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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Jess Grieveson-Smith

Leeds student's 'creepy' flesh plant pots are driving Instagram wild

A Leeds student has built up an army of fans after creating quirky plant pots to help with her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Bea, who is completing her master's degree in Leeds, has had to put her education plans on hold after her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis - but has found a unique therapy to help her cope.

Bea has quickly built up an army of followers in love with the creations, which she originally started making as a form of art therapy.

The pots are made from polymer clay and baked in Bea's oven, but decorated with unnervingly realistic eyes and lips.

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The pots are even complete with eyelashes and no two designs are the same, with some having multiple eyes, and others decorated with cow print or teeth.

There are pots painted with flesh tones, others with electric blue lips and some even sporting unique designs or plasters to create the human effect.

Bea operates under the name of art.tenderflesh has amassed over 45k followers.

10% of Bea's profits go to Black Minds Matter UK, with her sales created through Etsy.

Bea said: "When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, I was struggling with cognitive function, a brain fog - it made studying extremely hard and the diagnosis had made me emotional.

"My partner pushed me to be creative, keep myself busy and so I created plant pots initially for myself.

"Last June, I began with a little Instagram account to show off my creations but the whole thing quickly snowballed.

A pot full of eyes and teeth (art.tenderflesh)

"My aim was to make the inanimate look animate.

"It can be creepy, the eyes follow you around the room.

"But demand increased.

"My main customer base is strangely in the US, and each pot is entirely unique.

"There isn't one the same.

"I have taken commissions but I like it best when I can create whatever I imagine, and then post them to my account."

Bea offers a small 8cm pot for £85 and a large for £110.

A cow-print pot (art.tenderflesh)

She has currently sold over 100, and has high hopes for the future.

Bea added: "With my multiple sclerosis, my future is unpredictable.

"But what I've created is amazing, and it's boosted my self esteem.

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"I'm hoping to expand what I do, and create small objects to help with price.

"But art is pricey and it isn't cheap to do.

"The fact each one is different, I think helps my business.

"Everyone wants one that looks unique."

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