It was a total leap  of faith when less than two years ago I finally had the courage to take the workshops on the road. For a long time many encouraged me to do so, but  there were so many unknowns that held me back: Who would host the workshops? How would I be ensured that all the product I needed would be available? What would be the best way to market them… Not in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine what this decision would lead to. This past year I have had the good fortune to teach from California to New York and from Texas to Michigan. In June Holly Chapple and I co-taught in Sydney, Australia and in October I went to Hawaii for the first time.

I wanted to extend a huge thank you to all of you who hosted the classes: Florabundance, Brooke Howsley,  Holly Chapple, Alexandra Jusino, Trisha Malys,  Studio Choo,  Michelle Van Eimeren, Susan McLeary and Lisa Giamoyris Almeida – you all  were so incredibly helpful and made teaching a workshop at your conference or  in your studio a memorable experience.  I met so many talented students and had the opportunity  to visit quite a few flower markets and flower farms. In Australia and Hawaii I was delighted to discover many flowers and plants that I never had seen before.

workshop in Sydney – photo: Jonathan Dear

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Joni Photo

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photos: Jamie Bosworth

Interested in learning different styles of bridal bouquets? Learn the mechanics behind woodland bouquets and other styles. Join us for the wedding workshop in my studio in Portland, OR .

Be inspired by many different techniques and tricks to make bouquets, ceremony and reception flowers that are ‘out-of-the-box’!

This Wedding/Event Workshop is 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 January 19, Tuesday January 20 & Wednesday January 21

Time: 9:30am til 4:30pm (1 hour lunch break)

Where: At Françoise’s Studio

Cost: $1,000 – A 50% deposit is requested to reserve your space; the balance is due January 5.

For more information or to pay via paypal, please call 503-236-5829 or visit my website

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When Monica Mayer, owner of Divine Designs Bridal Boutique, commented a week ago that she would like a botanical dress for the window in her shop, I immediately contacted her.

Making a dress had been on my wish list for quite a while and this was the perfect opportunity to figure out the mechanics. I went to the shop and came home with the mannequin last Friday.

My friend Elizabeth, owner of Rose Hill Flower Farm, brought a variety of evergreens and some other treasures and I found lots of different mini cones and other woodland elements in the studio. Tiny succulents, myrtle and pepper berries added seasonal colors. Never have I used as many tubes of oasis glue for one project!

Thank you so much for capturing these images Ted Mishima!

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When Portland Bride & Groom  Magazine contacted me last summer , I was thrilled that they invited me to make an all green bouquet and hairpiece for the Winter 2015 Issue.

Photographer Margaret Jacobsen took these lovely images.

Bridal bouquet and centerpieces for a winter wedding.

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Last spring, Olympia Frangos with Allium by Olympia came to a woodland workshop in the studio. The first day she told me that she wanted to host a workshop in her studio in Mexico City. I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to teach there on February 26 & 27!

When I teach abroad my  friend Jo Jarvis comes along and we so look forward to work as a team. It will be very exciting to discover the local treasures at  the flower market and the nurseries – can you imagine the varieties of succulents we will find there! Olympia mentioned that the flower market is located next to the produce wholesalers, so we will also have quite the selection of small exotic fruits and vegetables to choose from to enhance the designs with a true local taste…

The other day Olympia commented that she already has started to forage treasures for the woodland class; we are in for quite the feast to work with local product!

It will be the first time to teach a group of students who speak a different language and that I will rely on an interpreter to explain all the details. Thank you Olympia for taking on that role!

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Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, December 8, 9 & 10, 2014, 9AM to 4PM

Class size limited to 5 students.

Lunch 12PM to 1PM

All tools will be provided.

Woodland Arrangements

In this workshop you will learn the mechanics behind creating textural and detailed designs that will expand the way you think about flowers. We will discuss and design personal flowers, unique centerpieces and ceremony arrangements. This workshop offers practical, hands-on experience that will further develop your own skills and increase your confidence to explore outside the box. After a demonstration of techniques and mechanics, you will design your own pieces.

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 some flowers, we’ll explore how to make woodland bouquets as well as centerpieces. You will hone your artistic talents and will be encouraged to listen to your own intuition and further your own vision.

Botanical Couture

We’ll explore different ideas for botanical headpieces, purses and jewelry; we will discuss sourcing materials and the mechanics involved to create a variety of these unique designs.

To register and for lodging information, click here.

photo: Ted Mishima

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Last month Oregon Bride Magazine produced their annual bridal show “Bridal Unveiled 2014” at Left Bank Annex. I was thrilled that they had invited me to do botanical couture for their fashion show. Here are some images that Moscastudio took at the show.

Photographer Ted Mishima came by early to take close ups of some of the pieces too.

Thank you so much Alice and Ted for the great pictures!

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