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Episode 120: Francoise Weeks                                

Surprise!

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I’m thrilled to announce that my friend Francoise Weeks is helping us celebrate the 5th anniversary of Botanical Brouhaha by gifting a seat in her Botanical Couture Workshop to one of our readers!

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The Botanical Couture Workshop will be held in Francoise’s personal studio (pictured above) in Portland, Oregon on October 13-15, 2014 from 9am-4pm each day. Imagine strolling into this quaint studio each morning and learning the mechanics and techniques behind Francoise’s signature botanical shoes, purses and headpieces….choosing from her hand-selected assortment of foliages, flowers, and woodland elements…allowing yourself to explore new possibilities…experiencing the guidance and passion of a floral artisan in her own private studio…

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Jamie Bosworth Photography

I can’t say enough about Francoise…her generosity, her extraordinary vision, her humility and her technical design expertise. Not only is she a master of woodland designs, but she also creates exquisite botanical couture headpieces, shoes and purses. After years of being email friends with Francoise, I was lucky enough to attend one of her workshops (and meet her in person for the first time) in Austin this spring. You can read about my experience here and here. Francoise will inspire you and you’ll lose yourself in her unbridled passion for the art of botanical design. When you return home you’ll find yourself looking at nature in a new way…often stopping along your daily routine to pick up a twig or piece of bark to carry back to the studio and incorporate into a design.

Recently, Francoise appeared on Art Beat Oregon for an interview and behind-the-scenes look at one of her botanical couture photo shoots. I love this video because it really captures who Francoise is as a designer and as a person. You can watch it here.

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Joni Photo

To enter for a chance to win the seat in Francoise’s workshop, simply leave a message at the end of this post by Friday (July 25th) at noon (CDT). We’ll announce the winner on Friday afternoon!

Note: The winner is responsible for travel and lodging expenses. The 3-day workshop is valued at $1,100.00.

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Ted Mishima Photography

For more information about the workshop location, class size and lodging, click here.


Thank you Francoise, for helping make our 5th anniversary extra special!

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  1. JMac says:

    Wow! I would love to attend Francoise’s workshop! Thank you so much for opening my eyes to her amazing creativity!

  2. Faye K says:

    Amazing designs! Would love to attend. Such beauty.

  3. Francoise is one of our “NW Treasures,” to be sure! I would be thrilled to participate in one of her couture workshops.

  4. Emily says:

    I would love to attend, thank you for the opportunity!

  5. Coral Shortt says:

    What an awesome prize. If I could get to the US, I would enter! would love to come and see her studio.

    Totally support all you say Amy! Such a beautiful, humble and amazingly talented person…

  6. Kristi says:

    As a new small floral business owner I’m always looking for learning opportunities & this one sounds very special. I’d be honored to be a student in the workshop in such a beautiful setting! Thanks for the opportunity.

  7. You guys are so generous! I would jump at the chance to go to Francoise’ s workshop.

  8. Jewel says:

    A floral hero of mine~!

  9. Wow! I would love to come learn from Francoise! I would be thrilled!

  10. TINA says:

    YES YES YES – how fun – sign me up!!!!!!!
    Thank you!

  11. kris bennett says:

    Love her work, would love to attend!

  12. Jaime says:

    How wonderful! Thank you both for the amazing chance to win!

  13. Unknown says:

    Ooooh! Ooooooh! Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!!!!!!

  14. Jody Costello says:

    I have friends who have had the great pleasure to study under her. I would love not only to learn from her but to get to know her! Flowers, Oregon…ah!

  15. Oh, I would love to do this! I love her work and I love Portland! And I need an inspirational vacation! Oh the drudgery of a flower shop!

  16. What a treat this would be. I have been following this blog for about a year, and in that time have read so many wonderful words about Francoise. Studying with her would be a pleasure!

  17. Marsha says:

    Francoise is one of the most inspirational people I know. Would love to be included in her workshop!

  18. I’ve seen her work through the Oregon Art Beat program. She has been an inspiration for my ceramic work where I’ve been incorporating plans, twigs and found natural objects. I hope I get picked for the workshop! -Richell

  19. Anna says:

    What an amazing and generous opportunity!!

  20. Dan E. says:

    Not only do I admire her work, I am impressed w/ the example she sets for following ones passion to create what she wants to create. I also wonder how important the internet is to her, and others like her, to reach the numbers necessary to make that passion a viable lifestyle. I will gift my drawing to my wife, Michelle, who enjoyed the expose on Oregon Art Beat.

  21. Such an amazing opportunity! As a young floral designer, it is people like Francoise who inspire me to find my own personal style and voice within my work. I would love to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing floral icon.

    Hayden

  22. Emily Prince says:

    What a fabulous giveaway to a lucky person!
    Emily Prince

  23. Jamie Spellerberg says:

    What an awesome opportunity! Francois Weeks is a. Incredibly talented designer. Count me in!

  24. Emily F. says:

    This would be a dream come true!

  25. Heather says:

    Francoise is an amazing teacher and mentor. I found her portfolio on google and decided I needed a 1 on 1 lesson with her. It was a 6 hour drive to Portland but it was so worth it. Would love to join her botanico workshop!

  26. Kathy F. says:

    How exciting and fun!

  27. Kei Muto says:

    What an amazing and fantastic opportunity! I have been smitten with her work since I first encountered her here, on your blog. Wow!!

  28. Zanna S. says:

    It would be a dream come true!

  29. Jenny N says:

    What an awesome way to celebrate 5 years!!

  30. Jenna M says:

    Yes, yes, this is so neat! Would love the chance to learn from Francoise.

  31. Brie says:

    I admire her work as well and would absolutely love to take one of her workshops! Thanks to both of you for the opportunity!!

  32. Keith says:

    What a great experience this would be, good luck to everyone!!!

  33. Vases Wild says:

    Oh, please PLEASE pleAse!!!! I so admire Francoise, and also LOVE the brouhaha!! My fingers are crossed (but not for long; i have 6 bridesmaid bouquets to make!)

  34. Ann C. says:

    Would love to win Francoise’s Botanical Couture Workshop in Portland in October—I’ve been a faithful follower of Botanical Brouhaha and Francoise’s work for the past year!
    Ann C.

  35. Olive says:

    That would be an awesome experience!

  36. Your class is in my bucket list. Would love to come, meet you and learn learn learn. You are an inspiration to all of us, really.

  37. New Orleans needs a breath of fresh air! Please come and use my studio for a class and see what you can create using our local flora and fauna. It would be such an honor! Kim Starr wise

  38. Anne Smith says:

    Creativity is hope…

  39. Olivia says:

    my friend Susan attended this workshop and opened my eyes to the possibility of wearing botanicals as crowns and other jewelry. I’m continually amazed to see what Francoise creates and would be honored to learn from her myself.

  40. What an amazing opportunity! I have been wanting to attend a workshop with Francois for a long time but financially have not been able to make it happen. October would the perfect time for a trip to Portland! 🙂

  41. What an amazing opportunity! I would love to meet and study under Franciose!

  42. Debbie Flynn says:

    How Lucky we are to live in a world surrounded by the beauty of nature…
    Choosing a vocation that allows me the joy or working with and learning from it…. priceless
    The chance to create with a person who has dedicated her time to share… inspirational
    The richness I achieve comes from nature, the source of my inspiration… Claude Monet

  43. his is such a wonderful gift who ever wins it is going to be a very happy florist for this great artist’s workshop will be a treat to attend.

  44. She’s an inspiration for me, I absolutely admire her work and creativity. Always at the head of floral design! Francoise and Portland, is there anything else in this life? Luck, luck, luck!

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