Latest reviews

11 Feb 15'

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

"I had a great learning to spin day! Dunja has so much knowledge, and she doesn't mind how many questions you ask. She also has a lot of patience - much needed for me with my spinning attempts! I'm now looking to borrow a spinning wheel so that I can continue with this new found hobby. The farm is in a beautiful location with stunning views. A day and money well spent I'd say."

11 Feb 15'

Sinead OB reviewed: Lampwork Beadmaking Half Day Taster

"Andy and Ruth at Kalypso Glassworks were fantastic. It was my first attempt at lampwork. I took the morning class, which started at 10am. Andy went over safety and the basics of lampwork beadmaking. Then Ruth took over to patiently walk me through making a few beads. They were both very friendly, knowledgeable and fun to learn from. It was an immensely enjoyable morning. Two days later my attempts arrived in the post - kiln annealed for strength and just the right size to fit on my charm bead bracelet. A really delightful experience and I would definitely recommend it to others. Thank you (-:"

11 Feb 15'

Aethne Cooke reviewed: Felt a landscape

"We were a group of 10 (6 adults and 4 x 10-13yr olds) at the Penquoit Centre in Pembrokeshire. The day was less technical than I expected, and I was amazed at the beautiful and varied creations that everyone made. 4 layers of wool took a long time to 'massage' into felt but the result was worth the effort. Sarah was easily able to cope with us all, and gave us the individual attention we needed. She was particularly good with the younger ones! Thank you Sarah. I am enthused to try it again sometime."

11 Feb 15'

Salem (Kuwait) reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"It's perfect."

11 Feb 15'

Jess reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"What a fabulous way to start on my journey into woodworking. I started the week with no previous woodworking knowledge (not even a lesson at school) and finished the week feeling like I could be a bespoke cabinetmaker (with a little more practice maybe!) Richard and Mark were brilliant teachers, instilling confidence from Day 1, they were helpful and patient without being patronising and never rushing or demanding, but letting everyone progress at their own pace. It was a fun and relaxed atmosphere, such a brilliant way to absorb the wealth of knowledge that was on offer - loved the lunchtime lectures, a great way to cover some really useful topics and discuss more general aspects of working with wood. Can't wait to come back and get stuck into Week 2, now I have more confidence with the basics and a lovely collection of very sharp chisels there'll be no stopping me!!"

10 Feb 15'

Tim Poate reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"Superb course. Great workshop with plenty of tools to try out and get used. Excellent support and advice on all aspects of woodwork. Friendly and welcoming style, very relaxed. I look forward to future courses."

10 Feb 15'

Suzanne walter reviewed: Jewellery making - Beautiful stitched vintage cuffs

"I had the best time at The Making Boutique producing beautiful accessories. Amanda's teaching methods were brilliant and kept us all hooked and eager to learn even more. The tea and cakes were great and the workroom is beautiful. We would recommend this workshop, and have already booked my crafting hen party for later in the year for the fabulous fascinator creations. Cant wait !!!"

10 Feb 15'

Blue Powell reviewed: Felt Hat Making course (intermediate level)

"Making a hat is great fun - I thought we might have to do a wet Indian head massage with soap like we did for our feet to make slippers but luckily Lorraine had some formers to work on. I had a design in mind but trying on the range of felt hat examples supplied sent me off on a tangent and a new idea. After a Spike Milligan impression part way through the process, my hat magically shrunk to a perfect fit: I shall wear it with pride! Felt is a wonderful scuptable material to play with: the possibilities of colour and form explode the imagination."

10 Feb 15'

Andreas Dracocardos reviewed: Introduction to Spoon Carving

"Chris and I have been chatting for a while on a wood carving forum and he's always been unbelievably helpful, but there's only so much information that can be passed through a computer. Spending a day with Chris was not only fantastic fun but the amount of new and improved skills I now have is amazing. Everything was covered from sharpening my tools back to a forge sharpness, chopping block work and design, wood choice, axe work, knife work and many more things. As per everyone else the food was as perfect as the scenery and even the February temperatures didn't dull spirits. I've definitely noticed an improvement in my designs and finished carvings. I'm looking forward to the weekend course Chris will be running later in the year and will be booking myself in for more carving fun. For anyone who wants to begin carving all the way up to turning a hobby into a business, Chris can teach the relevant skills required."

10 Feb 15'

Paul Le Baigue reviewed: Wood turning courses

"A brilliant day well spent. I learned something new that's inspired me for the future, I started and finished something all in one day (something I find hard at the best of times) and I made something that was as perfect on the back as at the front! George is extremely knowledgeable, patient and passionate and with tea throughout the day and lunch thanks to Susan I can wholly recommend."

10 Feb 15'

Rebekah reviewed: 2 day Pottery Courses Handbuilding and Throwing Malmesbury

"I went to Roki Pottery on 7th and 8th of February 2015 for one of the weekend courses. There were three of us in total plus Kim one of the owners of Roki Pottery. We had the option to hand-make either a clay box or pig and then were shown how to throw clay on the wheel and make a bowl and vase. The lunch on both days was really lovely and the atmosphere was very relaxed with lovely gardens and views of the surrounding landscape. Kim was a really brilliant teacher, she was very fun, and her sense of humour puts you at ease. She was always on hand to help whenever you get stuck or wanted artistic expertise and I learnt so much during the two days. I will definitely be going back to do the four day course later in the year."

10 Feb 15'

Kev Collins reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"This was a fantastic gift, the day was amazing and fun, really enjoyed myself , I would highly recommend this experience day . Good tuition, good food, good company all in all a top day, can't wait for my next visit :)"

10 Feb 15'

nicola durbridge reviewed: Intensive 2 day mosaic course with Claire Cotterill Mosaics @ Martineau Gardens, Birmingham city centre, West Midlands.

"just spent a FABULOUS day making a mosaic tile with 3 friends - under Claire's kind and skilful guidance. she is a brilliant artist of course, but somehow gave us beginners the confidence and guidance needed to design, cut tiles, stick them down and end up with something highly memorable and not that bad looking. I was delighted to find there was more arty flexibility to this craft than i expected...and the glittering colourway potential is intoxicating! the custard Factory itself is worth the entrance money. DO IT!"

9 Feb 15'

Sarah Rand reviewed: Intermediary Glass fusing workshop with Laura Hart of Hart Glass

"I was lucky enough to get a slot for 3 days in Laura's studio. Being a complete beginner I found Laura's teaching fantastic! Not only did she have the patience of a saint, when I made mistakes, she guided me through each step with perfection and ease. I would highly recommend her glass course and can't wait to return again. I made a beautiful candle glow and learnt alot about cutting, kiln times, fusing and design. Hart Glass, rocks!"

8 Feb 15'

Hazel Dorrington reviewed: Rag Rug Half Day Workshop - Hertfordshire

"I have just an introductory course on 7/02/2015 at Ragged Life with Elspeth Jackson. She was a great teacher and very inspirational. Can't leave rag rugging alone now as I have all the equipment and knowledge to finish the cushion cover I started at the course and have the hessian and know how to do a rug. What a lovely morning we all had."

8 Feb 15'

Tracey Maw reviewed: MON 3RD AUGUST: ‘Cutting the Curd’ Cheese Making

"I really enjoyed the whole day, was amazed that I actually made cheese that was edible! Louise was really helpful and informative and I felt confident enough to try the recipes at home. Seeing and feeling each stage of making the cheese was extremely useful. Would recommend the course to everyone."

8 Feb 15'

Pam Calvert reviewed: Rag Rug Half Day Workshop - Hertfordshire

"A helpful introductory course for complete beginners taught with great passion and enthusiasm for the subject. Too short to really get very far with individual pieces but everyone on my course went away keen to apply their learning ."

8 Feb 15'

Sally England reviewed: Creative laser cutting

"Just back from two days learning about artistic laser cutting, been playing with fabric,slate and stone, made some wood printing blocks ! Plenty of help with the computer stuff and the more technical side in a calm ' yeah you can try that ' atmosphere; also told what I couldn't do!!! Good lunch and lots of drinks. If you want to find out what laser cutting will do this is a good place to start."

8 Feb 15'

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

"I had a fantastic day..Dunja is a brilliant teacher and I now feel confident to spin on my own.She provided a lovely lunch and as much coffee and tea that one could drink !!.Nothing was too much trouble and I can guarantee anyone who books the course will have fab time. I am at this point in time, already washing a fleece ready to practise with, can't wait for it to dry !! need to be patient."

8 Feb 15'

emma vann reviewed: Ceramic moon gazing hares

"We went as a group of four yesterday to the hare course and it was excellent. We had an amazing time and I couldn't believe how good our hares turned out. I can't wait to get mine home to put him in pride of place and we are all now arguing over who made the best hare! (Mine was the best of course :) ). Linda showed each stage of the process very clearly and everyone got the instruction they needed. I would heartily recommend this course!"

7 Feb 15'

Paul Temme reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A day that transports you to a different world - one unfortunately largely hidden today. Mort skilfully guided me and my 15 year old son (beginners) through many of the blacksmith techniques to enable us to complete 3 iron "treasures" for us to take home to use and decorate our house and garden. Mort's patience and rescuing - abilities mean that the atmosphere is unhurried and relaxed but you still come away with an amazing amount of knowledge and perhaps the start of a new set of skills."

7 Feb 15'

Andy reviewed: Beginners Willow Weaving Course

"Very informative and fun, in a unique setting - would highly reccomend!"

7 Feb 15'

Kate and Kevin reviewed: Enamelling on copper

"We had a fantastic day with Dilys at her studio and could not be more pleased and encouraged. We are complete beginners and had no experience of enamelling whatsoever. We both made 3 pieces under expert guidance and were made to feel that we could do anything! Her calm approach to teaching was so encouraging. If you've had any thoughts of trying this, just do it. It's great and Dilys made us feel like professionals!"

7 Feb 15'

Steve Hadfield reviewed: Five day woodwork course - tools

"An excellent 5 days. I arrived with minimal woodworking skills and left full of enthusiasm and ambition to learn more. Richard and Mark could not be more friendly or helpful and were anxious to tailor their teaching to each students individual needs. I will be back for more sometime in the future."

7 Feb 15'

Lorraine reviewed: Stained Glass Garden Mosaic with Sue Smith

"Located in her own workshop set in stunning countryside, the lovely Sue takes you through the techniques necessary to cut glass and design and make your own mosaic. A thoroughly relaxing, friendly course with as much support given as you need. Am planning to rebook so would recommend."