Françoise Weeks European Floral Design

Kale!

Françoise — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:06:50 +0000

Kale is such a favorite vegetable to use in arrangements. I love the curly 3d texture and that kale is readily available at the grocery store year around. Simply re-cut the stems and put them in water and they will last for at least a week.

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Sara Gray

New Website! New Workshops!

Françoise — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:43:09 +0000

Last Friday the new website was launched by my incredibly creative and fantastic designers Josh & Qiana Rickabaugh-Rich at Quoin Design.

This year I will be offering two new 3 day workshops: Botanical Couture and Woodlands in addition to the popular Wedding/Event Workshops.

Botanical Couture

Learn the mechanics behind creating scrumptious designs that mimic objects in our everyday lives. These ornate purses, shoes and headpieces will expand the way you think about flowers! Françoise shares the techniques she has honed in the creation of these beautifully-crafted floral designs. To stand alone as centerpieces or to be worn as an elegant fashion statement, these couture pieces delight and amuse.

This class offers practical, hands-on experience that will further develop your own skills and repertoire and increase your confidence to think outside the box

photo: Ted Mishima

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

Woodlands

Explore the many possibilities the woodlands have to offer and be inspired by the botanical treasures of the Pacific Northwest! Françoise’s absolute love for this style of arrangement stems from her time spent as a child in Switzerland. Foraging for a piece of wood or bark and moss and adding some wildflowers, she would make arrangements for her Mother while on summer hikes with her family in the Alps. Her woodland fairy creations have since bloomed into unique centerpieces and bouquets using the foliage of the Northwest as her muse.

Detail is paramount in these layered, intricate creations. Gather ideas to express your creativity and learn to work with woodland materials found in nature!

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Ted Mishima

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

Weddings & Events

Wedding/Event Workshops are intensive and inspiring, providing insights and techniques developed over Françoise’s many years of European floral design. Classes begin with a lecture and presentation, where your input and questions are welcomed.

After a demonstration of floral techniques and mechanics, you will design your own pieces, hone your artistic talents, and be encouraged to listen to your intuition to further your vision.

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Nicole Wickens

photo: David Barss

photo: Jamie Bosworth

3 Day Wedding/Event Workshop on March 12, 13, 14

Françoise — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:49:21 +0000

photos: Jamie Bosworth

Wedding/Event Workshops are intensive and inspiring, providing insights and techniques developed over many years of European floral design. Classes begin with a lecture and presentation, where your input and questions are welcomed.

After a demonstration of floral techniques and mechanics, you will design your own pieces. You will hone your artistic talents, and will be encouraged to listen to your intuition and further your own vision. Classes are limited to five students to ensure valuable individual attention.

Dates: Monday March 12, Tuesday March 13, Wednesday March 14

Time: 9am til 4pm (1 hour lunch break)

Where: At Françoise’s Studio

Cost: $900 – A 50% deposit is requested to reserve your space; the balance is due February 27

photo: Jamie Bosworth

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Jamie Bosworth

photo: Nicole Wickens

photo: Holland Studio

photo: Jamie Bosworth

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Robert McNary

photo: Holland Studio

photo: Deyla Huss

photo: Evrim Icoz

photo: Davis Barss

photo: Jamie Bosworth

photo: Rebekah Johnson

photo: David Barss

Botanical Shoes for the Schoolhouse Supplies Benefit

Françoise — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:21:33 +0000

Last Friday Schoolhouse Supplies, an organization that connects members of the community with students in over 130 schools throughout the Portland Public School district, had it’s annual fundraiser at the Portland Art Museum. OnPoint sponsored the Celebrity Bee benefit. The fundraiser was a huge success!!!!

It was a pleasure to sponsor the flowers for this special event. Joni Shimabukuro was the photographer extraordinaire! Joni has such a keen eye and her images always reveal the most minute details.

It was a blast making the botanical shoes for the bistro tables!

Hands-on Class in the Studio: Blooming Branches and Spring Flowers!

Françoise — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:02:39 +0000

photos: Joni Shimabukuro

Bring the outside in and learn how to force blooming branches! Quince, cherry branches or forsythia arranged by themselves en masse look dramatic. Learn how paired with other spring flowers like daffodils, tulips, hellebore and hyacinths they make exquisite arrangements. Come and join us for this fun class that will remind you that spring truly is around the corner!

Monday February 20 6:30 – 9:00pm $75

Call to reserve your space @ 503-236-5829

http://francoiseweeks.com/classes

The hands-on classes are limited to 8 students per class and are conducted at Françoise’s Studio – 2754 SE 33^rd Place. Prices include flowers, supplies, use of tools, and best of all, your creation goes home with you! Receipt of your check (or payment with Paypal) for the full tuition secures your place in the class.

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Jamie Bosworth

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Nicole Wickens

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Neven Mrgan

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

Blackberries!

Françoise — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:48:03 +0000

A favorite texture! A few years ago, one of the local flower growers started growing thornless blackberry shrubs – What a treat that was!

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

Favorite Whimsical Bouquets

Françoise — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:04:08 +0000

These bouquets are structured differently than hand-tieds and they are all about detail. Time consuming to make, but a lot of fun!

photo: Steven Scardina

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Deyla Huss

Delightful Posies for Valentine’s Day

Françoise — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:35:33 +0000

If you’d like to order an arrangement for your sweetheart, please call 503-236-5829 or email by Friday February 10.

photo: David Barss

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Jamie Bosworth

photo: Evrim Icoz

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

photo: Shannon Spence

photo: Joni Shimabukuro

‘Terrarium Craft’

Françoise — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:33:26 +0000

My friend Kate Bryant co-authored this magical book. She is an extraordinary gardener and gardening writer – check out her blog Plantwise in Portland Monthly

Amy Bryant Aiello created the delightful terrariums. She and her husband own Artemesia, a very popular shop in Portland, OR specializing in terrariums.

Kate Baldwin photographed all these treasures.

Terrarium Craft, selected as one of the 100 Notable Books of 2011 by The New York Times.

A peek in the book….

Eucalyptus Pods & Flowers & Buds

Françoise — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:54:53 +0000

Imagine that when the exquisite textured little orange cap drops, a brilliant yellow feathery blossom appears. One of my favorites!

See that orange cap starting to fall off?

The orange cap just fell off and the yellow flowers to the right of the succulent are still very tight

Beaming in it's beauty!

As soon as the pointed greyish cap drops, the pink blossom with butter yellow tips emerges – another favorite!

photo: David Barss