Botanical Couture: Earrings

 

botanical earrings, Francoise Weeks photo Theresa Bear

photo: Theresa Bear

To make the botanical earrings you can either buy inexpensive earrings (some bead stores offer great selections) or make your own, using flatwire and create any shape you like.

For durability, using succulents and textures only is the way to go. I like to de-construct flowers as this offers endless possibilities to design super fun earrings!

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Botanical Couture: Necklaces

botanical necklace 2, Francoise Weeks photo Sarah Culver

photo @takenbysarah

The botanical necklaces are super fun to make and  will embellish any dress or blouse beautifully! I like to incorporate small flowers and blossoms, being mindful to use flowers that will  hold up out of water for at least 24 hours. If only succulents and textures are used, the necklaces will last for several weeks. The structures of these designs are made with aluminum wire.  The other option is to buy blank necklace bases.

Photos: Françoise Weeks, except if indicated differently.

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Botanical Jewelry: Rings

high res files for slide show presentation

photo: Ted Mishima

Ever thought of offering flower jewelry as an alternative to corsages? Rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets  made with flowers and texture are undoubtedly a fun change from the traditional pin-on corsages. It doesn’t take any more time to make a ring than to make a corsage and I bet that anyone will love this unexpected idea. The base is made with gauge 12 aluminum wire, so the size of the ring can easily be adjusted. Because I love detail so much  I like to use small blossoms, textures and succulents, just the same as when I make corsages ; but of course the sky is the limit!

Here are some examples of  flower rings.  In the next few days look for blog posts for examples of botanical necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

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Woodland Bouquet with David Austin Roses

woodland bouquet with David Austin Roses, Francoise Weeks

woodland bouquet with David Austin Roses,detail 1, Francoise Weeks

The Darcey garden roses from David Austin are mixed with cyclamen and sweetpeas plus succulents, eucalyptus, berzillia, pieris, leucodendron, kale, maidenhair fern, a variety of foliages and a budded magnolia branch. The underside of the bouquet, made in a European bouquet holder from Smithers-Oasis, is decorated with  pothos foliage; the handle is covered with calix of carnations and blackberries at the top.

Than you to Alexander Farms for sponsoring the roses.

Much gratitude to Joni Shimabukuro for capturing these beautiful photos.

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Botanical Couture with David Austin Roses

botanical shoe with David Austin Roses,detail 1, Francoise Weeks

A botanical shoe, purse and headpiece featuring the gorgeous David Austin garden roses, sponsored by Alexandra Farms.

Photos: Joni Shimabukuro

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Another Woodland Design with David Austin Roses

woodland design with David Austin Roses, Francoise Weeks

It was such an honor a few months ago to be invited by David Austin Roses  to design a few woodlands and botanical couture with their gorgeous garden roses. Here is the first second one.

The gorgeous Tess garden roses were blended with hellebore, fritillaria, succulents, pieris, blackberries, poppy buds and other foliages and textures.

Thank you Alexandra Farms for sponsoring the roses!

Thank you Joni Shimabukuro for the great pictures!

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Woodland Design with David Austin Roses

woodland with David Austin Roses, Francoise Weeks

It was such an honor a few months ago to be invited by David Austin Roses  to design a few woodlands and botanical couture with their gorgeous garden roses. Here is the first one.

Many years ago I found this fantastic piece of wood on the street in our neighborhood after a crazy wind storm. The copper pedestal was the perfect container to use. The other early spring flowers and textures are galanthus, muscari, hellebore, paperwhites, leukodendron, succulents, kale, pieris, foliage of begonias, geraniums and jasmine, ,…

Thank you Alexandra Farms for sponsoring the roses!

And as always, much gratitude to Joni Shimabukuro for capturing these beautiful images.

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Woodland/Botanical Couture Workshop in the Studio – Demos

I cannot than Theresa Bear enough for documenting this 3 day workshop so perfectly!

woodland-botanical couture workshop in studio , rings Francoise Weeks

botanical earring

woodland-botanical couture workshop in studio , earrings Francoise Weeks

botanical earrings

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Woodland/Botanical Couture Workshop in the Studio – Day 3

woodland-botanical couture in studio, visit at Portland Flower Market, Francoise Weeks

We started the day with a visit at the Portland Flower Market . Back at the studio we explored mechanics and techniques to make botanical headpieces and jewelry. It was another fantastic creative day and Theresa Bear took great pictures again – Thank you!

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Woodland/Botanical Couture Workshop in the Studio – Day 2

woodland-botanical couture workshop in the studio woodland bouquets, Francosie Weeks

In the morning we designed a woodland bouquet, using the european bouquet holder from Smithers Oasis. After explaining the mechanics on how to make the purses, the students created these beauties!

Photography by Theresa Bear

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