Latest reviews

17 Feb 13'

Geoff Dickson reviewed: Five day woodwork course - wood

"I have just completed both courses - "Tools and Things" and "Wood and Things" back to back. The last time I tried woodworking was over 40 years ago when I was about 12, so I was a little apprehensive about my lack of talent. I needn't have been. Both Richard and Mark were very good tutors with loads of patience and an eagle eye to stop you before you did anything stupid. I now have the confidence to embark upon new projects and am considering a few of my own ideas to create something really bespoke for my own home. I would recommend these courses to anyone whatever your level of skill. I have attended many different courses during my 30 year professional career,and I can honestly say this is the only one I've never wanted to end. I left with a sense of achievement I have not experienced in many a year."

13 Feb 13'

Peter Robinson reviewed: Fan Bird Carving

"I was a complete novice but had a really good day on this course. We started with no knowledge at all and by the end of the day were making our own fan Birds, granted not quite to Steve's excellent standards but given time !! One has to dream. Steve's teaching is a very relaxed easy to follow with nothing being too much trouble to explain. I would recommend this course to anyone who has the slightest interest in wood. A thoroughly enjoyable day in delightful surroundings."

11 Feb 13'

Sheila Daines reviewed: Machine Embroidery City & Guilds Level 1

"Looking forward to meeting you at Bee Crafty on Sat 9th March. I attended the 'social stitching ', weekly,and haven't found a better place for enthusiasm,commitment,and friendliness,in all the years of sewing. Now is the time for me to try something new ----- help !!"

8 Feb 13'

Peter Wood reviewed: Fan Bird Carving

"I had a great day on this course, I had wanted to have a go at making fan birds for some time but things always got in the way so I booked a course with Steve. We were lead through the process one step at a time following Steve for the first bird then had ago at the second ourselves making some silly mistakes but by the third we were getting the hang of it. I can definitely recommend this course."

8 Feb 13'

Rolf Buwert reviewed: Fan Bird Carving

"I would commend this course to anyone interested in wood, art, craft or culture. Steve was an excellent teacher, providing an ideal, safe, environment in which to learn. All tools and materials were provided and we could all go away with at least one finished fan bird, and the confidence and skills to continue making them in the future. This is one of the best one day courses I have attended."

1 Feb 13'

Lesley Crawley reviewed: Stained Glass Taster Day with Christian Ryan

"I first saw Christian's work at a major contemporary craft and design show and loved the modern take on a traditional skill so I was keen to try the taster day when I saw that he also ran courses. In a 'full on' day I learned how to design for stained glass and select different colours and textures of glass to make a sizeable panel constructed with traditional lead canes. Christian provided all the necessary materials, demonstrated each step thoroughly, and was on hand to provide one to one help as and when required. It was a fabulous day and really awakened a passion for glass in me. It was also so good to take home a finished object. I've already booked on another course to expand my knoweldge and wouldn't hesistate to recommend it for anyone wanting to explore working with glass."

26 Jan 13'

Joy Frampton reviewed: Creative Woven Textile Courses

"I have seen Susie's work and have admired it very much. I just wish there were more days in a week. Good luck with the course."

25 Jan 13'

Christine Smith reviewed: Willow Work: Small Willow Sculptures

"Willow Work at Flatford Mill"

23 Jan 13'

Melissa Jackson reviewed: Glazing and Firing

"A very informative and in depth course. Covering a wide range of areas, including some very technical detail on glaze components, which may not necessarily be for everyone! Overall a great day and certainly informative re firing faults and causes."

22 Jan 13'

louise schrempft reviewed: Electric Kilns: Operation, Control and Maintenance

"an excellent course, so informative and usefull, i have been able to maintain my kilns with confidence ( with a little back up from my friendly electrican) and understand firing processes more deeply than was ever covered at uni. its a must if you want to run your own studio."

22 Jan 13'

Mrs Suzie Hall reviewed: Electric Kilns: Operation, Control and Maintenance

"very helpful and interesting"

21 Jan 13'

Pat Lockwood reviewed: Caricatures in Clay

"Excellent course. Very informative and interesting. I enjoyed it very much."

21 Jan 13'

Sarah Deamer reviewed: Glazing and Firing

"I brought a new inexperienced teacher and my art technician with me. We all benefited from the course and now the technician is finally happy to load and fire a kiln. I am still working on her mix glazes! A really thoughtful interesting and helpful day."

21 Jan 13'

Mike Riley reviewed: Electric Kilns: Operation, Control and Maintenance

"Very comprehensive course content. I have been able to maintain our own heavily worked kiln quite easily!"

21 Jan 13'

Bill Runciman reviewed: Raku with John Wheeldon

"For anyone thinking of taking up Raku and perhaps making a Raku kiln, John Wheeldon's course is first class. I had built one prior to the course and wish I'd waited! Advice is given on clays which work best, glaze recipes - which you will apply to pots - and then fire them. Tips which look so simple and obvious gained from years of firing experience are now yours; how and when to take pots from the fire, minimising heat-loss, secrets of oxidation and reduction and much more. Highly recommended."

11 Jan 13'

Anne Hirst reviewed: Candle making workshops

"Just had a taster session with Angharad with a group of friends, thoroughly enjoyed learning about making candles and in making them. At the end you also have some lovely candles to take home. I would recommend it for people of all ages. Angharad is also a very patient and good teacher. Many thanks for an enjoyable time."

17 Dec 12'

Margaret reviewed: Scarab Silver Clay Amulet

"Did a ten week introductory course with Tracey. It was brilliant. Tracey is a very knowledgeable, enthusiastic teacher and I produced some superb silver jewellery of which I am very proud!"

6 Dec 12'

bob hacking reviewed: Carve a Rocking Horse Head Course

"For me it was a first working with sharp chisels and wood but within the first hour of the course Tony have given all of us enough confindence to begin to shape our horses heads and by the end of the three days we all came away with heads we could hold up with pride. The whole course was well planned and we never were never made to feel the beginers we were. I now have an almost complete horse getting ready for his saddle, main and tail after countless hours of fun and head scratching. Try it!"

4 Dec 12'

Nina Edminson reviewed: Photography Days

"Highly recommended. I have now done 2 days with Richard and Sue and intend to carry on learning from them in the future. Both my days filled me with inspiration and the photography bug has really caught me. Richard and Sue are very easy to learn from and explain things in a manner that is easy to understand. From only having used a point and shoot, they filled me with confidence to enable me to go home and put into practice what we had covered on the first day and now I am using a DSLR and never use auto settings. I have also been given excellent guidance on selecting the right equipment. Try it - you wont regret it"

3 Dec 12'

Geoff Gymer reviewed: Carve a Rocking Horse Head Course

"I attended this course in January 2012, as a competent hobby woodworker, but with no woodcarving experience. Miraculously, at the end of three days, I found myself in possession of a very presentable carved head, greatly exceeding my expectations. Tony is an excellent teacher, able to give just the right level of help or advice to a pretty varied bunch of students. Everyone at the Rocking Horse Shop was very pleasant and helpful. Well worth travelling all the way from Kent to Yorkshire for the experience."

3 Dec 12'

Tracy Spowage reviewed: Scarab Silver Clay Amulet

"Tracey thanks again for the fabulous workshop you did with the Hornsea mums, your patience and relaxed teaching methods proved a great success. All the mums that took part came away from the session with a great feeling of acheivement, and you have inspired many of them to go on and find the time in thier busy family lives to be creative."

2 Dec 12'

L Neill reviewed: Kiln formed glass day workshop

"I have been on lots of Helen's glass fusing workshops and I am completely addicted! Helen is a great teacher, patient, encouraging and has helped me to develop my ideas and skills. The workshops are fun, relaxed and informative. With only a few students you get lots of one to one teaching /advice from Helen much better than large classes. I recommend Helen's workshops for anyone who wants to give glass fusing a go or has previous experience and wants to learn more. Can't wait to do more fusing."

30 Nov 12'

H K Brown reviewed: Kiln formed glass day workshop

"Wow, what a day. My sister &amp; i met Helen at a Christmas craft fair. We loved what she had done, so booked in for her Christmas glass decorations. It was a half day (2.5hrs) course, but in that time we learnt so much. Now cant wait to pick up our finished items. We made a Christmas tree tea light each, tree hanging decorations, &amp; items for jewellery. So much in so little time. Thank you Helen, i think we've found a new hobby. Looking forward to more classes in the new year."

25 Nov 12'

Tricia Murphy-Black reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"A most enjoyable day's weaving - the fact that we didn't leave at the specified end time has to say a lot! I had brought an idea for my little tapestry picture - it was not quite practical but Jane showed me how to adapt the design in front of me and I was able to try that out. Atmosphere was most welcoming, the food was excellent and it was a rewarding day's course."

24 Nov 12'

Susan Baird reviewed: Tapestry weaving workshop for beginners

"Jane's tapestry course is so fabulous- she is the most supportive teacher. Her attic space is magical. She makes you feel so creative even if you don't have a lot of confidence. I would recommend to anyone. I was the least qualified in my group but was made to feel skilled. Lunch was delicious also. This experience would be a wonderful present. Susan"