Crafts group helps Botanical Garden

Week after week, throughout the entire year, one group of dedicated Queens residents shows up at the Queens Botanical Garden, creates craft items and sells them to benefit the garden.
Since getting its start in 1984 through the combined efforts of current Executive Director Susan Lacerte and group coordinator Bea Schecter, the craft group has been meeting on a regular basis. The members use flowers and greenery that they pick on the grounds of the Botanical Garden.
After the flowers have been pressed or dried, they are used to create items such as note cards, bookmarks, magnets, wreaths, framed work, decorative arrangements and potpourri. The items are sold in various venues, with all the proceeds going to the Queens Botanical Garden.
&#8220I love doing the work,” Whitestone resident Schecter said. &#8220Otherwise, I wouldn't be here.”
All of the participants in the craft group are unpaid volunteers who are dedicated to their work, which involves patience as they use toothpicks and tweezers to handle the flower petals.
&#8220Sometimes it's painstaking work,” said Flushing resident Hilda Zionch.
The group displays their products at the Rose Ball and will be at the Queens County Farm Museum County fair in September and the Chase Bank in Manhattan near Christmas time. However, they said they are always looking for more venues to sell their work at.
The craft group appreciates all that the members of the Queens Botanical Garden do for them.
&#8220The staff here is so nice,” said Pauline Schwartz, a Flushing resident who has won prizes at the county fair for her creations. &#8220They treat us so well.”
While working together, the members of the craft group have also created a special bond with one another.
&#8220It's like a family here,” said Lillian Press, who also lives in Flushing. &#8220We've all become friends.”
The Queens Botanical Garden is located at 43-50 Main Street in Flushing.
For more information about the craft group or to inquire about making a purchase, call (718) 886-3800 and ask to be connected to the craft shop. More information on the Queens Botanical Garden can also be found at www.queensbotanical.org.