Latest reviews

6 Feb 15'

jenny rackford reviewed: Jewellery making - Beautiful stitched vintage cuffs

"We had a fabulous time on this fun and exciting workshop. I purchased this workshop as a gift for me and my mum and we both thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Amanda is a wonderful teacher with lots of energy and enthusiasm which was inspiring. Tea, cakes and some great background music as well as learning a new skill.. who could ask for more... Cant wait to come back with my friends and sister. x"

6 Feb 15'

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

"An excellent course in a welcoming and inspiring environment. Peter and Jav were very generous with their extensive knowledge and experience. Thank you - I will be back for the Chair Making course."

6 Feb 15'

Tim Peacock reviewed: Screenprinting weekend with Liam Biswell

"I’ve done perhaps a handful of plates previously, in one hour taster sessions. Liam’s informal and encouraging approach was perfect for me, as was the level of personal attention allowed by the class size. He is experienced in many processes and took the time to find out what we were all interested in before the class convened. The processes and timing for the weekend were then adjusted accordingly. He was flexible throughout, and, for example, quite prepared to accommodate those who wanted to continue with one process instead of moving on with the rest of the class. He was also encouraging of experiment. A full two days isn’t nearly enough time, but is so much better than two-hour evening classes. To make the most of the time available I’d suggest coming well prepared with ideas and designs of the appropriate size (just ask). However, Liam came with a stack of print- and art- magazines which are a good source. The purpose built Phoenix studio is spacious and light, and Liam is very well organised with materials and equipment."

5 Feb 15'

CPY reviewed: Introduction to silver jewellery making workshop with Diane Lee

"I joined the class as an absolute beginner, and by the end of the session, I feel I have learnt the basics needed for me to work on simple projects on my own. Diane is an excellent teacher -- her explanations were clear and tailored her instruction to the ability of her students. I thoroughly enjoyed the session and am pleased to be the proud owner of my first 3 creations -- a bracelet, a neckless and a charms for another neckless. I would definitely recommend the course to anyone who wants to have a go at beading."

5 Feb 15'

Julia MacDougall reviewed: Screenprinting weekend with Liam Biswell

"I thoroughly enjoyed Liam's 2 day printmaking workshop. I was a complete beginner, but Liam guided us through the different processes and encouraged us in such a way that I had confidence to have a go and was rather pleased with my efforts! It was all very relaxed. Liam was well organised and all the equipment and materials we needed were readily to hand. The Phoenix Studio in Towersey was a pleasant and accommodating space to work in. I look forward to the next opportunity."

5 Feb 15'

suzanne egan reviewed: Jewellery making - Beautiful stitched vintage cuffs

"We totally loved this workshop. The cuff i made is beautiful and i have learnt valuable techniques and discovered skills i never realized i had.! the workroom is lovely and it was also great to see Amanda's own accessories in her showroom. totally amazing. ! the tea and cakes were great and i would recommend that this is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. When can i come again!"

5 Feb 15'

Pamela reviewed: Rag Rug Full Day Workshop - London

"Very nice course. Everything was perfectly organized and the Elspeth is a very good teacher!"

5 Feb 15'

Mike Rains reviewed: Screenprinting weekend with Liam Biswell

"My thanks go to Liam for a most informative and enjoyable course. I come away having learnt the basic principles and practices of three printmaking processes - Intaglio/Drypoint; Relief/Woodblock; and Screenprinting The information was delivered in a friendly and relaxed manner and exactly matched my reasons for joining the course – these processes are no longer a mystery to me! With only six other participants there was a good balance of personal attention and creative buzz throughout. I am now looking to put at least some of these processes to use from home. Once again many thanks. Mike Rains"

5 Feb 15'

Terry Speyer reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"Had a fabulous weekend learning a lot about Greenwood working. Peter is so obviously knowledgeable and so easy to approach and ask information of. Wide availability of tools to use and due to the process, on delay in completing the project. I thought I was not going to finish my stool but realised that the other course members were behind in other ways!"

4 Feb 15'

jes Mulcock reviewed: Jewellery making - Beautiful stitched vintage cuffs

"Thank you for providing us with such a fun afternoon Amanda. It was lovely not only spending some time with Mum doing something that we both enjoy, but with someone else who enjoys the activity even more than we do and happy to share some great tips, ideas and inspiration. Mum has been raving about what a lovely time she had to her friend, sister and her other daughters and we are looking at booking another workshop and bringing them with us next time. Thank you once again."

4 Feb 15'

Gill Jones reviewed: Encaustic Art - What do you want to learn?

"Really lovely time spent with Mel at her beautiful studio. I appreciated that Mel had carried out her own research and experimentation in order that I got closer to reaching my goals with the encaustic medium; incorporating wax with photographs. I was a little apprehensive about the tools needed, what reading I had done made it all quite involved and scary; fumes and blow torches but Mel took all that fear away and made me realise that this is an accessible craft and I now feel able to explore this lovely medium with confidence."

4 Feb 15'

Karen reviewed: Felt Making Workshops - Stratford upon Avon

"I had a felting great time.... Thanks Lesley, for your generous time given to us on your beginners felting workshop and for your hospitality. I'll be back to learn some more very soon!!"

3 Feb 15'

louisa feldman reviewed: Jewellery making - Beautiful stitched vintage cuffs

"I booked this course as a gift for me and my mum and i have to say that we had the most amazing time. We discovered many skills and had an enjoyable afternoon. The showroom is inspiring as Amanda also teams her workshop area with her accessories boutique. We even brought a scarf and hat as an extra treat at the end of the session. We have booked to come again for my sisters hen party which speaks for itself that we would highly recommend this workshop."

3 Feb 15'

sarah jane reviewed: Fabric flower workshop ( Latex and Nylon )

"Attended my 1st workshop this morning ~ absolutely loved it ~ small groups & very personal in the most beautiful environment ~ you know just like every girls dream bed room Amanda was very knowledgeable and has an excellent teaching technique ~ would / have definitely recommend can't wait to go again contently chilled"

3 Feb 15'

wendy crowdy reviewed: Fabric flower workshop ( Latex and Nylon )

"Oh my goodness, what a lovely day and I made the most wonderful bouquet, yay me! I actually can't take much credit as without the expert tuition I would have probably just made a mess, but I was made to feel confident and capable and came home with something that I will wear. Absolute bargain for such a fun day, I will be back :)"

3 Feb 15'

Jessica williams reviewed: Jewellery making - Beautiful stitched vintage cuffs

"The most fantastic workshop i have ever done. The finished piece was wonderful and the workroom was beautiful. I would recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to learn a new skill with endless options. I will be coming back again for another workshop soon. Thank you so much"

3 Feb 15'

Nicola percy reviewed: Fascinators workshop

"Thanks so much for today... We both really enjoyed it, and couldn't believe we came away with such amazing fascinators!!! I keep looking at mine and trying it on. Thank you for a super, creative morning, for your help and hospitality."

3 Feb 15'

Michelle Sharp reviewed: Felt Making Workshops - Stratford upon Avon

"I have never done felting before and found Lesley to be very kind and patient. She has an extremely large selection of wool for you to chose the colours that you would like to work with and was certainly very generous in giving you what you needed. We stopped for a cup of tea and home made cakes, which were delicious and then went back to finish our afternoon. We were having such a good time that we did not realise that we were past our stop time but this did not seem to bother Lesley at all. As someone who worries about travelling and parking etc I was so relieved to see that there was plenty of parking and very easy to find. Thank you for a lovely afternoon."

3 Feb 15'

Annette Smyth reviewed: Felt Making Workshops - Stratford upon Avon

"I had a very enjoyable afternoon with Lesley on the beginners felt workshop. We were made to feel really welcome and Lesley was so generous with her patience, knowledge and materials. Lesley explained everything so clearly and i left with two pieces of felt. I am now trying to arrange a date to return to do the felted pots workshop. Thank you for a wonderful time"

2 Feb 15'

steve dale reviewed: Dads and Lads' Bushcraft courses with Stuart Lawrence Northyorkshire

"I did a one to one session with Stuart and was a bit apprehensive being a complete novice but I did not have to worry as Stuart is a very pleasant, easygoing and attentive tutor and is an excellent teacher. Under his direction I happily came away having learned how to start a fire using 3 different methods, I made a basic lean-to shelter and also learned some forraging techniques. Book a course with Stuart as he makes it a very individual experience and has a wealth of knowledge to share. Highly recommended."

2 Feb 15'

daivd hope reviewed: Dads and Lads' Bushcraft courses with Stuart Lawrence Northyorkshire

"Customer Testimonial My son is very interested in bush-craft and survival so we asked Stuart to come along and teach us some practical skills such as making shelters, basic knife work, making fire naturally and animal tracking. Stuart obviously knows his stuff and was a good, patient but demanding teacher (no bad thing for a youngster IMO). My son's comment on the day "it was interesting and fun and I learnt a lot of things". We'll be doing more "dads and lads" stuff with Stuart next year. Dave (49 ¾) and Elliot (9 ¾)"

2 Feb 15'

Elif NinjaSqwirl Mclaughlin reviewed: Dads and Lads' Bushcraft courses with Stuart Lawrence Northyorkshire

"Brilliant day out was had by all! Daughter aka Feral loved the whole thing (me too) especially the fire lighting! I've now been given a wish list, and she's already raided my stuff to make up a survival kit. "Incase of the end of the world, or a zombie attack"? Bush craft was taught with good humour, endless patience and a shed load of knowledge :)"

2 Feb 15'

Tony Thomson reviewed: Introduction to Green Wood Furniture Making - 2 Day Course in South Devon

"What a fantastic experience! I rate this as one of the best courses I have attended. The hands on approach, the level of expertise, the positive attitudes and helpfulness of Peter and Jav, made it both enjoyable and educational. I learned a lot. It was great too to meet the other delegates. We were all looking to learn and that made for a great atmosphere. As someone who runs a training company, I can only hope that my delegates feel as positive about the courses we run? Thank you Peter and Jav for a great weekend."

2 Feb 15'

Had Danner reviewed: Woodturning in Devon with Colin Simpson

"I am a senior citizen who has never used a lathe, but was always curious. My wife gave me a one-day introductory course with Colin, and I could not be more pleased. His patient explanations, demonstrations, and tolerance for novice mistakes gave me an appetite for much more. It was worth the trip from London to Devon, and were the distance shorter I would already have signed on for a followup."

2 Feb 15'

Anne reviewed: Glass fusing with artist Patricia Lee - as seen on BBC1 Home Is Where The Art Is

"I went along with some friends and really enjoyed the day. I had no experience whatsoever but that didn't matter as Patricia was on hand all the time to guide us through. We had full use of all of her equipment - and the lunch was excellent. We are now saving up for the mosaic course!"