Creators, Makers & Producers
This creators, makers and producers page is dedicated to UK artisans and craftspeople, predominantly located in the South West.
Wild As The Wind is happy to support these creators, makers and producers by listing them on this page. We do so in the recognition that it has never been more important to support and invest in small, independent businesses. And, the more local, the better.
Investing in British small businesses keeps our wealth circulating within the UK economy. Money spent on imports, immediately exports our wealth abroad.
If we wish to preserve our wealth, and provide a flourishing future for our children, then investing in UK independent businesses is the best way of doing this.
Tamarisk Farm
Tamarisk Farm is a family run, organic farm, located in West Bexington, near Bridport, Dorset… just inland from Chesil Beach, brought to popular attention by Ian McEwan, and regularly visited by fossil foragers, from around the world.
The immensely committed, and seemingly endlessly energetic family, who run Tamarisk Farm, supply a range of organic meat, vegetables, eggs, wholegrains, stoneground flour, pulses, and even sheepskins and organic wool.
Tamarisk Farm was one of the first in the UK to be certified by the Soil Association. It has been dedicated to growing wholesome, organic food since 1960.
Tamarisk Farm trade at Bridport Market on one Saturday each month.
There is also a Tamarisk Farm Shop (on the corner of West Bexington, DT2 9DF.)
Opening times:
- Tuesdays 4:00 – 6:30 pm
- Fridays 8:30 – 11:00 am
- Any other time by appointment. (Vegetables are picked fresh for the shop, so are not available outside normal shop hours.)
Alternatively, you can also visit the Tamarisk Farm Online Shop.
Haywards Bridge Farm
Haywards Bridge Farm can be found at Bridport Market on a Saturday. They sell amazingly delicious savoury baked goods, served hot, and naturally produced veggies. They are in the process of becoming organic.
Sheela Na Gig by Ama Menee
The sculpture depicted here has been made by a talented artist, Ama Menee, who has a passion for wildlife, and our disappearing heritage. She works in ceramic and bronze, recreating some of the more potent ancient emblems of British faiths, which have long since died out.
Ama Menee also pays homage in her work to insects and creatures, native to the UK. She is truly masterful in her renderings.
Sheela Na Gig is a captivating figure, and whilst of debated origin, the majority view is she is from the Pagan, Celtic tradition.
Carved into stone, these women squat, naked, sometimes cackling, pulling open their enlarged labia: it’s no wonder Victorian clergymen attempted to destroy or hide the glorious, mysterious figures known as sheela na gigs. The carvings are found on medieval churches, castles and even gateposts in Ireland, the UK and much of mainland Europe. They seem to have their origins in the 11th century; the oldest discovered in the British Isles so far dates back to the 12th century, the youngest to the 16th. Yet their beginnings are an enigma. Early theories from art historians claimed they were grotesque hag figures to warn against the sins of lust – a way of keeping the minds of churchgoers and monks pure. Others suggest they are a talisman against evil: the act of women flashing their genitals has been believed to scare off demons as far back as the ancient Greeks. More recently, researchers have leaned towards the idea that the sheela is a pre-Christian folk goddess and her exaggerated vulva a sign of life-giving powers and fertility. Even her name is an enigma – although one theory is that “sheela” could mean an old woman or crone, and “gig” was slang for genitals. If there ever was such a thing as “big dick energy”, the sheela na gig is the embodiment of big vagina energy. She has long fascinated and inspired academics and artists alike – a PJ Harvey song is devoted to her: “You exhibitionist!” Harvey sings on her 1992 single Sheela-Na-Gig.
Jenny Stevens – The Guardian – Big vagina energy: the return of the sheela na gig
My view, for what it’s worth, is that all creations of human endeavour are imbued with the energy of the maker. This is never more true than when the artist is passionately reimagining something of primordial significance, which is profoundly close to their heart. Thus, these artefacts, old and new, are potent talismen, providing sacred protection.
When I bought the Sheela Na Gig from Ama Menee at the Wessex Folk Festival in Weymouth, she explained her passion for this mythic figure…
She felt compelled to incorporate Sheela Na Gigs into her art, after witnessing one for the first time. This experience was profound. Ama Menee’s eyes sparkled, and she grew in stature, as she breathed in deeply to describe the moment. It was almost as though she was temporarily embodying the energy of Sheela Na Gig.
Ama Menee told me that she could feel the energy of the Sheela Na Gig before she even set eyes on her. She felt moved by a potent force emanating forth, and intuitively understood the energy to be benevolent, and deeply protective.
She also explained that Sheela Na Gigs are positioned above portals to sacred places, the entry points and windows of churches.
This all makes sense to me because of the unusual influences I have had from living in India and West Africa. I have also perceived the protective energies from Malian carved figures I found in Senegal, and have seen many Yonis and Lingums carved into the ancient temples of India. Yonis depict female genitalia and Lingums the male. They are synergistically rendered, seemingly acknowledging the sacredness of both.
However, the Hindu tradition, certainly ascribed to at some of the older temples, suggest that men can only achieve ascension, or enlightenment, through the female energy of the Yoni. It is seen as the portal through which transcendence is achieved.
Perhaps because of this, the significance of Sheela Na Gig is not lost on me. Somewhat unsurprisingly, I felt that the doorway to my new home would be much enhanced by a Sheela Na Gig from Ama Menee. And, it is!
You can visit Ama Menee at her gallery in Weymouth: The Happy Crab Gallery
Pottery by Lea Phillips will also be on display.
