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Dona Smith
Hi, my name is Dona Smith and I have lived in the community for 13 years. I enjoy doing all
kinds of crafts, but I mostly crochet, do counted cross stitch, draw, and oil paint. I was one of
the original members of the Club Crafters, and served as the group's leader for many years. I would like to share with you how the Club
Crafters group got started.

The crafters group was originally started about 12 years ago as a quilting group by a woman who was a quilter and was active in a quilting
guild where she previously lived. She envisioned creating a group just like her quilting guild. However, after several weeks of dragging in
sewing machines, irons and other equipment and the time it took to set it all up, it did not seem to be working; so, the quilting group was
reinvented. All of us had other needlework projects, or craft projects we liked to do, so we decided to form a group where anyone that did a
craft that they could easily bring to work on could join. Thus, the Club Crafters was formed. We soon had many different types of crafts
being done at our weekly meetings, from all types of needlework, card making, jewelry making, and even a blind woman with her dog who
made beautiful baskets. Today many of us have been knitting or crocheting blankets and hats that we donate to charities. We would like to
encourage anyone that does needlework or some other craft to join us for a cup of coffee and lots of laughs guaranteed.

Denise Caputo
I am Denise Caputo, the current group leader of Club Crafters. I’ve lived in Roseville for 33 years. We lived in another part of Roseville
before moving to The Retreat in 2014.
My craft is crocheting. As a child in Brooklyn, NY, I
watched my neighbor crochet on her front porch. I was
about 12 years old when she taught me to crochet. I
started with simple items and then taught myself to
read instructions. I always challenge myself to be crea-
tive with different patterns and projects. I’ve made
hats, blankets, shawls, booties, dog coats, etc. I’ve al-
ways crocheted something, either donating or giving
them to friends and family. I even made items for my
co-workers as I had a stressful career and crocheting
was very relaxing.
I also sew. My mother was a seamstress in a sewing
factory and, at a young age, she taught me to sew. I
used to design and make my clothes and household
items, such as curtains, pillows, bedspreads, etc. I also
made clothes for my children and others. One time I
made a wedding dress for a
friend. I know how to knit,
needlepoint, and cross stitch,
but I prefer to crochet. And
when I see something that
interests me, I get my pencils
and sketch it.
Whatever your craft or if
you are interested in embark-
ing on a new skill, there are
many talented individuals
who will teach and share
their ideas, contact me at
Club Crafters.

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