About Softpots

Hello and welcome to the world of Softpots…  The place where your imagination can run wild!

Whether it’s a new craft journey you are looking to fulfil, a new business venture, some magical inspiration or maybe you want to play a part in changing the world to become more environmentally friendly. If any of the above is you, you have come to the right place! Here at Softpots we thrive from using creativity to be environmentally friendly, using recycled natural materials and up-cycling tights in all of our creations!

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What is a Softpot?

Tights take up to 40 years to biodegrade in landfill, what better way to up-cycle then to turn them into a fabric plant pot called a 'Softpot'.

Softpots are a handmade, eco friendly, fabric plant pot for both indoor and outdoor plants. They are designed so they do not heat up in the sun and insulate the roots throughout the colder months. Softpots are much kinder to the plant then a regular terracotta / plastic pot as they are flexible and allow the roots to breathe, promoting natural root growth and no spiralling! They can be made into many shapes and sizes making them completely adaptable to your home inside and out! They are an easy and fun craft experience for all the family to enjoy. 

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How did we come up with this creation?

 Softpots was founded in 2000 by creator, Annie Austen-Meek, who came up with the idea of a Softpot when she wanted to take her plants on her travels with her! She was forever picking up up plant pots as they blew over in the wind so with her incredible imagination she formed her own pot with a pair of stockings that stayed solid and would travel easy!

Over the years, and through many trial and errors, Softpots were formed and Annie was ready to show the world!

She ventured throughout the UK showing and telling anyone that would listen all about Softpots. Her ventures brought her to a small shop located down the shambles in York where she built up her customers and had many fans.  

During March 2020 a global pandemic shockingly hit the world, causing lifechanging events for many. At the same time Annie met me (Danika) at a local cafe in Harrogate. I fell in love with everything Softpots related and became a no.1 fan. With our mutual love and passion towards nature and changing the planet we became very close and i became and in-house Softpot rep working in the Softpot garden.

Shortly after Annie handed over the reins of Softpots to me. Since then we’ve increased our plant variety and now stock tools, equipment and materials for all you soft pot lovers out there. We have a large selection of free classes and workshops as well as paid courses for makers with all levels of experience. We travel the country and visit many schools, care homes and festivals to spread the word about Softpots.

Fast forward a year and my bond with Annie become something I can truly say I am grateful to the pandemic for. Over the past year we spent a lot of time together, as friends and with Annie teaching me everything she knows about Softpots.

Sadly, Annie discovered she had terminal cancer, but Annie being Annie, she took the news in her stride and began setting the wheels in motion for me to have all the tools i needed to run the Softpots business. 

In March 2021 Annie made her exit and started her new life on the other side.

Not only am I eternally grateful for the connection, love and opportunity Annie has given me, but I am also grateful for her welcoming me into her home and family. Now not only have I gained a new business I have also gained a new family, providing me with ongoing love and support. My hope now is that with the tools she has given me to succeed, I can grow and create Softpots into the vision that she always had. With your help I believe that that is possible.

Annie is remembered in every class i teach, every demonstration i do and a part of her is in every Softpot that is created and we will continue to spread her love and push her dream.