GDH Leatherwork reviews

17 Mar 15'

Olivia reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I had such a great weekend on the course and already want to make another bag! Gaynor, Enya and Elizabeth were great company and wonderful teachers. Gaynor was very helpful with encouragement and information about how, as a beginner, to continue leatherwork at home after the course. Gary and Enya both drove me to and from my B&B or the train station, which was a generous and very welcome benefit that meant being in the middle of nowhere without a car wasn't complicated. I would thoroughly recommend this course for anyone good with their hands and keen to work with leather. I came away feeling very pleased with myself! Thank you."

4 Mar 15'

Ali and Sorrel Russell reviewed: Moulded leather rucksack

"What a wonderful course! In three days we learnt how to mould wet leather into a clamp mould...very scary! .....and on to make the finished moulds into two finished bags. As always the tuition was excellent, clear, informative, and with each person going at their own pace. Gaynor and Enya were, as always, patient and happy to answer any questions giving us all lots of confidence in our ability. We left with lots of information and the skill to make another bag on our own. All this as well as a lovely gang of other students made for a fun three days Cant wait to return for the five day course in the Autumn With Fond Regards Ali and Sorrel....or Laurel !"

25 Feb 15'

Ilona Ramsay reviewed: Moulded leather rucksack

"Very welcoming before we began. Lots of help and guidance throughout the course without being condescending. The aim for those running the course seemed to be to ensure we learnt a lot of skills, picked up lots of hints and tips so that we could carry on to make bags when we got home and to have good fun whilst doing it. Most of all they seemed to want to make sure we went home with the best possible bag we could make. A lovely hard working team. Brilliant."

23 Feb 15'

Catherine reviewed: Moulded leather rucksack

"A brilliant course. We used techniques which we'd learned on other courses, the bag making course in my case, and over three days created a beautiful moulded leather backpack. Gaynor and Enya were very good tutors, and Elizabeth was very helpful. It was great fun as well, with a terrific group of people."

23 Jan 15'

Kevin McKeon reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I had a really excellent weekend making a great messenger bag and getting a great introduction to leatherwork. Gaynor is a highly skilled craftsperson and teacher who shares her knowledge freely, you get drawn in so quickly to working on your project and the results were very exciting. The workshop in a beautiful old chapel is very well organised space with plenty of room to work. The emphasis is on building skills and confidence quickly so that you can get working on your own project. There is a lot of one-to-one tuition from Gaynor and her excellent assistant Enya both ably helped by Elizabeth so you never have to struggle on your own. The team are really good about allowing people to work in a way they feel comfortable with and everyones work progressed very quickly. The atmosphere is very friendly and busy and I learnt so much about a material I'd never used before. I'm so pleased with my bag - can't quite believe I did it in two days! I would highly recommend the weekend to anyone who enjoys working with their hands, you'll learn a lot and make a really beautiful bag to take away and you'll have a lot of fun too."

22 Jan 15'

Rose Scarborough reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I came on the course as a birthday treat for a friend but it was a total treat for me. The teaching was excellent. The team were all so friendly and supportive. I love my bag. When I got home my friends couldn't believe I had hand stitched it and done it all in a weekend. I recommend it as a rewarding and enjoyable experience. thank you"

22 Jan 15'

Sue Dunckley reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"Enjoyed every moment of making my beautiful handbag. The course was extremely well run, was fun & a lovely atmosphere. Excellent tuition had an amazing 2 days & learnt so much."

22 Jan 15'

Clare Pennells reviewed: Leatherwork weekend taster course

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course. They were really helpful. Would recommend it to anyone."

19 Dec 14'

Laura reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I attended this course back in September and it was fantastic. I learnt so much in the two days and made a beautiful leather tote bag. Gaynor and Enya were really knowledgeable and gave great tips and advice, highly recommend this course for anyone interested in leather work."

2 Dec 14'

Ali Russell reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"Thanks to Gaynor and her wonderful girls we gained the skills to make a beautiful bag in just two days. The studio is wonderful and very inspiring, we laughed, learnt, and ate cake as well as acquiring so many skills! I would recommend this course to anyone with good basic craft skills, Gaynor is excellent at letting each student work at there own pace with just the right amount of input to keep your confidence going. We are counting the months until we can come back for the next course."

28 Nov 14'

Gwenda Dinsdale reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I really enjoyed the weekend. I had no prior experience of working with leather, although I have done dressmaking and a little upholstery, so I was a bit concerned that other students would have had more experience than me. But I thought that the standard of teaching was very good, with allowances being made for the differing standards of competance of the students. Gaynor was especially skilled in helping me find alternative ways of doing some of the work when I found it difficult due to arthritis in my hands. She was also very positive and encouraging, which made for a lovely atmosphere. I would love to do another course - Perhaps a one day "Make Another Bag" course?"

11 Nov 14'

Andrew Colleran reviewed: Leatherwork weekend taster course

"The course delivered exactly what I wanted and is a very good basis for starting out in leatherwork. Good content on tools, processes and practice."

10 Nov 14'

Helen reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"An excellent course for anyone wishing to make there own Leather bag Gaynor and Enya helped and guided your through the intensive two day course and were always on hand if you needed a little extra help, you come away with your own handmade bag and new skills. I would highly recommend this course to anyone wishing to get started with leather work. Thanks again to Gaynor, Enya and Elizabeth for all your help. Helen"

28 Oct 14'

Karen Burnett reviewed: Leather Mask Making

"I had a great day and learned new skills. I hope to be back next year to try a different course."

28 Oct 14'

Beryl Freedman reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"What an excellent weekend. Everything was perfect - great bunch of people. I would definitely do one again."

28 Oct 14'

Katherine reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I enjoyed this course so much! We were patiently guided through the skills needed to make our bags, from the cutting and hammering (noisy but fun!) to the hand-stitching and burnishing, with good humour from everyone involved. I'm now telling anyone who will listen about my new bag and the fun I had making it. Thanks to Gaynor, Enya and Elizabeth!"

27 Oct 14'

Jennifer Beaton reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course. The instructions were excellent and at the right level. The materials were of a fabulous quality. I really cannot say any more I was so thrilled with the course, I cannot stop talking about it and it has given me the impetus to continue with leather hand sewing. Enya and Elizabeth were a delight to meet and so healpful."

24 Oct 14'

Elizabeth reviewed: Leather Mask Making

"The one day workshop was organised very well, equal time was spent with each of us and we were given so much information on the type of leather we were using, tools and techniques, and tips if we were to try mask making at home. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and I was really surprised that we were able to successfully create and finish a mask by then end of the session! I had a great day and would really recommend this course to everyone, even if they've never worked with leather before! It was such a great experience!"

21 Oct 14'

Johnathan Rowles reviewed: Leather Mask Making

"What a great day, I enjoyed every minute. Lots of very useful tips with a safe and friendly environment. The day was well constructed giving every one equal time with help using the many variations of leather craft."

20 Oct 14'

David Bedward reviewed: Leather Mask Making

"A great course with lots of opportunity to learn new skills. Also a very friendly host who was able to provide information on the area and was even kind enough to arrange transport to and from the course location. A great day all round."

4 Oct 14'

Anna Whitfield reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I had such a great weekend doing the course. Who knew so much went into making a leather bag! Quite an eye opener . Beautiful leather, good instruction (thanks Gaynor and Enya), I've come away with a bag for life that I made!!! What could be better than that? If you enjoy learning new skills and have a free weekend I would recommend that you gave this course a go, you won't be disappointed."

3 Oct 14'

Juliet reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I was so pleased with my bag that for the first two days after the course I couldn't bring myself to use it in case it got damaged - I am delighted to say that it seems quite resilient! The instruction provided by Gaynor and Enya was excellent and despite the fact that we worked quite hard none of it ever seemed like a chore - plus there was a very regular supply of tea and cakes - always a bonus!"

2 Oct 14'

Alice reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I had a fantastic time on the course; Gaynor and Enya were excellent teachers and I’m so chuffed with the beautiful bag and new skills I got from the weekend. The workshop is set in a beautiful chapel which made it such an idyllic spot to work in. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough!"

29 Sep 14'

Helen Chaloner reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"Great course, well taught, well equipped and generous workspace, enjoyable atmosphere. Full marks all round!"

29 Sep 14'

Jill Williams reviewed: Hand-stitched leather tote, satchel or messenger bag course

"I really had the most brilliant time. I could never have imagined the amount of work and the different techniques needed to make a tote bag! Gaynor was an excellent teacher. Her obvious expertise and good sense of humour plus such attention to detail (and our safety with the sharp equipment!) made the time fly by. I am now the proud owner of a fabulous leather handbag which I actually made myself. Thank you so much."