PLANT
WORLD
I walked into a terrarium
class at Luludi Living Art in
Astoria thinking I’d make a
glass vase with dirt and a
succulent, and walked out
with a mini mystical world
featuring a fairy.
38 FEBRUARY 2 0 2 0
EXPLORE YOUR BORO
BY DANIELLE BRODY
Luludi Living Art is a retail plant shop that
provides design services for events and
businesses. It also offers classes that give
people the opportunity to create a variety
of terrariums and put their own spin on
them. These traditionally include plants in a
glass globe, but when you make your own,
it becomes something personal.
“Terrariums are like looking at your own
piece of artwork in a mini living world,” said
owner and Astoria resident Liza Fiorentinos.
She added that plants are proven to boost
your mood — and there’s an extra benefit
when you’re involved in building their
home. “It’s a wonderful feeling, especially in
New York.”
I was one of 10 women participating in
the workshop. Most participants seemed
to come with a friend or family. We all sat
around a table and passed colored moss,
pebbles, rocks, plants, tools and, the biggest
conversation starter — buckets of toys
— back and forth. Fiorentinos and another
instructor circulated, offering tips and answering
questions.
“People are usually nervous about working
with plants, so when you add a creative