Creative Retreats and Holidays reviews

David Thorndycraft reviewed: Traditional leaded stained glass course in beautiful Kent

"I really enjoyed the traditional stained glass workshop. Mattt is a great tutor and a lot of hands on learning was packed into the 2 days. I was very pleased with the little window panel that I made. Great tuition, great food and great company- who would want more?"

Creative Retreats and Holidays responded:

"Hi David. Thank you for your kind words. It was lovely to welcome you to the studio and I do hope to see you again soon! Warm regards, Mattt"

Teresa Firrell reviewed: Stained glass mosaic one day experience in the Kent Downs near Canterbury

"A very good course thoroughly enjoyed it Matt was a good host. I would do another glass course as it was so good. "

Creative Retreats and Holidays responded:

"Thanks Teresa! It was a pleasure to welcome you to our stained glass mosaic day & I'm glad you enjoyed it. I do hope you come back for another course."

Kathryn Vera-Cruz reviewed: Stained glass mosaic one day experience in the Kent Downs near Canterbury

"My daughter and I had a really good day with Matt who is very knowledgeable in the art of everything glass. Hospitality, lovely setting, welcoming, encouraging, all perfect, everything you could wish for. We both came away with lovely mosaic plaques that we never dreamt we were capable of producing. Highly recommended. "

Creative Retreats and Holidays responded:

"Thanks Kathryn! Your panels were both lovely; I'm glad that you're proud of them. It was a pleasure to welcome you both to the studio. I hope you'll come again! "

Mandy Goldfinch reviewed: Traditional leaded stained glass course in beautiful Kent

"We had a brilliant weekend with an extremely patient, knowlegeable tutor, with a gift for explaining unfamiliar tools and techniques. We could not be more proud of the stained glass panels we made with her guidance."

Creative Retreats and Holidays responded:

"Hi Mandy. Thank you for your review. It's given me a warm glow! It was lovely to welcome you & Mike and I hope to welcome you both again soon. Warm regards, Mattt"

Gill Miller reviewed: Stained glass mosaic one day experience in the Kent Downs near Canterbury

"I booked as a treat for me and my two daughters, and we were lucky enough to have the studio to ourselves. It was a great set up and easy to find. We were given croissants on arrival and a delicious light lunch, including home made bread! Matt was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We all came away having created a beautiful glass mosaic piece which we were proud of! A good fun course."

Beverley Stearn reviewed: Glass fusing for Christmas - taster day

"Had a wonderful time at a Christmas glass fusing course which was a return visit following a previous experience with Mattt at Creative Retreats and Holidays. Matt has a wealth of knowledge about all things glass and is keen to share this with those who want to learn. The day was not only fun but gave the participants - just five of us - real hands on crafting with a wonderful array of glass and equipment available to us. We all came away feeling very proud of our creations and having had a wonderful day which included a lovely lunch of homemade soup & bread. Thank you Mattt for a wonderful day and one to certainly be repeated."

Creative Retreats and Holidays responded:

"Hi Beverley. Thanks for your review! It was a pleasure to welcome you for your day of festive fusing. I hope to welcome you back to the studio in the not too distant future!"

Maureen Botham reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"Superb day spent with very hospitable and knowledgeable host. Matt took great care to ensure that I had a safe and enjoyable experience building up my skills and knowledge to produce 2 pieces of glass work anyone would be proud of. The glass studio is superb (I want one!), really well equipped and resourced, plus comfortable rec space for "time out" and refreshments; which were greatly appreciated including home baked breads and jam. Very good value for money introduction to a fascinating craft, couldn't recommend more highly."

Creative Retreats and Holidays responded:

"Dear Maureen, Thank you so much for taking the time to post a review. It was a pleasure to welcome you to the studio. Your glass has been fused and looks fantastic; I'll be posting it to you this afternoon. I hope to welcome you back! Warm regards, Mattt"

Debbie Roberts reviewed: Glass Art - two day course in stained glass (traditional leaded or copper foil "Tiffany" technique)

"Spent a fabulous day with my husband and friends on a "Glass Fusing Taster " on Saturday and will definitely be going again. Mattt is an excellent teacher and was informative, encouraging and very patient. The studio was light, bright and airy and therefore a comfortable place to be and it wasn't long before we were able to put our newly learned skills to the test, by creating a couple of pieces of our own. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and are looking forward to collecting our "masterpieces" later this week, after having been left with Mattt in the kiln."

Nancy Shafee reviewed: Glass Art - two day course in stained glass (traditional leaded or copper foil "Tiffany" technique)

"We were given a whole weekend's glass enjoyment by our sons - Mattt agreed to teach one of us to make leaded lights and the other copper foiling - we were amazed at her patience and ability to keep both of us hard at work through out the weekend. It was exhausting but so exciting to finish two projects - a window and a decorative feather! Highly recommend!"

Gail Ball reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"This was my Christmas present from my husband, done in September! a busy schedule plus an injured ankle prolonged the time before I could take advantage of a free day and go along! What a superb day! Matt is so clearly delighted to impart her skills, and her careful explanations and the way she answered all our questions, (there were two of us on the day's course,) proved her patience and knowledge. I am so glad that I did remember how to cut glass, and pleased that I was allowed to follow my own ideas, and not held back at all! M5y glass pieces arrived today, and I am thrilled with them! Thank you so much, Matt."

Chris Nannery reviewed: Glass Art - two day course in stained glass (traditional leaded or copper foil "Tiffany" technique)

"Couldn't have had a better day. Just home from my introduction to glass appliqué day with Mattt. From my initial enquiry to bringing home my finished project I couldn't have had a kinder, patient or or more encouraging tutor. I was made to feel very at home, built my confidence and learnt masses. I will be going back for another course later in the year and that is because I want to learn more, although the lunch and chat also help!"

Janice Muehlthaler reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"What a wonderful way to spend a day. A warm welcome, relaxed environment and guidance from the very knowledgeable Mattt. I felt like a child in a sweet shop choosing from all the materials to create my fused glass pieces. p.s. make sure you try the homemade bread!"

Carole C reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"Fantastic course! Really recommend it. Mattt is a great teacher - we had a great day - and learned a huge amount. Have just signed up for a 6 week course -really inspiring!"

Peter Bentley reviewed: Glass Art - two day course in stained glass (traditional leaded or copper foil "Tiffany" technique)

"My taster day in glass fusion was fantastic, I made a dish, earings, and pendent, and a plaque. ould no believe how much I learnt in one day, and when I collected my glass,wow so delighted cannot wait to go back to learn more, never to late to learn at 73."

Peter Bentley reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"Thankyou Mattt really enjoyed my taster day glass fusing, looking forward to seeing the thing I made,excellent teacher, learnt a lot in a day. Thanks again Mattt Peter."

peter mortimer reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"Very good couple of days. Feel confident to continue on my own having been shown all the techniques I need. Lovely location, good facilities, good food and good teacher, would highly recommend."

vicki noble reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"Absolutely loved it! I went with my sister to do a glass fusing day. There was just the two of us which meant that we got Matts full attention. We both learnt so much and I cant wait to get my bits. Matt was professional but very friendly. My sister and I both teach so I think we are qualified to say that Matt is a really good teacher, patient, engaging and a super host. I will be doing this course often."

Dee Sullivan reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"A friend and I really enjoyed our day with Mattt learning about and practicing glass fusion. Mattt's very welcoming and patient, and good at explaining things and answering lots of questions, as well as stepping in to give practical help if required. We learnt how to cut glass, how different materials react in the kiln, and how to create two pieces of work. If you're not religious - we definitely aren't - don't let that element of Mattt's website put you off. It was a great, practical day and I want to go back for more."

Lesley reviewed: Glass Art - two day course in stained glass (traditional leaded or copper foil "Tiffany" technique)

"I have just completed a 2 day workshop for copper foiled stained glass. I had no experience whatsoever in glass work, but with Matts patience, guidance and encouragement, in a very relaxed atmosphere, I came home with a stained glass panel that I was proud of. I would recommend this course to beginners and improvers, and I shall be going back to try out another of the courses. Thanks Matt for a great couple of days."

Julia and Josh reviewed: Glass Art - two day course in stained glass (traditional leaded or copper foil "Tiffany" technique)

"We had a lovely two days making stained glass. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and we took something home that we were proud of. Mattt was very supportive and guided us through the process well, whilst making use feel very welcome. We would recommend the course to anyone who has thought about doing stained glass, or anything creative as a hobby. Thank you for a fantastic few days!"

Mary Hill reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"I did a six week course and we had a detailed timetable as soon as we arrived but were told it was flexible. The first week looked a bit boring but NO we learnt how the kiln worked and when we had a pile of greenhouse glass that we have been cutting to learn how to use the cutter and to cut various shapes not just straight lines we made them into designs that were then fused. The result was wonderful. Who would have thought greenhouse glass could be so beautiful. Then tack-fusing which was like gluing glass together so that we kept the texture. Again with good explanations of the changes in kiln settings needed. We were then let loose with full fusing. Flat pieces to begin with and then bowls and dishes. An inspiring six weeks."

Elaine MacGregor reviewed: Glass Art - two day course in stained glass (traditional leaded or copper foil "Tiffany" technique)

"Just had such a lovely weekend with Matt and one other student, doing a 2 day glass fusing course. Absolute beginner but Matt made me feel I could achieve anything. She was inspiring, patient and encouraging. There were only two of us in the class so we had all the support we needed. She helped us to work at our own pace and using our own style. Matt just gave us the knowledge to work safely and some inspiration from her own work and then let us explore and discover how to work with glass. I was delighted with the end products that I've seen and I'm itching to see the final pieces coming out of the kiln this week. Thank you Matt for a brilliant weekend. I hope this inspires others to have a go."

Pam Rogers reviewed: Glass fusing and slumping (warm glass) in the beautiful Kent Downs near Canterbury

"This has been a most enjoyable 6 weeks. I have learned about the science of glass fusion which is fascinating and explains the process and why things happen - such as air bubbles! Mattt has explained working with glass–the safety aspects as well as how to use the cutters and has always been there with encouragement and design ideas. We (it has been a class of two) have had the run of her wide range of materials and I have been delighted with the pieces I have produced. It has been the bright spot of the week."

Gill Buckley reviewed: Glass Art - two day course in stained glass (traditional leaded or copper foil "Tiffany" technique)

"Matt is a wonderfully calm and inspiring teacher. She is extraordinarily patient and obviously derives joy from her pupils gaining confidence and skills. I had a real sense of achievement from producing my first piece of appliqué glass work that is now gracing my mantelpiece. She has much to offer the beginner as well as those with more experience within the visual arts. The surroundings are tranquil; I particularly loved sitting on the swing seat in the garden that reminded me of special moments in my childhood. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her courses and tuition to anyone who wanted an enriching creative break and a time for rest for their soul."

Nigel reviewed: Glass Art - two day course in stained glass (traditional leaded or copper foil "Tiffany" technique)

"Just had a second stained glass session being taught skills I never Imagined I could develop -by a patient and helpful teacher. Fantastic facilities and hospitality and an end product to be proud of. Will be back for more!"