A Perfect Match - One Intern, One Florist, and the Art of Showing Up
How OWL360's Level Up program paired a self-described shy young writer with a Port Townsend florist, and helped her find her voice along the way.
The word that comes to mind when entering Kelly Bell’s bespoke flower studio, BellBird Bungalow Bakery & Blossoms, is “wow.” Flowers are beautiful anywhere, but this isn’t anywhere. The Port Townsend studio is in the “Business of Bringing Joy,” and it radiates the passion and heart that is Kelly.
But this isn’t a story about Kelly. This is a story about Eva Green, Kelly’s intern through OWL360’s Level Up program.
For context, Level Up, now in its 3rd year, matches the interests of those who complete OWL360’s Earn to Learn program with local professionals & businesses willing to provide internships. The “matching” is done with care, insight, and intuition by Sonia Frojen, Workforce Development - Career Pathways Program Lead.
Let’s talk about Eva
Eva is a self professed shy person - and though shy, she keeps showing up for herself day in and day out. Eva completed Earn to Learn in 2025 where she showed up for 45 hours of course work in career exploration and preparedness. Then in 2026, she completed Flight Crew, a program focused on leadership for young people led by Zhaleh Almaee, OWL360’s Assistant Director.
"Earn to Learn helped me know what I wanted to do, Flight Crew helped me know how to do it." says Eva.
Eva (second from left) at 2026's Flight Crew's commencement ceremony.
Eva’s long-term goal is creative writing, but that didn’t stop her from taking the opportunity to try something new. Yes professional, yes practical, and yes artistic, but the most important part of this internship arguably is the relationship that grew out of it. A shy young woman paired with an experienced artist businesswoman - from gritty roots - who has a flair for language that is…not shy. A perfect match.
On a practical level, during Eva’s 90 hour internship she learned how to keep a small studio clean and efficient, how to track and know the names of flower inventory, and how to manage the price list. She cared for deliveries, swept, mopped, and learned the art of flower arrangement.
Regarding the flower arrangement aspect, this is where Sonia Frojen comes into play, she pairs interns with truly special providers. Sonia wants the Level Up Internship experience to be valuable not just for the intern, but also the host business putting in the volunteer effort behind the internship. BellBird Bungalow is not your typical flower studio. When you order an arrangement it will be made with the customer’s specific event, mood, and intent in mind. These aren’t just beautiful flowers, these arrangements bring the message they are accompanying to life. It should also be mentioned that BellBird Bungalow also provides 100% gluten free goods either to accompany an arrangement or simply to enjoy because they are so good.
Eva holding a flower arrangement she created along with Kelly Bell.
Kelly Bell spent 10 years working with young people in the Substance Use Disorder profession and says “I miss the mentorship piece." She describes her work as “gritty and messy,” which speaks to her grit and why she’s the right person to lead an intern. Life is gritty and messy - but also beautiful and awe-inspiring. Learning and working alongside Kelly makes it all a lot more palpable.
What’s next for Eva?
This fall she plans on partaking in OWL360's partner program, The Clemente Course in the Humanities, she’s started a young adult writing club that will be writing a book together, and the once intern is now an employee at BellBird Bungalow.
If you or someone you know might be interested in OWL360's vocational training opportunities, please contact Sonia Frojen
Soniaf@owl360.org
Kelly Bell
Bellbird Bungalow Bakery & Blossoms
"As a Port Townsend resident for nearly 30 years, I am full of gratitude to be able to live in such an amazing, supportive community. Being a part of all aspects of my client's lives brings me great joy and humility. To have the opportunity to create and deliver beauty is about as lucky as it gets. I design every floral arrangement and bake every cake with thoughtfulness and intention."
