Latest reviews

6 Jun 14'

Sarah Fanthorpe-Smith reviewed: Tool sharpening

"Excellent course on Sunday, thank you all for a very enjoyable day. Thank you."

5 Jun 14'

Maff Punton reviewed: Timber framing courses

"I've only one recommendation to make: stop reading these reviews and just book it! You won't regret it - whether you want to go into framing, have a project on your house or you just fancy an interesting way to spend a week's break! Alan is a natural teacher and I left the course feeling confident enough to start my own frame and some time on I'm amassing more and more experience and confidence. And besides, whether or not you end up taking timber framing on after the course, you will return home feeling like you've had a holiday! The woodland setting where you can pitch your tent is beautiful and the nearby Black mountains are a real sight in the mornings. Alan is a great laugh and Mary's food is absolutely amazing... any time not spent on the frame project may be spent axe throwing, trying archery, and mainly sitting round the campsite, laughing with a drink and a full stomach. I'm really looking forward to the advanced course next month!"

4 Jun 14'

Sarah Kearsley-Wooller reviewed: 1 Day Fused Glass for beginners workshop at The Silver Zebra studio Cheshire - Est 2004

"Deborah's courses are both informative and great fun. Her sense of creativity is replicated in her enthusiasm and her drive to ensure that all students make the most of their time with her. I came to her courses as a pure beginner and have now with her energetic encouragement, designed and created my own glass splashback for a new kitchen and am just hooked on the breadth of work that can be achieved in glass fusion! She is an inspiration."

4 Jun 14'

Dr Fiona Beddoes-Jones reviewed: Wedding Flower Workshop

"I attended this workshop last year and I was delighted! I had a great time, learnt such a lot, and even managed to create some lovely floral pieces (though I say so myself!) The other people on the course were really nice and Susan gave each of us personal help and support and advice in terms of helping us to plan our own weddings. I'm going to get Susan to run a workshop for me and my bridesmaids in the few days before my wedding so that we can create the table centres ourselves and decorate the marquee just as I have imagined it! I'm soooo excited, and I can't thank Susan enough for her professional approach, her kindness, generosity and support. In fact, I've invited her to the wedding!"

4 Jun 14'

Kate Greatorex reviewed: Handspinning workshop

"Lovely venue, and brilliant teaching. Thanks"

4 Jun 14'

Laima Blij reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"Absolutely fantastic workshop and Sakeena is just brilliant! We had a hands-on day and made a variety of candles using different techniques which we then took home with us. This class is both informative and fun, I really feel inspired! Fantastic! Highly recommended!"

4 Jun 14'

Louise Barson reviewed: 1 Day Fused Glass for beginners workshop at The Silver Zebra studio Cheshire - Est 2004

"I can highly recommend Deborah Moses fused glass courses. Regardless of your artistic ability and experience Deborah is a great teacher and helps you make the most of your day in her workshop by giving you enough of the basics to allow you to then create your own designs. I first attended a one day course but had such an interesting, enjoyable day that I've been back for more sessions since having received some of Deborah's gift vouchers for my birthday and xmas presents. Whether you want to have a go creating fused glass yourself or you are looking for a unique gift for someone else I can highly recommend a course with Deborah. Her workshop is in a lovely location and you get to enjoy a farmhouse lunch too."

4 Jun 14'

Kim Shepherd reviewed: Basket making in Norfolk

"My husband and I really enjoyed our basket making day with Julie. Trevor had never done a craft workshop of any kind before and was a little apprehensive, but he needn't have been; Julie is calm, patient and very thorough, explaining and demonstrating all the techniques needed to make a small basket in the English style - and with only six students in the group there is plenty of individual help. There were drinks and delicious homemade cake available throughout the day which helped to keep up our energy levels - basket making is energetic work! Both of us are very proud of our baskets and are keen to do another workshop in the future. Highly recommend. Thanks Julie!"

3 Jun 14'

Roger Nowell reviewed: Tool sharpening

"Thanks folks Really enjoyed the course, extremely informative, just the right level for me, great bunch of people running and helping with the course. A lot to take in - would benefit from a few notes on different tools and sharpening from recovering tool to day to day sharpening"

3 Jun 14'

Paul A Smith reviewed: Timber framing courses

"The practical work you do on Alan's course actually becomes part of a building Alan is working on. Starting with marking out large green oak timbers, moving on to cutting joints and making pegs, each stage was well structured and explained. Alan is a real master of his craft and a very good teacher. We had a lot of fun too. I can't recommend it highly enough."

3 Jun 14'

Rose reviewed: One day introductory course to candle making

"I would definitely recommend this one day course. Came away with a lovely set of candles that are easy enough to make again at home. Sakeena was a wonderful teacher - feeling so inspired. Many thanks."

2 Jun 14'

Ben reviewed: Seaweed Foraging Goodwick, Pembrokeshire

"Very enthusiastic & passionate tutor & we learnt loads. Thank-you!"

2 Jun 14'

Ruth Minter reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive at the beginning of the day. I had once briefly attempted spinning and was convinced that it just could not be done! How wonderful to be proved so wrong. Theresa was amazingly patient and explained and demonstrated the techniques. There was plenty of opportunity for one-to-one tuition if we got into a muddle and I was confident at the end of the day that I could set up a spinning wheel and get going on my own. What was especially rewarding for me was that I was able to see some wool from one of my own fleeces through every process from the raw fleece to the finished skein of wool. Lovely relaxed atmosphere. Tremendously enjoyable. Inspiring. Thoroughly recommend this course."

2 Jun 14'

Simon Hacker reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"A fantastic day learning the basics of Blacksmithing . Mort is a very interseting guy and made me feel very relaxed. Having never done anything like this before I was a bit nervous but Morts teaching techniques soon made me feel as though I could give it go. The end results were pretty good for a complete beginner. I would recommed this to anyone who has even a slight interest in Blacksmithing."

2 Jun 14'

Sam varns reviewed: Firebird Forge Blacksmithing School

"I bought this as a birthday present for my boyfriend. He has always wanted to have a go and I thought the one day taster would be ideal. The day seemed to disappear very quickly as we were having so much fun. We were able to produce some Viking knives, arrow heads an leafs if which we were able to keep. We will be back for more as we had such a pleasurable time. Thanks Mort, very informative and hands on day xxx"

2 Jun 14'

Amy roper reviewed: " Day of the Dead" Silver Clay Workshop

"Sara is a wonderful teacher. It was a great day I gained lots of information and learnt all about silver clay. Sara has a large collection of tools so you can try out many different techniques. I found the course gave me much more info than any book has, sara made the day relaxed and fun and I now have the confidence to use silver clay at home."

2 Jun 14'

Roy reviewed: Carve a Rocking Horse Head Course

"I enjoyed the head-carving course enormously. Tony Dew adjusts his teaching to the individual, with just the right amount of intervention or additional advice and, as so many reviewers above have pointed out, one does finish the course with good/excellent result. I was amazed that, after intro's, demonstration of the tools and safety-explanations, we were straight down to work and 6+hours just sped by. And a word or two about the setting; the workshop, factory and shop are all very interesting, and the tour of Tony's rocking-horse museum (with anecdotes) is as inspiring as it fascinating. May 2014"

2 Jun 14'

David reviewed: Blacksmithing, bladesmithing and metal craft

"Bought for me as a birthday gift and was an excellent day. Nigel was very informative and had the balance of instruction perfectly balanced with the amount of practical,he was always at hand to give instruction when needed. From the start to the end an excellent time was had. Thank you"

1 Jun 14'

Sophie Hodge reviewed: Alex Allpress Pottery School: Learn to throw on the potter's wheel in Mid Wales

"My husband and I did the day course and it was such a wonderful and relaxing time! We are so pleased with what we created in a day (both complete beginners)! A really chilled time and going at your own pace is great... still managed to make 3 mugs and 6 bowls of varying sizes (and shapes!!) Really recommend this to anyone artistic or not! Thanks Alex and Blue!"

1 Jun 14'

Jekaterina reviewed: The Natural Skin Care Workshop

"I had a wonderful time with Sakeen during beauty workshop, it was really interesting and good to know, everything was easy to uderstand. I think I am going to attend other workshops with Sakeena, she is a great person! And the main thing, now I have a new hobby, and I am really happy about that!"

1 Jun 14'

tim palmer reviewed: Timber framing courses

"Alan has an infectious love of his craft which is hard not to catch. The course is completely hands and pushed along by enthusiasm and years of experience, the results leave you with a real sense of achievement. A truly great course fuelled by delicious home made food."

1 Jun 14'

Yigit ilgaz reviewed: An introduction to wood turning with Gregory Moreton (2 Days)

"I wasn't expected to progress that much in 2 days. The content was great and the hospitality was excellent."

1 Jun 14'

Caroline Simmonds reviewed: Hand Spinning For All - Norfolk

"What a fabulous day! As promised, we quickly learnt how to card fleece, spin it on the wheel and then ply it; resulting in our very own skein of wool ready to knit! Theresa was so helpful and patient and the atmosphere was very happy and relaxed. The homemade cake was also excellent along with plenty of opportunities for tea, coffee, juice or sparkling water! I would happily recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn how to produce yarn on a spinning wheel. Theresa was also a fund of knowledge in relation to fleece preparation, spinning wheel maintenance and where to go for essential spinning paraphernalia."

1 Jun 14'

Roger Buss reviewed: Wood turning courses

"George I arrived at your tuition workshop, as a complete novice, for a two day woodturning course. You made me feel very relaxed with a cup of tea and preliminary chat. The Health and Safety introduction was exemplary. It was obvious after a very short while that your knowledge of woodturning and the characteristics of wood and the way it reacts was complete. You were very patient with me and explained all the processes fully. I left after the second day with great confidence although my skill needs to be honed with much more practice. I had made 3 bowls and have the confidence to try this with my own lathe. Thank you very much for your help and will be back for the colouring course when I am more proficient with the lathe. Regards Roger Buss"

31 May 14'

Heather Harrington reviewed: Enamelling on copper

"My cousin and I had a brilliant day with Dilys. We were made extremely welcome and she was so enthusiastic about passing on her knowledge of enammaling. A thoroughly enjoyable day and well worth repeating."