Nettlecombe Craft School reviews

17 Apr 20'

Layla reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"I'll never look at a spoon in the same way again. Jeffrey's workshop was my first attempt at making anything out of wood other than a fire. We started with a spoon-blank and were coached through the different types of cut, Jeffrey's steady instruction and individual attention kept us safe, and improved my clumsy technique. In the afternoon we learned how to axe our own blank from the log itself and then had a whole new spoon to create. The instructions were clear, the banter fun and both coffee and biscuits were plentiful. More than that I came away with brand new skill - I love carving spoons! Warning: this activity is addictive."

13 Feb 20'

Tim Just reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Great relaxed course. The day and activities were well thought out and whilst seemingly out of order the logic of not handing everybody a log and an axe in the first 10 mins was pretty sound! The days' plan also allowed for everybody to work at their own pace to produce one or two spoons. I think most people were so inspired that they ordered new knives and maybe axes as soon as they got home."

12 Feb 20'

Dewi Owen reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Great tutor. Enjoyable afternoon"

12 Feb 20'

David Stephens reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"A very enjoyable day very well led by Jeffery. I learnt about the techniques of carving a spoon but also about the nature of wood. The pace of learning was great with a good mix of instruction and hands on experience. I would highly recommend to anyone wishing to learn this skill or just looking for a great experience."

9 Feb 20'

Rachel Stephens reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Jeffrey is a patient, knowledgeable and friendly instructor, who clearly loves his craft and sharing this with others. The day was fun and interesting, and I came away with something I'm proud of! Thanks for a fab day!"

20 Jan 20'

Tom Pickles reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"A great day! Having spent some time trying to teach myself to carve spoons, I soon came to the conclusion that a course might be the best option. I learned more in the first 10 minutes than I did reading a number of books and attempting self-teaching over a few months. The course was run at a good pace and covered everything you need to know to get started. Jeffrey has a clear passion that is infectious, his teaching is clear and concise and he has the necessary patience required for teaching. I can't recommend highly enough - now I just need to find some greenwood to develop my skills"

2 Nov 19'

Mike Hill reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Jeffrey made sure that everyone knew the safest and most effective types of cut for each section of the spoon, making an otherwise potentially dangerous pursuit (the knives are really really sharp!) very safe and very satisfying. His approach is warm and encouraging, and the atmosphere he created was relaxed, fun and attentive. The whole process feels beautifully cathartic and calming, the more you work with the wood the more you understand it and how it will react to various types of cuts and techniques, and with so much depth to the craft I found it fascinating, and pretty addictive! At the end of the session, I ended up with a spoon of my own that I was proud of, and a new hobby/slight obsession."

11 Mar 19'

Steph Davies reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Loved Jeffrey's course, such a great way to spend a day and learn carving skills to take with you anywhere and everywhere as long as you've got the tools! His approach was relaxed and informal whilst being jam packed with useful tips and techniques, and made everyone feel as ease with the new processes. Would highly recommend, I've since got my own knives and can resist an evening spent whittling!"

6 Feb 19'

Bianca Pardhy-Avis reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"I so enjoyed my day learning to carve spoons with Jeffrey. He is an intuitive and knowledgeable tutor, and the whole course was really well thought out in terms of learning the theory and the skills, then loosing oneself in the process. Warning: Spoon carving is ADDICTIVE! I found it so hard to put down my spoon and go for a tea break - just one more knife stroke!! I would recommend doing this course to anyone. It was a wonderful way to spend a day, Jeffrey made it really fun and interesting, and remained cool calm and collected in the presence of many sharp objects in the hands of amateurs. I've now got some tools of my own and can't wait to build my collection of me-made spoons."

31 Jan 19'

Joe Duirwyn reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Learning Spoon carving with Jeffrey is The Best! His intruction is clear and easy to follow and he is a keen observer of your process, which means he can offer insightful tweaks and adjustments to get you carving safely and confidently in very little time. I was really impressed with my first spoon and (my obvious talent notwithstanding) I would put that down to jeffreys excellent teaching style. Highly reccomended!"

30 Jan 19'

Matt Addinell reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"I had a fantastic time learning to spoon carve with Jeffrey. I had no experience of spoon carving, or woodwork in general, before this but that caused no issue. All of the tools were provided and the pace of the teaching was excellent. Jeffery really took the time to explain and demonstrate each stage and technique so i never felt out of my depth. I found spoon carving with Jeffery to be incredibly satisfying and surprisingly relaxing and recommend it to everyone. Be warned, you may find it addictive."

28 Jan 19'

Simone reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Jeffrey's workshop is a brilliant introduction to spoon carving. By the end of the workshop I had made two beautiful spoons, one from a spoon blank and the other by using an axe to chop down a log into my own spoon blank. I left the class hooked on whittling and axe work and enthused to make more spoons. Jeffrey is a great teacher: personable, patient and able to give clear concise explanations and instruction to beginners. I can't recommend his course highly enough."

26 Nov 18'

Jessica Makins reviewed: Spoon carving course - from log to spoon with Jeffrey Hart

"Learning to carve with Jeffrey was just a brilliant experience from start to finish. His own spoons are beautiful and his knowledge extensive. There were four of us learning together and Jeffrey taught at a pace that was supportive of the slowest, but also personalised his approach to push on those who had a bit more experience. His passion for carving, natural materials and design is infectious and we all went home with a spoon to be proud of. I'm a spoon convert!!!"