Testimonials
"Thank you again for a very special five days. I enjoyed every minute of it thanks to your generosity of materials, knowledge and experience. I learnt a huge amount and now have loads of new ideas and techniques to try out.
Take care Jan and look after yourself after spending five days looking after us."
Jill, 2022
"Thank you so much for the wonderful course "Fabric of the Land". The beautiful recipe book you encouraged us to make will be a valuable lifelong resource, a thing of beauty in its self. I will enjoy remembering the comfortable chat in the workshop, stirring the pots, the excitiment of opening the bundles & the quiet thoughtfulness around the bonfire.
I can't not mention your generositiy in looking after our every needs in coffees, cakes & bakes, absolutely delicious & food for the soul."
Anon, Highlands, 2021
“I found 'Fabric of the Land' fun, fascinating and inspiring. The course was expertly designed and delivered. Jan demystified the dyeing processes with clear explanations and demonstrations, and she encouraged experimentation. Although a novice I produced dyed cloths I am proud of. “
Maggie, Belfast, 2018
"I’m a bit of a class junkie and have had the pleasure of attending many classes across the UK over many years. The class I’ve just completed with Jan definitely wins the prize for being the best I’ve been to. I’ve come away feeling nourished mentally and physically as well as creatively energised and excited. Jan is a hugely talented and generous teacher, gently guiding and inspiring each and every day. The class was relaxed and yet we were prolific each day, each in our own style. I’ve come away with so many pieces and ideas that I can’t wait to build even further upon. I feel like Jan waved her wand in her fabulous location with her apparently infinite materials and created a creative haven. The piece I made on my last day might be my favourite ever.. I will return, over and over I hope and would strongly recommend that anyone attend - to learn, to laugh, to relax and to surprise yourself.. ps the cake is great too!"
Suzanne, Edinburgh, 2018
"First of all thank you so much for a wonderful creative and fun weekend. I ate and drank so much and laughed and learned with lovely feisty women and a great teacher. What more could anyone wish for?"
Mary, 2018
"Just to say how much I enjoyed the A Forest of Stitches course. In addition to being a skilled and creative crafts person you are also an outstanding teacher.
I thoroughly enjoyed the pace and content of the first part of the course where we learned the basics.
The second part of the course was more challenging for me - creating - but you were there to look, listen and suggest. You really challenged and stretched me and forced me out of my rut but in a safe and supportive way. I am sure I will use your techniques in future pieces.
Added to all this was the wonderful food.
Thank you so much for a great 4 days."
Pamela, 2017
"... I also wanted to thank you for the wonderful two weeks of "sewing heaven" in Ullapool recently. It was a long drive up from Bedford but so worthwhile, I enjoyed every minute of it and came away feeling very inspired. Thanks for your patience, encouragement and "recovery techniques" when things didn't work out quite as expected I love a "plan B" and you have plenty of those! You covered so many techniques which I found fascinating and it was fun to let my imagination run riot at times. In fact, I don't remember the last time I had so much fun and became so totally absorbed in an activity that I lost all track of time. There weren't enough hours in the day for me. Having a delicious lunch, tea/coffee and those wonderful cakes served at regular intervals was such a treat too. Thanks for all your hard work and the effort you put into making both courses so enjoyable. I'll definitely think about coming back for more courses in the future, if I can."
Wendy, Bedfordshire
"Just want to thank you both for one of the best weekends I have ever had! It was so much more than I ever expected. I was bowled over by the generosity of you both. Your B&B is outstanding!! I was so touched by the things you both do that go the extra mile."
Cheryl, Aberdeenshire
"Just a little note to say how much I enjoyed and was completely inspired by the outdoor mosaic course. I loved it! Your teaching and encouragement and Katies lovely hospitality were just wonderful. The other ladies on the course were so lovely and everyone had such different style, creativity was there in bucket loads. I was very sad to leave. My slate mosaics have been much admired, my daughters loved my owl. My glass cutters and grosier plyers are on order so there will be no stopping me. I have a few things to finish before I tackle some outdoor stuff (if it ever stops raining). So thank you again for all the fantastic knowledge and enthusiasm you shared with us. I have attached some photos of my "teeny- weeny" tile cutting style which I will still use I am sure but I can also add to my skills, "big & bold", "colourful & joyful" thanks to you."
Lynne, Aberdeenshire
"Thank you as ever for your encouragement. I do love just about everything about making mosaics thanks to you and it’s added great joy to my life, and as you know I do like to laugh and enjoy life!"
Ros, Bedfordshire
"Great work! You are certainly an inspiration to your students, and I have found a new dimension to my work since attending your courses. Maybe I'll manage to attend another in the future. I have lots of happy memories in your company."
Betty, Dumfries
"Dear Jan, thank you very much indeed for the course we attended last weekend in Ullapool. The family were very impressed with my creations that will soon have pride of place in a visible position to be appreciated by all! I have already recommended your course to other friends.Not only was your instruction put across in an understanding and fun way but you also managed to keep us fuelled with teas/coffees, homebaked cakes and the most delicious banquet lunch - single- handedly! Wild Tiles by wonder-woman........."
Carrie, Scotland
"Dear Jan - Huge thanks for the superb courses recently. I really enjoyed them both. I love your teaching style, and you have given me the inspiration and confidence to tackle anything!! Don't ever srop!"
Maureen, Sutherland.
"Jan - having just attended your course on Sunday 29th March, I just wanted to say thanks for a great day. We all appreciated the amount of time and effort you put in and we were all so pleased with our finished pieces. As I am retiring this year, I have been inspired to take up mosaics as a hobby. Thanks again for a great day."
Chris, Inverness.
"Thanks for a fantastic day on Sunday. Everyone really enjoyed it and we would recommend this to anyone. Not only was the course FAB but your cooking was excellent and we all had great day out. A few of us are going to go out this weekend and buy some of the tools and some tiles to try again and I think quite a few would like to try an outdoor mosaics course sometime."
Margaret, Inverness.
"Just to say thank you again for the inspirational and uplifting 2 days at Four Winds last weekend. It was definately worth the drive frrom Wolverhampton. I've got my supplies from Wickes and am raring to go!"
Jane (butterfly birdbath), Wolverhampton.
"Hi Jan - just wanted to say that I've now given my mosaic mirror to my wee niece and she absolutely loves it! Thanks again for a wonderful day at Kate's - your patience and expertise really brought out the creativity in all of us. A very interesting, enjoyable and relaxed experience"
Kirsten, Scotland.
"I have to tell you how much I enjoyed yesterday's workshop. It was everything I had hoped for and more...Thank you so much again for a really fun and memorable day. It will live with me for a long time."
Antonia, Edinburgh.
"I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the day at Kate's farm... I had dabbled with using traditional tiles on a basic level but your 'organic' method was far more interesting and creative. Thanks again for patiently sharing your expertise."
Helen, Stirling.
"Many thanks once again for the most fantastic and enjoyable course I've ever been on and for all your hospitality!"
Sue, Somerset.
"We are still on a high from our wonderful weekend with you ... your warmth, generosity, hospitality ... uplifting company ... inspiration at every turn. We all thought we'd died and gone to heaven!"
Alison, Kingussie.
"It was a wonderfully happy and unforgettable weekend. If you had asked me when I was twenty five what I would be doing at seventy five, I would have said "Knitting and dead-heading the roses". Never did I think I'd be up to my elbows in grout, producing such a beautiful work of art! I certainly hope I'll return for more of your excellent tuition, outstanding cooking and warmth and encouragement."
Margaret, Ayrshire.
"A super weekend ... great fun tuition with lots of inspiration and encouragement, marvellous cooking, great surroundings and above all, good company."
Wendy, Perth.
The Wildtiles workshop ; Batik, Tie-Dyeing, Textiles & Mosaic Courses. "Thank you for such an uplifting weekend. We all appreciated just how much effort you put into making is so welcome, giving us fantastic ideas and encouragement - not to mention feeding us delicious food."
Christine, Aberdeen.
"What a place. What a welcome. What a woman!"
Ruth, Argyll.
"You are an excellent teacher - very nurturing, supportive - building confidence and drawing out all the lights under bushells!"
Elaine, Crieff.
"Just wanted to say a huge thank you to you for a fantastic week on Textile Illuminations recently. It far exceeded my expectations and I enjoyed the whole thing so much. I appreciated your clear demonstrations of new techniques and how well organised and prepared you were for each day with materials, etc, even down to our individually labelled boxes for pieces of work! I also appreciated how encouraging you were to each of us as we produced our fabrics and (what seemed like) genuine pleasure in the results of our experimenting!"
Esther , Edinburgh.
"You are an outstanding tutor and artist. "
Liz, Argyll.
"I have to tell you how much I enjoyed yesterday's workshop. It was everything I had hoped for and more...Thank you so much again for a really fun and memorable day. It will live with me for a long time."
Antonia, Edinburgh.
"It was a wonderful weekend. Everyone I have seen is still talking about it and what they are going to try out next so you have definately planted the seed in our imagination. Thank you for coming so far to give us such a good time - it really was one of the best workshops we have had for a while. "
Wendy, Aberdeenshire.
