Latest reviews

20 Jan 15'

Caroline Moraes reviewed: 1 day mosaic class with Claire Cotterill Mosaics @Martineau Gardens, Birmingham

"The course was great and so were the group of people who attended it! The studio is bright, with beautiful natural light, and the choice of tesserae is amazing. Claire (the tutor) is lovely and I really enjoyed learning about how to use the indirect method."

20 Jan 15'

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

"I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, a lovely day spent in lovely surroundings. I learnt so much, gained practical experience, knowledge and a real desire to spin."

20 Jan 15'

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

"Awesome. Fire, hammers, metal, noise, sparks. What's not to like."

19 Jan 15'

Anita reviewed: Free-motion Machine Embroidery Workshops

"My friend and I attended a free motion machine embroidery course with Chloe. We had a lovely day & I was really pleased with the panel I made of my horse & stable. There were only 4 of us, as the workshop is "cosy", this meant plenty of attention & help from Chloe. As an artist she offers great advice on layout & colours. It was very interesting to see how different everybody's work was at the end of the day! You do need to take your own sewing machine (at the time of our course) so it pays to make SURE that your machine is capable of this type of work, to get the most out of your day. I would certainly recommend a course with Chloe if you fancy having a go at this technique, she is very friendly and patient."

19 Jan 15'

Jane Goellnitz reviewed: Crochet for Beginners

"I can not recommend Kasturi highly enough for her kind and calm manner when teaching crochet. She always inspires confidence and creativity and is always so patient with everyone. I thoroughly enjoy her workshops and always have a fun filled day and come home so inspired and rearing to continue my crochet at home."

19 Jan 15'

Sue reviewed: Crochet for Beginners

"After just the one day course, and being a complete beginner, I've been making hats, other small items, and of course granny squares! Kasturi is so patient! I would highly recommend this course."

19 Jan 15'

Shani Jackson reviewed: Drawn to Paint Nature Workshops

"Loved the course, relaxed and informal but lots of direction and information especially about paints."

19 Jan 15'

Caroline Saunders reviewed: Blacksmithing Beginners day courses in Yorkshire and the North East

"I had a great day, learnt lots and enjoyed myself. Adrian was patient and helpful and very knowledgeable. The food and hospitality was fantastic, Debbie is a great cook. I will be recommending you to my friends and family. Thanks for a lovely day."

19 Jan 15'

Clare Cordingley reviewed: 1 day mosaic class with Claire Cotterill Mosaics @Martineau Gardens, Birmingham

"Thank you Claire for a brilliant two days in your lovely bright/sunny workshop at the groovy Custard Factory. I was drawn to you through your stunning mosaics. Especially the chickens which are my favourites. I was delighted to try the indirect method even though it was very scary at first. I loved the atmosphere you created with your calm, friendly and very knowledgeable instruction. Nothing was too much for you. You let us be creative and individual yet solved every issue or question we asked. We had a lovely group of ladies and were allowed to plough on through lunch which I really appreciated. I will definitely come again."

19 Jan 15'

Damien Read reviewed: Stained Glass Taster Day with Christian Ryan

"My girlfriend and I had a long weekend away in Wales for her birthday. We did this course on the Saturday and it was brilliant. Chris takes you through the steps very clearly, you get a real chance to be creative and experiment with all the amazing colours and textures of glass and then leave with your "work of art" in your hand. Very rewarding day and Chris was excellent."

19 Jan 15'

Matt Robinson reviewed: Blacksmithing for beginners - one day taster

"The one day blacksmith course with Aaron Peterson was a gift from my wife which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to experience the thrill of working hot metal with fire and water, and coming away with something that you made with your own hands. Aaron is very knowledgeable in is field, patient and entertaining in his own way. If you want to have a go of an ancient craft and have a great day out, Aaron Peterson of Ferric Fusion is your man."

18 Jan 15'

Karen Peers reviewed: 1 day mosaic class with Claire Cotterill Mosaics @Martineau Gardens, Birmingham

"I really enjoyed this weekend learnt some fantastic new skills with a lovely group of women. Claire created a wonderful environment in her studio at the custard factory which was very inspiring. Claire is clearly a gifted mosaic artist and got the balance right letting us get on with our ideas showing us new skills helping with thoughts and allowing us to go at our own pace etc wether we had no, a little or lots of experience with mosaics. She is very down to earth, friendly, keen to share her knowledge and skills and patient in answering all those questions! I am planning now to return could not give any higher recommendation. Thank you Claire from Karen"

18 Jan 15'

Liz reviewed: Crochet for Beginners

"Kasturi is a very inspiring teacher and I really enjoyed the class. Having not picked up a crochet hook for 30 years she started me off again and wasn't in the least bit fazed by me being a left hander and doing everything the wrong way round. i would thoroughly recommend this workshop to anyone who is a complete beginner or just rather rusty !"

18 Jan 15'

Linda Plowman reviewed: Crochet for Beginners

"If you want to learn to crochet, want to improve or just want to share ideas and techniques with a brilliant teacher you can't go wrong with any of Kasturi's courses. Kasturi is patient, intuitive and inspiring and has certainly encouraged me to experiment and believe in my crochet skills."

18 Jan 15'

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

"Living close to the area, I was intrigued by the course so decided to give it a go. The course organiser is so friendly and accommodating, I really felt well looked after! I now have a beautiful mosaic tiger hanging above my stairs. Definitely would book again."

18 Jan 15'

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

"I attended this course in January 2015 on a creative whim, and what can I say? I have really thoroughly enjoyed these past couple of days. Claire is a genuinely lovely course hostess (for lack of a better word) and will, without a doubt, make you feel welcomed. She is very attentive and enthusiastic about her occupation and always goes above and beyond to help you create your mosaic piece. I recommend enquiring for more info if you are interested :) thanks for a great couple of days, Claire, and hopefully see you soon!"

18 Jan 15'

Sam reviewed: Crochet for Beginners

"One of the most wonderful things about this course is Kasturi. She has the patience of a saint, and helps each individual overcome crotchet problems with clarity and kindness. Her instructions are clear. She brought along what seemed like hundreds of examples of items to illustrate what it was possible to make. We learned some simple 'trade' secrets, and were encouraged to progress at an individual pace. No one was made to feel that they were holding the class back. I went away from the one day course with the skills to crotchet anything. Have a go!"

18 Jan 15'

Fiona Sharp reviewed: Crochet for Beginners

"Both my daughter and I had tried to teach ourselves to crochet over the years without much success. One day with thus amazing lady and we had learned a new skill - finally :D my daughter is left handed and it took a few simple adjustments by Kasturi and she was away (and far neater than I am :D ). We can't recommend her highly enough."

18 Jan 15'

Rosa reviewed: Crochet for Beginners

"If you want to learn crochet Kasturi is the one to get you hooked. Although I already thought I knew how to crochet, Kasturi is the crochet guru - a fun teacher who inspires her now faithful woolly followers."

18 Jan 15'

Natasha Thomas reviewed: Crochet for Beginners

"I had been trying to teach myself to crochet for years, without success. My dream was to learn how to do a granny square! I saw the 'Learn to Crochet in a Day' course advertised and I jumped at the chance. I must say that it's the best thing I ever did and Kasturi the tutor was so clear and patient with us, it all seemed to click! I'm now crocheting my granny squares and have made blankets, bath mats, you name it! A fab course!"

17 Jan 15'

Fiona reviewed: Mindful Mosaic workshops with Dionne Ible - Bedfordshire

"A great weekend which has left me feeling on top of the world. As a newcomer to mosaics, I booked two days and am so glad I did. It gave me time to learn how to cut the tiles, select a design and then create a whole A4 mosaic. Dionne's style gave me the space to choose what I wanted to do and let me get on quietly with it, with a good selection of colours and textures of tiles to give the results I wanted, but when I had questions she was there with ideas and guidance. I felt completely supported and encouraged and will be doing more!"

17 Jan 15'

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

"A really enjoyable course. Claire is so talented and fantastic at explaining and sharing her skills and tips - a definite 'must' for anyone wanting to try something new"

17 Jan 15'

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

"What a fantastic first day! Excellent tuition by Claire in a nice relaxed setting. As a complete novice I am impressed with my design so far. Can't wait until Day 2."

17 Jan 15'

Jennifer Allan reviewed: Stained Glass Taster Day with Christian Ryan

"Had a brilliant day with Christian in his studio. As well as being a great creative exercise and a chance to learn something new Christian was fun, friendly and a genuine pleasure to talk to and learn from. The materials we were able to work with were exciting, beautiful and varied, so we were all able to create something we liked and were pleased to take home. Christian's own work is inspiring and I would definitely recommend this course."

17 Jan 15'

Eluned Allan reviewed: Stained Glass Taster Day with Christian Ryan

"A brilliant day. We booked as a small group for a birthday treat and we all have something to remember from the day. Christian was very patient with us and we all left feeling we had achieved something. All you needed to take was yourself and a packed lunch because all materials and equipment were provided and we were taught how to use the tools with clear instructions and help if we needed it. I would thoroughly recommend the courses Christian runs."