Latest reviews

Maya reviewed: Introduction to green woodwork course at Sallerton Wood

"This was a fantastic day immersed in beautiful woodland surroundings and being taught great woodworking skills. Learnt a lot and got to try a good range of tools and techniques. Andy is a great teacher. I highly recommend this course."

Sallerton Wood responded:

"Thanks very much indeed, Maya, for your positive review. We are very pleased that you enjoyed the course, and are grateful for your recommendation. It would be good to see you again if you'd like to join us at Sallerton Wood for another course sometime in the future."

Shea reviewed: Introduction to MIG welding

"Had a great time. The hands on approach was a great way to learn and get confidence quickly. Conon was a good teacher and was happy to answer any questions. Would recommend the day session if you are beginner, want to try something new or if you have a small welding project but you don't personally have a workshop/welder to complete it yourself."

Conan Sturdy, Blacksmith responded:

"Thanks for coming down 🙌"

John Holloway reviewed: Electric guitar (6 String) Building day course

"Brilliant day with Ted turning a kit of parts into a T-style guitar. The kit that Ted supplied looked far better than I expected - really beautiful woods and very well finished. I wanted a Gretsch black-top filtertron instead of the supplied unbranded single coil. Ted went to a lot of time and trouble to make this pickup fit as the body is cut for a single coil, as is the scratch plate. He showed me ways to ensure the frets and neck are level, and polish up the frets, techniques I can apply to other guitars. Great day had and Ted is a really nice guy!"

Teds Woodworking/ instrument making Courses responded:

"Hi John , Looking forward to meeting you again soon my friend and so glad your guitar build went ok ? We did get a bit hooked up on those electrics but as you said 2 heads are better than 1. It was a pleasure working with you and talking about guitars especially talking about rock stars etc. Keep on rocking ! See you soon ! "

Carol Glen reviewed: Introduction to Frame Loom Weaving, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury, Wiltshire

"Well - if you want a day filled with fun and creativity, then this is the course for you. Ellie is a fantastic teacher- she is clear in her instructions, patient when you are struggling, encouraging to try new ideas. The venue was also lovely and talking to the others on the course was enjoyable. I thoroughly recommend and would love to go back again. Thank you Ellie."

Elka responded:

"Thank you so much for the lovely review Carol! It was great to meet you and such a treat to spend the day weaving with you all, I'm delighted that you enjoyed it :) X"

Sheila Jennings-Giles reviewed: Bespoke Contemporary Fine Art Encaustic Wax Workshop.

"Had a brilliant day with Lyn learning about encaustic wax art techniques. Lyn is a lovely lady and very skilled at her subject. She explains, guides and helps you very gently with developing your creation during the day. Came home with a super piece of art work."

Contemporary Encaustic Wax Workshop responded:

"You had a vision Sheila, which I helped you to realise, whilst showing you the techniques to get there. I am as chuffed with the results as you obviously are. Well done. Don’t forget to ‘buff’ the surface with a v soft cloth, avoiding the jewel areas. Lovely to meet you. Thank you for spending your CC voucher with me! Lyn "

JP reviewed: Fermenting workshop – Sauerkraut & Kombucha

"This is a great hands on and practical course for newbies to fermenting. I’m still making the kombucha, even months later! "

Denmark Farm Conservation Centre responded:

"That's great to hear. We're very happy to hear that you found this course so useful. Enjoy fermenting. Mara"

Carole reviewed: Printmaking Gelli Plates with Clare Basel at Cambridge Makers

"Claire made us feel welcome. The information she gave was thoughtful and helpful. The venue is lovely and well equipped. Thank you for a wonderful day. Will be booking another course soon. "

Cambridge Art Makers responded:

"We're so glad you enjoyed the course Carole, look forward to seeing you again soon! :) "

Winny Fryer reviewed: Gelli Plate Printing - Experimenting with Image transfer with Clare Cosens

"Brilliant. Clare could not have been more helpful, saves hours of trial and error"

Clare Cosens Designs responded:

"Thank you Winny for taking the time to leave a review and for your continued support towards my little business. I'm really pleased that you enjoyed the workshop and produced a variety of successful prints."

Andrea Hainsworth reviewed: Three Little Birds - Fused Glass with Crafts in the Valley

"Another excellent workshop with Melanie. Each one is so enjoyable and different from the others. Melanie is so talented and knowledgeable and is happy to share it with you. Always on hand to give further instruction or suggestions, as well as providing delicious refreshments. I bought the Three Little Birds class for my 14 year old granddaughter, who enjoyed every minute. Can't wait to get back for another session!"

Imogen reviewed: Calligraphy Workshops in North Essex

"A super day. Julie is a great teacher and I thoroughly enjoyed my day, which went past in a flash - always a good sign! I would thoroughly recommend Julie’s courses and plan to attend another as soon as I can."

Julie Chaney responded:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to write about your calligraphy day. It's wonderful to hear that you had such an enjoyable time and thank you for your kind comments. You really did work hard and made excellent headway with your Italic. It would be a pleasure to welcome you again!"

Sam Sparrow reviewed: Fused Glass Workshop - Botanic Designs

"Had a lovely morning in this workshop. Beckie is welcoming and helpful and explains the process and tools quickly and simply so you can get going quickly. Plenty of refreshments along the way and chat between the participants. Would definitely be up for another workshop. "

Glass Art Designs Ltd responded:

"Thank you, Sam, for your kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed the whole experience. I'd love to welcome you back for another workshop anytime! Beckie"

Becky reviewed: Leaded Stained Glass Workshop, Bedford

"Such a lovely day, I thoroughly recommend. Will is a great and extremely patient teacher and provided a beautiful array of glass colours, as well as tea, coffee and biscuits! We are all in love with our pieces. Thank you! "

Marion Baker reviewed: Lino printing landscapes

"I really enjoyed the day. Lee is very patient and the class numbers are small so he has plenty of time to make suggestions and guide you through the techniques. I had never done anything like this before but found it is a great mix of different skills. I loved trying mixing the different colours. Thank you"

Grant reviewed: Green wood creative seating course (6 Days)

"Completed the 6 day seating course. Hadn’t worked with green wood before and loved it. Was good craic with Peter, Toby and the group, would definitely look into doing another course. Also came away with a lovely bench and new skills. "

Forman Margaret reviewed: Three Little Birds - Fused Glass with Crafts in the Valley

"Fabulous afternoon. Small class. Teaching style is thorough, encouraging and gentle. Time flew by. Lovely surroundings and great cake. I can’t wait to go again ."

Orla reviewed: One to one, One day, blacksmith course

"I was lucky enough to be gifted the two day blacksmithing experience with Alex and what an experience it was! He educated me on a lot of the history behind such a unique trade, the various tools within the forge and where his love and learning of this skill stemmed from. I loved getting to create my very own pieces, with Alex's calm and confident guidance. I made a Lily sculpture for my garden and a dragon bottle open for my friend. Getting to work in such an old forge at Amberley Working Museum - which has seen many a creation made, added to the magical experience I had. I'm very proud of what I was able to make with Alex's knowledgable tuition and will definitely be turning my hand to the heat again someday in the future. Ps.... The snacks were very welcomed too! 👍"

Chalk Pit Forge responded:

"Hi Orla, Thanks so much for the great review and going to the time to say how you enjoyed the experience. It's really nice to hear! I'm happy you made yourself proud with the Lilies you made. You did a great job! Alex "

Leslie McLaren reviewed: Three Little Birds - Fused Glass with Crafts in the Valley

"I went on the three birds course and made an extra bird instead of two pieces of jewellery. Melanie is a very encouraging tutor and demonstrated the technique so it was easy to follow. There were lots of stencils to choose from and plenty of additional glass to decorate with. Melanie was on hand to advise and offer suggestions. Coffee and cakes were good too."

Jackie Tagg reviewed: Fused Glass Wave and Dichroic Glass Jewellery Workshop with Crafts in the Valley

"My friend and I decided to do something together for our birthdays rather than buy gifts for each other this year. We both love crafts and booked on with Melanie. From booking, to emailing questions to the day itself, it was brilliant. We had never done glass craft before but Melanie makes it so easy for you to follow, everything was provided, even extra cake. Highly recommend and such great value. Venue is light, modern and airy, but compact but ideal for what you’re doing. Ample parking and great directions provided on booking. "

Kate reviewed: Resin crafting for beginners

"We had a really lovely day, a good and well explained introduction to resin in a very relaxed atmosphere, thank you! "

Angela Hipwell reviewed: Learn to Crochet Workshop in The Cotswolds - Gloucestershire/Wiltshire/Oxfordshire Border

"Attended a beginners crochet workshop with Karen. The course was brilliant and the other course attendees were very lovely as well. I learnt a lot talking to Karen, and came away with some homemade crochet pieces and instructions. I learnt such a lot that I have booked onto two further courses. Well worth attending if you want to start a nice relaxing hobby "

Lechlade Craft Barn responded:

"It was lovely to meet you Angela and I'm so pleased you are inspired to carry on with your new hobby. I look forward to seeing you next time. Karen"

Elaine Topham reviewed: Weekend BEGINNERS IN-DEPTH WORKSHOPS - Bobbin Lacemaking Workshops (Effingham, Surrey).

"It was well worth the journey!! I had a brilliant couple of days and Tina was very patient with all the learners. She has taken time to ensure I have contacts in my area so I can continue. Thank you so much!"

Tina's Bobbin Lacemaking responded:

"Hi Elaine Thank you for taking the time to leave this review. It was lovely to meet you over the weekend, and a real pleasure to teach you. You had done really well to pick up so much before you came to me. I hope that you find some help nearer to home and carry on with your Lace making journey. Please do get in touch if you need any help at anytime. Take care Tina"

Aline Shand reviewed: Two day wood carving course at Middleton Hall

"This was my third woodcarving weekend with this organiser and I most probably will do more. Those courses are so well organised and in beautiful settings. Gerraint is an excellent teacher, positive, encouraging and most importantly you go home with a huge sense of achievement and a carving you would never imagine you could achieve in 2 days. Working with wood is so therapeutic too. "

Mike reviewed: One day welding course: an introduction

"Excellent course, Julian was very knowledgeable and helpful, I would recommend it. "

Julian Wadsworth - Artist Blacksmith responded:

"Hi Mike, Thank you for your review. I think you took to the welding process really well and it was good to run through the samples you brought along , these really helped to focus your particular needs for welding."

Janey reviewed: Two day wood carving course at Middleton Hall

"What a wonderful two days I have just spent.... I knew nothing about woodcarving and the course with Geraint was exactly what I hoped it would be. The individual work places, the introduction to tools and how to use them, the right choice of subject - I did an ammonite (wanted to do the hares but Geraint wisely said too much too soon!!) Geraint came around with advice and skill just when I needed him every time!! The location at Middleton Hall and the weather were perfect too. Go for it if you are at all interested....!!!"

Ruth reviewed: Mosaic workshop at Jackie Nash Art

"Excellent day spent with my family on my daughters 50th Birthday. We were made so welcome, Jackie was brilliant from tea and cake to very clear and precise instructions, help at all times. Nothing was too much trouble, we had such a lovely day, one I will remember for a long time, with lots of laughs along the way. We are already planning our next workshop! It was altogether a wonderful experience, thanks again Jackie."

Jackie Nash Art responded:

"Thank you for your lovely review. It was an absolute pleasure working with you all, and I’m very glad you had a lovely day. I hope to see you back in the workshop sometime in the future. Best wishes Jackie "