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During this retreat students will learn lots of mechanics to design a variety of sustainable woodland and botanical couture designs. Demos by Françoise will include different techniques, which students will interpret in their own designs using a plethora of flowers and textures foraged from nearby woodlands. These techniques are applicable for any type of wedding or event work.
Check In: October 8, 2023
Check Out: October 12, 2023
Non-Accommodations: $1,610
With TreeHaus Lodging Package: $2,486
With RicePod Lodging Package: $2,726
With Nest Lodging Package: $2,966
- Class description
- Bio
- Supply List
- gallery
Class description
Each day we will focus on a different type of design. After a 1 hour demo by Françoise students will have 2 hours to design, emulating the mechanics that they just learned. Students will select the flowers and textures that speak to them to create their designs. Françoise firmly believes that this is integral to the creative process.
Monday morning we will start by foraging in the woodlands surrounding Wild Rice Retreat for about an hour. After a demo, explaining a variety of ideas for small and larger woodland centerpieces, students will make sustainable woodland centerpiece designs in a low container using bark, branches, moss and other treasures that they foraged.
In the afternoon we will focus on the mechanics for a framed woodland scape. These beautiful designs can be hung on a wall or doorway. They are made on a wooden frame, which is covered with flowers or textures, and water tubes will be added and interchangeable as the flowers wilt.
On Tuesday we will explore botanical jewelry. We will use small succulents and sedums as well as seedpods , berries, acorns etc... and highlight the designs with few flowers.
In the morning we will explore different techniques to design rings, earrings and bracelets..
In the afternoon we will focus on necklaces and pendants. The variety of designs is limitless.
Françoise will also explain the theory behind 'hydration chambers' which allow any design made without water source to look great for up to 5 days.
On Wednesday we will explore headpieces and masks in the morning. A variety of mechanics and techniques will be demonstrated.
In the afternoon we will focus on smaller fascinators and extended combs .
A photo shoot will be scheduled with a professional photographer and model to document everyone's designs. Students will receive a link to the photography 2-3 weeks after the workshop.
On Thursday morning we will forage again as we will explore a variety of designs for a sustainable and structural woodland design.
THREE THINGS RETREAT GUESTS WILL WALK AWAY WITH UPON RETREAT COMPLETION
- A valuable understanding of mechanics and how to learn to solve design issues
- The value of textures and how to use them
- How to look at botanical materials through different eyes
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2023
4-6P Arrival and Check-in at Wild Rice Retreat
530P Cocktail Hour, wine beer & n/a beverages (cash bar)
6-7P Welcome Evening meal at Wild Rice Retreat
730P-830P Meet and greet with Francoise in Great Room Classroom
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2023
8-9A Morning meal hour
9A Optional WRR Morning Yoga with Wild Rice Retreat Instructor
9-10A Foraging in Wild Rice Retreat Woodlands
10-1130A Class Time / Sustainable Woodland Centerpiece Designs
1145A Brunch
1-4P Class Time / Framed Woodland Scape
5-6P Evening meal
7P Optional WRR Immersion class (Content TBD)
7P - 9P Optional Studio Time
24/7 Sauna & Rainshower Experience
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023
8-9A Morning meal hour
9A Optional WRR Morning Yoga with Wild Rice Retreat Instructor
9-1130A Class Time / Botanical Jewelry: Rings, Earrings & Bracelets/Wrist corsages
1145A Brunch
1P-4P Class Time / Botanical Jewelry: Necklaces & Pendants
430P WRR Immersion Offering (Content TBD)
5P-6P Evening meal
7P Optional WRR Immersion class (Content TBD)
7P - 9P Optional Studio Time
24/7 Sauna & Rainshower Experience
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2023
8-9A Morning meal hour
9A Optional WRR Morning Yoga with Wild Rice Retreat Instructor
9-1145A Class Time / Headpieces & Fascinators
1145A Brunch
1-4P Class Time / Headcombs and Photoshoot of Student Work with Aria
5-6P Evening meal
7P WRR Immersion Offering (Content TBD)
730 - 9P Free Time / Optional Studio Time
24/7 Sauna & Rainshower Experience
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023
8-9A Morning meal hour
9A Optional WRR Morning Yoga with Wild Rice Retreat Instructor
9A Checkout in Lobby: Bags / luggage can be left at Lobby Desk
9-1145A Class Time / Sustainable Structural Woodland Design
1145 Brunch
1245-145 Final Farewells & Departure
biography
Françoise Weeks, born in Belgium, has infused her work with a quintessential European reverence for flowers and nature. Combined with creativity and mechanical ingenuity, she has crystalized her singular style of Textural Woodlands and Botanical Haute Couture pieces, garnering a global following. Since she started her business in Portland OR in 1996, she has done floral designs for over 800 weddings.
Her generosity of knowledge and perspective in use of floral materials, structure and techniques, create rigorous and exciting learning opportunities for her students to explore all that nature has to offer.
Françoise’s studio is located in Portland, OR. She teaches workshops in her studio and offers online courses and skype classes as well. She has taught in many cities in the US as well as in Canada, Mexico, England, Sweden, Iceland, France, China and Australia.
Her dynamic work has been published in national and international magazines, as well as an Emmy- winning TV feature.
In 2019 she participated in the renowned flower shows Fleuramour and FlowerTime in Belgium. In December 2018 her book “The Herbal Recipe Keeper” was published by Timber Press.She currently is working on her second book "The Wonder of Woodlands" and will be published by Clarkson & Potter in 2023.
| Contact: | Website: | Follow: |
|---|---|---|
| francoise@francoiseweeks.com | Instagram | Facebook |
Supply List
- Students, please bring a hot glue gun; Francoise will provide the glue sticks.
