About the Owner
Hi, I'm Shelby :) the owner of Silk & Spine, a mom, book lover, boutique enthusiast, and someone with a passion for creativity in all its forms.
For eleven years, I worked as an inpatient Cardiology and ICU Registered Nurse. Nursing is a career that taught me compassion, resilience, and the importance of showing up for people during both life's most challenging and meaningful moments. While I loved caring for patients, I began to feel the Lord gently leading me toward a different kind of service. Service that is centered on community, connection, and creating a place where people feel seen, welcomed, and valued.
Silk & Spine was born from a simple dream, to create a space in the heart of Danville where everyone can feel they belong. A place where people can gather, build friendships, discover new stories, and enjoy thoughtfully curated books and boutique finds. As someone who has always loved both books and clothing, I dreamed of creating a shop that blended the joy of storytelling with beautiful, creative pieces that inspire confidence and self-expression.
This journey was also deeply inspired by my daughter. As a mom, one of my greatest hopes is to teach her that it's never too late to follow a dream, that bravery often means taking a step forward before you have everything figured out, and that God's plans are often greater than anything we could imagine for ourselves. I wanted her to see firsthand the value of hard work, faith, creativity, and trusting the Lord's timing even when the path ahead isn't completely clear.
Opening Silk & Spine has been equal parts exciting, humbling, and, if I'm being honest, a little scary at times. Through every step, I've witnessed God's faithfulness and direction. What began as a small dream has grown into a space where readers, shoppers, and friends can come together and feel at home.
Whether you're searching for your next favorite book, browsing our boutique, or simply looking for a place that celebrates community and creativity, I'm so grateful you've found your way here.
Testimonials
Hear from our happy customers!
Press Coverage
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MIDNIGHT RELEASE PARTY
ATTENTION ACOTAR GIRLIES
Silk & Spine is hosting a MIDNIGHT RELEASE PARTY for the next book in the world of A Court of Thorns and Roses.
-Midnight countdown
-Fresh books in hand
-ACOTAR girlies losing their minds together
Pre-orders are now open for ACOTAR 6 & 7.
Social media
Follow Silk & Spine!
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HOURS
MONDAY — CLOSED
TUESDAY — CLOSED
WEDNESDAY — 10AM - 5PM
THURSDAY — 10AM - 5PM
FRIDAY — 10AM - 5PM
SATURDAY — 10AM - 3PMSUNDAY- 11AM-3 PM
Or by appointment
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Our Showroom
Step into a world of stories, carefully curated books, and charming boutique finds. Take your time exploring the shelves, and when you're ready for a break, venture to the back of the building and treat yourself to a coffee from Obsidian Coffee.
Google maps
Meet Our Team
The wonderful people behind our bookshop
Sandy
If you've ever stepped into Silk & Spine and admired the beautiful displays, cozy atmosphere, or thoughtful little details that make the store feel like home, you've already experienced Sandy's magic. Sandy is Shelby's rock, and honestly, Silk & Spine wouldn't exist without her.
She's our fixer, builder, problem-solver, and the person Shelby turns to when something needs to be done. Whether it's creating custom displays, repairing something that broke, or lending a helping hand, Sandy is always there with a solution.
Her incredible eye for design is behind so much of the beauty throughout the store, transforming every corner into a warm and welcoming space.
Carly
Hey, I'm Carly! I'm an artist, and I create the bookmarks you'll find at Silk & Spine. I also help out occasionally with whatever Shelby needs me to do!
I've been a reader my entire life, and my favorite author is Stephen King. My favorite series is The Dark Tower, King's epic dark fantasy series. Right now, I'm reading the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman and The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand. I read all genres these days, so I can no longer say I have a true favorite—they're all great!
Aside from reading and helping at Silk & Spine, you can find me spending time with my three-year-old and working on my business, The Bookmarkery. You may also spot me at the Danville Farmers Market or bartending at Vermilion River Beer Co.!
Cheyenne
Hey there! My name is Cheyenne Blakeley, and I've been a huge fan of Silk & Spine ever since it opened. I spent so much time there that I developed a friendship with Shelby, and that friendship eventually led to a summer job with her!
I've always been a longtime lover of books, and I love that we have a business like this in Danville. My love of reading started when I was young and has stayed with me ever since. A few AR awards, thousands of books read, and way too much money spent later, I'm still here with that same love of reading.
When I'm not shopping at Silk & Spine, you can find me at home with my family—my husband, Jacob, and our three-year-old daughter, Willow. If I'm not with my family, I'm teaching 4th grade locally at Oakwood Grade School. I spend my days teaching my students (well... trying to teach them) to love reading and encouraging my own three-year-old to become a book lover, too.
I love Shelby and the store so much that I'm spending my summer helping her out!
Cydney
Hey, I'm Cydney, a proud Danville native and lifelong bookworm!
My love of reading started early, earning several Accelerated Reader awards in grade school, and it has only grown stronger over the years. These days, I'm a Career Coordinator at Kankakee Community College, where I lead the Charlton Career Center.
When I'm not working, you'll usually find me with my nose in a book, writing my own stories, or spending time with family, friends, and my two fur babies, Koba and Harlow. My favorite genres include Contemporary New Adult and Young Adult, Psychological Fiction, Trauma & Recovery Fiction, Dark Romance, and Pitch Black Romance.
My all-time favorite series is Boys of Tommen by Chloe Walsh, and my favorite book is Releasing 10. I'm currently working toward writing and publishing the first novel in my debut series and recently started a support group for aspiring authors.
Haeli
Hi! I'm Haeli, a recovering extrovert (aka an introvert who now prefers to stay home and read), an avid reader, and a toddler boy mom.
Reading has always been a huge part of my life. I met Shelby through my Bookstagram account, and when she realized I was local, we immediately hit it off. I love supporting local businesses and indie authors, so working with Silk & Spine is the perfect fit.
I'll find any excuse to throw a party, which is why I ended up with a career in public relations. At Silk & Spine, I get to combine all of those passions by helping plan events and finding new ways to grow this little book-loving community.
When I'm not reading or working, you'll most likely find me chasing after my toddler!
Hallie
Hey y'all! I'm Hallie—the content girl and a recent lover of books. Honestly, I should actually say I am a recent lover of READING books. I've always loved buying books; I've just recently fallen in love with reading them. It started with book fairs back in the day and those monthly book order forms we used to get in school. I even had a few monthly book subscriptions before that was cool!
I still love buying books, and that's how my journey with Silk & Spine began. Outside of my "new" love for reading, I've lived in Danville my entire life, and I'm pretty sure I'll still be here when I'm old and gray (okay, that's a joke—I'll probably still be coloring my hair by then like I am now!)
Megan
Hi, Silk & Spiners! I'm Megan Nicoson, a longtime bookworm. As an elder millennial, it all started for me back in the '90s with Book It! and Scholastic Book Fairs. I still have my huge collection of original Goosebumps, The Baby-Sitters Club, and Fear Street books.
I was beyond excited when a local bookstore opened in our community. I visited on opening day and several times afterward, and Shelby and I hit it off immediately. It was a no-brainer when she approached me about joining the Silk & Spine team.
You'll find me behind the counter at the store or out on the floor making book recommendations. I also help with some behind-the-scenes projects when my schedule allows. If I look familiar, it may be because I've been a full-time employee of Aqua Illinois for more than 20 years. In my role there, I'm very active in the community and have built long-standing relationships with many local businesses and organizations.
Missi
Missi's first job was at the Swiss Sweet Shoppe in Southern Indiana, where she developed a daily ice cream habit she never quite outgrew.
She has ridden a camel across the Gobi Desert, toured Yellowstone on the back of a Harley trike, and once bought an abandoned nursing home—then turned it into a thriving business.
For more than 20 years, Missi taught writing and literature to thousands of students, but her favorite classroom has always been a good book—one that carries her to far-off places, unfamiliar lives, and other centuries.
Her next adventure? Right here at Silk & Spine! Her favorite genre? Historical Fiction!
Rebekah
Hi! I'm Bekah, a local mom of two, lifelong reader, and lover of all things fantasy.
I've called this area home for years and enjoy spending my days with my family, whether we're exploring the outdoors, attending local events, or finding our next adventure together. That's actually how I found Silk & Spine. I wanted to check out the new bookstore, and after visiting a few times, Shelby and I struck up a conversation. Now I get to help shop for the store!
Reading has always been one of my favorite ways to unwind, and you'll usually find me lost in a fantasy world filled with magic, dragons, and unforgettable characters.
I'm excited to be part of the Silk & Spine community and connect with fellow book lovers who share a passion for getting lost in a great story.
