ABOUT ME - Pothies

My Story

Hi there beautiful people!

I’m Belinda, and here’s my story (so far)…

A serendipitous start

In 2010 , two worlds collided in the most scrumptious way. I was training to become a Steiner Kindergarten Teacher, an approach that sees children flourish through crafts, rhythm and storytelling when Pothies found me.

I inherited the slipper side of the business (you can read more about this here). My children were tiny, but I could work it around my training. And it meant I could continue to be the person I was born to be – a maker.

A chilly realisation

Fast forward to January 2019 and my first-time chill swimming in the sea off Wales. As I watched others stuffing hot water bottles down their trousers to warm up and felt the pain of my defrosting hands, inspiration struck! A hot water bottle sling WITH pockets!

And so the Cosymajig was born. And now it’s being enjoyed by adventurers worldwide and taking me to places I never dreamt of. Like appearing on the BBC in January 2023 to share the most bonkers story about warm-hearted customer Pavlina in the Yukon, Canada.

Pavlina unwittingly offended the Welsh nation on TikTok by saying Wales was in England in a viral video reviewing my Cosymajig. After apologising for her mistake, she received a special invitation to visit the county from the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, and I was in high demand. My sales rocketed, and I was shipping out to America, Canada and all around the world as a result!

Leading the Pothies movement

Born into a family of makers, my Mum, Dad and Grandma taught me to craft from an early age, but I longed for more. I worked side-by-side with talented and inspiring mentors, experiencing their passion and learning in the only way I know – by doing it myself.

I’ve always felt a strong emotional connection to craft and its ability to access a different part of my brain which in turn impacts my body, sparking joy and improving my well-being.

And now, as an established maker, I believe that other folk can learn how to connect to themselves more profoundly through handwork. Because when you make something by hand or someone gives you something handmade, you get to feel all the love, history and years of experience that’s gone into it.