pete.....he is amazing, very informative and patient!! It has now given me the confidence to paint furniture I have at home but was peviously scared of "ruining". I recommend booking on to one of Pete's courses....you will not be disappointed!!"

22 Jun 15'

Wayne reviewed: Box making weekend in Cumbria

"Just completed the box making course with Mark - June 2015. I'm an amateur woodworker with limited experience but with Marks expert tuition and guidance I managed to make a beautiful, high quality box that I can be very proud of. An excellent opportunity to learn new skills and improve knowledge. Relaxed approach in a well equipped workshop in beautiful Lakeland setting. I can thoroughly recommend the course."