12 Nov 23'
"I expected a proper work shop, but the course was set in a converted garage/room of the house. Such a small room /space. There were only 3 of us who attended, any more would have be too many.
I was hoping for more practical help and a thorough explanation of the process. It felt more suited for the casual amateur or for young children for a fun treat activity.
Because I was sat at the end of the table I felt that I was very much overlooked and generally left to get on with it. The two other ladies that were in this session were getting their work checked regularly and I noticed the host used the flame to help remove bubbles from their setting jewellery, however when I asked for my items to be checked she just told me to use a spray bottle of alcohol and didn't check my work. When I read up about using alcohol spray apparently this can damage the resin and discolour it.
Again, I wanted my pendants checked as I had spoilt the silver frames by using too much resin, so I asked for help (as the pendants needed to be rescued) but the host didn't check again and said she would clean them up before sending them on to me. However, when I received them they hadn't been cleaned up. I definitely felt it wasn't worth the money; we all paid the same fee so we should all get the same help and attention. Maybe I just picked the wrong course this time."
ToDot Handcrafted Goods responded:
"Many thanks … for your feedback and I’m sorry you were disappointed with your experience overall.
My room was converted into a studio which happens to be part of the house and I have a maximum of 3 in my room at any one time so that I can give the appropriate attention to all the pupils. I have ran numerous courses over the years and have never received any negative feedback on the room.
On the day I showed examples of what can be made and I did explain the process and completed a full demonstration before attendees started any work with the resin. It is a taster class which I advertise as being suitable for people with no prior experience. Attendees in the past have returned to gain further experience so it can be progressed over additional/longer workshops.
On your point on using alcohol spray - it is in the guidance to use in small amounts for any bubbles in resin so please rest assured this is not an issue.
In regard to your pieces, I spent 4 days after the workshop checking the pieces and cleaning them up. The one piece you are unhappy with is perhaps one process I won’t offer in the future. It is a tricky piece and perhaps should be used by those more experienced. I didn’t want to touch your pieces when you mentioned you’d overfilled them as I didn’t want to disturb the drying resin. After it was cured I felt any removal of excess would damage the main piece due to the thinness. You were able to make 2 pairs of earrings and 5 pendants which were, for a complete beginner, a great achievement in my view. Claire "