Good afternoon, Julia.  

It seems to me that you are the only florist in Moldova who runs floral workshops  in 4 languages.

In 3 languages , to be precise, in Romanian, English and Russian. I am learning German, although I already read professional floristry magazines in German without a dictionary.

And you are also a Moldovan artisan, a member of the Handicraftsmen Union of Moldova, aren’t you?

Yes, since 2008. But I want  to talk more not about myself, but about my actual activity.

Let's talk about floristry?

Floristry is a very broad topic. I would like to talk about my floral workshops.

Do you want to teach  florists in Moldova?

Once I thought about it, even wanted to create the Association of Florists of Moldova. After all, there is still no mechanism for certifying florists. So 10 years ago in order to get my first certificate of professional training in floristry i went to the courses of  European floral design in Kiev. But today we’ll talk not about studies,  although its element is always present, but about floral workshops as  an event, a party,  as a kind of team-building, finally.

Now  tell me please, Julia,  how are your  workshops  held?

Recently  I used to go to my customers. Most of all I  remember  my corporate workshop, it was the most numerous (in terms of the number of participants) team-building - 20 people, both women and men. We created Christmas arrangements, their mood was amazing, everyone liked it.

Julia, how do you find men as workshop participants?

It have been started with humor, most of participants did not believe in their creative skills, but a bit later everyone got involved. If you’ll try it by yourself, you’ll enjoy it, too.  Moreover, usually I prepare all the materials  before the event, I pack them separately, so that everyone can work with preselected materials.

And who most often order your workshops?

Women do. This could  be a workshop for children or  adults,  a floral topiary or an autumn wreath workshop, or we’ll create not even a flower bouquet, but an edible  fruit bouquet, or a sweet bouquet  made of  dried fruits and sweets.

Since you mentioned the International Women's Club... You are from Moldova and it seemed to me that IWCM includes  women-spouses of Ambassadors, members of diplomatic corps and other women from international  organizations in Moldova?

That used to be the case. The charitable organization International Women's Club Of Moldova was founded  in 1997 on the initiative of the spouse of the US Ambassador. But about ten years ago, it opened its doors for Moldovan ladies, local business ladies, or public persons or  others  local ladies who  could be involved in the common charity goals.

I’ve got acquainted with IWCM  in 2004 beeing invited to participate in the Christmas Bazaar organized by the Club.  And later when I became a member of the International Women's Club Of Moldova I was really  fascinated by communication with women of different cultures, ages, who came from different countries, but surprisingly simple, appreciating friendship and always ready to help, to donate their time, efforts and  funds for charitable projects in Moldova that the Club is engaged in. I have been a member of IWCM for a long time, and last year I was elected by members of IWCM as a Member of the Board.

Julia, do you run your floral workshops for the ladies–members of IWCM in English?

Yes. For ladies and their children.  The language of the Clubs communication is English, although each  lady speaks several languages.  I really like the motto of the IWCM– Connecting people and cultures! –Such communication enriches the perception of the world.

Is it difficult  to work with children?

For me this is a special direction. As i am a teacher by basic studies i have  studied children's motor skills for several years  teaching in some Chisinau schools  the  program "Floristry and Design" developed by me in order to adapt my classes for children of different ages.

By the way, Julia, at what age does it make sense to take a child to a floral workshop ?

I say that from the age of 5, but recently I had a 4 years- old girl  at my workshop who did not lag behind the seven-year-olds in the group. I always try to make the workshop for children  interesting not only in terms of floral design. If the workshop has its theme, for example,  the Moon, then we’ll talk about astronauts and space. Why not to turn the workshop  into a quest?

Now I understand why you opened your own studio which is more like a party- apartment or a fabulous decoration. One chest at the entrance is worth it...

This chest is  grand-grandmother's dowry.  It is about 130 years old.

By the way, the house where your  studio is located is getting soon 100 years old. I would never have thought that a 4-store  building in Buiucani could be a 100 -years-old building...

Nevertheless, it is true, I’ve found old photos of this building  before 1940.

So, now you have your own studio. How is it named?

CAMPANULA. This is the latin name of the flower, the bellflower.  It symbolizes creation and good deeds.

And do you run  your workshops here as  parties?

Yes. The topic can be anything. A birthday party, a party for friends, a children's party, or planning  to get together with friends. You can bring  your cake or champagne. Here in my studio i also  create gifts and bouquets for sale.

Bouquets  - I got it. And   gifts?

Edible bouquets – made of sausage, cheese, or sweet bouquets- marshmallows, marmalade, fruits. I also  create art-objects made of natural, dried or artificial floral materials which  give  an  accent to any  interior, these are  real gifts.

I still imagine a "sweet" bouquet. And  sausage, meat bouquet?

It is formed on special bamboo sticks.  I know for sure that men really like to receive meat bouquets as  gifts. Bouquets  are formed  of dried sausages and spicy vegetables, supplemented with a bottle of favorite drink, optional . Such bouquets should be the freshest  ones-  made, packaged and delivered at  the day of the event. A very practical gift for a man in the office. I remember one of my first edible meat bouquets made  for the birthday party of director of big company in Moldova Mr. Denis Simov and I know for sure that he was delighted!

And at the end of our interview  some  practical questions  about parties, birthdays and workshops. How many persons do comfortably fit in your studio,  Julia?

Up to 10,  but  6 - 8 persons are more convenient.

Julia, how much does your  floral workshop cost?

500 lei   per  one person.   All materials, accessories are included. As well as coffee/tea break and a glass of wine/juice.  And each participant goes home  with created  arrangement.

Duration?

Up to  2 hours. And you can choose the language in which workshop will be held – Romanian, English, Russian or very soon German.

Many  orders now?

Yes!  I get pleasure when people admire of what they created on the workshop in 2 hours. I love to communicate, to create beauty and to develop. I have many plans ahead!

Pavel Zingan