On day 3 we focused on structural bouquets and headpieces.
On day 4, Jo Jarvis taught a business class in the morning and in the afternoon students designed amazing botanical purses!
Much appreciation again to Smithers-Oasis China for sponsoring all the glue.
Thank you Mr Tongzi for the photographs!
photo: Tongzi
Last week I taught another 6 day workshop in Beijing, hosted by Cohim Fashion Training Organization. What a fabulous time Jo Jarvis and I had teaching there again and I much appreciated all the fabulous flower buying that Jo Jarvis did on a daily basis.
We wanted to thank Oasis Floral Products for sponsoring the European bouquet holders as well as Smithers Oasis China for sponsoring all the cold glue.
Judy was our fabulous translator and we also really appreciated the translation skills of Tina and Michelle.
After power point presentations in the morning and afternoon and explaining mechanics, the students created fantastic designs.
On day 1 we focused on woodland centerpieces and bouquets
On day 2 we did botanical shoes and jewelry
Thank you to photographer Mr Tongzi who took so many fabulous images during the course. Some images are mine.
Feast your eyes on the fabulous work of these very creative students!
photo: Tongzi
For a while I have been interested in experimenting with structures for bouquets. Last week I gave it a go and made structures with wire and red twig dogwood and midelino. Always fun to explore something new and realize that so many new doors opened…
Some of the demo pieces that I made for the workshop in Detroit, hosted by Susan McLeary last October.
woodland bouquet
underside of woodland bouquet
Last October, Susan McLeary with Passionflower hosted a 2 day wedding/botanical couture workshop in Detroit. Here are some images of the fabulous designs that the students made.
A huge thank you to Abby Rose Photo , models Nia Bellona and Chaune’Rael-Whitsitt and to the hair and make up team Imagine Three Beauty Studio
design: Janine Sauter
Last Sunday was another fabulous collaboration with Ted Mishima! Model extraordinaire Heather Irish Collins joined us.
photo Kim Thomas
Located in Ghent, New York – see map
Please bring your own tools, i.e. clippers, scissors, wire cutters and knives.
A professional photographer will document the workshop as well as everyone’s designs.
Loshinsky Catering will serve a light breakfast and lunch both
days and on Monday evening August 1st there will be a scrumptious farm to table dinner!
photo Françoise Weeks
I am very excited to announce that Kim Thomas, owner, grower and designer at Flower Blossom Farm is hosting a 2 day workshop at her gorgeous farm in upstate NY. You will design with dozens of varieties of her flowers, foliages and textures.
This workshop offers practical, hands-on experience that will further develop your own skills and increase your confidence to explore outside the box. You will create new designs with strong emphasis on the commercial and saleable value of the designs.
photo Katie Collins
Monday, August 1 – Cascading Bridal Bouquets, Wrist Corsages, Hairpieces and Botanical Jewelry
Join us to learn how to create gorgeous romantic cascading hand-tied bouquets using the most beautiful flowers and textures freshly harvested from Kim’s farm. In the afternoon we will explore chic, wearable floral jewelry. Your brides will love botanical rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets as alternatives to the traditional pin-on corsages. You’ll also learn how to create extended flower combs and delicate wrist corsages.
photo Joni Shimabukuro
Tuesday, August 2 – Woodland Centerpieces
For Françoise, the Woodlands sprouted from a childhood memory that took a life of its own. Using foliage, bark, berries, seedpods, twigs, mushrooms, herbs and flowers, we’ll explore how to make a variety of centerpieces. In the afternoon you will create your own containers using bark and branches. You will hone your artistic talents and will be encouraged to listen to your own intuition and further your own vision.
photo Ted Mishima
Workshop Info
Françoise Weeks
francoiseweeks.com
francoise@francoiseweeks.com
503-236-5829
Lodging Info
Kim Thomas
Flower Blossom Farm
967 Cty Rt 9
Ghent, NY 12075
518-567-9266
email contact
It was such a thrill when last year in July I was invited by Cohim – a design school in Beijing – to teach a 6 day botanical couture/woodland workshop in September 2015. Not in my wildest dreams had I ever imagined that I would have the opportunity to go to the Far East to share my passion with other designers. From the get go, my friend Jo Jarvis was on board. Preparations were much more extensive than for any other workshop, as lots of the materials that I needed were not available over there. I was very grateful that Jo created a fantastic power point for each day – a request that we got less than a week before we left.
The experience at Cohim was absolutely incredible. Judy- -a fantastic translator – helped made this teaching experience go so very smoothly; the language barrier never was an issue. She was constantly at our side to make communication with the students seamless. They were a real delight and were super creative. At the end of each day Chris came by to take pictures of their work.
The flower market offered an extensive selection of flowers, textures, succulents and house plants and as you will see in the pictures in the next few blog posts, the students designed the most fantastic purses, shoes, headpieces, jewelry and woodland with all those botanical treasures.
