Testimonials
Have a read through some of our wonderful testimonials written by our talented workshop students.
Contemporary Feltmaking Workshop
with Colleen Plank
"I learnt alot about felting techniques - well worth it! Great inspiration... the workshop was very well organised with tons of information. The environment was relaxed, I was made to feel right at home!"
Yvonne Florris, Nelson
"I really enjoyed the feltmaking workshop. The tutor was so helpful and I learnt so many new skills. I'm looking forward to using these to make lots of great gifts for the family."
Julie Gordon, Western Australia
- "Inspiring, exciting, flexible and helpful, allowing for thinking along different lines. I enjoyed the great set up, notes, powerpoint, supplier recommendations and suggestions." - Sally Mason
- "Mind expanding with so many new ideas. Two more weeks please... everything was comfortable and friendly." - Jennifer McDonald, Tasman
- "Awesome, loved it! Would like the workshop to be extended two more days - I loved it that much! Enjoyment, professionalism and satisfaction with results." - Julia Seagar, Nelson
- "Perfect location, very peaceful and inspiring. A really inspiring workshop, I learnt lots of techniques and knowledge. I achieved a lot, could easily have done another day." - Pauline Farley, Nelson
- "Colleen was so generous with materials and information. Everything was excellent and beyond my expectations. A lovely venue, I would highly recommend this workshop to others." - Erica Harper, Nelson
- "Invigorating to learn something new. A fabulous workshop for a mother and daughter, the felt skills were well taught in a very relaxed atmosphere." - Bo & Rachel Buckley, Tasman
- "Thrilled with what I made. I learnt many things that I had seen in books but had never actually tried. I now have the confidence to give other things a go." - Linda Carville, Christchurch
- "Lovely working in the tutors own studio. Very relaxed, informative, friendly and useful...the Contemporary Felt Making workshop perfectly met my needs." - Anne Barrer, Marlborough
- "Ignited my creativity - so many ideas. Most definitely recommend this workshop." - Rosemary Baird, Nelson
- "Inspiring, with lots of fabulous samples and different methods to look at." - Deb Price, Takaka
- "Lovely location to learn about eco dyeing. I would recommend this to others!" - Anna McClure, Tasman
Harakeke (NZ Flax) Weaving Workshop
with Evey Weavy
"A fun create way to spend a wintry day in a gentle environment. Relaxed, friendly and creative, the workshop had just the right amount of information and practical balance, I feel like we couldn't have fitted any more into the 6 hours.
Catherine Broshnaham, Nelson
"Weekend workshops are great, short and powerful! I thoroughly enjoyed it, great instructions and lovely space to work in. There was plenty for us to do, nothing was missing."
Kay Maitland, Christchurch
- "I recently attended a course Evey Weavey offers for people who wish to extend their harekeke raraga (flax weaving) skills. It's up to you to decide what you will work on, and Evey may offer to teach you something entirely new as well.
Lillyanne Pugh, a friend of Evey's who is also experienced in all manner of fibre crafts, hosted the course at her farm in the Maitiri Valley, near Murchison. The setting is beautiful and tranquil and Lillyanne's large, roofed verandah served as our studio. If you enrol in one of Evey's courses in Murchison you will be offered very reasonably priced accomodation at the farm. If you stay there, you can prepare your own food, or opt to partake of Lillyanne's home cooking, again very reasonably priced.
I wanted to improve my kete whiri skills so, Yvonne asked me to come prepared with 24 harekeke rau/leaves. I also brought along one of my not-so-great kete whiri attempts, which made it very clear to Evey where I needed to focus. She guided me through the whole process of creating a kete whiri, paying a lot of attention to improving the construction of the whiri (braid) at the base of the kete, the creation of the corners, ensuring consistent weaving tension, and finishing off. I also learned how to dye harekeke.
This class in the Maitiri Valley can best be described as a weekend retreat. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in craft and to learn from a master weaver with extraordinary teaching talent. You'll want to return again and again." - Ann Braun Wheatley
- "You come away having created something you didn't think you could. Relaxing, satisfying, challenging (in a good way). Just lovely, a great sense of accomplishment!" - Estella Van Til, Nelson
- "We made an amazing number of things in the time, I was happy with my take home goods. Great to know about traditional crafts and have a go." - Philippa Eberlein, Nelson
- "We all really enjoyed it, the tutor was very helpful moving around the room and sorting out our tangles. Great venue, very accessible." - Gabrielle Hervey, Nelson
- "The workshop was fun and the materials are freely available. The workshop was great, not too many people and the instructor was always available." - Roger Douglass, Nelson
- "Excellent facility and workshop. A very information workshop with an excellent facility." - Bobby Lenting, Auckland
- "The tutor was very welcoming making us feel competent even as beginners. The class was small and the time flew by with laughter and simple pleasures (great tea too)!" - Valerie Weir Van Til, Nelson
- "Thanks again for a very enjoyable weekend." - Gayle, Tasman
- "They were a great group of women." - Lesley, Nelson
More coming soon!
Screen Printing Workshop
with Judith Ritchie
"The workshop was a great opportunity to try a variety of screen printing techniques. We learnt about the different screen printing techniques and how we could use the techniques in the classroom with our students."
Kathryn Mason, Marlborough
"It more than met my expectations. The tutor was excellent at tutoring to all levels, beginners to experienced. The small class size was excellent and meant that while she was tutoring and explaining to the beginner students I was able to move on with the practical aspects of the course."
Marita Watson-Bol, Nelson
- "Totally met my expectations, learning great techniques. Great to learn and try out all the screen printing techniques." - Sarah Winham, Marlborough
- "Very informative, everything worked out great. Looking forward to learning the darkroom/photographic technique." - Gavin Stanley, Christchurch
- "Awesome to be able to develop my own design. The environment was informative and informal - thanks Judith!" - Rebecca Anderson-Griffith, Nelson
- "A sincere thank you to Judith and NZ Textile Experiences for providing such a practical workshop in a pleasant and relaxing environment. I had been searching for a workshop to learn the photo emulsion screen printing techniques for a while, and fortunately this one was right on my doorstep in beautiful Nelson. I feel confidently armed with enough knowledge and practice to take my ideas and get printing!" - Debbie Donaldson, Nelson
Slow Fashion Mending Workshop
with Renée Clothier
"Thank you for last Saturday, it was great. Tickled pink with my new skill."