I had the pleasure of stopping by Fiber Circle Studio last weekend with my mom. She highly…read morerecommended checking them out, and I'm so glad we did. Some other yarn shops can feel very gatekeeper-ish in my experience, but I didn't get that vibe at all here. As soon as I stepped in, I was greeted warmly by a table full of people and an employee leading a class or group. I didn't require any assistance, but the employee made a point to come over and briefly check-in in an unobtrusive way, which was much appreciated. The space is bright and airy, and the merchandising is on point. They have a surprisingly good variety of yarn, considering the space isn't gigantic (I'm used to Dharma over in San Rafael). Things are clearly labeled and priced, and patterns are available for knitting and crochet, ranked by difficulty, along with a list of where you can find them online. My mom ended up buying some lovely yarn that was made in the USA. Overall, the vibes were great-- it seemed like they were having some kind of class in the back, and it sounded like people were having fun. I perused their website and was impressed by the variety of workshops they offer. They also offer scholarships to workshops, which I don't think I've seen any other yarn store do. Love it when businesses give back to the community that way!

I had a dye class to attend and needed 100% wool yarn that I could dye. The lady working was super…read morehelpful and tried looking up the yarn that I picked. She gave me recommendations and I ended up going with this beautiful yarn that started out white. This is the color it was after I did a solar dye with acid dyes during the class. The store is amazing and has so much to offer. It is clean and organized and easy to find things on your own. I really appreciate the finished products that are sprinkled around the store to give inspiration.

This review is just for the Santa Rosa Junior College Petaluma. The main SRJC campus in Santa…read moreRosa will be a separate review with 2 stars. I'm taking a series of courses that are only available at the Petaluma campus. It's a certificate program for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification. I started 2 weeks late as I didn't know the CCNA was available at the JC. The Petaluma campus admissions office rushed me through the enrollment and registration process. There was no wait as there is at the main campus. I started class the very next day. The parking was plentiful as it is a smaller campus than the main campus. I was at the main campus in Santa Rosa to see a counselor. After searching for a parking space for half an hour in the 5 story parking structure, I was told by a SRJC police officer my best chance was to park on Ridgway Avenue on the south side of Santa Rosa High School and walk 3/4 of a mile to the counselling office on Elliott. This is after I paid $55 for an on campus parking permit. The Petalauma classroom for the CCNA is spacious, modern, and set up egonomically with large monitors on swivel arms. The projection system is very bright even with the classroom lights on. Fortunately, even for a 4 hour long class, these amenities all make the experience an enjoyable class. Highly recommend the Petaluma campus if you have a choice in class offerings.

I'm not originally from the area and asked friends and colleagues which would they recommend, SRJC…read moreor College of Marin, Kentfield campus and some attended both schools. Hands down they all recommended SRJC. I started my first year at the Santa Rosa campus the Fall semester of 2011, as an older adult (with adult kids 22+) attending college for the first time. The campus grounds exceeded my expectation and looks like four year college. The resources (writing center, tutoring center) were very helpful. From 2012-2013, most my classes were at the Petaluma campus with a few classes up in Santa Rosa because of my choice of teachers. The Petaluma campus is smaller and easier to get around from one end of the campus to the other. Again, the writing center and tutoring center were outstanding. The tutors were helpful and patient. Just like anything else, students will connect with certain tutors depending on your learning style. I would spend an average of 90 hours a semester in the tutoring center. I'd do my homework, study for a test either by myself or a group of students with a tutor available when needed. The tutors got to know you and would always check in with you to see if you're prepared for a test or how you did. In my opinion, the Petaluma campus had more of a community feel. As a older adult the younger students were great to work with and I did not feel out of place. I noticed the Petaluma campus had more older students (30+) than Santa Rosa. I received my AA with highest honors and transferred to Sonoma State in Fall 2013. If it weren't for the writing and tutoring centers, I don't think I would have full comprehension of the subjects and a high GPA. I also made some great friends and met some awesome teachers. GO BEAR CUBS!!

Diana Belenky is the Bee's Knees. There, I said it…read more If there's one thing Diana knows how to do, it's to teach. I have had a great many teachers who know how to draw and paint--even the legendary Henry Yan--but very few who know how to teach it. With a great sense of humor, a veritable wealth of information, and a heaping dose of patience, Diana excels at sharing her knowledge and demonstrating its application effectively. If ever you were uncertain of how to, say, capture a specific kind of fold in your gesture drawing, then you need not look further than Diana for just how to do it.

Diana is a DREAM of a teacher. I am an adult beginner and new to drawing and painting, and wanted…read moreto get the foundations down. Diana is SO knowledgeable and organized. She took me from drawing in flat, 2-D to a beautiful 3-D drawing in pencil, in only 3-4 lessons. She is so thoughtful, organized and flexible - she sequenced and adjusted her curriculum to my needs and adjusted to my style of learning seamlessly. In addition, she interweaves art history into her lessons so you understand what she is teaching in context. And she is so nurturing and encouraging! I've gone through a few teachers and she is one of the very best. I recommend Diana for anyone looking to improve their skills.

I've only ever written a few reviews in my lifetime, and after unexpectedly arriving in San Rafael…read moretoday and finding ARTT, I just had to do it! They had a really impressive, quality, and fun assortment of art supply this and that in their funky and cool shop, and In no time I had a basket full of amazing treasures, and a head filled with new ideas and inspiration!! I also had the pleasure of chatting it up with the very welcoming, charismatic and fun owners! I sincerely look forward to my next visit there! They make art supplies accessible, affordable, fun, and non intimidating. It's important we support their mission, because they're doing great work! I'll definitely be back to donate and to shop!

10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND! We randomly stopped at this cute…read morelittle creative hub of a store! What a GEM!!! We absolutely loved connecting with both of the co-founders! We loved the variety of art supplies and random thrift items they had to offer. The clothes were also soooo cute! I also love that they have art classes on certain days as well and I hope to make it to their head piece making class! They are great people with a great cause! Thank you ARTT !!

I took a six hour stained glass class from Suzannah and it was wonderful. There were five of us in…read morethe class and we all ended up with a beautiful piece of stained glass art to take home and hang up in the window. Suzannah is a wonderful teacher, kind and thoughtful and able to give good feedback, and really straight instructions on how to do the things you need to do to create a stained glass piece. I highly recommend these classes to anyone. It was a wonderful experience, and I would do it again.

Suzanne is an excellent teacher. I have worked with her for over two years and have enjoyed every…read moremoment--even when the glass frustrates me. She is patient and understands how to teach rather than just telling someone to "just do it." And this praise come from a teacher of many decades! Everyone in the studio is kind and interesting. I always come away refreshed from every class.

Marion is truly a gifted healer. She is companionate about helping people feel better. Her approach…read moreis gentle and kind, without judgement. She is very easy to work with, and will be with you every step of the way. I feel blessed to be able to work with her and receive her many years of wisdom and experience. She is an inspiration in my life, and her health coaching program is worth every penny! I highly recommend Marion to anyone who truly wants to feel better and develop healthy habits for life!

From the owner: As an artist and health coach I understand the impact of stress on our health. It is of most…read moreimportance for our well-being to find a momentum where we can get back to our breath and creative being without worries. We need to relearn how it feels not to worry - but just be and enjoy the momentum. Working creative transfers us into an environment where we can quiet our mind. In this state we are able to view and review our thoughts. We can recognize what it is that really matters in our life. Through changing our perspectives we can rejuvenate, heal our relationships and transform our life. During the process of creating your own Mandala you can let go of stress, forget the daily hustle-bustle and playfully engage in revealing your inner beauty. I offer one on one and small group private Mandala Journeys. ​