Carol, who lives at Ancaster Court in Boston, turns old books into beautiful works of art, inspiring others through her creativity.
Housing 21’s Retirement Living resident Carol has found a unique and uplifting way to transform her love of reading into a creative passion that brings joy to others.
Carol regularly spends time in hospital undergoing ongoing skin graft treatment on her legs, following a fire she survived at just two years old. During these hospital stays, she often looks for ways to pass the time, while at home, limited mobility means she turns to reading for comfort and escape.
Over time, Carol built up a large collection of books she had already read and began to wonder how she could give them a new purpose. After searching online for inspiration, she discovered the world of book art through YouTube tutorials and immediately found a new passion.
Since then, Carol has been carefully transforming old books into intricate and decorative pieces. Her handmade creations have become a source of delight for friends and family alike. Last Christmas, she crafted 18 Christmas trees from folded book pages, each one decorated with miniature lights and thoughtfully presented in gift bags.
With the arrival of spring, Carol has now turned her attention to creating Easter-themed designs, including calorie-free Easter bunnies and eggs, all made from delicately folded pages.
What brings Carol the greatest satisfaction is the happiness her creations bring to others. “I love the enjoyment I give to people,” she said. “If anyone wants one, I’ll make it for them for a small fee to cover ribbons, flowers and other bits.”
As well as spreading joy, Carol’s work promotes sustainability by giving unwanted books a second life. Her creations offer a creative alternative to discarding old materials, helping to reduce waste and encouraging more environmentally friendly habits.
Through her craft, Carol not only stays engaged and connected but also takes pride in what she can achieve, turning something simple into something truly meaningful, one folded page at a time.
