what makes some workshops better than others?

I enjoyed myself immensely at the workshop I took yesterday.  Sandra is just the kind of teacher I find to be fun and free and I really enjoyed learning from her.  She had many papers and fabrics for us to paint/print onto.  She had many tools and recycled objects to use as well.  There was definitely a spirit of exploration and adventure in the class.   Fun fun fun.
The top picture is some of my friend's work.  The middle picture is some of the tools we used to make prints.  The bottom picture is the work that I produced.
I'm really looking forward to the next workshop with Sandra.   We will be adding layers and embellishments to the papers and fabrics that we created yesterday.  Eventually it will all be made into an art journal.