The Art of the Unseen: Why Our Bones Shine Bright on White
- Michele Moore
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
At Bone Boutique, our mission is to transform nature's intricate designs into wearable art and unique sculptures. And just as much thought goes into crafting each piece as it does into how we present it to you. You might have noticed that our bone jewelry and art almost always feature against a crisp, clean white background. "White on white? Doesn't that make it disappear?" is a question we sometimes get. Well, let me share the story behind our signature look.
Long before Bone Boutique became the thriving community it is today – a journey of nearly 10 years now, since I started this crazy notion of picking up dead things and making them pretty – I experimented with just about every background imaginable.
I tried shooting outside. The natural light was beautiful, but the Florida heat was... well, hot. Plus, controlling reflections and consistent lighting was a constant battle. Then came the "obvious" choice: black backgrounds. Everyone loves the contrast, right? And for white bones, it seemed like a no-brainer. But what I quickly found were glaring reflections, and my simple phone camera (it wasn't as fancy back then!) just couldn't handle it without losing detail. The contrast was too stark, often overpowering the delicate nuances of the bones themselves.
So, how did we settle on white? My husband Phillip and I, being avid art and nature lovers, often find ourselves wandering through natural history museums when we travel. And it was there, especially in the Hall of Gems at places like the Chicago Field Museum, that I noticed a consistent aesthetic: most precious artifacts and specimens are displayed minimally, often on or against pristine white backgrounds. This isn't by accident. The minimalism ensures that nothing distracts from the intricate beauty, the unique form, and the inherent value of the piece itself. It's an aesthetic that truly sets us apart from other osteo artists – our commitment to letting the bone art speak for itself.
Bringing this museum-inspired aesthetic into our studio was the next hurdle. Once the white background was settled, how do you display earrings or necklaces without props that distract? My mother collected beautiful glassware, and for a time, I tried using those elegant pieces. While lovely, they still pulled attention away from the art. Through trial and error, we've evolved to using nothing but the work itself on a pure white background.
You might sometimes see a hint of our wire trapeze in my small lightbox, or even the subtle corners of the lightbox itself in a photograph. This isn't an oversight. In fact, it's a conscious choice. We want you to know that we are in charge of our photos, and there is no heavy editing involved. What you see is a true, authentic representation of our handcrafted art. It's our way of showing transparency and trust, right down to the photography process.
This meticulous approach to photography, along with the entire website management, is largely handled by me, Michele Moore. It’s all part of our dedication to offering you an extraordinary and authentic experience with Bone Boutique. We're a small, family team passionate about what we do, and if you're curious to learn more about the faces and hands behind Bone Boutique, be sure to check out our 'Meet the Team' page on the website!
So, the next time you browse our collections, take a moment to appreciate not just the unique bone art, but also the intentional design of its presentation – a journey inspired by museums and perfected with honest craft.
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