Workshop in Devon, England (part 1)


It was 18 months ago that my friend Jo Jarvis contacted Tina and Julie at the Academy of Floral Art in Devon about hosting a workshop.  I had anticipated this trip for a very long time but we could not have had  a better experience! Sid Valley Country Hotel, the beautiful venue where we stayed and taught, is located in a very quiet area near Sidmouth – only 4 miles from the shore.

Sid Valley , workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

Upon our arrival we were welcomed with open arms. We were blown away by the incredible selection of flowers, houseplants and textures. Tina and her students had collected woodland treasures for months and I was thrilled beyond words with the fantastic selection that we would be working with.

selection of plants for the workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

mahonia berries and other textures for the workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

succulents for the workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

seedpods for the workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

cyclamen for the workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

The next day I prepped most of the arrangements  for the demonstrations. Teaching abroad goes hand-in-hand with discovering flowers and textures and plants that we don’t have available here and that is always a treat!

And here are the fabulous designs of students that they made during the botanical couture workshop.

A huge thank you to Katie Collins for all the photographs and to model Lilia Darling.

design: Amanda Randell

design Amanda Randell, workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Susie Edwards

design Susie Edwards, workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design:Charlotte Smith

design Charlotte Smith , workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Dao Thorne

design Dao Thorne , workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Denise Stazake

design Denise Stazake , workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Fiona Perry

design Fiona Perry , workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Genista Copeland

design Genista Copeland , workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Jacqui Hayward

design Jacqui Hayward, workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Jenny Murphy

design Jenny Murphy, workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Kathryn Delve

design Kathryn Delve , workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design Rose Stoop

design Rose Stoop, workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Sheila Haswell

design Sheila Haswell , workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Sophie Smith

design Sophie Smith, workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Tina Nordstrom

design Tina Nordstrom, workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Victoria Turner

design Victoria Turner, workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

design: Tina Parkes

design Tina Parkes, workshop in Devon, Francoise Weeks

 

 

 

 

 

2 Comments on “Workshop in Devon, England (part 1)”

  • Amanda Randell June 4th, 2015 12:13 pm

    It was a real pleasure to finally meet you, I was thrilled to see you work up close and have a go at creating something lovely under your supervision. I cannot wait to do another workshop with you one day.

  • Françoise Weeks June 4th, 2015 12:34 pm

    Thank you Amanda! It was a delight to meet you and spend time together. Your designs are so exquisite! I will definitely see you in Anaheim next year!

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