Hand & Lock School
Testimonials

'It was the loveliest class, such a beautiful setting, and Freya couldn't do enough to make sure everyone had what they needed, from beads to biscuits and plenty of tea! The demonstrations were really clear and all techniques covered very thoroughly. A Sunday morning visit from Charlie the dog was the cherry on top of a wonderful weekend'

'The best part was having expert demonstrations and being with like minded people - I've already booked my next course!'

'It was one of the best embroidery classes I've taken. I really enjoyed learning tambour, and I loved the flexibility of the design to create something of my own, not just making an exact copy'

'Learning new skills with the experts in the field is very exciting for me and Freya is clearly an expert! Our tutor created a really friendly & relaxed environment for our online class sessions. She was very patient, attentive and encouraging of our work in progress.. I felt comfortable participating & asking for help. All the techniques were demonstrated in a way which felt so accessible and straightforward, even the more tricky techniques like 'plating'. I'd be delighted to learn with Freya again on another course in the future. This course was fascinating to me as it has equipped me with a range of skills encapsulated in one course. In terms of future courses, it would be the perfect package, if some of your online/face to face couture courses were to incorporate elements of how to select the best techniques to emulate the original artwork/design.'

'The classroom is set up perfectly. Freya was patient, detailed and fun to learn from, nothing was too much trouble and I felt included and very welcome'

'I loved ALL of it, every second of it. This course stretched my knowledge and my ability further which I am truly grateful for. It was an honour to train under Lucy, and I really love her teaching methods and relaxed approach in how we choose to study the course. I think the design is out of this world and I am in such admiration how the design was planned so meticulously. It’s truly a piece of art and engineering combined and I am humbled by so much talent and elegance in this piece.'

'A big thank you for running such a brilliant, insightful and well organised workshop this weekend. It was lovely to see all the brilliant feedback from the participants. '

'The technology you use has been invaluable. I love seeing both Lucy’s work and students’ work so clearly magnified. Being able to see in such detail has helped me improve my skills more than I would have expected. It is also invaluable to have recordings of the classes and therefore be able to watch demonstrations as many times as I want. My next course can’t start soon enough! Lucy is not only an extraordinary teacher but she keeps getting better and better.'

'Taking a course at Hand And Lock was a great experience. You were an instructor for all levels of embroidery skills . Directions were patiently given, and you  made sure we had a clear understanding of the techniques. The logistics of the class, materials received in a timely manner, was perfect. The kit organized and anticipated everything we needed to complete all the designs. Most importantly to me, is that what I learned will have a life after class. I cannot end without mentioning that the collegial feeling with my classmates was inspiring.'

'I loved the contemporary twist of an aged and historic activity, but Freya was a delight and very easy to follow, concise and clear, helpful without overpowering'

'The education team at H&L is incredible and delivers such beautiful and informative courses. You should be proud of yourselves, and all the hard work you've put in to create such wonderful courses that keep these skills alive! I'm so so excited to see which other places you collaborate with next. Very much looking forward to my next course at Kew Gardens! I have attended several H&L courses now, both at H&L and other venues. All the tutors have been brilliant and give excellent advice and tips for how to improve my work.'

'Thank you so much for the course! The materials and processes are beautiful. And the instruction is crystal clear. Now for muscle memory practice :) The downloads are so helpful.'

'Freya split the room in half when demonstrating techniques which worked SO much better than having all students trying to see a tutor stitching at once (great idea Freya!)I choose Hand and Lock courses because I trust the quality of tutoring but I also much prefer the designs you have created when compared to other providers. My favourite part of this course was learning a whole new technique but being able to see progress over the two days to the point where I feel comfortable continuing to practice this technique at home.'

'I loved how Freya made it so comfortable. We could be quiet for a little while and it didn't feel awkward at all. She made it feel really welcoming. I also just loved the project and the techniques we learned.'

'Lucy was great and provided great feedback on our individual submissions through What'sAp. This was a great online experience. I've taken other online courses, and this was one of the best - great clarity when Lucy was demonstrating, and lots of tips shared'

'Freya demonstrated every technique with great clarity and with a light touch. It was easy to learn from her, and even if I knew a particular stitch or technique, Freya’s attention to detail and nuance always gave me something new. Freya brought to her teaching a sense of play that has stayed with me outside of the lessons. I tend to execute embroidery designs exactly as written, so it was really fun to do a project that made me ask myself what else I could do with a given technique or supply. Freya very naturally transmits her enthusiasm! Your courses are amazing, and I feel so lucky to be taking them'

'I just live for these classes! I feel like when I am in them they are great for my psyche-as they are a guaranteed and dedicated time reserved for not only learning, but focusing on embroidery, which brings me so much joy. It’s just priceless. Thanks so so much for it! It’s been just so much more than I ever thought would have been possible with an online platform and it has been so appreciated. You have all made such a wonderful and rich online world that is so much more than I think all of us thought was possible! Thanks so much for your hard work and just know how much it is appreciated by your customer base'

'I found the course really hard and I found it difficult to get the technique but Freya was brilliant at encouraging me to persevere and I did manage to produce some tambour embroidery by the end! My favorite part of the course was meeting the other students and having Freya helping and encouraging me to master the technique. I wouldn’t change a thing about the course'

'Learning some new skills with a lovely group of international students. I wasn't sure I'd get on with an online course but it was fab and Freya was fantastic as our teacher. Thanks H&L!'

'The courses have a more dynamic feel to them compared to other embroidery schools and are far more down to earth and enjoyable. Compared to others schools the pricing is far better value for money'

'Thank you for a great course. Both Anne and Freya were lovely and I found the course very inspiring. Everyone came away with lovely work. This was my first in person course at Hand & Lock and I’m sure I’ll be back again.'

'The detailed explanation, tips, attention to detail. How the tutor would go up to everyone individually and check on progress and help. Was a wonderful class'

'Lucy and Freya - you are both amazing. Not only at what you do but you are also the loveliest people too. I love your teaching styles. It is because of the two of you that I have invested a lot of time and money into my passion and I'm so grateful that you will continue to give us the best courses'

'Freya is a wonderful teacher. Her attitude is so positive and inspiring and her skill level is top notch! The patterns, color and techniques were amazing.'

'I value the individual feedback from Lucy in real time. Her advice is very specific which is helpful. She is responsive on the What’s App group as well. I learned many techniques that will increase my embroidery practice. I enjoyed the camaraderie among the group and will continue to interact with them after the course. I also like that the course videos are available to download. Overall, I love the course and will take another one'

'Honestly, I think both Lucy and Freya deserve all the credit! They have managed to build such a large community and successful school (and without sounding patronising, at such an early stage in their careers!). It's really remarkable'

'Favourite part was everything! Nothing to improve! It was the best class I have taken at H&L'

'The pace of the 6 week course was fantastic for me. The sessions gave a real sense of progression through the techniques in a creative and accessible way. Very fulfilling to experience learning on this level. I could not fault the course or Freya’s teaching style, would never have guessed it was her online teaching debut unless she had told us. Bravo Hand & Lock for another amazing learning experience.'

'I definitely wouldn't be where I am now without Hand & Lock. Mentioning no names, I have done courses elsewhere and they have been such a disappointment in comparison'

'Amy was really helpful and fun to talk to too. She was really patient, despite my slowness in learning the technique correctly. I really enjoyed the whole experience and learning.'

'Loved the design. Goldwork is somewhat difficult but the results are well worth it. This is my fifth class with Hand and Lock and I feel like I'm just scratching the surface of all the possible embroidery techniques. It's great to be able to learn new things in a relaxed atmosphere and having the videos to refer back to is a plus. I intend to take more classes'

'I'm so grateful for all of the hard work of Lucy and Freya - you have given me the opportunity and inspiration to do all of the things I wish I'd done years ago and you are inspiring others in this incredible field. I'm so excited about embarking on the Diploma to see where it takes me!'

'All wonderful. Very happy (and a bit sad it's over!). Thanks so much to Lucy for her kindness, patience and sharing her amazing knowledge and skills.'

'The pace of the class was excellent and the demonstrations of each part of the course were easy to see and understand'

'You have the best online set up of any craft and embroidery course I've seen. Very impressive and smooth.'

'So very lovely to have the chance to explore such unique techniques with a very talented tutor in a warm and supportive environment at H&L. Loved going home with a set of lovely samples and many new ideas and skills. The kit supplied was super and well presented. Freya was a delight, making us all feel so welcome and comfortable and providing regular cups of tea which we're exceedingly welcome. She was attentive and so friendly and enthusiastic'

'I absolutely loved it. Thank you. It was all very scary at the start and Freya was very lovely and encouraging. I can’t wait to do another course'

'I think the materials you get are always really great, lovely, good quality and have enough bits for you to really try things. The teachers are always so impressive, patient, nice and very knowledgeable.'

'I LOVED every minute of it! I’ve wanted to do monogramming since I was a child, so was ecstatic when I discovered this course. It was challenging and jam packed full of technics that we only scratched the surface of as so extensive, and I really liked that, very inspiring!'

'I’m so happy to have found H&L and the community. I feel so at home when I am in a class. There is always something to learn and I feel like I can really indulge in my passion! The community, the quality of the instruction and in-depth techniques (Lucy and Freya are well educated and know the techniques so well)'

'Lucy is great and the tempo of the class was good. Very informative and she demonstrates very well.'

'Lucy was a wonderful instructor. She is very positive, helpful, and patient'

'I loved the challenges! This course offered me an opportunity to dive into more complicated techniques, all the while knowing that Lucy would give me all the necessary guidance and every tip for success. The materials supplied  for the turtle were especially sumptuous, even by Hand & Lock’s high standards; it was a treat to work with such gorgeous wires and bullions. As always, my favorite part of the course was Lucy herself,  an extraordinary teacher who seems to know exactly how to help each student and how to create a supportive and fun community even over Zoom. Taking a class with her is a wonderful and memorable experience!'

'Freya is a wonderful teacher. Her attitude is so positive and inspiring and her skill level is top notch! The patterns,color and techniques were amazing'

'Lucy's design gave me the opportunity to try a number of techniques so with the format and close-up view of Lucy's work it was outstanding. It was the first online embroidery class I have tried and the technology used was very impressive. I will definitely be booking on more classes with Lucy. I found the recordings invaluable as you could watch any sections that you found tricky again and again. Lucy's is generous sharing her knowledge and her enthusiasm makes her a wonderful teacher.'

'The exquisite and intricate contemporary design is inspiring. Having the recordings to rewatch means I'll be able to keep learning solo. Freya was very encouraging and even though I was slow, I felt I had my head above water most of the time. Also the friendly group members, with their varying levels of experience, were all helpful. No improvements necessary from my perspective. I feel very lucky to have had this opportunity. Thank you!'

'Keep doing what you’re doing - Lucy and Freya are such great ambassadors for hand embroidery, and have developed a brilliant network of guest tutors whose skills complement the ‘core’ embroidery techniques so well. The quality of the teaching - demonstrations, recaps and explanations - has been consistently excellent. Thank you!'

'I liked using WhatsApp to share images of progress with the teacher and others. I learned so much by seeing how the others were doing, and the constructive feedback given by the teacher.Overall, the class was great. I learned a lot, had a very fun and relaxed time, and really enjoyed the teacher. I will definitely take more classes and recommend Hand & Lock to anyone who might want to take online embroidery classes'

'Great comfortable and inviting space. It was amazing to look at all the samples in the bead room, to see different examples of tambour beading. Freya was a wonderful teacher that described and demonstrated tambour excellently. It was also lovely to hear about some of her experience and all her great tips. Everything was wonderful from start to finish! Thank you for the brilliant experience!'

'The teaching is beyond phenomenal. Each class leaves me not only with new skills but also with new ideas and new confidence. Lucy Martin astonishes me every time with her ability to teach and to elevate everyone’s goals, including her own; and with her extraordinary imagination and talent.'

'Lucy is a marvellous instructor.  She is very patient, encouraging and her design was fabulous.  She always answered questions over and over with a bounce in her voice.  Her enthusiasm is contagious and how wonderful that she started teaching/designing at a young age. I am looking forward to taking more workshops with Lucy and also watching her develop in her career. She is well on the way. If I could give more than 5 stars I would'

’I enjoyed the range of techniques demonstrated. Freya's open, honest comments and encouragement to the class’

'I love the entire class and the ability to stitch in my pjs while learning a new or improving my embroidery. I am not one to ask a lot of questions, so usually I am in the background listening to everyone's else questions and conversations. But I found the feedback wonderful from Lucy.'

'I feel that Hand and Lock is such a unique business and find the course offerings to be amazing and fantastic opportunities that are found nowhere else. I will be participating in as many as I possibly can. Thankyou for these offerings.'

'Lucy Martin is an excellent teacher and an exceptionally talented young woman. She is not only knowledgeable but also generous with this information.'

'I was very impressed with the professional tuition on so many different stitching techniques. I also appreciated the relaxed atmosphere, promoting constructive communication between students and instructor. Also, allowing the participants to make decisions that personalized their project fostered a confidence in our ability to be creative.'

‘Lucy is a delightful passionate and inspiring teacher with such depth that she understands and handles the classes which often have huge ability swings in it with great aplomb’

'A great course overall and wonderful teacher who was patient, kind, very skilled and passionate. Glad I could participate online and be part of the WhatsApp for connection to other learners in the group, gain encouraging feedback and share progress.'

'The collaboration with other students and instructor was fantastic'

'I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this class-words cannot describe how happy I have been with my results from Lucy’s tutelage and H&L’s zoom classes in general. I feel so lucky to be able to take your classes via zoom and thankful to have access to someone as bright, engaging, patient and talented as Lucy. She is a gifted teacher as well as professional in her field and I know that I reflect all of my fellow student’s opinions when I say that she provides a shining spot in our week when we get to tune-in for our classes with her. She is fantastic at pinpointing every step of each stitch and communicating that information clearly and succinctly. She then easily and quickly dissects her students’ work to provide clinical assistance or encouragement, as needed. She truly is a shining star at Hand & Lock and a gifted and well-loved teacher. This class was a great experience-not only for her addition, but for the breadth of techniques covered. I know that my overall embroidery skills improved greatly over the course, and I enjoyed learning so many fun new skills. I also very much enjoy the WhatsApp groups that Lucy creates for each class, bringing together like-minded students and allowing the group to go on after the class ends or we can join the larger group of former students'

'Libby's enthusiasm was infectious. She is an excellent tutor - my favourite part was seeing all of the varieties of passementerie each student made!'

‘The goldwork was wonderful. Challenging (and new skills for me with the cloth of gold) but the tutoring was fantastic. Well paced with lots and lots of support’

'This has been one of my favourite Hand & Lock classes. Lucy is of course the very best part of any class. she balances a lovely relaxed and friendly manner with an absolute determination to help each student master each technique, no matter how difficult — and no matter whether the student is shy or chatty. The vast array of techniques and the order in which Lucy introduced them gave me unexpected insights into how to push my own practice further. The design element of this course had daunted me but Lucy’s encouraging and thoughtful teaching have left me excited to continue. I may have said this before but it is always true. I think I love each class more than the one before.'

'I loved the clever mixing of tambour and Goldwork techniques. As a beginner at tambour beading, I was really nervous and thought (after one lesson) that tambour and I would never get along and that I would never manage. But Lucy has a real talent at teaching : She took us through all techniques with a lot of patience, in a very relaxed way and she de-dramatized tambour beading. The journey was challenging, exciting and extremely gratifying! I can now say I love tambour thanks to Lucy's talented teaching. I train every day with great pleasure. It was a progressive and comprehensive class that showed us different techniques, aspects and possibilities. Just loved it ! Working along with the other people of the group was also very pleasant. I've already enrolled in the Goldwork Dragonfly class and intend to enrol in the contemporary Goldwork class as well'

'This class felt like a masterclass - there were more stitches and topics that were covered than I had expected - which was thrilling. Really enjoyed this course. One of my favourites.'

'Lucy was very nice and encouraging to work with. The quality of the materials was excellent. The class was a dream.'

'I think the Course an excellent one, and Lucy being knowledgeable…amazingly kind, considerate, and attentive to all who needed her feedback while class was in session was huge. She was well organized with her techniques and her delivery of each in a timely fashion of what she had to work with… Lucy’s time management skills are very put together!'

'As my first time ever playing with goldwork I just really enjoyed the new medium (and the design was a definite influence in my pulling the trigger to book...) although now that I have dipped my toe in the water I am thinking that the dragonfly would be a good one because I can see all the different techniques that design would allow me to learn (a little knowledge is a dangerous thing! :) . I also really enjoyed chatting with Freya - having a working tutor (not just a teaching tutor - if that makes sense) has really sparked my imagination about what might be possible as a hobbyist with career change dreams'

'This class was excellent. The way the course was broken down made it easy to follow and allowed me to keep up without much difficulty. I never thought I would be able to produce such a complex project. It came out so well that I would encourage anyone to give it a try'

'I was a complete beginner and it's a skill I've been wanting to learn for years. Due to learning difficulties it can take longer for me to understand new methods which can be really frustrating but Lucy made the teaching so clear and was brilliant in going over things a few times so that everyone had a chance to follow along and try again. Coming in as a beginner there was also so much reassurance and encouragement from Lucy which was really lovely.'

'Found Freya to be really encouraging and very good at teaching techniques. Excellent!'

'Freya does a great job of setting the foundation for embroidery knowledge, especially in a beginner environment. Taster courses are a great idea, to try something without a giant commitment'

‘I don't know how it is possible for Lucy to outdo herself, but each class she teaches is even better than the one before, and each design more beautiful. She goes out of her way to help each and every student master every element of a technique; she is patient and she has an unusual talent for being able to explain a technique in more than one way; and she creates a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. As for Charlotte, her instruction was extremely clear and well-paced, and like Lucy she was happy to help us troubleshoot and understand how to attain the results we wanted. Lucy and Charlotte together are a dream team'

'Freya was very attentive and approachable, walking around the class checking we were ok, explaining and demonstrating in easy terms throughout the whole 2 days.'

'Since this course was my first experience with H&L I have to say that the overall quality of your “service” was beyond my expectation. The tutor (Lucy) is well prepared and experienced, the quality of materials were amazing. An additional bonus was the technical background: it was like being in the same classroom with the tutor. It made the course’s atmosphere so welcoming and helped me understand the task in an instant.'

'The satisfaction of learning a skill again, and Freya was very lovely to say we could contact her if we had any questions following the course - very helpful. Very nice environment to be in and a good length of day too'

'Thank you Lucy for a wonderful learning experience. You bring so much joy to stitching that it makes it easy to learn new techniques. And thank you Hand and Lock for all the equipment that made this distance learning course so easy to access and understand'

’Freya is a phenomenal instructor. She has the patience and skill required to teach. I found Tambour embroidery quite challenging and she was always checking in, and always open to demonstrate the techniques as needed. I have taken three taster courses and this 5 day course with Freya and I have finished each course with nothing but positive experiences.’

'I enjoyed everything. Freya is a brilliant teacher. She is friendly, informative and helpful. The 2 days flew by due to the constant chat that went on and there was enough time to stitch too in between her demonstrations. I didn't feel like I had to catch up. She went around and checked everyone's work and complimented as well as said if any corrections could be made. While there wasn't a step by step guide, she made sure we all had annotated our print outs so we can carry on working on our silk shading at home. Maybe if there was a step by step guide with photos and some tips to look over as we attempt it, that could be useful. Other than that, I'm content and I've booked another course in tambour as she said she would be teaching that. It was a lovely touch to have a certificate to take away to remember the day and a whatsapp and Facebook group to ask any questions once we left.'

'I loved how inviting the atmosphere was. It made silk shading much less intimidating for me since I have found it a tricky technique to learn. Freya was always super bubbly and helpful throughout which made the class lively and dynamic. Additionally the space itself was beautiful and it was wonderful to see so many embroidery pieces and creations throughout the room.'

'Excellent tuition and the opportunity to see things demonstrated by more than one person. The vibe is upbeat and positive and altogether a great experience. Love the upgrade. The school is perfect for what we need and the new lighting and decoration make it even better'

‘I’ll bet you hear this often, but your class was life-changing. I am 76, and not looking too far in the future. Anything I do now is not looking ahead to a career, but for my own enjoyment. And boy, did I enjoy!’

'The course was a joy! There were so many wonderful aspects to the class that is hard to pinpoint a favourite, because the combination of Lucy's expert, patient teaching and the innovative use of materials made for a succession of happy revelations. I learned much more than I expected (and this even after taking many of Lucy’s courses at Hand & Lock). I love how much teaching is packed into each course, how much imagination into each design, and how much enthusiasm into sharing each technique. Thank you!'

'The instructors were exceptional! Their skills are top notch and I’m thrilled to have access to their instruction. They presented the techniques in such a fresh format, it was a delight! Thank you for sharing your love of these beautiful crafting skills.'

'It is such a gift to be able to take the online classes you offer. There is just nowhere in the US that offers anything close to what you do. The course offerings are wide ranging and fresh, Lucy is an incredible teacher, the kits are great and keep improving, and the classroom atmosphere is thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you, thank you, thank you.'

'This was a lovely course, my favourite part was using printed fabric and the number of techniques covered over the 3 days, all of which complemented each other. I am able to think of several ways of incorporating the techniques into my own work'

'Lucy was amazingly patient and clear in going over a technique I just could not get right. I got there in the end! Throughout the classes Lucy gave helpful individual feedback, all the while giving praise and encouragement. I found it a really satisfying and enjoyable course'

'Freya, Thank you! I have so enjoyed the course! You are a wonderful instructor! You have clear instructions and are supportive! I am looking forward to taking classes from you again'

'This class is fantastic.  The teachers are both incredible and the combination of techniques creates a really magical experience.  The time flew by each day and everyone in our class loved it.'

'Thank you for such clear instructions in your teaching, and creating a lovely atmosphere in the sessions. Listening back has been lovely even though I haven't been able to join in in the moment! I do still feel as though I've got my value for money, and so I think that speaks volumes of your quality of teaching and ability to show on screen what you're doing.'

‘Lucy is a wonderful instructor. Some people are meant to teach, and Lucy is one of them. She answered all questions, no matter how often they had already been asked.’