Bodden Cross Studio reviews

Rachael reviewed: Woodturning Experience Half Day - Come and spend half a day turning your first bowl

"We had a fab time with Stephen, who provided both helpful instruction and great stories, and we really enjoyed making our wooden bowls! Thanks so much for a lovely day! "

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"A great pleasure meeting you both, you created beautiful pieces, and please remember to keep asking me questions regarding lathes etc. Hope to see you again soon. Stephen"

Kelvin reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"I had an amazing day woodturning 2 bowls with Stephen. He was an excellent teacher and calmed my nerves from the moment I walked in. He gave me tips and information on books and tools. Great experience. Thank you."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you Kelvin. I look forward to seeing your progress in the world of woodturning. Please stay in touch and keep asking the questions."

Greg F reviewed: Woodturning Experience Half Day - Come and spend half a day turning your first bowl

"Great half day learning all the basics of wood turning. Stephen was very amiable, interesting and an excellent teacher, and a bonus was I came away with a very impressive looking bowl! Thank you 👍"

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you Greg. A pleasure meeting you too. Please let me know when you need further information on lathe and tool choices. Enjoy turning!"

Sam reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"I had a fantastic day with Stephen trying woodturning for the first time. Stephen is a brilliant teacher and made me feel comfortable and confident right from the start. I would highly recommend anyone thinking about trying woodturning to book a course with Stephen. "

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you for your kind words Sam. Please stay in touch and let me know if you need any further advice on lathes, tools etc."

Graham reviewed: Woodturning Experience Half Day - Come and spend half a day turning your first bowl

"Great experience and information. Hopefully I can remember it and put it in practice. Lots of practice. Thank you "

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you Graham. Please remember you can always get in touch and I can remind you of anything you may have forgotten. Enjoy your woodturning. Best wishes Stephen"

Mike George reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"A thoroughly worthwhile day with Stephen. Although I had tried wood turning before, I had never had any proper, professional tuition. Stephen was very patient with explaining the different tools and techniques together with a quick guide to sharpening. At the end of the day I had turned two bowls and went home very happy. "

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you for your kind words. I hope you continue to enjoy your woodturning and please keep asking the questions, very happy to help."

Joanna Browett reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"This course was fantantic. My 12 year old son attended and had the best time ever! We are going to book again. Thoroughly recommend. "

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to seeing him here again."

Nigel Dervin reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"I was very fortunate to find and book this one day course with Stephen. I had a really great time. Stephen has a very interesting way of tutoring which I found totally amazing. He has ability and knowledge in abundance, which he shares willingly. I thought I knew a bit before going, but then learned that I knew nothing. I spent a most joyous morning making my first small bowl. I then spent an even more joyous afternoon making a large bowl. Even from a distance whilst engaged with something else, Stephen could tell by ear I was doing something not quite right. I would thoroughly recommend his course to any prospective/budding wood turner. So glad I did this one day course and so pleased it was with a great chap like Stephen."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you for your kind words Nigel, a great pleasure meeting you too. Stephen"

Hugh reviewed: Woodturning Experience Half Day - Come and spend half a day turning your first bowl

"Took my Dad for his birthday. Had a great day learning the lathe. Stephen is a very encouraging teacher and we came away with two great looking bowls (and a desire to buy a lathe!) Would recommend to anyone who is interested in trying out woodturning."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you for your kind words Hugh, a great pleasure meeting you both. Please keep asking the questions around choice of lathe, tools etc. I look forward to seeing your progress. "

Tally reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"A thoroughly enjoyable day turning a platter and learning to carve. Stephen was an excellent tutor and his anecdotes through the day added to the whole experience. I loved that he was so accepting of me bringing my dog."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"A great pleasure working with you both, and I look forward to seeing you back here again soon. Best wishes"

Philip Jefferies reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"I had a really wonderful day in the company of Stephen, and came away proudly with two fantastic bowls. Stephen greeted us with a warm welcome, and with a coffee and a chat I immediately felt at ease. A quick safety briefing and tour of the studio, before it was straight on with turning bowl number 1. It was informative, encouraging and when a few mistakes happened, patient tuition made the process so easy to follow. A lunch break gave us time to chat and recall stories of past history before it was on to bowl number 2. Stephen took more of a watching and guiding stance for this, always there if needed, but allowing me to try to remember exactly what I had put into practice before lunch. When my wife returned from her day out sightseeing in Well to puck me up, she was also made to feel very welcome with coffee and a friendly chat. Before we left Stephen gave me information on books to purchase to learn more and where to find the best tools to continue with the new found hobby. A day to remember and one I highly recommend to anybody looking to try woodturning."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you Philip. Keep the questions coming regarding equipment, tools etc. Happy to help. "

Steve Binding reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"Very enjoyable day, highly recommended. Lovely gentleman, Many thanks 😊 "

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you Steve. I look forward to seeing you again & please remember to get in touch with any questions you may have. "

Chris reviewed: Woodturning Experience Half Day - Come and spend half a day turning your first bowl

"Great experience, excellent and patient teacher. 100% recommend to anyone who wants to have a go. A lovely afternoon creating my own beautiful woodturned bowl. Thanks Steve!"

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you Chris, a great pleasure working with you. Please let me know if you need any further advice on your woodturning journey. Stephen"

William reviewed: Woodturning Experience Half Day - Come and spend half a day turning your first bowl

"Enjoyable, useful and informative. A good foundation and taster to find out whether I wanted to go further with this, and or whether I am too cack-handed to progress further. As I left with a couple of perfectly acceptable bowls (mostly my own work), I think I can assume that I am able to move to the next step. I recommend this, and indeed have already suggested to various friends that they have a go."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"A great pleasure working with you William and thank you for the lovely review. You do have the skills to progress and please remember that I am happy to continue to advise you on tools, lathes etc. I look forward to seeing your next piece."

Toby F reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"A fantastic experience from start to finish. Full of knowledge and wisdom, Stephen has a great mix of being an excellent, and hilarious teacher! I had a very enjoyable day learning a new skill whilst discussing all forms of creativity and life in general. I had never wood turned before, yet I have managed to come away with 2 bowls that even my other half thinks are excellent - so we must have done something right! I look forward to returning to the Bodden Cross Studio again soon, and experimenting with our shared passion for typography on the letter carving course!"

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you Toby for your kind words and I look forward to seeing you soon."

Bridget reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"Such a brilliant day with Stephen. He was very patient and a great teacher. I had never turned wood before and came home with two lovely bowls. Well worth going to "

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you Bridget for your lovely review, so glad you enjoyed the day. "

Chloe reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our day woodturning with Stephen. He made us feel at ease throughout the whole process and we came away with bowls we are proud of. Stephen gives the right amount of guidance and encouragement, as well as plenty of hilarious stories to make you feel comfortable. A truly enjoyable day that has ignited a new passion. "

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"A great day and you both produced beautiful work. Please let me know if you have any further questions as you continue your woodturning adventure. "

Julia reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"What a wonderful way to spend a morning. Stephen was a calm, patient teacher and guided us through the steps with good humour. We both had a great time and came away with two beautiful bowls and a real sense of achievement."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Lovely to meet you both and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Thank you. "

Bill Taylor reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"Epic day... First class experience. Made to feel at home as you step in the door. Stephen has a wonderful relaxed manner, very easy to get on with and he has a great eye for detail. After a demo of what you are about to try he allows you to practise, without hovering over your shoulder. Could not recommend this enough, I will be heading back for some more. I also would endorse the experience 100%"

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"A great pleasure working with you and I look forward to seeing you here again soon."

Jon Baggott reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"We both enjoyed our first experience of wood turning. The studio is well-equipped, and Stephen makes you welcome from the very start. He shares his knowledge and experience with enthusiasm, but leaves enough space for a bit of one's own creativity to come through."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"A great pleasure meeting you both. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Best wishes Stephen"

Bill Bennett reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"Great day of one to one training, everything that was discussed and demonstrated was tailored to meet my needs and ability. Stephen was the perfect tutor, made me very welcome and at ease from the moment I arrived to the final departure. A most rewarding day with not only being taught the beginnings of a long learning curve to becoming a competent wood turner but to enjoy the company and experiences of Stephen. I would 100% endorse this course experience."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"A great pleasure Bill and I really appreciated your observation "I would classify that as the best day of training that I have had." Please stay in touch and let me know if you have any further questions. Thank you"

Richard reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"Thanks for today. Doug had a wonderful time and is really proud of what he has produced. Your clear, knowledgeable and calm guidance was just what he needed."

Allen reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"Would absolutely recommend doing this course. Stephen was a great teacher. Not only was he very patient, extremely knowledgeable but also has a relaxing teaching approach. It was a full days learning on how to turn two bowls on the wood lathe which was a lot of fun. If you have ever thought about wood turning just book the course and give it ago. You won't be disappointed."

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you Allen, it was a pleasure to meet you and introduce you to wood turning. I look forward to observing your progress in the coming months."

Geoff reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"What a brilliant day . Stephen was a very professional and patient in his teaching . Left you get on with it , but was there every time to give advice when needed . Made 2 lovely bowls , thanks to the guidance of Stephen, would highly recommend."

Dave M reviewed: Woodturning Experience Days - Come and spend a day turning your first bowl

"July 2021 I could not have been more delighted with the tutoring, skill, depth of knowledge, patience, manner, and one2one training from Stephen! My 8-hour day was full of hands-on training guidance, I was extensively allowed to get on and 'do it', but with Stephen's quiet patient way of not obviously observing, but clearly doing so, and where appropriate intervening in the most tactful way to guide me where I was deviating from the more appropraite approach & technique he had shown me. I completed & oiled two excellent bowls (6" and 9") in the day, I was chuffed to bits, and I came away with a huge increase in my understanding of the approach, use of tools, the techniques to use each tool, and the broader considerations of the tools wood turning (and tool sharpening) which will allow me to continue at wood-turning near my home. After a lot more hours in front of a lathe, I know I will return to Stephen for an advanced session to hone my skill based upon his wealth of experience & knowledge. I recommend Stephen to anyone, beginner, novice, or experienced wood-turner wanting to improve. D"

Bodden Cross Studio responded:

"Thank you David. I look forward to seeing you again very soon."