It started with an idea for a bookshop.

At the time, I didn't know it, but I was searching for safety, connection and a little escapism. I'd always find them in bookish spaces growing up so starting my own felt natural, it was a dream, it was inevitable even. I opened the shop online and enrolled in a Masters program for Library and Information Science. I was all in.

Something was missing…

I expanded into coffee, stationery, and home goods, working closely with my roaster and learning about fair, ethical sourcing. Meanwhile, I was still working full-time in nonprofit, in safety and justice reform. The dots were connecting, I was learning how to be an entrepreneur! But, there was a persistent tug, a sense that the bookstore was reaching toward something beyond books. Something about space. Something about stories and joy. But I couldn't quite name it yet.

Phases like the moon

The Lost Shelf shape-shifted constantly as I figured out what I was building and what it meant to me. I explored archives, leisure, and joy for underserved communities. Everything felt cyclical, connected, like I was circling something true but couldn't quite touch it. I experimented with letterpress, bookbinding, curation, I offered new things digital services, and whatever I thought would stick and be the right thing. I dreamed up versions of The Lost Shelf as a playhouse, a museum, an arcade, a hotel. I shared these visions with other entrepreneurs, gathered feedback, kept iterating. Kept experimenting.

As it is now

Running a profitable e-commerce business turned out to be exhausting. I didn't want to be online, but I had no money to open a physical space. Every idea became filtered through whether it would make money, and that changed how I marketed, how I created. It felt limiting. So I made a choice: The Lost Shelf isn't that anymore. It's a creative studio. A place where I can experiment, play, build community, and feel genuine about what I'm doing. I get to create safe, joyous, crafty, reading, letterpress-y spaces or whatever. And that feels right.

Still to come

I still dream of The Lost Shelf as a physical space. One day, I'll open doors to a place that feels special, where you feel held and supported, but also free and creative. A true third space. I have a lifetime to make it happen, and I'm not in a rush. But I am dedicated and excited about it. I hope you'll be there for the ribbon cutting.

Look where curiosity got you!

Hello there! I'm Julie, and I run this little creative studio called The Lost Shelf. Thanks for reading down here - I really would like to hear what voice you read all this in.

The Lost Shelf is where I make things that feel good in a way that feels right. It's fun, experimental, transitory, and legacy. It's human. Stick around, have fun, hang out and please — get lost with me.

my first bookmarks on the press "shut up and read!", 2025

for the Collecting Wonder workshop, 2025

a secret tour from rare book dealings, 2024

attempt 4,562 at a logo, 2021

antiqurian booksellers association boston fair, 2024

a wholesome text about the workshop, 2025

first successful coptic stitch and book cover making, 2025