A Serendipitous Connection: Bone Boutique at the 2026 Sunshine State Soirée

The "Starred" Email

Life as an artist and community organizer in North Port is rarely quiet. Back in February, amidst the whirlwind of launching the Founders Crawl for the North Port Art Crawl, an email arrived through our website. I saw the name "Conservation Florida," put a star on it, and—honestly—expected to get back to it much sooner.

It wasn't until March, during a much-needed inbox deep-clean, that I finally read the message from Sarah Shepard. I quickly realized this wasn't just a local group; this was Conservation Florida, the Orlando-based powerhouse dedicated to protecting our state’s water, wildlife, and wild places.

As I read Sarah’s note about their annual fundraiser, my heart sank. I was terrified I had missed the deadline to contribute to such a vital mission. Our worlds align so perfectly—Bone Boutique’s "Wearable Conservation" and their land conservancy goals are two sides of the same coin.

Phillip stepped in and contacted Sarah immediately. To our delight, there was still room for our work! We quickly prepared and sent off two signature donations from our Invasive Species Collection, pieces designed to turn ecological burdens into conversation-starting tributes.

We were honored to be invited to the sold-out 2026 Sunshine State Soirée at the stunning Cypress Grove Estate House in Orlando. It was more than a fundraiser; it was a celebration of everything that makes Florida home. Between the Florida-inspired cocktails, the live music, and the heavy bites featuring fresh local flavors, the atmosphere was electric.

Seeing our jewelry among the Florida-themed auction items was a proud moment. But more importantly, Phillip and I were able to slow down and experience the magic of the landscape we work so hard to honor. It turned into a perfect, short "working vacation" for us, recharging our creative batteries while supporting the protection of more acreage from development.

This partnership with Conservation Florida is just the beginning. Whether it's through the Moore Museum of Art & Natural History or the pieces we forge at Bone Boutique, we remain committed to the idea that art can, and should, be a voice for the wild.