About Me

Hi

I’m Claire, the messy-handed, glue-covered, fabric-hoarding crafter behind Pillar Box Blue. If there’s a way to turn something old into something fabulous, you can bet I’m all over it. Denim scraps? Christmas decorations. Tin cans? Chic planters. Vintage wallpaper? Decoupage dreams. You get the idea.

How It All Started

Born and raised in the bustling streets of Hong Kong, I was surrounded by vibrant colours, intricate designs, and a melting pot of cultures that ignited my creative spark. Fast-forward a few decades, and I’m now based in Bedford, England, where I continue experimenting, upcycling, and sharing my crafty adventures with the world. Oh, and thanks to my Norwegian husband, I have a soft spot for all things Scandi, too.

Why Upcycling?

I firmly believe that just because something is old or worn doesn’t mean it’s lost its charm. I love the challenge of taking discarded materials and giving them a whole new life. Whether transforming old jeans into home decor or rescuing forgotten vintage prints and making them relevant again, my motto is simple: waste less, create more, and have fun doing it.

Crafting doesn’t have to mean spending loads of money at the craft store—there is so much potential in the materials around us! With creativity, you can make beautiful things from everyday items.

Crafting as Therapy

Crafting isn’t just about making something beautiful—it’s about the process. I find upcycling and DIY incredibly therapeutic. There’s something deeply satisfying about using your hands to transform materials and seeing the results unfold. Making can be a mindful escape from the daily grind, whether it’s stitching, painting, gluing, or cutting. Plus, there’s an absolute joy in knowing you’ve created something unique, sustainable, and meaningful.

My Crafty Credentials

I’m not just playing with glue for fun (though, honestly, that’s a big part of it). I ran a local craft club for over a decade. My work has been featured in craft magazines and websites worldwide, and I’ve even contributed to books, including the Dummies Guide to Upcycling. Oh, and did I mention that Pillar Box Blue has won awards? Yep! People love quirky upcycled crafts, and I couldn’t be happier.

What You’ll Find Here

• Upcycled DIYs – Think tin cans, denim, wallpaper scraps, and anything else I can get my hands on.
• Vintage Printables – I deeply love old illustrations, and I make sure they get a second life as art, crafts, and decor.
• Seasonal Crafts – Christmas, Halloween, spring… any excuse to make something fun and festive.
• Paper and Fabric Crafts – I’m in my element if it involves scissors, thread, and glue.

Come Craft with Me!

Pillar Box Blue isn’t just a blog—it’s a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and the joy of making things with your own two hands. Whether you’re a fellow craft addict or just looking for a fun weekend project, I hope you’ll find something that sparks your imagination here.

So grab a cuppa, raid the recycling bin, and let’s get crafty!

Claire

A Passion for Vintage Images

My love for vintage illustrations goes beyond crafting—I’m obsessed! My passion was so great that I started a sister site, Picture Box Blue, dedicated entirely to sharing stunning vintage images. It’s a treasure trove of public domain artwork that I carefully curate and restore so that others can use it for their creative projects, from printables to decoupage to digital art.

Awards

Where I have been featured

Since starting Pillar Box Blue, I’ve been thrilled to see my tutorials and upcycles featured on many fantastic sites worldwide and in some offline magazines, too.

Here are some of the fantastic places I’ve been featured:

As well as the many online features, my crafts are regularly published offline in craft magazines worldwide. Here is a selection of some of the magazines Pillarboxblue has featured.

If you have any questions or want to learn more, please email me at Claire@pillarboxblue.com.