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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Last week we has such a fun workshop in the studio! Kris and Mari were so incredibly eager to get information and we ended up doing less hand-on work than usual – but as you will read their testimonials you’ll realize that they learned exactly what they wanted.

Here are some pictures of their beautiful work as well as a few pieces that I made for demos.

Designs by Mari

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Last night Molly’s Fund had their annual fundraiser. They are the Northwest’s leading organization dedicated to lupus awareness, assistance, and support. It is their aim to create an online home filled with support, advocacy, information, and education and make a difference.

Here is the necklace that I made for the auction.

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A wire frame, covered with moss, is the base for this very textural woodland wreath with small gourds, bark, seedpods, succulents, berries, crab apples, lichens,…

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Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21 & 22, 2014, 9AM to 4PM each day

photo: Jamie Bosworth

Hosted by Lisa Giamoyris Almeida of:

Blossoms Hawaii

Located in Wailuku, Maui

Woodland/Botanical Couture/Wedding Design Workshop

Class size limited to 9 students. Create and keep your designs.

Lunch 12PM to 1PM will be provided.

Please bring your own tools, i.e. clippers, scissors, wire cutters and knives.

Tuesday October 21 – 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. 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 centerpiece and log arrangement using foliage, bark, berries, seedpods, twigs, mushrooms, herbs and some flowers.
You will hone your artistic talents and will be encouraged to listen to your own intuition and further your own vision. We’ll also talk about the intricacies of sourcing, ordering and pricing flowers.

photo: Lincoln Barbour

Wednesday October 22 – Botanical Couture

We will design a botanical headpiece and purse. We’ll also cover what’s involved in consultations, proposals and contracts and will discuss marketing ideas.

photo: Ted Mishima

to RSVP or for more information

Workshop Info
Françoise Weeks
francoiseweeks.com
francoise@francoiseweeks.com
503-236-5829
Lodging Info
Lisa Giamoyris Almeida
Blossoms Hawaii
blossomshawaii@gmail.com
808-269-3840

Testimonial:

Françoise’s Woodland Botanical workshop exceeded my expectations in every way especially since it was something I had never done before.  She is so warm and easy to relate to and her humble expertise is amazing.  In two full days, I felt that I learned so much that I will surely use in the future.  All five participants were very sad to say goodbye to Françoise and each other.
VERY successful workshop that I highly recommend to anyone!

Sharri Robinson, San Francisco, CA – (Workshop in San Francisco)

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Porcelain vine berries are in season – they’re such a favorite and I wanted them to be the common thread through the pieces. Inspired by a picture that I saw in Louis Bou’s book ” Couture Hats’  of a hat/mask combination, I decided to tackle this fun idea. Shoes and jewelry complemented the headpiece.

The wooden chair was made by Wreath Sources, one of the vendors at the flower market. Embellished with lots of texture and a few flowers, it was a perfect complement for the setting.

A huge thank you to photographer Ted Mishima and model Juliana Tobon for this exquisite collaboration!

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Several years ago I bought a wonderful and very inspiring book: “Straight from the Heart – Bridal Floristry for the 21st Century” by Liz & Claire Cowling. Claire teaches workshops and owns a flower shop Thrive Floristry in Bury St Edmonds in England. I am beyond thrilled that I will have the opportunity to teach a workshop at her school next year in May!

I was  very curious by the bridal bouquet designs that included a wire frame.  Unable to find frames that I liked, I commissioned a welder to make some and figured out the mechanics. Here are some examples of these whimsical bouquets; they are fun alternatives to the traditional hand-tieds. There are many options to decorate the handle and to hide the mechanics at the base. You’ll learn how to make these in the wedding workshops.The next one is scheduled on November 10-12 in the studio.

photo: Jamie Bosworth

photo: Jamie Bosworth

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Interested in offering alternatives to hand-tied bouquets for the bridal party? A flower purse or jewelry would be fantastic! Botanical shoes or a fascinator would get everyone’s attention!

Learn the mechanics and techniques techniques and expand your offerings for your clients!

For more information or to sign up please check:

https://francoiseweeks.com/botanical-couture-workshop-oct-2014/

Only 2 spots left!

For more ideas ideas please check the botanical couture video that was featured on Art Beat (OPB) this spring

Joni Photo

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What a fun collaboration with photographer Ted Mishima and  model Shayna a few weeks ago. We decided to do the photo shoot in my backyard. As always, Ted’s pictures were exquisite!

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