Rustic Carpentry reviews

16 Mar 18'

David Cox reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"A really enjoyable day, lots of interesting things to learn plus, because Ian is very passionate about his craft and the importance of maintaining these rural skills, that adds value to the time he puts into teaching them. There is also the bonus of walking away with your own stool. If you need to find someway to break free from the pressure of a hectic work schedule, spend a few hours in Ian's workshop, it may help put things in perspective!"

5 Mar 18'

Valerie Faulks reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"This course is great, I enjoyed it very much. I had no experience at all of working with wood beforehand, but with Ian’s patient and encouraging tuition I was able to take home a very strong, attractive and useful stool, with which I am delighted. I went to the course on my own, there was one other student on the day, and it was a very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere with plenty of one-on-one instruction. Thank you, Ian."

2 Mar 18'

KC Constantine reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I Bought my partner a half day course (4-5) hours at £95 as a birthday gift. He has talked of doing woodworking crafts in his retirement in May and although only having done your usual DIY projects, he'd never done anything like this. This quite simply was the best present he'd ever had (his words), so without hesitation I'd recommend Ian and his workshops to anyone who wants to learn rustic and traditional carpentry skills using traditional methods and tools. Ian is a natural teacher with a friendly disposition and helpful hints and tips. He is knowledgeable, patient and easy going, his passion for his craft is evident. He a very skilled person, my partner learnt a lot from him, this has certainly given him the excitement of retirement to look forward to to crack on with his own projects, he came away from the day with not only a mallet he'd made and a stool (very impressive, I must say) but also full of enthusiasm. There is no doubt I would recommend his courses to all. You can't go wrong by having this delightful man show you how he will give you the time and patience to explain the various stages of construction, using his wonderful high quality woodworking tools. This is excellent value for money, learning so much and coming home with your very own quality hand crafted stool and tool. My partner already wants a longer session next time the all day bench making I think at £280, and at least I know every single penny is worth it. What more can I say, I Highly Recommend."

23 Feb 18'

Ali Clark reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I really enjoyed the stool making course with Ian Varley and another 'student', Helen. We were picked up from Loughborough rail station, which made the whole thing possible for me, which was great. We spent alot of time learning to use tools such as a fro, a side axe and a draw knife. We first practised by making a mallet, to learn how to use the draw knife, which we got to take home as well as the stool, so that was great. Ian was very friendly and encouraging and helped boost our confidence during the learning process. Ian reinforced the learning through repetition which really helped. The whole day was very informal, and we were able to take breaks when we wanted. Tea and biscuits were provided too. we also learned alot about Ians work and the place where he works which was interesting. It was a great day out, which I would repeat again at some point, to make a different object and learn how to use some other tools."

18 Feb 18'

Helen M reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I actually live in London but decided to travel up to Leicestershire do this course after seeing all the recommendations and I'm very glad I did. The experience of learning to use the different woodworking tools was really enjoyable and I was really happy with the end result. It was very gratifying to start the day with some branches of wood and go home with a hand-crafted piece of furniture at the end of it. Ian was a fantastic and enthusiastic teacher and I would recommend his courses without hesitation. I felt that the course was also very good value for money considering you get several hours of one-on-one tuition and a beautiful piece of furniture to go home with. I was also good knowing that you are helping to support a countryside business."

16 Feb 18'

Tom reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Great day and fantastic stool at the end of it!"

23 Jan 18'

Asli reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Excellent course! We spent the day making 2 beautiful oak stools. Ian welcomed us warmly and is an absolute gem! What a wonderful person and craftsman. He is passionate about his craft and is a great human being. We have left his workshop inspired and are grateful to have our furniture as a memory for this day! Thank you so much Ian."

21 Jan 18'

Hannah and Rob reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Had an incredible time with Ian hand crafting our very own rustic coffee table! Ian was so great to work with and we learnt so much from our 5 hours with him about different types of wood and all the many traditional tools. I booked this as a christmas present and it truly couldn't have been any better. Thanks Ian, we will be recommending to all our friends!"

21 Jan 18'

Mark Parsons reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian was a fantastic tutor - passionate, knowledgeable, skilled and patient. For 5 hours I lost track of time and was immersed in a very different and new (to me), but ancient, skill. Both the mallet and stool I created have been in use today!"

16 Jan 18'

Nick Smith reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Best 4 hrs course I've been on. So interesting excellent teaching style. Highly recommended."

8 Jan 18'

Charlotte Behan reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"My husband and I had an excellent day crafting a beautiful stool each which now take pride of place in our home! Ian was fantastic, full of patience, enthusiasm and knowledge. Highly recommended!"

14 Dec 17'

Rebecca reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"What an amazing day. Ian is a great teacher and I love my stool. To make something with traditional tools and my own hands has been so satisfying. I highly recommend Ian’s course to anyone looking for authentic traditional wood working. With natures magic - wood."

26 Nov 17'

doug & angie reviewed: Rustic oak garden bench - one day course

"spent a brilliant day with Ian at his workshop being guided through the process of making from scratch a beautiful green oak garden bench, if you want to learn and soak up a little knowledge about real woodwork Ian is your man, very patient knowledgeable teacher. Thank you for brilliant memory, Doug&Angie"

20 Nov 17'

Miriam reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Great time. Ian very patient and informative, taking through the whole process and learning all sorts of things. And you leave with a lovely stool that it's totally unique to you. We had a great time. Would definitely recommend."

15 Nov 17'

Bryan Rampton reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian is a top bloke very patient and knowledgeable. It was a relaxed day working with my hands to create something myself with Ian's guidance that I could take home at the end of the day. Highly recommend."

15 Nov 17'

Olivia & Liam reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"We spent an absolutely fantastic half day at Ian's workshop making a pair of rustic stools. With little prior knowledge of the skills involved, Ian taught the basics of green woodworking, and through his gentle guidance and demonstration, we learnt so much from the day and returned home with two beautiful stools that we are so proud of. Ian's workshop is wonderful - full of interesting bits and bobs, and it was great to spend time with someone so dedicated and enthusiastic about his craft. We hope to return soon on another of his workshop days - and would highly recommend Ian's courses to anybody- keen woodworker or complete novice. Thank you Ian!"

6 Nov 17'

Mike reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"This course given to me as a gift from my daughter and my son in law. I had a really enjoyable and productive time with Ian in his workshop. I made the stool using the techniques taught and had the pleasure of learning about tools to not generally used in furniture production today. In the end I produced under Ian's guidance a very rustic stool."

1 Nov 17'

MaryEluned reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I attended this course with no previous experience of green wood working and it was an excellent introduction to a wide range of skills. Ian is patient, friendly and highly experienced in his craft. The course is also a great opportunity for a digital detox, time to disconnect from the world and focus on making something beautiful, we should all do a bit more of this! Mary"

31 Oct 17'

Patrica Ovens reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Ian's work shop was absolutely brill! Great vibe. Great skills to learn. Ian really knows his stuff and leads the course great. Would highly recommend t0 anyone considering a good day out with friends or family. Will diffidently sign up for Ian's future wood working courses."

29 Oct 17'

stefan Thomas reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Truly amazing session. Wow! I've no knowledge or skills in traditional wood working and want to learn from Ian who has been highly recommended. I really liked the talked about traditional wood working skills. I would well recommend Ians workshops. 5 star. Amazing. :)"

29 Oct 17'

Renee Brailsford reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"We had a great time woodworking with Ian, my children (7 & 10) made walking staffs which are now regularly used on walks. They learned about the traditional tools they used, the different types of wood and found themselves immersed in 'the making'. Ian is a natural teacher with a very gentle & patient manner and his passion for the craft is inspiring. Thanks!"

26 Oct 17'

Mart S reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"Wow, I have just spent an afternoon with Ian. I am exhausted and elated!! I left with my beautiful stool and a mind full of greenwood working advice. I hope to return soon to learn more from this amazing craftsman. Thank you so much, our time together was truly inspiring."

12 Oct 17'

Jacquee reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"I enjoyed the day from start to finish. Learnt some great new skills and have come home with a beautiful stool. I'd definitely recommend this course."

12 Oct 17'

brian reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"What a great experience that turned out to be !.........enjoyed the whole day & feeling quite proud of myself for making a lovely stool.......looking forward to doing another one of Ian's courses....top bloke!!!"

8 Oct 17'

Ben reviewed: Oak stool making experience - rustic carpentry & green wood work

"What a great course! Ian is a great teacher and loves what he dose. I really enjoyed it and would 100% recommend it! Thanks Ian!"