“I have really strict requirements for everything we carry in our shop and I am always bringing in something unique and unusual.”
Businesses and non-profit organizations regularly open and move in Saskatoon. Today the StarPhoenix talks to Svetlana Leonchuk, who ran Fiori-Studio and SVE Jewels as home-based businesses for a few years before opening a storefront for both businesses on Broadway Avenue in May.
Leonchuk, who was born in Russia, has lived in Saskatoon for nine years. She has enjoyed designing floral arrangements and jewelry for many years and combined both passions with her two businesses. She offers something unique in flower arrangements and a selection of jewelry that is both cute and simple, and can be worn comfortably by people with sensitive skin. She also has some special ornaments and other Christmas items available.
Q: Why did you open Fiori-Studio and SVE Jewels?
A: I am a florist with more than 10 years of experience and with floral education from high-end European teachers in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. I was working as a florist back in Russia.
If I’m stressed with work, I just need to grab flowers and do something quickly, and it’s actually a lot of de-stressing because they are beautiful and it’s a pleasure to hold them and see all the beautiful colours. My shop has a lot of colour to it.
And I started my jewelry business because I have sensitive skin and my jewelry is hypoallergenic. This type of jewelry I wear myself on an everyday basis.
Q: What kinds of flower selections do you carry?
A: We carry a good selection of flowers, including some that are a little bit unusual, different than what people would see in grocery stores. Today we have anemones and amaryllises, something that can never, ever be found in a grocery store. Roses of course are always popular. We have a variety of roses and many other flowers.
But we also offer options. Some people want to grab a (premade) bouquet and some just want to spend less, or are looking for something different. Some people love picking flowers to arrange them for themselves — it’s an additional luxurious experience they can have.
We do flowers for all occasions, including weddings. We have an arch which can be rented or can be bought. We have photos of some of our past weddings on the wall. We do birthdays, sympathy and funeral arrangements. We have a few artificial wreaths for funerals.
Q: What types of jewelry do you offer?
A: It’s minimalist, hypoallergenic, waterproof, non-tarnishing jewelry. We have really affordable pricing starting from $20. We have a huge selection of rings of different sizes. Plus we have earrings, bracelets and anklets in summer. And this jewelry is made of stainless steel with gold plating. It’s an alternative to gold but it’s much cheaper. I’m wearing one of my necklaces every day. It really lasts a long time.
My rings are very popular. When I participate in markets such as the Fringe or the Broadway Fair, like I was doing before I opened the shop, my rings were very, very popular. There are different pieces. Some are more dainty, some more simple. Everyone can find something they like.
Q: What is unique about your flower shop?
A: I have really strict requirements for everything we carry in our shop and I am always bringing in something unique and unusual. We add feathers to the bouquets. This is our signature thing because it really adds this nice touch. During summer, butterflies are also popular to add to bouquets.
We support the Ukrainian community by donating flowers and wreaths to Ukrainian Congress and to Ukrainian Day in the Park.
At Halloween time we had black roses. It was risky, but we sold them. People want to come back next time, knowing that they’ll find something that they cannot find anywhere else.
Q: What makes your jewelry stand out?
A: I started that business because I have sensitive skin and others with sensitive skin can enjoy. I try to bring in some really cute and simple jewelry. I guess people like my feel and style.
Q: Do you sell other items as well?
A: We offer chocolate in nice hand-painted boxes, filled with handmade local Rocky Mountain Chocolate. We carry cute postcards made by Canadian artists from Vancouver and Calgary, and we’re looking for more local vendors, like candle makers.
Q: Do you have some special Christmas items?
A: We sell rare fresh flowers such as red anemones and amaryllises, which only can be found at a professional florist. We carry absolutely adorable Christmas ornaments, such as a mouse angel with a star, with pricing from $10 to $20 for these unique ornaments. And, of course, we carry fragrant evergreens — cedar, pine, fir — included in centrepieces, bouquets, or simply on its own.
Q: Where do your flowers come from?
A: We have a good number of local flower farmer growers who provide us with very strong, resilient and competitively priced flowers during the summer, compared to flowers from B.C. or the U.S. They are less expensive flowers. We are proud to support local growers during the summer. Flowers in winter come from the U.S. and B.C.
A few years ago when I was looking for local flower farmers, it was just a couple farms. Now it’s much more. Some of them are really small and some are bigger, but it’s getting more popular. I am proud to tell people that it’s local flowers during the summer. They are strong, they’re big, they’re beautiful and they are cheaper than other flowers.
Local flower farms we use include WestWind Floral Acres, Three Sixteen Flower Co, Black Fox Farm and Robertson Valley Farm
Q: Do you offer flower delivery?
A: We deliver flowers in Saskatoon. We offer same-day flower delivery because we are very mobile. Recently we got an order at 5 p.m. and we delivered that day to Children’s Hospital for the birth of a baby girl. We got a five-star review without asking for it, the person was so happy. We have over 60 five-star reviews.
Q: Do you provide free shipping on jewelry?
A: At the moment it’s kind of suspended because of the Canada Post strike, but yes we normally offer free standard Canada shipping with no minimum. I offer it as a courtesy.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Fiori-Studio & SVE Jewels
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