We chat to end-user digital support specialist, business owner, and Offspring Community member Lewis Earle.
Tell us about yourself
Hey! I’m Lew. I’m from Liverpool and have lived here all my life. My main line of work is in IT, I work as an end-user digital support specialist for LUSH. I am also the creator and owner of Sneaker Planters. I am passionate about technology and creating things.
We understand you have your own business. Can you tell us how you got started?
I was inspired by the idea of sneaker candles, which are candles made to look like real sneakers. I thought it would be cool to apply that same idea to my new hobby, 3D printing. And that's how I came up with the idea of making sneaker-shaped plant pots. I saw it as an opportunity to merge my interests and bring a unique touch to my hobby. It's been a fun and rewarding experience so far, and I enjoy the creative challenge of designing new plant pots, using different colours and experimenting with various materials.
How would you describe your design work and practice?
As a 3D printing enthusiast, I approach my design work and practice with a focus on detail and aesthetics. I aim to create plant pots that not only serve their intended purpose, but also double as decorative pieces that complement mine and many others' love for sneakers. I keep up with the latest sneaker design trends and apply them to my plant pot designs to make them unique and eye-catching. I experiment with different materials, textures, and colour combinations to bring my designs to life. I take pride in my attention to detail and strive to make every plant pot I print a work of art.
What was/is the inspiration behind your work?
My work is inspired by my love for sneakers and my passion for 3D printing. I wanted to find a way to bring these two interests together and create something that was functional, detailed and decorative. The idea of sneaker candles, which I noticed a couple of people in the community doing, really served as a source of inspiration for me. I saw an opportunity to apply the same concept to my new love for 3D printing and came up with the idea of making Sneaker Planters. The challenge of designing unique and stylish plant pots that capture the essence of different sneakers is what drives me and keeps me motivated. I enjoy the creative process and the opportunity to bring a touch of my interest in sneakers, into my hobby of 3D printing.
What’s been the greatest and hardest things you’ve had to come across?
The greatest thing about my work is seeing how people have incorporated Sneaker Planters into their own homes and offices. It's amazing to see how my idea has become a part of someone else's space and aesthetic. I also just love how I have everything covered in terms of design, manufacturing, and shipping. Not having to outsource manufacturing gives me so much control on what I make and the quality of the Planters.
The hardest thing is the prototyping phase for a new planter. It can sometimes take 6+ versions and weeks of work to get the size, shape, and details how I want them. It can be very tedious, but patience is key.
When I was getting started, the cheap printers I used started needing a lot of maintenance which really cut into my time to print orders. Nowadays I use higher end printers with little maintenance.
Last year Offspring hosted an OFF-LICENCE event to celebrate 35 years of Air. We showcased your brand Sneaker Planters as one of many community entrepreneurs redefining the blueprint in your own unique way. What was your highlight from the day?
The highlight of participating in an event like Offspring's OFF-LICENCE event would be the opportunity to showcase my brand, Sneaker Planters, to a wider audience. Being recognized as one of many community creatives redefining the blueprint in my own unique way is an honour. The opportunity to connect with other like-minded individuals and share my passion for sneakers and creativity within the space would be a highlight in itself.
You recently helped Offspring’s Air Max Day 2023 activation with your handy work, how did it feel creating something different like the Offspring figure?
It was definitely a challenge, and something I had never done before, but I was up for the task. The Offspring figure took around 15 prototypes before I got it right. Due to its small size and proportions, I had to dial in my printer settings perfectly. Once it was printing consistently, I felt relieved. The figure is a prized part of Offspring, and I know many people collect them, so I wanted to get it right.
How did it feel when you saw the reaction of the Offspring Community all wanting to get their hands on the figures you had created?
I wasn't certain how well they would be received until I saw the reaction to the teaser post that Offspring shared on their Instagram. I had the biggest smile on my face as I read through the comments and saw how excited people were. On the day of release, I learned that many people in the queue were enticed by the figures I 3D printed, which made all the hard work pay off. I am extremely grateful that Offspring approached me for this opportunity, and I am thrilled with the support I received from the team and OS community.
Do you have any early sneaker memory?
Yes! I spent a lot of my first years as a sneaker collector camping out for pairs, Yeezys and Jordans were the main models. The one which stands out the most is spending 14 hours camping outside of a store in Manchester to cop the Jordan 1 Royals. I still have that pair unworn to this day and will never sell them. It was so cold and still to this day the longest I have camped for a pair of sneakers.
Do you have any sneaker regrets and what is your sneaker grail?
Thankfully no big regrets other than looking back on pictures of past sneaker events I attended and seeing the prices of various Air Maxes and SB Dunks for much, much lower than they are today. My sneaker grail changes from time to time from a pair of Nike Mags, Eminem 4’s and currently a pair of 1985 Jordan 1 Chicagos.
What sneakers are in your rotation currently?
I’ve been wearing a lot of New Balance lately, mainly 990’s and 2002R’s. JJJJound 990v3’s have been heavily in my rotation along with the original grey and black protection pack 2002R’s. Though a week can’t go by without wearing a pair of Air Max 95’s (110’s), I’m wearing the Neons and CDG pairs at the moment.
Aside from sneakers what else are you into?
It probably won't come as a surprise that I’m really into tech and gaming. If I’m not watching tech videos or reading articles, you’ll find me on Rocket League where I’ve spent 2,100+ hours playing. I don’t get much time nowadays with my main line of work and Sneaker Planters.
What does community mean to you?
To me, community means a group of people who come together and share a common interest, goal, or passion. Being a sneaker collector and a 3D printing hobbyist, I find a lot of value in connecting with others who share my interests. The sense of belonging and camaraderie that comes with being part of a community is important to me. Through community, I have the opportunity to exchange ideas, receive feedback, and collaborate on projects with others who understand my passion. It's also a great way to keep up with the latest trends and developments in my hobbies. Overall, I think being a part of a community enriches my life and helps me grow both personally and creatively.
What's next for Sneaker Planters? As much as I love creating and getting Sneaker Planters in the hands of as many sneaker collectors/enthusiasts as possible, I don’t think I’ll be able to keep producing some specific designs forever. I’m slowly starting to work on my own designs and opening my 3D printing services to others in the community to help them with their own projects. I’d really love to collaborate with other brands and companies to create some cool bespoke prints for them. Everything I do is in a closed loop which means I can accommodate specific requests really well. Additionally, I might consider hosting workshops for others in the community who are interested in 3D printing, it’s a really fun and rewarding hobby.
Check out more from Lewis on Instagram @lewearle / @sneakerplanters
